Today, we're diving into the incredible journey of Abubakar Salim, an actor who at just 16, gave himself a life-altering ultimatum: break into the National Youth Theatre or join the Army. From that high-stakes beginning, Abubakar has navigated the industry by constantly chasing the raw, unpolished instinct of his younger self. He shares how this philosophy carried him through a grueling nine-round audition process for Ridley Scott's Raised by Wolves and eventually into the world of House of the Dragon. We explore how he transitioned from a "performer for hire" to a visionary storyteller by founding Surgent Studios, where he now creates video games like Tales of Kenzera: ZAU to process deeply personal themes of grief and loss. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about the power of "just being," the importance of kindness in a brutal industry, and why the most successful auditions are often the ones where you stop trying to have a plan and start seeking discovery.

These are the unforgettable stories that landed Abubakar Salim right here.

Credits:

• House of the Dragon
• First Day on Earth
• Assassin's Creed: Origins
• Raised by Wolves
• Napoleon
• Black Mirror
• PH-1
• Informer
• Jamestown
• 24: Live Another Day

Guest Links:

• IMDB: Abubakar Salim, actor, producer, director

THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:

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EPISODE CREDITS:

• HOST/PRODUCER: Alyshia Ochse
• WRITER: Maddie McCormick
• WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
• SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu