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Taylor Calmus: Shooting for Hollywood stardom
April 23rd, 2010 by Mike Knutson
(Note: It’s Friday, which means this post is a part of our “I Feel Fridays” project. Our goal is to share stories from the past week that generated an emotional response. We encourage readers to respond to the post or to share something from their lives in the past week. To learn more about “I Feel Fridays,” check out this post- and then tell us what you’re feeling.)
The rural Midwest is typically not recognized as a hotbed of thespian talent. But today, I feel proud of a young Howard native, Taylor Calmus, who is attempting to build a career as an actor in Los Angeles, and want to share a bit of his story.
I ran into Taylor on Wednesday when he was back serving as a “guest employee of the day” at his mother’s coffee shop in Howard. I tried engaging Taylor in a conversation about his career while he was taking my order. But I cut the questions short as he fumbled over the keys of the cash register. (Based on Taylor’s performance operating the machine, I hope he’s not working in a coffee shop like many other aspiring actors. 
)
One subject we did get a chance to talk briefly about was his attempt to become Flo’s assistant in the “Help Flo” contest sponsored by Progressive Insurance. Personally, I thought the video he produced (and which is embedded below) for the contest was a winner. Unfortunately, he didn’t make Progressive’s Top 10 list.
In many ways, Taylor reminds me of an entrepreneur; to be a successful actor, he will need to develop his skills, be a risk-taker, and learn how to sell himself.
Previously, I’ve written that rural communities need to do a better job of lifting up local entrepreneurs who are successful. If we don’t, young people will assume that they HAVE to move to larger communities to be successful. Even though some individuals, like respected blogger Jim Russell, question this strategy as a means of “retaining” young people, I stand by it.
I do not, however, want readers to think that we should discourage young people from setting goals that may lead them elsewhere. I’m excited by Taylor’s desire to become an actor. I’m proud of his decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career; it’s definitely not an opportunity his hometown of Howard can offer.
But I think I know Taylor. And when he makes it big in the movie industry, he will never think of himself as better than his classmates who have chosen to live in small, rural communities. He’s just made a different, not better, choice than others.
And that’s why it’s easier to cheer, “Go Taylor! We’re rooting for you.”
Tags: brain drain, Howard SD, I feel Friday
Posted in Community Development, Rural | Comments (
2 )
July 17th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Random!
I had never seen this before today! Thanks for the support mike. Howard is a place that I will never forget and am always excited to call home. I had an upbringing that no-body can shake a stick at and living in a rural area was a huge part of it. Excitement wasn’t always handed to us, we had to find it. It made me a more creative person. As for your coffee, I hope it tasted alright! I’ll be back for pheasant season!
July 17th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Taylor,
I love it; “Excitement was always handed to us, we had to find it.” I’ve always thought that environment of places like Howard help produce talented individuals…and you’re one of them!