In the ever-evolving world of vertical storytelling, few creatives are as hands-on – or as multifaceted – as Eric Taylor Guilmette. Actor. Producer. Poet. Entrepreneur. Music lover.
Over the course of our conversation, Eric opened up about the vertical that changed everything, why he stepped into producing, how music shapes his writing, and why he believes creativity thrives when you give yourself permission to explore more than one path.
The Vertical That Started It All: You Belong With Me
For many viewers, Eric’s breakout moment came with You Belong With Me, where he played the unforgettable Uncle Henry Lockwood.
Rather than feeling boxed in by the role, Eric sees it as a gift.
“It did so much for me because it brought so many people in. I can list ten people I know that are fans in this space and that was their first vertical. I feel lucky it’s something I’m proud of.”
What made it stand out? Tone.
Eric believes many verticals miss the mark by leaning too heavily into exaggerated tropes. But You Belong to Me felt different — grounded, romantic, and tonally balanced.
“It was nice to have a rom-com that didn’t feel overdone.”
The industry may not be big on sequels yet, but Eric sees opportunity in the risk.
“Why hasn’t an app said, ‘We’re going to make a five-part series’ and just done it? You have to take risks. You have to have your experimental thing.”
That mindset – creative risk over creative safety – is what ultimately led him behind the camera.
From Actor to Producer: Building Stories That Last
Eric’s transition into producing wasn’t accidental – it was intentional.
With Love and Blood, a fan-favorite project he helped bring to life, Eric stepped deeper into the development process. While he didn’t write the script, he was heavily involved in the concept room, shaping the tone and direction alongside collaborators.
“We wanted to create something that could go on beyond just one thing.”
The process was deeply collaborative: writers delivering pages in batches, constant notes, tone adjustments – refining until it felt right.
The result? A vertical that resonated with audiences because it felt meaningful rather than manufactured.
That desire to create original intellectual property has now evolved into a new chapter: Full Moon Artists, an extension of the long-standing horror production company Full Moon Features.
“It’s our IPs. It’s not IPs that are given to us to go shoot. We have the ability to make things we want to make — things fans want to see.”
For Eric, the goal isn’t shock value. It’s emotional resonance.
“Most viewers just want a distraction — something that makes them smile.”
The Poet Behind the Screen
Before the producing credits and sold-out jewelry drops, there was poetry.
Eric didn’t begin writing poems until age 26 – proof that creative discovery doesn’t follow a timeline.
“Give yourself the opportunity to figure out what you like and what you’re good at. A lot of my God-given talents — I didn’t know I had any of it.”
He initially studied math and economics with plans to work as a quantitative analyst on Wall Street. Instead, he pivoted toward storytelling — and never looked back.
His debut poetry collection, Sex and Oatmeal, debuted strongly on Amazon and cultivated a devoted readership. A special edition of the book will debut at The Ink Collective in London this April, with a second manuscript already 95% complete.
“I like being a poet — and this, and this, and this. That’s my personality.”
For Eric, creativity isn’t singular. It’s layered.
Music as Muse: Albums That Shaped Him
Music plays a profound role in Eric’s writing process, especially when crafting poetry.
The first album he fell in love with? No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems by Kenny Chesney — a formative record that cemented his love of country music at age nine.
From there, his influences expand widely:
- John Mayer — particularly Sob Rock and The Search for Everything, both of which influenced the writing of Sex and Oatmeal.
- Cody Simpson — especially his acoustic catalog.
- Trevor Hall
- Jason Mraz
- Jack Johnson
- Tash Sultana
- Coldplay
He even curated a public Spotify playlist titled Sex and Oatmeal featuring songs that shaped the book’s emotional landscape.
When discussing Tash Sultana’s live performances, Eric lights up.
“She live-mixed ‘Mystik’ on stage – guitar, bass, saxophone. I was like, Jesus Christ, you are so talented.”
The throughline in all his influences? Emotional authenticity.
Gratitude, Fans, & Staying Grounded
Despite growing recognition, including a recent award at the Vertical Awards, Eric remains deeply aware of the people who support him.
“I don’t have a namesake without the people who support me.”
He makes time for photos. For conversations. For acknowledgment.
“When people say they don’t do photos with fans, I’m like, what are you talking about? You are you because of them.”
In a space where parasocial relationships blur reality, Eric emphasizes something simple: kindness.
He understands that public perception is only one layer of a person, but he strives to ensure that how he shows up matches what people hope to see.
Entrepreneurship Beyond Acting
Acting and poetry aren’t his only ventures. Eric’s jewelry drops sell out within minutes — a testament to his engaged fanbase.
“Be there in the first five minutes. Otherwise, you’re probably not going to get what you want.”
Rather than seeing this as hype culture, he views it as a blessing – a sign that people genuinely care.
And care is a recurring theme in everything he builds.
On Age, Reinvention & Creative Permission
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was Eric’s perspective on reinvention.
“I went to school for math and economics. I was supposed to work on Wall Street. And then I went this route.”
He encourages creatives at any stage to explore new directions.
“We get stuck in a way of never being able to discover things we might actually love.”
Whether it’s poetry at 26, producing at 30, or launching new IP in an emerging format, Eric’s career reflects one consistent truth: curiosity fuels longevity.
What’s Next?
- A special edition of Sex and Oatmeal debuting in London this April.
- A second poetry collection likely arriving in late 2025 or early 2026.
- Original vertical productions under Full Moon Artists.
- Continued exploration across acting, producing, and music-driven creative collaborations.
If there’s one thing Eric Taylor Guilmette makes clear, it’s this:
He’s not interested in being just one thing.
And that may be exactly why audiences continue to follow wherever he goes next.
Connect with Eric on Instagram and TikTok
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