Entertainment

Exclusive Interview With James Pratt, an Award Winning Actor, and Director From Australia

We came across a distinguished actor, director, and x3 Australian Auctioneer of the Year Winner. James Pratt is an x2 finalist of Australian Thought Leader of the Year (2018),(2021), and is a founding member of Mogul Productions in Hollywood. He also sits on numerous advisory films boards including the SP Film Awards in New York, Mogul Productions in Los Angeles, and the Hollywood Film Festival in Los Angeles. He is the recipient of various international awards including Winning, Australia’s Top 5 under 35, 2021 Best Actor at the American International Film Festival, Best Presenter at the 2021 Hollywood Film festival, Winner of the 2021 Hollywood Gold Award for Directing, and Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2020 Europe Film Festival.

In Auctioneering James has won the prestigious REB Australian Auctioneer of the Year award 3 times and in 2019 he set a world record, becoming the first person in the world to auction real estate via live auction with Cryptocurrency. James’s latest feature film Malibu Crush is set for release in 2022 and has a worldwide distribution, James plays the lead role of Michael Chase. He also appears as a series regular in the TV new series, Hollywood Unexpected (2022) and is the host of Mogul Live, a weekly show whose previous guests include, Ja Rule, David Keochner, ( The Office ) Nicole Aniston ( 3.5m IG Followers ) and Pier Tempest (Oscar).

Here we have a brief interview with James Pratt;

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

James Pratt: In my very early 20s I ended up living in a small country town in the middle of nowhere and before I left there ( 12 months later ) I decided to make a short film, with very limited resources but incredible backdrops I made a $200 film called New York Model Agent which was selected into the 2012 NBC Universal Shorts Fest in California, this opened a lot of doors and was the first time I had directed something.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

James Pratt: James Pratt: That’s a tough one there are a lot of great stories. One that stands out is meeting this incredible 61-Year-old lady driving uber at night about 6 years ago, she told me she had been driving uber for 12 months to save up enough money to start her own catering business (her dream she always wanted to do ), she only could drive at night because in the day the roads were too busy for her, I looked her up 5 years later to see she was in charge of 159 people and had her own catering empire. I’m so inspired by her.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

James Pratt: Out of acting school, I was fortunate to land a recurring role on Wonderland, a TV show in Australia, on my first day I did some vocal exercises in my trailer not aware of the thin walls. I just remember a knock on my trailer door, when I opened, it the lead actress on the show was outside looking concerned and said in a worried tone, are you alright? It sounded like someone was having a heart attack.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

James Pratt: I’m excited about Malibu Crush coming out, it will premiere in July 2022 in USA and Canada and in June in Australia and New Zealand. I’m also just about to start on two back-to-back feature films which I should be able to talk more about soon. Mogul Productions also has some exciting projects coming up.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

James Pratt: I remember seeing Leonardo DiCaprio acting on the set of The Great Gatsby, he was incredible and just locked in on every take. Otherwise, some of the most interesting people I have met have been chasing big dreams, living with passion and a mindset of ambition not weighed down by age, or the fear of failure.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

James Pratt: I think it’s so important to have an outlet and other interests away from work so that you can balance out the highs and lows of your career. It’s a great home base as well to be able to think clearly if you know you can detach from work.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

James Pratt: I think it’s so important to not compare yourself to other people and do what makes you happy., At the end of your life, you want to look back and see you ran your own race and not someone else’s. The other thing I will say is, that failure leads to success, every single person who dominates an industry has learned more from failure than success.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

James Pratt: Be Thankful and enjoy the ride, even having the opportunity to audition for something is a blessing because so many people don’t even get a chance to do it.

• Remember to help others around you, If you are focused on yourself and forget about others you’re missing one of the best parts of being in a creative industry which is helping people bring dreams to life. Cindy Cowan once told me a great quote on this, “Don’t just be nice to the people on top, be good to everyone because people on the bottom quickly find themselves on the way up and the people on top quickly find themselves on the way down.

• Take a risk. Look at what movies and artists inspire you and be in the location. If you love French Films find a way to work in France, if you love American Films go to Hollywood, but don’t just stay where it’s safe and hope someone does all the work for you.

