Today we’d like to introduce you to Owen Hisle.
Hi Owen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Owen Demill Hisle Jr [aka: Big O]
I’m one hilarious mo-fo. I make everyone laugh and I keep everyone laughing and they like having me make them laugh
I’m a believer / follower of Jesus. I was born on February 14th 1960 in Lexington Kentucky early AM; just in time to join Mom for breakfast 🙂 My father, Owen Demill Hisle Sr, now deceased, was originally from Kentucky and moved to New Jersey when he was 21 and it was there he met and married my Mom. My father worked as a concrete laborer; which is all he could get with only an 8th grade education. My Mom, Francis Catherine Gallicchio, now deceased, was originally from New Jersey and due to deathly ill health issues from birth she could never work. My parents moved back to New Jersey when I was a year old because my Mom got home sick. My grandparents (Bernard & Sarah Gallicchio – my Mom’s parents) migrated to New Jersey from Sicily Italy in the early 1900’s so I’m the second generation born on American soil. I have 1 younger brother (Greg), 2 younger sisters (Liz & Gwen)
I’m also 1/2 Sicilian, 1/4 Cherokee, 1/16 Irish, 1/16 German, 1/32 Welsh, and get this – according to 2 different African American 40-years each in the business–professional-real-barbers who cut my hair (and they don’t even know each other), they said I have a very little bit of African American blood in me too (I guess that explains why I’m attracted to black women)
I was raised and grew up in New Brunswick New Jersey from the age of 1 up until I left New Jersey at 24 in 1984. My uncles-(on my Mom’s side) were mostly rough, tough Italians who worked as car mechanics, construction workers, concrete laborers, and tractor trailer drivers. I mostly hung out with my Uncles, helping them with the cars they worked on and riding along with them during their tractor trailer road trips during the summer months when school was out
As a little boy since the 70’s, I always knew I wanted to be an actor some day (not knowing then that Producing, Directing [Directing being my #1 passion], acting workshop coach & Voice-Overs would be my actual calling) but, I also knew I wanted to make the Army my first stop however, I had to end my new growing career in the Bagel Bakery industry from 1979-1984 (God I loved it). In 1984 at 24 I joined the United States Army {Army Active 11Mike-Infantry-3rdID / OJT 71Mike-Chaplain’s Assistant / OJT Soldier on loan to civilian Filmmakers}. Because it was known by many of my Military NCO’s & Officers that I wanted to pursue an acting career, I had the awesome opportunity to work OJT outside my regular assigned MOS-11Mike-(Infantry 3rd ID), as a movie photographer, film camera operator and movie director for various military missions and as an assistant director to the director for plays the military put on for soldiers (that was the best 6 months experience I had). My intentions were to serve 20 to 30 years in the military, retire and then allow my military retirement funds help me in pursuing an acting career
You know, I actually thought about becoming an Attorney or a Homicide Detective (get to know me and you’ll know why 🤣🤣🤣)
That all changed in 1994 in a horrible way for me and 1994 changed my life in a whole different direction with the same goal but with a very much longer route. While serving a one year tour in Korea for the military, I sustained a severe life changing back injury when I was crushed by a Bradley-(Army Tank for you civilians) which flipped over. I was placed in medical hold in 1994 for 1 year, had a major 10 hour spine surgery, cut bone away from 3 of my verts and meat away from 2 of my disks, spent almost 1 1/2 years post-surgery learning how to walk all over again. I was honorably medically discharged as “Disabled Service Connected” from the Army in July 1996. To look at me today from a physical aspect you’d never know I went through that (except for the 6″ scar on my lower spine, my cane and my gait). Of course emotionally I have developed Post-PTSD as a result of my horrifying experience. Being a Veteran myself going through PTSD (disturbing thoughts, feelings, dreams related to my accident, the mental and physical distress, difficulty sleeping, mood swings with changes in how I think and feel, failed relationships – I mean the list goes on). But I’m not letting PTSD stop me or slow me down just because of a slower longer route. However, the coolest phenomenon always takes place when I’m producing, directing actors onset, providing voice-overs from my small sound studio in my home, or teaching an acting workshop – I’m always in a great place, I feel great emotionally and mentally, I’m at my best, I Am Home, I make actors (real or animated) look and sound 10′ feet tall on screen (just read all my testimonials at this website)
