The American film and television industry has been placing more of its production emphasis outside of Los Angeles and New York City over the past two decades. Regions like Chicago and Atlanta have become major locations for television script writing, independent films, and commercials being made. Millions of dollars have been put into production in Illinois due to the creation of state income tax credits during the last 10 years. This ultimately creates constant work opportunities for all types of actors throughout their career, from the day they start working to when they are engaged in a profession and beyond.

Actors now have the opportunity to begin as extras and continue until they are finally speaking with lines and eligible for the union (SAG-AFTRA) as they gain more experience and develop training and networking opportunities to grow professionally.

Building a Foundation Through Background Work in Chicago

John David Castilla’s acting career reflects this regional production model. Beginning in Chicago-based television sets in the late 2010s, Castilla entered the industry through background work, a common entry point for performers building familiarity with set operations and production standards. His early years coincided with an expansion of long-running network and cable series filming in Chicago, which provided consistent opportunities for background performers to appear across multiple seasons and productions. These early experiences established his presence in a competitive regional market while allowing him to observe professional workflows firsthand.

Castilla’s background appearances included roles across several television series filmed primarily in Chicago. These included Empire, where he appeared during seasons four and five, as well as The Chi, Papergirl, Shameless, Fargo, Station 11, Batman, Redline, and later The Bear. While these roles were non-speaking or minimally featured, they placed him within productions associated with major studios and networks. Within the regional production environment, recurring background performers often gain repeated bookings across series, and the steady demand for reliable on-set performers contributed to continued casting opportunities during this period.

From Background Work to Speaking Roles

As Castilla accumulated on-set experience, his career began to shift toward speaking roles and credited appearances. This transition is typical within regional markets, where performers combine background work with private training to become eligible for principal roles. Castilla pursued acting education during this period, including study at the Chicago Actors Studio, where performers focus on improvisation, facial expression, and scene study. Such training aligns with industry standards for actors seeking advancement beyond background work, particularly in dialogue-driven television and independent film.

A Career Milestone with American Warrior

The most significant professional milestone in Castilla’s acting career occurred in 2024 with his casting as Howie Williams in the feature film American Warrior. The role represented his first SAG-eligible speaking performance in a feature-length production. American Warrior, written and produced by Vishy Ayyar, who played in the lead role as Jay, an underdog MMA fighter and co-starred established actors, including Danny Trejo and Veronica Falcón, and was filmed as an independent production with national distribution aims. Castilla’s participation in the film led to his eligibility for membership in SAG-AFTRA, the union representing professional actors in film and television. SAG eligibility remains a key benchmark for performers seeking access to union scale roles and broader casting opportunities.

American Warrior went on to receive recognition within the independent film circuit, winning Best Motion Picture at the Santa Fe Film Festival in 2024. Film festivals such as Santa Fe serve as platforms for regional and independent productions, offering visibility beyond local markets. Castilla’s role in the film positioned him within a project that achieved both festival acknowledgment and industry attention. While supporting in nature, the performance marked a transition point from uncredited background work to recognized screen roles within union-qualifying productions.

Independent Films and Continued Filmography Growth

Following this milestone, Castilla continued to build his filmography with additional credited appearances. In 2023, he appeared in American Schemers, directed by Jack C. Newel, portraying a restaurant owner and bartender. The same year, he participated in Princes & Thieves, a short film written and directed by Vito Brancato, where he also served as an executive producer. These projects reflect a growing presence in independent filmmaking, where actors often take on multiple responsibilities to support production and distribution efforts.

Beyond feature films, Castilla’s career remains closely tied to regional television production. Atlanta and Chicago consistently remain two of the largest and busiest filming markets within the US, with Georgia hosting hundreds of film and television productions each year, according to Georgia Film Office data. Because of this continued work in both of these locations, Castilla is able to implement a professional strategy for being accessible to recurring roles in television, commercial, and independent film projects, rather than having to move to a single, centralized location for acting work.

Representation and a Multi-Market Career Strategy

Castilla’s career illustrates that representation can help maintain successful career paths in acting when actors live outside larger theatrical markets. Castilla is represented by TalentXAlexander Agency, which is vital in allowing him to access projects for film, television, and commercials through the rigorous selection process that occurs when sending out proofs of performance from the agency. Representation through a single multi-state agency allows an actor to pursue opportunities throughout many interrelated markets, especially where casting networks and production pipelines are connected.

Castilla’s recent professional work in film, television, and commercials has demonstrated consistent development as he has maintained long-term active engagement in these areas while staying current with training to continue his professional growth. In general, Castilla’s career shows a steady upward progression over time rather than a quick rise, due to regional growth of the entertainment industry, opportunities for him to become eligible for membership in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and a steady commitment to participating in both independent and studio films.

The path that Castilla has followed, from a background performer to an actor with SAG-qualifying roles, reflects a path followed by many actors building sustainable careers in American filmmaking today. At the center of this trajectory is John David Castilla, whose acting career is expected to develop within the interconnected film industries of Chicago, Atlanta, and national independent cinema.