• Write your own content. As an actor or director, if you’re not getting the work, you want then you need to start making your own.

• Agents are fireable, not all agents and managers are going to work hard for you. If it’s not working, then be prepared to go elsewhere. It’s a business relationship and not personal to move on.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

James Pratt: I was very lucky, my Mum and my sister Lisa would be the people who helped me the most on this planet. They were my biggest supporters and encouraged me to think big and never to worry about failure. I was so lucky to have them.

How can our readers follow you online?

James Pratt: Check out my imdb.com or Instagram anytime
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3680341/
Instagram: @James_Pratt7
Twitter – https://twitter.com/james_pratt7
Youtube James Pratt Official

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Artist Spotlight

Marsha Bartenetti reinvents in her own style “New York Minute”

Marsha Bartenetti’s latest release, “New York Minute,” written by Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, and Jai Winding, offers emotional depth, turning a timeless look at life’s fragility into a reflective, cinematic journey. Stephan Oberhoff’s arrangement perfectly frames Bartenetti’s voice, and Kevin Bate’s expressive cello adds a warm resonance that makes the track feel like a movie.

The way each instrument sounds makes it feel planned, which lets the listener stay in the fleeting moments the song so beautifully describes. Bartenetti’s singing is the best part of the song. She shows an openness that feels real, as if she has lost something and still fully embraces love and presence with complete honesty. Her choice of words and small changes in tone make the lyrics feel even closer.

“New York Minute,” is a new version that pays tribute to the original while showcasing Bartenetti’s own style. The movie-like instruments and heartfelt vocals make the song feel both personal and universal. It makes us think about how hard it is to let go and hold on.

Connect with Marsha Bartenetti on Spotify || Facebook

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Artist Spotlight

“Yonkers” – Song by Tyler, the Creator

15 years ago, Tyler, the Creator released “Yonkers.” The song would go on to shape a generation of hip-hop fans and make him one of the most talked-about artists in modern music. Tyler’s work on “Yonkers,” which came out of the Los Angeles group Odd Future, was a brave mix of raw lyrics, dark humor, and simple production that made him stand out from other artists right away.

“Yonkers,” which is just over three minutes long, seems simple but has a big effect. The song’s production is based on a spooky bassline, simple piano chords, and simple drums. This puts Tyler’s voice and story front and center. His flow is slow and threatening, and it sends out a stream of verses that balance shock value with deep thoughts on themes like being alone, rebelling, and thinking about oneself. This song has a modern twist on the gritty, confrontational style of hip-hop that was popular in the early 2010s.

The music video for “Yonkers” became a cultural phenomenon all by itself. In the black-and-white video, Tyler looks straight into the camera while doing something that surprised both fans and critics. Tyler became known as an artist who isn’t afraid to push boundaries when the song’s raw lyrics and stark images quickly went viral. The video’s viral success brought Odd Future national attention and helped Tyler get more work, including his albums Goblin (2011) and Wolf (2013), which were both well-received by critics.

People who didn’t like “Yonkers” thought it was a new take on hip-hop. People in the genre often liked flashy production and collaborations, but Tyler’s solo song showed that minimalism can be just as interesting, if not more so, when it has strong lyrics. Young people who wanted realness and change connected with the song’s unapologetic tone, and its influence can still be heard in music today. Many contemporary artists assert that Tyler’s early compositions, particularly “Yonkers,” significantly influenced their lyrical writing and visual storytelling techniques.

“Yonkers” was a big moment in Tyler, the Creator’s career. It was a bold statement from a single artist who wanted to change the rules of hip-hop, and it captured the spirit of early Odd Future, a group that thrived on chaos, creativity, and free expression. More than ten years later, the song is still a touchstone for fans and a turning point in the growth of alternative rap. Its creepy beat, controversial lyrics, and viral music video are still seen as examples of a time when hip-hop was pushing its limits and welcoming a new generation of voices that were willing to question the way things were.

“Yonkers” is a cultural artifact, a snapshot of the time that shaped Tyler, the Creator’s unique artistic style, and a reminder of how powerful bold, unapologetic music can be.

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