Today we’d like to introduce you to Logan Ferguson.
Logan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the small town of Columbus, Mississippi and I started performing in school plays and community theatre when I was 12. My love for acting was instantaneous, but looking back on my childhood and adolescence, I see that I was constantly trying to become someone that I wasn’t. I didn’t fit in at school and I felt like no one understood me, and in hindsight, I think I was ashamed that I was more artistically inclined rather than, say, a skilled athlete. It took a while for me to accept that. It seems minuscule for it to have been that much of a struggle for me, but growing up in a small town in Mississippi, I felt like my “manhood” would be in question if I embraced my artistic side. After graduating high school, I took a break from the stage and acting altogether and focused on college, partly because it was what was expected of me and also because I was scared that people would doubt me. Thankfully with time, I let my reservations go and stopped caring so much about what others think, and as a result, I have experienced immense support from family and friends. Even people from my community in Mississippi that I haven’t seen or talked to in years have reached out to me and shown their support in my journey as an actor.
After graduating college, I made the move to Dallas and after about 6 months of deep consideration, I began studying under Theresa Bell at TBell Actors Studio, where I was finally able to train in techniques specifically geared towards acting for the camera, which is what I had dreamt of pursuing ever since I was 12. I owe much of my success to Theresa Bell. From the moment I began training, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, which has resulted in growth in my abilities and motivation to keep pushing harder especially when I feel like giving up. She helped me land my agent and has been a constant stream of support and advice, not to mention tough love. Now I coach one of the beginner’s classes at Theresa’s studio, which has proved to be a significant and rewarding responsibility. Theresa, along with my family and friends makes up an incredible support system, and it is because of them that my path, as difficult as it gets sometimes, has been paved with unwavering love and support, and absolutely no regret.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has been anything but smooth, however, as cliche as this might sound, the bumps in the road and the difficulties I’ve experienced have allowed me to grow and become more resilient. It has also taught me consistency and believing in myself.
Rejection is a huge struggle for most actors. The tv and film industry is tough and the competition is stiff. When faced with rejection, especially when it seems constant, it’s easy to make it personal and to believe that I don’t measure up or that I’m just not talented enough. So I’ve had to say to myself over and over again “it’s not about me” and let it go. Focusing only what I can control has been crucial to my longevity and if I’m being honest, my sanity as well.
Financial prosperity has been a struggle too. I grew up somewhat privileged so I don’t want to presume I have experienced what many actors or struggling artists go through, but sometimes business is booming and sometimes it’s just not. There might be a month where I book several gigs and then three months go by and there’s crickets. It’s very unpredictable and being an actor has never been about the money for me.
Self-promotion has been challenging for me as well. You’d think acting is just one job, but it’s not. I have to market myself, which means engaging and posting on social media, maintaining up-to-date headshots and reels to highlight my work, networking, etc. so yeah, quite a few struggles but I try to remind myself to enjoy the process and the journey and most importantly, to appreciate it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Logan Ferguson – what should we know?
Well, I’d be happy to tell you about a few projects I’ve worked on, and have been working on, specifically in the last year. It’s been busy!
I had the opportunity to work on HBO’s Westworld at SXSW. HBO, in partnership with the production company Giant Spoon, along with Mycotoo, an entertainment development company, created the town of Sweetwater, which is where Westworld takes place. They created original characters written specifically for this project and I was fortunate enough to get cast. The project was called “Westworld Interactive Experience” and it allowed guests to literally enter Westworld and take part in several storylines and gather clues for the 2nd season. HBO, Giant Spoon, and Mycotoo created the project to promote the 2nd season of the show. I played the Samurai host from Shogun World, who found himself in the western town of Sweetwater, which was a clue for what was to come in season 2. It won Gold for Branded Content in Events and Silver for Branded Entertainment in Events at the Clio Awards. It won a Gold Lion in the Outdoor Immersive Experiences category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It was also part of the promotional campaign that won an Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media within a Scripted Program. Up to that point, it was my most rewarding experience as an actor and it was my first real experience on a big budget project, so having a part in that was a dream come true to me. It changed my life.
