Luke Speakman tells us all about himself

Luke, you started acting at a young age. What sparked your interest in the industry?

I did start very young!  I was barely 5 years old when I began.  To be honest, I really don’t remember when I started.  I feel like I have always be an actor my entire life.  My parents say that when I was very young I had a lot of big emotions and they wanted to find a way of me to understand and channel those emotions.   Someone suggested that they put me in some acting classes, and they did.  It worked!  From that point on, I found a place where I felt at home.  I was encouraged to express myself, ask questions, and explore my imagination.  I was hooked!  

How did you land your first major role in Steven Spielberg's Amazing Stories on Apple TV+ at just 5 years old?

Well, at the time I had no idea how big of a deal it was to work on this project.  It was also my very first audition and I booked it!  We actually did not know what I was auditioning for at the time, because everything came in code to keep the secret.  I am so thankful that this was my very first opportunity to work on a set, because I know for a fact that this project was where I fell in love with acting and promised myself that I would do whatever it took to get back on a set as much as possible. 

Can you share your experience working with Victoria Pedretti on Amazing Stories?

Although I was super young at the time, I do remember working with Victoria!  It was my first time on a set so everything was new to me.  We first met in the hair and makeup trailer.  I remember her being so welcoming and inviting me to sit in the chair beside her.  We spent the time chatting and she really listened to my stories, which was exciting to me because most adults usually would “pretend” to listen to my stories.  She also very encouraging and patient when we were doing our scenes.  Working with Victoria made my first set experience the best it could ever be!

Can you discuss the challenges and rewards of working on an international production?

Well the most obvious challenge was the language barrier.  I do not speak Japanese and most of the cast and crew did not speak much English.  While we were filming, we did have a translator.  However, I had to adjust how I took notes and directions from the director because he would tell the translator who would then tell me in English.  Our translator was very helpful and did great job explaining things in “actor terms” but there were just some ideas that didn’t directly translate from Japanese to English.  It did sometimes get confusing but we always worked it out.   The best was when we would finally get the scene exactly right and everyone would cheer!  Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we were all there for the same goal and that was a huge connections that went beyond words.    Now the rewards definitely outweighed the challenges!  Getting to travel to Tokyo is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a kid!  Not only did I get to do what I love, act, but I also got to explore another country!  I learned about another culture and made lifelong friends!  Not to mention the amazing sushi and being able to walk around the city everyday and explore!  There was even a puppy cafe where I got to literally hang out in this room with a bunch of puppies and eat cotton candy that was bigger than my head!  The biggest reward would have to be knowing that I can walk into a space that is unlike any space I ever been before and feel confident and successful!

How did filming in Tokyo, Japan influence your perspective on storytelling?

Filming in Tokyo really opened my eyes to how big the entertainment industry really is.  I guess up until then I just assumed TV shows and films were produced mostly in Hollywood or location in the United States.  I had never considered that production happens all over the world and there were television shows and movies being created in other countries that I had never even seen or heard of before!  It was really cool to work with the production team in Japan and experience how things are different but in the end, things were a lot the same!  Storytelling happens everywhere and now that I know this and experienced it, I am always keeping my eye open for projects that I would never have noticed before! 

How do you balance acting with your personal life and education?

The acting world is definitely a roller coater.  Some seasons it is so busy that I wrap one job and fly to the next while auditioning on location!  However,  there are many seasons where is it slow.  Maybe one audition a week or one job a month.  I actually enjoy both.  I am virtually schooled, so no matter what I am doing or where I am, I always keep up with my schoolwork.  Plus, we are required to do school on set.  So, I don’t find it hard to keep up.  During the slow seasons I spend a lot of time playing baseball with my little league team or training my ninja skills in American Ninja Warrior classes.  I love to do both, and always try to keep up my skills while traveling.  I also play the piano.  My piano teacher, Dana Rice, is very understanding of my unpredictable schedule and will always try to fit in a lesson or two when I am back home.  I guess that best way to explain how I balance it all is to say that I have to live a life that is flexible.  I also must appreciate the times when I am super busy  and appreciate and take advantage of the times when it is slow.    

What have you learned from working with talent from diverse backgrounds?

My favorite part of being a child actor is having the opportunity to meet and work with so many people who are so diverse.   It has taught me that every story has a different perspective depending on who is telling it or seeing it.  I guess it has also taught me the value of listening and learning.  I have learned so much just from meeting new people I would probably have never met before if we weren’t working together on a set.  It not only makes me a better actor, I think it also helps me to work to become a better person in general.  Which I think everyone should work to become! 

What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from your experiences so far?

I would say if I had to choose one lesson I have learned so far, it would be  “no is never a no”!  The acting industry is so unpredictable and the only guarantee you have will be being told no.  However, that no isn’t really a no, because every audition is a chance to meet someone knew that might lead to an opportunity in the future.   

If you could act alongside any actor or actress, who would it be?

This is actually a very hard question to answer!  There are so many amazing and talented actors and actresses I would love to have the opportunity to work alongside.  But, if I had to choose just one… I think I would choose Chris Pratt!  I enjoy the shows and movies that I have seen him in.  I also think it would be fun to do an action movie 

Any words for your fans?

Never forget that there is enough space on this Earth for everyone to SHINE!  Find your place and SHINE away!  

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