In this weeks episode I sit down with Sanna Erica, a multi-talented creative. She offers her unique insights on transitioning from modeling to acting, and opens up about the challenges she encountered, her creative journey, and her current projects; including her upcoming sketch comedy show.
If you're interested in content creation or acting, Sanna's advice will be gold. She reveals how she transfers her passion into her work, emphasizing the importance of dedication and learning from failures. Even if a project doesn’t get the desired views, if it resonates with a few, it’s a victory in itself.
Listen in, and immerse yourself in Sanna Erica’s inspiring journey.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Welcome to.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I Am Me podcast.
I'm your host, liz Bachman, andon this podcast, I want to
celebrate you for being you.
I'm super excited to sit downwith my guests each week and
talk about their journey, theirexperiences and where they came
from.
So, without further ado, let'sdive into this week's episode.
Hey everybody, welcome back toI Am Me.
(00:22):
Today I'm sitting down withSana Erika.
She is actually the firstperson that I ever took film
acting classes from about six,seven years ago.
She is an actor, she is acomedian, she's a filmmaker.
She is an amazing person and,yeah, I'm super excited to sit
down, talk to her today and seehow she's been doing and what
she's got going on.
(00:42):
So how you doing, sana, I amwell.
How are you?
I am good.
It's a beautiful fall day, so Ican't complain.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yes, the weather is slowly improving here in Georgia
and not as humid.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, and horrible, yeah, I'm so over the humidity
and the heat.
But anyway, kind of diving inbecause I know you are involved
in to in many different avenuesin the creative arts, I would
say, but taking it back for asecond, where did all this kind
of start for you?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Sure.
So I started acting.
I was like 14 years old.
I mean, I had done church playsand school plays before that
and was very involved increative arts and stuff, but
professionally I started when Iwas 14.
That was the around the time.
(01:38):
I became a model and quicklyrealized the close link, and I
don't know why I didn't knowthis before then, but quickly
understood the close linkbetween modeling and acting and
how those industries are oftenpathways into each other.
So yeah, so I started takingacting workshops and booked my
(02:01):
first job.
Well, my first on camera job.
I don't know that I can call itan acting job, but I first on
camera job when I was 15.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
So that's.
Do you want to dive into whatthat was?
That's really.
I feel everybody has theirfirst on camera thing and it's
always usually a fun experience.
I feel like to look back orthink on.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, actually.
So it was really cool.
I was in New York City and Ihad just signed with elite model
management, was getting startedwith them, and they sent me on
this job with Bumble and Bumblehair products, which their hair
products are just awesome, andthey were like, well, we need to
(02:41):
cut your hair on camera becausewe're doing a training video
for our Institute.
So it was like you know, it wasthe first time I was ever on a
soundstage, on a set.
They cut my hair, if you'refamiliar with, like a razor, not
like a, but like the the lookslike a comb.
They have this special method ofcutting with a razor.
(03:02):
That was like they would justpull it through your hair and
all the hair would just fall off.
It was anyway.
I feel like I'm going intodetail with this way.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
No, no, no, no, no, no.
It's great, I love it.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, so they they cut my hair on camera.
That was my first on camera jobwas an industrial for Bumble
and Bumble hair products and allI had to do was sit there.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Was that intimidating for you as a teenager to show
up on set and then know thatyou're going to have to get your
hair cut?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, it was a little intimidating, mainly because I
was like I just need to sit verystill and let them do their
thing.
And then also, I think themodeling industry, at least at
the time to me as was a lot moreintimidating than Hollywood in
a lot of ways.
I think, working with peoplethat you know I was, I went up
(03:49):
to New York for North Carolinaat the time and you know it was
just all very, you know, a verydifferent world.
Yeah, a different world kind ofhad some culture shock in a way
.
I'm curious.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Did you feel like because you were, you were 15,
maybe you wouldn't have felt itas I would feel like a little
star or something fit like 15years old.
You're in high school and youget to go do this studio shoot,
Did you feel?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
that way at all.
Yeah, I'll be honest, I feltlike hot stuff and I look back
on that like kind of like Ithink on one hand I was you know
, I took it all in stride but onthe other hand, I was like, oh,
this is cool and special andlike probably needed to calm
down my little ego there.
And I did, because acting isreally hard and you know you
(04:40):
have a lot of dead time and so Ilearned my lesson real quick,
yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
But yeah, I definitely felt like, oh, this
is, this is awesome you know,yeah, I don't think you're alone
in especially speaking from myown experience and being humbled
by acting pretty quickly.
And then you add on to thatthat you're a teenager, you know
so, and all the stuff thatcomes along with teenagers.
Yeah, so modeling you don'tmodel anymore.
(05:09):
Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
No, I mean I've.
Over the years I've gone backto it a few times.
When I lived in LA, I did, Istarted going to photo shoots
and I got the opportunity towalk in LA Fashion Week, which
was super cool.
And then I did a few jobs herein Atlanta with an agency.
I was signed with a couple ofrunway shows and I realized I
think I always was trying, likewith modeling, I was always
(05:33):
trying to fit a square peg and around hole and I always felt,
oh, this is something I cantotally do, I should do it and I
love, I love fashion,photography, I love fashion.