I’ve also gotten to work on a couple of really cool films. I was able to play the villain in “A Grey Area,” written and directed by Mitch Cohen, a very talented young filmmaker I might add, which is a story about three brothers who go on a camping trip to spread their grandfather’s ashes after he passes away, and it’s based on a literal “no-man’s land” located in Yellowstone National Park. I love a story with layers, and this one has many, exploring betrayal, loss, and the bonds of three very different brothers.
Then, there’s “The God Man,” written and directed by Jon Jacob Turner of Rushaw Renegade Studios. It’s a unique horror story about a man who gains supernatural abilities and goes onto a talk show on live television to terrorize the host, guests, crew, and audience. I had a blast with this one. I had the role of Tim O’Connor, the young and chronically-late segment producer of the talk show. I’m not going to delve into much detail about this one because of confidentiality agreements, but the director, cast, crew, and everyone involved in this project was fantastic, professional, and extremely talented.
This March, a huge dream of mine came true. I got a request to audition for a project called “War of the Roses,” which stated that in order to get considered for a part, I would have to effectively speak in a British dialect. After a couple of rounds of auditions and then callbacks, I found out it was “Game of Thrones,” which everyone who knows me knows I am one of those obnoxious Game of Thrones super-fans. I was floored. Along with HBO, it was the same production company and entertainment company as Westworld at SXSW, Giant Spoon, and Mycotoo. I was cast in the role of Cassius, a bloodthirsty Lannister Guard who met everyone with hostility. The project was called “Bleed #ForTheThrone” and it also took place at SXSW and allowed guests to enter the universe of Game of Thrones. They shipped our costumes from Belfast, Ireland and we wore the costumes from the actual show, and they also shipped the actual iron throne all the way to Austin, Texas. One of the really cool things about this project was that they partnered with the American Red Cross and hosted a gigantic blood drive onsite, where guests also had the chance to donate blood before going into the experience. It was incredible in every way, and I have so much gratitude for HBO, Giant Spoon, and Mycotoo for the creativity they poured into this project, and for allowing me to be a part of it.
Most recently, I just began shooting an episode for the first season of a new TV show called “Lone Star Justice”, in which I am guest starring. The show is set to release sometime in summer 2019 on the ID channel!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Where do I even start?
I know I’ve already sang her praises but I would not be anywhere near the actor I am today without Theresa Bell. She invests everything into her students. Her insight is uncanny. Something I really appreciate about her guidance and coaching is her honest and direct approach. If my work isn’t impressive, she will not hesitate to tell me, which is indicative of how much she cares, but on the other hand, if my work is impressive, she does not hesitate to congratulate my hard work. She is an invaluable coach and an inspirational woman.
My parents have been there for me through everything. From the moment I came into this world, they have supported me, loved me unconditionally, and have been a source of constant stability and wisdom. My dad and my twin brother, Matthew, flew to Austin to support me when I worked on the “Bleed For The Throne” experience for Game of Thrones. To say that I’m grateful for the love and support that my family has shown me throughout my journey would be quite the understatement. To Mom, Dad, my siblings Matthew, Ally, and Cale, along with my sister-in-law Raegen and my nephew Roman and nieces Aspen and Scotland: you guys are what everyone deserves in a family. Thank you for believing in me. I love you.
My best friend, Jerrish, pushes me to not give up when things get tough and help me pick myself up when I feel defeated. I’ve never questioned his belief in my potential.
My friends, the ones I’ve been close with since middle school and the ones I’ve grown close within the time I’ve lived in Dallas have been my cheerleaders and inspire me constantly. They have drowned out any doubters I may have.
All of the filmmakers and casting directors who have called me into auditions and callbacks, even if I didn’t get the role, deserve so much credit for taking a chance on me and rooting for me. And for those filmmakers and casting directors that did give me the part, I am incredibly humbled to have been trusted to breathe life into the characters and the stories they have worked hard to create.
And Page Parkes Talent, who I am lucky to have as my agent. You guys are awesome!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9738783/?ref_=nv_sr_5
- Email: loganferguson.actor@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lo.ferguson
Image Credit:
Jon Jacob Turner, iTunes, Matt Lief Anderson
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