In September 1996 just two months after being honorably medically discharged from the Army and only serving a total of 12 years which was thought to end up being a hopeful 20 to 30 years, the Veterans Association asked me if I’d like to earn a college degree of my choice and they would pick up the entire tab (any major, any college, any location, all tuition, all books, all supplies paid and even tax free money to live off of each month while in college – I use to tell my classmates “I don’t have a life; I have homework” 😂😂😂). Although I had my heart set on becoming an actor and I was still determined to pursue that #1 passionate goal, I made a wise choice by taking the V.A. up on their generous offer and majored in Computer Information Systems, Computer Technician Specialist and Website Developer to fall back on and due to the fact I started tinkering with computers two years prior to 1996 and computers would be a good thing to fall back on and use while pursuing an acting career; and let me tell you; it really paid off – I build, upgrade, diagnose, troubleshoot, repair all my own PC’s, printers, install / repair software, install home networks and their high speed Internet WiFi and build my own websites. It’s been and still is so great to have these skills to fall back on. If I should ever become blessed by God through money because of the film industry for me, I’ll open a PC repair shop and a Bagel Bakery Shop and I’ll be sure to bless the community and my fans (I’ll work at both shops too so people know I’m really a real awesome cool guy who fell in love with and can’t get enough of the film industry from a very young age – 13)
In 1999 just shortly after graduating from college, I moved back to Colorado. From 1999 to 2001 I worked in Colorado with-in the IT Industry as a Professional PC/Break Fix Hardware/Software/Website Developer Tech, was a Supervisor/Manager for various Computer Repair Chop Shops and had my own Home Based Computer Repair Shop. While working for this couple at their computer chop shop on and off for almost 2 years, another couple (their clients) working in the professional movie industry, said for me to contact them if I’m serious about breaking into the movie industry – no catch – no fees. This couple just loved me because of how well I repaired all their PC’s. Plus we had many quality short conversations when they would come to the computer shop and we’d just chat about the movie industry (how they we’re already in it and how I could get my foot in the door). They gave me their contact info. The rest was up to me
So, in June 2001 I took an assessment of my life and where I was at that time. With the military, my surgery, my long recovery, college behind me and PTSD still tagging along. Plus, since I was single and really had no ties or other obligations attached to my life and since my employer (at the PC chop shop) was showing signs of moving into serious radio which would turn out to be his big break, I felt it was as good a time as any to pick up where I left off and continue pursuing my acting career
So, again, in July 2001 I gave my current employer (you know – the PC shop – we had so much fun) and landlord a 30 days notice, dumped my girlfriend Danielle (Dani for short) 🤣🤣🤣, sold everything I owned (see, if I sold her too on CL, I could have made more😂😂🤣 – just joking Dani ❤❤), then in August 2001 I hopped on a Greyhound bus and headed for Oklahoma to start pursuing my acting career
From August 2001 to December 2006 I traveled to Oklahoma City Oklahoma, Austin Texas, San Antonio Texas, Portland Oregon and Indianapolis Indiana working and training full time as a professional film actor. In that time I had the awesome opportunity to train with some of the best acting coaches the film industry offered-(Michelle DeLong, Pato Hoffmann, Donise Hardy, Van Brooks, Kristy Martin, Toni Cobb Brock, the late Jimmy Zerda and Norm Silver {ret}). I attended hundreds and hundreds of auditions, was casted in many independent films, had numerous roles, worked with some of Hollywood’s famous named actors-(Luke Wilson, Terry Crews, Dax Shepard and, the late William Hurt) as well as directors and production companies-(Corpus LLC & Content Films-Director James Marsh, 20th Century Fox-Director Mike Judge and Roach Productions-Director Jay Roach)