So I was like, oh, it's like aclear fit for me, but it just it
always felt not the right pathfor me and so I never was able
(05:53):
to sustain that career becauseit just wasn't really my thing
yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yeah, I think that's any type of performing, and
especially now, with the waythat I, when I say perform, I
mean acting, music, modeling,anything, any type of performing
arts where you're getting up infront of people, comedian I
think there's not a clear pathin any of it and there's a lot
(06:22):
of crossover.
And then today we have so muchopportunity to create content on
our own and to teach ourselves.
So I think if anyone can createcontent and pursue their stuff
and it works for them, thenyou're doing it right, and
everybody's journey and path isjust so different in this
performing arts, entertainment.
(06:42):
Ask industry, industry, becauseI feel like it is all
intertwined right.
So, moving from modeling, howdid you end up transitioning, I
guess, into?
I know you had your firstindustrial, but how did you keep
making that transition tomaking, to going from modeling
to acting?
I'm sure there is also likemodeling and acting were
happening at the same time for aperiod.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, so I mean any opportunity to pursue acting
around that time.
I did so.
I took workshops, I learnedmonologues.
I I did anything I could tolearn and I Was able to.
I did like a commercial with alocal car dealership.
I auditioned for a feature filmthat ended up not getting made
(07:28):
but I got a part in it, justwhatever I could do to really
get my foot in the door.
And then I took, I took a breakfor a few years Because it was
hard, and I started going tocollege as began studying 3d
animation and film and Ended upchanging my major to theater
because you couldn't keep meaway from acting, and then
(07:51):
Started working professionallyduring my last year of school.
So that's kind of how I yeah,that was my path I got to where
you are.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah, what was your?
I don't want to say resistancesin a good word.
I feel like when you, when youstart anything new, there's
challenges.
So I was gonna ask what wereyour challenges or areas that
you were struggling with as youdove more into learning the
craft and Art of acting?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
well, I think as far as Diving into the craft I never
had Well, I won't say I neverhad a couple experiences that
were not great, but most of myinstructors were just wonderful,
especially in college.
They were just all lovely andjust really poured into me in a
way that I just really foundmyself Artistically or began the
(08:41):
journey of finding myself.
So that was awesome.
I think my difficultiesregarding acting have always
been on the business end of it.
You know, talking about cultureshock, like kind of the young
Hollywood crowd, was reallyreally hard for me to feel like
I could fit in with and Justkind of this constant hustle Was
(09:04):
always really really hard on meand kind of balancing my life
with that.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I think anyone who is pursuing this for any amount of
time starts finding the balanceof how do you balance Acting
and recognizing?
It's not who you are, it's a,it's a thing that you love, that
you do, but it isn't all allthat there is to you and there's
life outside of it.
Yeah so do you feel like youhave kind of gotten to a place
where you balance that now, oryou have a better understanding
(09:32):
of how to balance it, or maybeyou've mastered it balancing you
as son of versus you, as youknow, an artist?
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Yeah, you know, I I feel like Past Sana was
definitely my identity and Ithink to a certain extent my
identity still is and I'm stillworking that out.
But my identity was so tied upwith me being an actor that I
didn't really have an interestand this makes me sound so
boring then, but I didn't reallyhave an interest in doing much
(10:02):
else.
I've always kind of been a veryCreative person, like I really
enjoy the arts.
I enjoy going to art museumsand painting and I have a sewing
machine, knitting and makingstuff, you know, and I think
there was a time in my life whenall of that other stuff just
died or went to sleep.
And I think the last few yearshave been kind of this
(10:22):
experience of rediscovering,kind of the multifaceted nature
of my personality and like how Ilove to do all these things and
that's okay, and I don't knowif it's just kind of this hustle
, culture, mentality orcapitalism or what, but I, I
there was a time in my lifewhere I just felt like all I
needed to be doing was focusingon acting that eats, sleep,
(10:43):
breathe mentality.
Yeah, yeah, and I know nowthat's not healthy for me and
you know I like to cook and Ilike to try fine wines and I
love to watch horror movies forfun and I love, you know, I
don't know, just all the thingsthat make me me.
I think I'm still working on itBecause there is kind of still
(11:04):
that mental place that I go towhere I'm like I'm not right
unless I am an actor, but Rightsense, but I have got, I have
come a long way.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Yeah, I love that you said that, because I think one
I completely relate to you likefell into the same Mindset trap
and I feel like I'm just nowstarting to figure out, you know
, hints me doing this podcastand other creative pursuits that
I've wanted to do but felt likeI shouldn't because I need to
just Pursue acting and solelyacting.
(11:36):
I think also, just a lot ofpeople can relate to that,
because I do agree that thehustle culture mentality Effects
I, not just actors, but whenwe're talking about actors.
So that just that's why I saidthat eat, sleep and breathe like
I will only have success atthis If it's all that I'm doing
(11:59):
and it's just not healthy, it'snot a good balance in life
Speaking of that.
So we talked a little bit,actually before we started,
about how you're starting toshift a little bit and do some
different things.
So I'm curious.
I know we I'm at one end thebeginning, when I introduced you
, I talked about filmmaker andcomedy.
So what are you doing in thoseavid avenues now, along with
(12:19):
acting?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yes, so I'm kind of trying something new.
I am working on focusing mostlyon my own projects and projects
I'm collaborating on with otherpeople.
Long story Short, I've I'veworked in on the day job side.
I've worked in digitalmarketing for probably the past
decade in social media.
