Hustle, Mastery, and Staying the Course: What We Can Learn from a Military Veteran-Turned-Filmmaker
Lessons in passion, resilience, and reinvention from a creative who refuses to stay in one lane.
In today’s creative world, many people claim the title of multi-hyphenate: actor/filmmaker/producer/photographer, or jack-of-all-trades. But few actually live it with the intensity, discipline, and relentless drive of the person I recently interviewed. Malcom Williams, a military veteran who has turned his life into a nonstop hustle across acting, cinematography, steady cam operation, drone work, racing, and even entrepreneurship.
This interview wasn’t just a fascinating look at one man’s path, it was a masterclass in what it takes to survive and thrive in today’s brutal creative industries.
Here are the key takeaways.
1. You Don’t Need to Stay in One Lane
Many people told him he should focus on a single discipline. One job, one craft, one identity. But he rejected that idea.
“My brain just won’t allow it,” he told me.
For him, every adjacent skill, wether it be photography, drone work, renting equipment, learning colour grading, wasn’t a distraction, it was an advantage. He figured out how to create five jobs’ worth of value for a single client, making himself indispensable and able to survive even during lean times (like the COVID shutdowns).
Lesson: Don’t let industry expectations limit your growth. Learn widely. Stack your skills. Make yourself the person people can’t afford not to hire.
2. Build Parallel Income Streams
When acting gigs weren’t enough, Malcom started photographing actors’ headshots. Then he filmed their showreels. Then he rented out his gear. All the while, he carefully tracked his earnings:
“I had a little black book where every time I bought a new piece of equipment, I’d write down the cost and every time I rented it out, I’d chip that money away… I grew by making money from this pot to fuel the next.”
Lesson: Financial resilience in the creative industries isn’t luck. It’s strategy. Build fallback income streams, diversify your work, and reinvest wisely.
3. Mental Strength Is the Biggest Challenge
You might think the hardest parts are the technical challenges or breaking into the industry. But for him, the biggest hurdle was mental:
“The rejections, the late-night auditions, the cancellations that affect your relationships, it’s mentally taxing. But if you break, it’s all wasted.”
Lesson: Talent is important, but mental endurance, resilience, and keeping your passion alive over decades are what set apart those who last from those who burn out.
4. Hustle Never Stops — But Passion Makes It Worth It
He’s clear that his drive isn’t just about money:
“I do it because I love it. I believe you get one go around, and I don’t want to be at the end saying, ‘I wish I had.’”
This mindset also led him to motorsports, a world he’s now entering seriously. He juggles filmmaking and racing, applying his business skills to find sponsors and turn passion into opportunity.
Lesson: Love fuels the hustle. Without it, the grind will eat you. With it, even the hardest schedule becomes meaningful.
5. Directing, Acting, and Camera Work Are Interlinked
Because he’s done almost every job on set, he understands filmmaking as a whole:
“As a DOP, I know what the actors are going through. As an actor, I understand lighting, framing, blocking. It all feeds into making me better.”
He also pointed out how many of the greats, like Samuel L. Jackson, succeed by leaning into who they are, not pretending to be someone else.
“You can’t build a whole character from scratch and play it consistently if you’re faking it. Just be you.”
Lesson: Cross-train your skills. The best filmmakers, actors, and technicians understand the whole picture, not just their corner.
6. Network Everywhere, You Are Always Your Brand
“Wherever you are, even in a pub, there’s an opportunity. You could meet someone who needs a commercial or a project.”
His philosophy is simple: be the go-to person people trust. Show up early, work hard, never complain, be likeable. This approach has brought him not just repeat jobs, but also a steady expansion of his reputation.
Lesson: Reputation is everything. Protect it, nurture it, and actively cultivate connections.
7. Adapt to the Future (Including AI)
We also talked about the rise of AI in filmmaking. His take?
“You can’t stop it, so pivot. Learn it, integrate it, use it as a tool. People who resist change get left behind.”
Lesson: The creative industries are evolving faster than ever. Stay curious, stay adaptable, and use new tools to your advantage.
What We Can Learn Overall
This interview wasn’t just about one man’s journey, it was a mirror for anyone chasing a creative dream. His life teaches us:
1. Passion without discipline fades.
2. Discipline without passion burns out.
3. You need both, plus smart strategy, flexibility, and the willingness to constantly learn.
In an industry where success is rare and burnout is common, he’s built a resilient, multifaceted career that isn’t dependent on a single title or opportunity.
And maybe that’s the best lesson of all.
If you want to follow his work, check out his racing, filmmaking, or entrepreneurial ventures or just take this as a challenge to double down on your own creative hustle. You can find him at malcommodele on Instagram. I also want to take a moment to thank Malcolm for his generosity and time, it was a fun and engaging discussion.
Let me know in the comments: Which of these lessons speaks to you the most?
Do you agree that “jack-of-all-trades” is the new superpower?