In January 2006 I needed to permanently move back to Colorado and get a real job because I was slowly going broke and I needed steady funds again to continue on with my filmmaking career. I drove a school bus for a school district from 2006 – 2019 in Aurora Colorado while still pursuing the movie industry and still operating my own home based PC shop. It was great
Life Because Of What Eve Did In The Garden Really Finds A Way To Fu*k You 🤣🤣🤣 And Hold You Back -But- God Is The Way ❤❤
In 2013 I started Upon This Rock Films (UTR Films, UTRF) with Writing, Producing, and Directing (then UTRF became HISLE FILMS in 2022). I fell in love with Producing & Directing movies and providing Voice-Overs in movies plus, come to find out I was really good at it. After our first multi award winning short film FULFILLMENT in 2014 (directed by the great Tim Nolte) I was hooked – from that point on I was only going to write, produce, and direct but producing and directing and voice-overs are my true love and directing is my true passion. Between 2014 to Present day I have gone on to direct a few other multi award winning films (Broken Clay and End Of Wyntor) as well as an Animated series movie project where I lend my voice as one of the characters (can be found at my VoiceOver Page through this website)
In 2019, I became 100% debt free which took me 5 years once I put all my 11 years training prior into action (praise Jesus and thank you Suze Orman, Crown.org, Dave Ramsey and the late Larry Burkett). Between 2019 to Present day, I retired from all my jobs, now I only have to work a permanent part-time job 5 hours on Tuesdays, 8-10 hours on Wednesdays and 5 hours on Thursdays which is nothing so I can continue pursuing filmmaking as a Director (& producer, voiceovers & acting workshops) full time. I’m still moving forward full steam ahead with reaching my filmmaking goal and walking on that red carpet – I’m never giving up – I love it too much
I’m Only 66 As Of 02/14th/2026 Too but, I look and live like I’m in my late 40’s early 50’s. I’m Blessed ❤❤
I took a 3 year hiatus from filmmaking, worked on my walk / relationship with Jesus, started a new ministry for Jesus for Christian men, I’m traveling more locally & abroad, I’m enjoying hanging out with my grown daughter Heather, God told me my filmmaking hiatus was over and that He was giving me back the filmmaking reins so now Hisle Films is currently working on making it’s 4th movie, I’m also providing my voice to animated movies and I’m enjoying and I’m loving every minute of everything
Today I live in beautiful colorful Colorado Springs, Colorado
Despite residing in Colorado, my roots trace back to New Jersey – ‘but please don’t hold that against me’ lol lol lol. I completely understand—this industry resembles a rollercoaster with an excessive number of loops! However, if we are unable to secure those Oscars, we can at least strive for a graceful appearance on the red carpet! I’m 100% self taught with-in the movie industry, I do not have any acquaintances in Hollywood – I am not connected to anyone significant or renowned – I merely seek an opportunity. I desire that one pivotal breakthrough, like everyone else, that will transform everything. I hope the right investor(s) will recognize that ‘if Hisle Films can produce these small short films on minimal budgets that have garnered multiple awards, just imagine the kind of first feature film they could create and direct with a few million dollars’. Alternatively, I would relish the chance to direct prominent Hollywood and Indie actors
Are you in your current position because you found yourself in a similar situation where you too were in need of a chance, searching for that one significant breakthrough, and eventually received it? Just keep in mind, every obstacle you encounter is merely a plot twist in your grand cinematic journey! Let us continue to laugh, create, and perhaps one day we will be toasting with champagne at the after-party, recounting tales of our magnificent failures! What is your upcoming major project?