(12:41):
I also do video production, andyou know about that list because
you yeah with me and I actuallyI work for a wonderful
organization now full-time andreally excited about that side
of my career and really excitedabout the work I'm doing for
them and with them.
So I've kind of decided to makea shift and focus more on my
own projects.
(13:01):
I'm currently I'm looking overhere to my right because there
is a pile of scripts over thereI'm directing a show with
sketchworks comedy.
That was kind of my brainchild,so I'm very excited about it
and collaborated with a bunch ofwriters to it functions as a
sketch comedy show.
All SNL that has a through line.
That's awesome.
(13:22):
Yeah, I'm very excited.
We had a table read last weekfor it and we have our first
rehearsal Tuesday.
So working that's my first bigproject that I'm working on.
And then after that, you know,I'm kind of giving myself a
breather to kind of figure outwhat I want to do and what I
want to invest my time in.
I'm definitely one of thosepeople I want to do everything.
(13:42):
I'm like oh, I have this ideafor a documentary, but you know
there's only 24 hours in the day, so I'm trying to Focus on what
projects I want to pursue.
So after I do this, we'll see.
We'll see what's next.
But I also create content on myTikTok page and I love your
TikTok page.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Oh, thank you.
I feel like it's so slept on.
I'm like how do you not havelike a million followers at this
point?
I love your content.
I actually when I was like Ineed to see if Sunna would want
to be interviewed, because I wasscrolling through TikTok and
you came up and I went your pageand I just like rewatched all
the stuff.
So I think I think you're avery funny and your timing is
(14:23):
very good and I like theconcepts that you come up.
Your Costco concept is great,Thank you.
So our cost co.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Yeah, I.
That character is so much funto play.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Yeah and you I love in the.
I'll always look at thecomments.
I feel like so many peoplelooking comments on TikTok, but
the people who are often ofcomment on this video is that
you're a great actor Becauseyou're making me mad Like it's
so true.
Yeah, but yeah, no, I love it.
So with that, I'm sure thatyour Comedy show or the sketch
(15:03):
show is gonna be great.
Are you gonna be in it?
Are you just directing it?
Speaker 2 (15:07):
No, I'm, I'm, I'm.
As far as I know, I'm not gonnabe in it.
I may, because I've been kindof doing some stand-up comedy,
so I may do a couple minutes ofthat at the top of the show, but
as far as acting in it, I'm notnow.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Have you ever directed anything before not
film or TV, but anything that'sgonna be on stage or is this
like a directorial debut for you?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Yeah, so prior to this, I Directed a show back in
March.
That was a sketch comedy showand then, prior to that, I I've
directed a lot of kids sketchcomedy shows because I've worked
with sketchworks, with theirkids camps, and we do Fully
produced sketch comedy shows forthese kids and then also some
(15:54):
student showcases.
But I think this is probablythe most Multilayered and
complex show I have directedtoday.
So, yeah, so, looking forwardto it, there's lots of moving
pieces.
We actually have to film somecontent for it next weekend and
but I'm excited, I'm reallyexcited about it.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
I'm really happy for you.
What now?
When is it so it's?
I want to see it.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Oh yeah, you should totally come see it.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I'll, yeah, I'm like I'm interested.
Yeah, okay, I'll put you on thelist.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It's the first two weekends of November, so I
believe it's the third, fourth,tenth and eleventh, and it will
be at the warehouse which isfrat pack productions.
It's near Avondale Estates,decatur in Scottsdale.
Okay so yeah so I want toinvite everyone who's in Greater
Atlanta or Georgia to come seeit.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So I definitely will plug you all, plug you on my
socials when I release thisepisode and I'll plug you all my
personal for sure too.
That's super exciting and Idefinitely want to come and see
it because that sounds so funand then kind.
So, just transitioning a littlebit what I Hold you in very
high regard, I consider youstill a mentor In a lot of ways.
(17:03):
I know we haven't talked toeach other in the last few years
, have been crazy pandemic, allthat jazz, but I just I really
respect you and I always learneda lot from you and then I
interned with you a little bit.
So I'm kind of curious whatyour advice would be to people
who not only maybe want to getin the acting industry or into
acting, but also Just contentcreation in general in any form,
(17:28):
because I feel like you havesuch a good handle of on that in
terms of how you go after itand you're really not afraid to
Pursue your creative visions.
At least that's what I'vealways observed well.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Thank you, liz, and, FYI, I hold you in very high
regard as well.
Like, I think you're justawesome and yeah, and I've
really enjoyed getting to knowyou these past few years and
Working with you and by the way,liz was like my right hand
woman in film shoots or videoshoots.
Like she.
(18:02):
She, like I Like, automaticallyknew everything to do do it the
bounce.
I handled that bounce perfectlythe bounce yeah, or the
reflector, the reflector oh yeah, I always had that no, but I
always remember I would comelike back in from like Filming
or whatever and like all myequipment would be packed up,
(18:25):
ready to go.
She'd be like can I have yourcar keys?
I'm gonna go put it like Idon't know, just great, anyway.
So, yeah, I would sing yourpraises all day.
Well, thank you.
Content creation and actingOkay.
So I think, as far as contentcreation, I personally think
it's really good to have a plan,and I know that probably goes
(18:45):
without saying, but I thinksometimes a lot of content
creation on the internet, whenwe watch it, we think oh wow,
this is so like off the cuff,like this, this was just, this
is so natural, they just madethis.
