We chat to actor and Offspring Community member Paul Reynolds.
How long have you been an actor?
I've been acting for over ten years now. I trained in London and then New York before working in various theatre and film productions in Berlin and Barcelona. I then moved back to London to study The Meisner Technique. Signed with my agent not long after that, and I've been doing it ever since.
Anything you're going to be in that you can disclose?
I'm just about to start a new project for Sky Cinema. I have a few things in the pipeline including something that can only be described as a cross between Blade Runner and Chinatown. Also during lockdown, me and my writer friend started writing our own feature film script which (after many drafts later) we’re hoping to get going with soon, so that’s exciting.
Why I became an actor? It was the love of movies and cinema from an early age, just wanting to be part of that magic and the art of storytelling. Plus once you catch the theatre bug, there’s nothing quite like it…
What have you learnt about people and yourself as an actor?
Without hopefully sounding too pretentious. I think in order to utilize yourself fully as an actor to play a role, you need to know yourself as well as possible. Which often requires searching for deep truths in an authentic and honest way, so you can then draw parallels with another person and their circumstances. So the ability to have compassion and empathy for the human condition is very important, and to hopefully express an understanding of that when portraying a character, which (if you're lucky) people can recognise and feel/identify with in a way that connects with them on some level. You potentially get the chance to learn things about yourself and others that you would otherwise never have the opportunity to do from this sort of explorative 'observe & reflect' style work.
One of the main things which is definitely a 'work in progress' type deal is learning to be more in the moment and present, to let things be and just really listen. Working at cultivating the ability to be relaxed in stillness and surrender to any given moment. Also going with your gut feelings and intuition, trusting those instincts and knowing that you're enough. These are certainly lessons that can be applied to all walks of life.
How long have you been into sneakers and how did you get into them?
I've been into sneakers for as long as I can remember. The infatuation almost definitely started at school, I'm sure it was Reebok Classics or something along those lines. But it was Michael Jordan, Basketball and Hip Hop that were really instrumental in starting and informing this whole thing. It's also worth mentioning that I studied Art and Graphic Design which certainly influences my appreciation of sneakers too.
We grew up in the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls era, watching the GOAT live. Basketball was everything, we lived for it. Watching MJ's Playground, Air Time, Bulls Three-Peat, and NBA Jam Session VHS tapes religiously, over and over. We all wanted to be like Mike, trying to imitate the moves we had just seen. We played all day and night on the street outside our house – a hoop built on a makeshift backboard with a wooden stand that my dad had made for us (we couldn’t afford a real one), truly old school good times. It was also the Golden Age of 90's Hip Hop so it all went hand in hand. The clothing and style was such a big part of it. Through this came the love affair with sneakers and particularly Air Jordans – something that seemed completely unobtainable for me. Which leads me nicely to the next question.
Do you have an early sneaker memory?
We couldn't have Jordans, they were far too expensive at the time. Until one Sunday in the Summer holidays we went to a nearby American Air Base which was having a car boot sale (probably mainly for the BBQ food). We were wandering around looking at various stuff, when I found a really tatty and scuffed Jordan box thrown in with some books and other junk.
Inside the box was a pair of second hand 1991 Maroon 6's. I begged my parents to let me have them. So these became my very first pair of J's. They were complete beaters already, but I didn’t care and wore them into the ground.
I also distinctly remember seeing the first pair of 'Purple Punch' Huaraches around this time too and being utterly in awe of them and the way they looked. Another significant early memory was my second pair of Jordans which were the 9’s in the original White Black and True Red. They featured in the inlay of the Nas Illmatic album artwork. I managed to blag them from a local sports shop who I did work experience for and they ordered them in for me as a thank you. I continued to play BBall for my school, college, and then county in the under 21’s league. Every time I needed new Basketball trainers I would try to persuade my mum to get me a pair (Nike Flights mainly) through one of her mail order ‘club book catalogues’, if I could pay for them over a duration with money earned from doing part time jobs.
After that it progressed to the Air Max models as I got older, more fashion orientated than for a purpose, and well the rest is history as they say. Still never get tired of that box-fresh smell.
Do you have a sneaker regret?
I could provide a list. To be honest there’s so many that you always have to just keep it moving. But one that springs to mind is the Jordan 1 Retro Black Toe 2013 release. I actually had these on hold for me (if you can believe that!) at the now closed NikeTown store in Ku’damm when I was living in Berlin. There wasn't the demand on them like there is now I guess. Anyways, I for some reason that I don't remember never went back for them, which seems crazy to me now.
What is your sneaker grail?
Bit of a cheat answer this one but it’s gotta be the upcoming Air Jordan Chicago 1's ‘Lost & Found’. For me like many others, it's another chance to finally own the ultimate colourway of the greatest of all time silhouettes (in my humble opinion). The true OG shoe. Also I'm loving the whole lost & found concept, especially that feeling like a very timely full circle moment with my first pair of J’s being found at a car boot sale as mentioned previously. If it wasn't those then it would be one of the legendary Patta AM1's, you can probably guess which pair.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
There’s always at least one pair of AJ1’s (classic High OG colourways usually) that’s part of my current rotation depending on the season. Then at the moment it’s the Travis Scott x Air Jordan Low 'Reverse Mocha'. Nike x Comme des Garçon Homme Plus Air Max Sunder 'White/Black' - these ones are pure nostalgia as I had the Obsidian pair in 1999. New Balance 990v3 Made In USA ‘Marblehead’ – Teddy Santis absolutely killing it. AM1 ‘Milano’ QS, and the Fragment Design x Sacai x Nike LDV Waffle ‘Light Smoke Grey’ – which you can wear with pretty much any outfit. Been rocking the Offspring x Reebok Workout Plus ‘ICE’ all Summer as a go to pair as well.
Aside from acting, what else are you into other than sneakers?
Food, eating out and cooking (if you can add travel to that experience then even better!). Music (I used to be a professional DJ many moons ago), photography, training sessions – I'm so aware of how important regular exercise and fitness are for my mental health these days, and of course playing Basketball.
What does community mean to you?
This feels like a competition question, haha! But seriously the community means everything to me, it's like having a sense of belonging and finding your tribe through that shared love and passion for the culture. I've met so many great wonderful people and made some really beautiful friendships through and because of this community. It's really quite special and I appreciate the respect, care and endless effort that goes into it by Offspring. Especially with the events and collection days. Nothing but love for you guys.
Check out more from Paul on Instagram @mrpaulgreynolds