My ultimate goal in Christ, as a Christian filmmaker is to see all Christian filmmakers come together, and work together by sharing Jesus’ gospel to the lost through movies but always remembering to keep that entertainment value, being safe and have lots of fun. Just like the late great Dr Martin Luther King, I too have a dream – we will all work together as a team. As time goes on, our experiences will reveal to each one of us what our talent and niche is individually as well as collectively, in order to bring our game to the movie making table, and reveal to each one of us our strengths and weaknesses, make our strengths stronger, turn our weaknesses into strengths, provide us with new tools, or sharpen the ones we already have
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A filmmaking career is rarely a smooth road, and navigating the industry involves significant challenges, from financial instability to the demanding nature of production. The journey is often characterized by intense competition, long hours, and the constant need to adapt to new technologies, such as AI
Here are some of the primary struggles filmmakers face along the way:
Financial Instability and “Catch-22”: Many filmmakers struggle with inconsistent income in the early stages of their careers. There is often a “financial catch-22” where you need a flexible schedule for freelance jobs, but lack the funds to support yourself while waiting for work, forcing many to take part-time jobs, work for free, or rely on side businesses to survive
High-Pressure Work Environment: Film sets often require 12-to-18-hour shooting days, often six days a week. This environment involves significant physical labor and high expectations, where a failure to perform can mean not being hired for future jobs
Building a Network from Scratch: Without existing connections, it is difficult to break into the industry, often requiring filmmakers to create their own content to get noticed
Technological Shifts and AI Challenges: The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced new challenges, including fears of job displacement and a potential over-saturation of content. Filmmakers now face the pressure to learn new, rapidly evolving AI tools to stay relevant
Creative and Technical Limitations: While technology has lowered the barrier to entry, it hasn’t eliminated the struggle of producing high-quality work. AI, specifically, often struggles with maintaining consistency in characters, style, and lighting across scenes
Mental Health and Burnout: The combination of long hours, financial pressure, and intense competition often leads to burnout, with many leaving the industry
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a professional filmmaker since 2001 to present day and still growing, my work centers on transforming abstract concepts into compelling visual narratives, primarily operating as a director, producer, voiceovers and acting workshop coach (with directing being my main passion)
My specialization lies in guerrilla-style, small-scale production (gearing towards larger-scales later) as a director that prioritizes intimate, authentic storytelling
What I Specialize In & Am Known For
Intimate Visual Storytelling: I specialize in directing and voiceovers, finding a flow with subjects to capture genuine, therapeutic moments
Guerrilla Production: I excel in fast-paced, low-resource environments where improvisation and quick decision-making are necessary
Director: I am often known for directing, allowing me to maintain a direct, uninterrupted connection with the subject and the immediate visual environment
What I Am Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my ability to build a trustworthy environment where people feel comfortable sharing their stories, resulting in authentic performances rather than staged ones. Overcoming the logistical challenges of small-scale production to produce high-quality work is a core accomplishment
What Sets Me Apart
Therapeutic Approach: I focus on the “therapeutic” aspect of being behind of the camera as a director, ensuring the experience is positive and revealing for the subject
Film Format Aesthetic: Even in staged scenes on film sets, I bring a real-life-style, and immersive feel that gives my work a sense of raw realism
Adaptability: I prioritize the story over a large crew or complex technology, allowing me to be nimbler and more adaptable to changing situations
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck plays a significant, often underestimated, role in life and filmmaking by shaping opportunities, timing, and initial circumstances, such as where you are born. While pure chance impacts success, the consensus is that it functions best when paired with effort and preparation—essentially, “when preparation meets opportunity”
Key Aspects of Luck in Life and Filmmaking
The “Luck Surface Area”: Proactive actions, networking, and hustle can increase your chances of encountering “good luck”
Recognizing Opportunity: Success is often dictated by the ability to notice fortuitous events and act on them, shifting the view from “blind luck” to “leveraged luck”
The Role of Bad Luck: Often interpreted as “bad luck,” unexpected setbacks are frequently lessons in disguise, forcing resilience and redirection
The “Born on Third Base” Effect: Uncontrollable factors like privilege, timing of birth, and upbringing play a huge role in career trajectory
Control Factors: While some argue that all success is determined by luck, others contend that hard work and perseverance can overcome a lack of fortune, making luck a small contributor compared to sustained effort
Essentially, luck exists, but it cannot be relied upon without taking personal action and creating “curvature” in one’s life to influence outcomes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hislefilms.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hislefilms
- Other: https://lordsbook.com/HisleFilms