But no, like I think evencontent creation With exceptions
that appears to be off the cuffhas gone through writing and
(19:06):
probably rewriting and then morerewriting.
So having some sort of writtenplan and having it in your mind,
you know and if you're someonewho's gone to film school or
taken film classes, is probablyalready part of you but having
it in your mind as to how that'ssupposed to look at the end of
the day, like down to the shots,down to angles, everything, so
(19:29):
that you can kind of plan it outfrom beginning to end.
And the other thing is, youknow, if you are really wanting
to get into it, just start doingit, because the best teacher is
you trying things out and myfailures in the past and I'm
still failing all the time andI'm not a successful content
(19:50):
creator.
I would love to be, that wouldbe awesome, but I mean, okay, I
take that back.
I think I've had successes, butI'm not like a full-time
content creator.
You know, like millions offollowers.
So the best way you can learnis just to start creating and if
you're afraid of people seeingit, that's fine.
Just make it private and justwork, work on it, you know, and
(20:10):
keep it private or keep itfriends only, but really that's
the best way you're gonna learn.
I've made so many crappy videos, like in my life, you know and
I, but I've learned from themand I've learned from the
process of making them andtrying out new techniques and
Trying out new animation styles,trying out new editing programs
(20:31):
.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
You know, whatever I need to do, so with your content
creation, have you at allexperienced Like getting wrapped
up in views or likes because Ifeel, like a lot of people I
know, I can get wrapped up inthat when I put stuff out or do
you feel like you've got to apoint where you enjoy the
content you're creating andyou're happy with who sees it?
(20:53):
Or does that still mess withyour psyche at all?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I mean, it definitely does.
I have learned to look for twothings though a me liking it and
then be likes and an engagementand yeah, and there have been a
few times that I was like, ah,I love this video, I think it's
great, and then it's likedoesn't do very well at all and
(21:19):
I'm like what why?
You know, and yeah, so yeah,and it does.
It does mess with me sometimes,because sometimes you know I,
you know you create somethingand you're like oh, this is
gonna, it's gonna reach so manypeople.
People are gonna love this andthen it's like humbling, you
know, and it doesn't.
And I experienced that in myother professional life as well,
(21:41):
like my other career life anddigital marketing, where you
know I'll prepare a post and I'mjust like, oh, that's this
gonna be awesome, and you know,and then it's like womp, womp,
you know, and really the contentis great.
It's just people don't Take thetime or I don't know what it is
, but you know, I think that'sthat's the danger with social
(22:03):
media is sometimes big conceptsor maybe not even big concepts,
maybe I'm giving myself too muchcredit, but content that I
think is overall good can be notfind its audience or not, you
know, as kind of subject to thealgorithm and when it's being
pushed.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
So yeah, I think that parts frustrating to a lot of
the content we're seeing online.
There is forethought that'sgone into it.
People aren't Ness.
I mean, like you said, thereare some people who, yeah, they
pull off their phone andwhatever it works out for them,
but a lot of the especiallycreative content that you're
seeing on tiktok, instagram,real YouTube shorts, whatever
(22:46):
you're watching there's a lot offorethought and scripts and
stuff like that that goes intoit.
People don't just whip outtheir phone and shoot something
randomly off the cuff.
And so I think it is hard, whenyou put that much thought and
time and energy into it, to thenmake the video be happy with
how it came out and Not maybeget the views that you want on
(23:06):
it.
It messes with me, but I try toremind myself like, even if I
get one or two likes, I'm likeokay, at least that Somebody
enjoyed it like somebody gotsomething out of it and try to
remind myself that and to begrateful for that too.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
But yeah, and I'd rather it go viral in the right
way than go viral in the wrongway.
So you know that's true.
Very good point.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Yeah, I'm thankful for those, the likes that are
sincere and the comments thatare sincere, even if there's
just a few of them, you know,because yeah, at least it's
resonated with someone and, andyou know, like I think you know
people have told me beforethey're like, oh, like people in
my life they're like I reallyloved that video and I'm like
thinking, oh well, that got like500 views, like that, you know.
(23:54):
But there are people who Reallyenjoyed it.
You know, and I think at theend of the day, that's what
you're trying to do.
You're trying to and entertain,educate, you know, and inspire.
Speaker 1 (24:06):
So I think it too.
I've always thought about itand I I would rather have a
community of a smaller group ofpeople than, say, have millions
of people.
But when there's not really anyconnection Amongst you and the
people who are consuming yourcontent?
Right, because I like theconnection.
(24:27):
I think that's kind of thepoint in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
And then, what would your advice be towards somebody
who wants to get into acting?
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Yeah, so Really focus your first few years on
learning.
I wish I didn't have Stars inmy eyes like I did when I
started, because I was just soready to Be auditioning and and
I did throughout the years, evenwhile I was still learning.
But I think if I could havedone it all over again, I would
(24:57):
have just focused more on thelearning process and not split
my time so much, really gettinga class that nurtures you, that
is respectful toward you, andstart doing student films.
So, like you probably have auniversity in your area with a
film program and those filmstudents and Liz knows all about
(25:20):
this those film students needactors.
Yeah, so do whatever you can toget in contact with them so
they might put their castingnotices on a big site like
Actors Access, but they mightalso just keep a register of
actors in their system that theycan sign parts to.
So, really, when you are onthose small film sets, you're
(25:43):
gonna learn how to perform onfilm.
And also, I would recommend,even if you don't want theater
to be your thing, go do plays.
Again, most places have acommunity theater.
Most places have some sort oflike if you're in a church you
really like, and they do churchplays.
(26:03):
If you are still in school, ifyou're in high school, get
involved with your dramadepartment, because really, when
you're on stage like A, there'sno feeling like that, it's like
the most rewarding feeling, somuch more rewarding feeling than
film, in my opinion.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I'd agree with you.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah, also, you just learn so much being right there
in the moment with the otheractors, and you learn so much
about reacting authentically andorganically.
So you get to put a lot of thattraining into practice.
And I think what's cool aboutcommunity theaters is they do a
lot of plays by greatplaywrights, that you have the
(26:40):
opportunity to perform thesefamous plays.
Anyway, yeah, I would startthere and then from there you
can start to pursue the otherthings you need to pursue, like
building your resume andbuilding a reel, because you can
get footage from the film setsyou've been on and start
(27:00):
pursuing professional work.
Yeah, and then be open tomaking your own content as well.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
That's all really great advice because it takes
time, like anything else.
I consider it an illusion, overnight success, which I feel
like when I started I justthought but then a couple years,
you know I'll be on prime timetelevision or whatever, and
quickly, like I said earlier,being humbled and, I think,
(27:28):
recognizing the journey of it.
And if you really fall in lovewith this art form, it's just.
I enjoy my classes as much asbooking the part, I would say,
because sometimes that mightsound horrible, sometimes even
more because you build acommunity with your classmates
and you're just in thisbeautiful little actor bubble
(27:49):
when you're with your classmates, which is just so nice because
it's just not like that on setand sets its own beautiful beast
, I would say.
But it is cool, actors, justget other actors.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
Yeah, and I think finding a community like
something key you kind ofbasically mentioned there is
like finding a community ofpeople that you can hang out
with and grow with.
I perform and direct and teachwith SketchWorks Comedy here in
Atlanta hence the show Imentioned earlier and really
those people are like my bestfriends.
(28:23):
We went to New York and weperformed like a month ago we
did Vape in New York, which is athat's a zone story.
I don't know if you've heardabout that, liz, but so Vape was
our parody of Greece that wegot caught up in legal
proceedings for a couple ofyears to like fight for the
right to perform it.
We sued Greece and we won infederal court, yeah, so it was
(28:44):
really cool and we finally yeah,we got to perform it last year
in Atlanta and then finally gotto do it in New York.
So, anyway, but bring that upbecause, like, I was with all my
friends and it was like thisreally fun trip and we were all
hanging out and, yeah, we didthree shows, but we really like
that experience lives in myheart, also for the reason that
(29:05):
I got to be with my closefriends, you know, and do this
really cool thing with them.
So I think finding a communitycannot be understated because,
again, it was like one of thosethings like when I was younger
that it was like, oh, friendscan wait, I'm hustling, you know
, but really, what is life about?
It's about relationships withother people, and you're going
(29:27):
to love working with the peoplewho you love.
Finding a community is, I think, really important.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
I agree with it.
I feel like I'm really learningthat now finding my people and
really investing in them,because if you feel empty before
you book or whatever, it's notgoing to matter how big the role
you book is, It'll that whenwill last for like 20 minutes
and it just doesn't matterwithout the community aspect,
(29:55):
like what you said, what's lifeall about, and the people and
connection is what makes this soGreat.
Yeah, what for you has been itsounds like that was definitely
a highlight moving or not moving, going to New York and doing
this production, this play withyour you know your cohorts,
essentially.
So what are your biggesthighlights that you can think on
(30:19):
, Because you've been?
How many years have you beendoing this?
You started when you were like14.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
So like over over 20 years, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Wow.
Can you think of a coupleexamples that just were big
moments in your career for you?
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Yeah, yeah.
So I don't know how many namesI'm permitted to mention because
of the strike right now, but Ican kind of give roundabout
answers.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Yeah yeah, you don't have to give us name drop or
anything like that, because Iknow I don't want to get anybody
in trouble on here.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
So there was a show I did when I lived in LA that I
shot for three weeks and it waslike my first big job.
That was like a really coolexperience.
It was definitely a cultureshock experience.
As far as entering theHollywood world, that was really
really neat.
And to be able to view thefandoms after that kind of
(31:15):
formulated around or formedaround the show, that was really
neat.
And I did a feature that I shotin Savannah, which was a really
fun experience because of thefreedom us actors were given to
improvise in that scene and justkind of make it our own.
I had a really good experienceworking on a feature in 2021.
(31:36):
That was just like a wildexperience and I worked on it
for three weeks and I had neverworked on a film of that scale.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
So that was really cool.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
And then I think, outside of those, probably my
favorite experiences have beenmy own projects, just because of
the creative freedom I have,not because I think they're the
best projects, but becausereally fun to create and to make
them, and then also all thestuff I've done with sketchworks
.
So I just got back from NewYork with sketchworks this time,
but I went two other times withthem to New York to do sketch
(32:07):
shows and perform as part ofSketch Fest and those were
always really fun as well.
And to be able to just be therewith them and do comedy and be
silly and doing comedy is justlike so fun and just being able
to run around on stage and playsilly characters, I just love
that so much.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
I would say I haven't done any sketch comedy but
improv.
I've done some of that and Ilove it.
It's so much fun.
The freedom to be able toimprovise within scenes is
always so fun, and I love whenyou're on any type of project
where they trust the actors andlet you let go and do that.
The closing question I have foryou is you've been doing this
(32:47):
for over 20 years now, so how doyou feel the energy has changed
or transitioned, and do youfeel like it's transitioned in
more positive ways justthroughout the years?
Because you've been around tosee a lot of different stages of
the entertainment industry, Iwould say Maybe what do you see
coming or think or hope that youwant to see in the future?
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Yeah, I think right now we're in this moment of
intense change.
I think a lot of it we havebeen needing for a long time.
I have to recommend a book.
It's called Burn it Down.
Have you read that?
I haven't, no, but just thetitle got me a little excited,
so yeah, I feel like I need tofind the author's name so I can
(33:30):
appropriately recommend it.
Burn it Down is by Maureen RyanPower, complicity and a Call
for Action.
Call for Change in Hollywood.
So Maureen has written forVanity Fair for many years and
in the book she talks about howshe's reported on just horrible
things that have gone down inHollywood in the past 20 years
(33:51):
or so and I think that book is areally good representation of
the things that need to change,both from a labor standpoint so
unfair things that we deal withlike working hours and contract
terms- and residuals and all thethings we're fighting for right
now, but also how marginalizedcommunities are treated on set
(34:15):
and how people of color aretreated on set and how women are
treated Just all these thingsLGBTQ people, you know and I
hope I'm representing this well,but I think that book is a
really great place to start ifyou are curious about what's
happening right now and whatneeds to change.
Having said that, I do thinkthere's a general awareness,
(34:37):
like a lot of people are wakingup to the fact that can't
continue this way.
Also, I think something I'dlove to see change and I haven't
been the target of this as muchas I felt like it was present
in the modeling industry, but Iknow other people happen and
that's just people who are mean,you know, and I really would
(34:58):
love to see that change over.
you know I compare that to a lotof the other issues in
Hollywood, but really there's atoxic work culture and so many
layers of Hollywood, and so Ifeel like where we are right now
is we're going.
Oh, that's an issue.
We need to change this.
I don't know that I can speakas someone who is able to spirit
(35:21):
any of that change, but I am amember of Hollywood and a member
of SAG-AFTRA and hope to voteand see those things vote within
my union and see those thingschange in the future.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
So I was just going to say, like I don't, I don't
really have anything to add towhat you were saying in regards
to change and stuff like that.
I do think, moving towards thefuture, I too would like to see
more of a kindness and aninclusivity, not just amongst
actors, but kind of amongsteveryone that we are working
(35:55):
with on set.
But what I was also going toask you was what would you say
to people who are not in thisindustry, who are kind of seeing
this strike happening and theydon't really understand why it
matters or why it's so important?
Speaker 2 (36:11):
I think we're.
You know, at this point we'refighting for some very
fundamental labor rights and alot of those issues have come
out of the fact that technologyis changing.
We're scrambling to adapt andadapt in a way that's fair to
our members.
As far as understanding thisstrike, I think something that
(36:33):
people can do is see it in theterms of, like the greater labor
market and several strikes thisyear.
You know the United AutoWorkers, the UPS strike, where
people were fighting to keeptheir trucks under 100 degrees.
You know like for airconditioning.
You know just very simplethings that you think like
(36:55):
shouldn't that already be athing Right?
And you know Hollywood hasgotten a lot of attention.
I feel like what Hollywood cando for the greater labor market
is bring attention to thegreater labor market, if that
makes sense.
So, you know people go oh, theactors and writers are on strike
, like wow, that's, that'sreally interesting, that's
really cool.
I sometimes you have discourseagainst it, but at the very
(37:18):
least you know it can drawattention to the fact that all
these other industries are alsofighting for rights within their
workplaces and we should bepaying attention to that as well
.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Well, I was going to just say set the tone for, like
you said, we're seeing a lot oftechnology changes that are
going to especially you think ofAI and stuff like that.
It's going to bleed over intoother labor markets and it has
in certain labor markets already.
But setting the tone for howthat gets to be used Right Kind
(37:52):
of.
I feel like actors are on theforefront of that and writers so
I don't know.
I think it's easy to look atactors make snap judgments about
us being superficial orwhatever, which obviously I
don't agree with that.
But you know, people outsidelooking in, it actually affects
people a lot more than theyrealize.
(38:13):
Actors being on strike.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Yeah, I think it brings the issue to the
forefront in a way thatunfortunately other industries
people wouldn't pay attention,which we should be.
You know, we should be payingattention to when other
industries go on strike, becauseit's important and it affects
all of us.
But I think at the very leastour contribution, besides what
we're fighting for ourselves andthe general labor market, is
(38:36):
that we can bring attention tolabor rights period.
Speaker 1 (38:40):
So kind of finishing on maybe a little bit of a
lighter note, do you have adream role that you want to play
?
Speaker 2 (38:47):
Oh gosh, I don't know that I have one dream role
anymore, but I would love to beon some sort of political comedy
show at some point, and I wouldlove to voice a character on an
adult animation show.
I love it.
(39:07):
So I mean, I definitely used tobe like, oh, I would love to
play this famous literarycharacter, but I don't think
it's that anymore.
I think I want to be a part ofprojects that are smart and
doing good work in the world,you know, that are making a
positive impact.
If we weren't on strike, Iwould cite several examples
right now, but that's what I cansay.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
So yeah, that's really fun and I like that
answer because I don't.
I don't feel like I have aspecific person as much as I
have more of a broad thing thatI'd want to be in.
Yeah, I love that.
Well, it's pretty much all Ihave.
Do you have anything that you'dlike to say in closing?
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Yeah, I think the only thing I can say is, if
you're in greater Atlanta or theAtlanta area, be sure to check
out SketchWorks Comedy.
The first two weekends ofNovember you can go to
sketchworkscomedycom to buy yourtickets for the Dream Cafe
experience, which I'm superexcited about and is looking
like it's going to be a reallycool, really weird and really
(40:08):
fun show.
So if you like all that,definitely come check us out.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
All right?
Well, I definitely will, andhopefully maybe I can bring
friends or something.
Thank you so much, sana.
I had a great time talking toyou.
Anybody listening, if you canrate, review the podcast like
the Instagram page.
I'll also tag Sana's Instagramwhen I post this episode.
But other than that, thank youguys for listening and I look
(40:34):
forward to talking to you in thenext episode.
Welcome to.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I Am Me podcast.
I'm your host, liz Bachman, andon this podcast, I want to
celebrate you for being you.
I'm super excited to sit downwith my guests each week and
talk about their journey, theirexperiences and where they came
from.
So, without further ado, let'sdive into this week's episode.
Hey everybody, welcome back toI Am Me.
(00:22):
Today I'm sitting down withSana Erika.
She is actually the firstperson that I ever took film
acting classes from about six,seven years ago.
She is an actor, she is acomedian, she's a filmmaker.
She is an amazing person and,yeah, I'm super excited to sit
down, talk to her today and seehow she's been doing and what
she's got going on.
(00:42):
So how you doing, sana, I amwell.
How are you?
I am good.
It's a beautiful fall day, so Ican't complain.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yes, the weather is slowly improving here in Georgia
and not as humid.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Yeah, and horrible, yeah, I'm so over the humidity
and the heat.
But anyway, kind of diving inbecause I know you are involved
in to in many different avenuesin the creative arts, I would
say, but taking it back for asecond, where did all this kind
of start for you?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Sure.
So I started acting.
I was like 14 years old.
I mean, I had done church playsand school plays before that
and was very involved increative arts and stuff, but
professionally I started when Iwas 14.
That was the around the time.
(01:38):
I became a model and quicklyrealized the close link, and I
don't know why I didn't knowthis before then, but quickly
understood the close linkbetween modeling and acting and
how those industries are oftenpathways into each other.
So yeah, so I started takingacting workshops and booked my
(02:01):
first job.
Well, my first on camera job.
I don't know that I can call itan acting job, but I first on
camera job when I was 15.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
So that's.
Do you want to dive into whatthat was?
That's really.
I feel everybody has theirfirst on camera thing and it's
always usually a fun experience.
I feel like to look back orthink on.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Yeah, actually.
So it was really cool.
I was in New York City and Ihad just signed with elite model
management, was getting startedwith them, and they sent me on
this job with Bumble and Bumblehair products, which their hair
products are just awesome, andthey were like, well, we need to
(02:41):
cut your hair on camera becausewe're doing a training video
for our Institute.
So it was like you know, it wasthe first time I was ever on a
soundstage, on a set.
They cut my hair, if you'refamiliar with, like a razor, not
like a, but like the the lookslike a comb.
They have this special method ofcutting with a razor.
(03:02):
That was like they would justpull it through your hair and
all the hair would just fall off.
It was anyway.
I feel like I'm going intodetail with this way.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
No, no, no, no, no, no.
It's great, I love it.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Yeah, so they they cut my hair on camera.
That was my first on camera jobwas an industrial for Bumble
and Bumble hair products and allI had to do was sit there.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Was that intimidating for you as a teenager to show
up on set and then know thatyou're going to have to get your
hair cut?
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, it was a little intimidating, mainly because I
was like I just need to sit verystill and let them do their
thing.
And then also, I think themodeling industry, at least at
the time to me as was a lot moreintimidating than Hollywood in
a lot of ways.
I think, working with peoplethat you know I was, I went up
(03:49):
to New York for North Carolinaat the time and you know it was
just all very, you know, a verydifferent world.
Yeah, a different world kind ofhad some culture shock in a way
.
I'm curious.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Did you feel like because you were, you were 15,
maybe you wouldn't have felt itas I would feel like a little
star or something fit like 15years old.
You're in high school and youget to go do this studio shoot,
Did you feel?
Speaker 2 (04:16):
that way at all.
Yeah, I'll be honest, I feltlike hot stuff and I look back
on that like kind of like Ithink on one hand I was you know
, I took it all in stride but onthe other hand, I was like, oh,
this is cool and special andlike probably needed to calm
down my little ego there.
And I did, because acting isreally hard and you know you
(04:40):
have a lot of dead time and so Ilearned my lesson real quick,
yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
But yeah, I definitely felt like, oh, this
is, this is awesome you know,yeah, I don't think you're alone
in especially speaking from myown experience and being humbled
by acting pretty quickly.
And then you add on to thatthat you're a teenager, you know
so, and all the stuff thatcomes along with teenagers.
Yeah, so modeling you don'tmodel anymore.
(05:09):
Is that correct?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
No, I mean I've.
Over the years I've gone backto it a few times.
When I lived in LA, I did, Istarted going to photo shoots
and I got the opportunity towalk in LA Fashion Week, which
was super cool.
And then I did a few jobs herein Atlanta with an agency.
I was signed with a couple ofrunway shows and I realized I
think I always was trying, likewith modeling, I was always
(05:33):
trying to fit a square peg and around hole and I always felt,
oh, this is something I cantotally do, I should do it and I
love, I love fashion,photography, I love fashion.
So I was like, oh, it's like aclear fit for me, but it just it
always felt not the right pathfor me and so I never was able
(05:53):
to sustain that career becauseit just wasn't really my thing
yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Yeah, I think that's any type of performing, and
especially now, with the waythat I, when I say perform, I
mean acting, music, modeling,anything, any type of performing
arts where you're getting up infront of people, comedian I
think there's not a clear pathin any of it and there's a lot
(06:22):
of crossover.
And then today we have so muchopportunity to create content on
our own and to teach ourselves.
So I think if anyone can createcontent and pursue their stuff
and it works for them, thenyou're doing it right, and
everybody's journey and path isjust so different in this
performing arts, entertainment.
(06:42):
Ask industry, industry, becauseI feel like it is all
intertwined right.
So, moving from modeling, howdid you end up transitioning, I
guess, into?
I know you had your firstindustrial, but how did you keep
making that transition tomaking, to going from modeling
to acting?
I'm sure there is also likemodeling and acting were
happening at the same time for aperiod.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Yeah, so I mean any opportunity to pursue acting
around that time.
I did so.
I took workshops, I learnedmonologues.
I I did anything I could tolearn and I Was able to.
I did like a commercial with alocal car dealership.
I auditioned for a feature filmthat ended up not getting made
(07:28):
but I got a part in it, justwhatever I could do to really
get my foot in the door.
And then I took, I took a breakfor a few years Because it was
hard, and I started going tocollege as began studying 3d
animation and film and Ended upchanging my major to theater
because you couldn't keep meaway from acting, and then
(07:51):
Started working professionallyduring my last year of school.
So that's kind of how I yeah,that was my path I got to where
you are.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Yeah, what was your?
I don't want to say resistancesin a good word.
I feel like when you, when youstart anything new, there's
challenges.
So I was gonna ask what wereyour challenges or areas that
you were struggling with as youdove more into learning the
craft and Art of acting?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
well, I think as far as Diving into the craft I never
had Well, I won't say I neverhad a couple experiences that
were not great, but most of myinstructors were just wonderful,
especially in college.
They were just all lovely andjust really poured into me in a
way that I just really foundmyself Artistically or began the
(08:41):
journey of finding myself.
So that was awesome.
I think my difficultiesregarding acting have always
been on the business end of it.
You know, talking about cultureshock, like kind of the young
Hollywood crowd, was reallyreally hard for me to feel like
I could fit in with and Justkind of this constant hustle Was
(09:04):
always really really hard on meand kind of balancing my life
with that.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I think anyone who is pursuing this for any amount of
time starts finding the balanceof how do you balance Acting
and recognizing?
It's not who you are, it's a,it's a thing that you love, that
you do, but it isn't all allthat there is to you and there's
life outside of it.
Yeah so do you feel like youhave kind of gotten to a place
where you balance that now, oryou have a better understanding
(09:32):
of how to balance it, or maybeyou've mastered it balancing you
as son of versus you, as youknow, an artist?
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Yeah, you know, I I feel like Past Sana was
definitely my identity and Ithink to a certain extent my
identity still is and I'm stillworking that out.
But my identity was so tied upwith me being an actor that I
didn't really have an interestand this makes me sound so
boring then, but I didn't reallyhave an interest in doing much
(10:02):
else.
I've always kind of been a veryCreative person, like I really
enjoy the arts.
I enjoy going to art museumsand painting and I have a sewing
machine, knitting and makingstuff, you know, and I think
there was a time in my life whenall of that other stuff just
died or went to sleep.
And I think the last few yearshave been kind of this
(10:22):
experience of rediscovering,kind of the multifaceted nature
of my personality and like how Ilove to do all these things and
that's okay, and I don't knowif it's just kind of this hustle
, culture, mentality orcapitalism or what, but I, I
there was a time in my lifewhere I just felt like all I
needed to be doing was focusingon acting that eats, sleep,
(10:43):
breathe mentality.
Yeah, yeah, and I know nowthat's not healthy for me and
you know I like to cook and Ilike to try fine wines and I
love to watch horror movies forfun and I love, you know, I
don't know, just all the thingsthat make me me.
I think I'm still working on itBecause there is kind of still
(11:04):
that mental place that I go towhere I'm like I'm not right
unless I am an actor, but Rightsense, but I have got, I have
come a long way.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Yeah, I love that you said that, because I think one
I completely relate to you likefell into the same Mindset trap
and I feel like I'm just nowstarting to figure out, you know
, hints me doing this podcastand other creative pursuits that
I've wanted to do but felt likeI shouldn't because I need to
just Pursue acting and solelyacting.
(11:36):
I think also, just a lot ofpeople can relate to that,
because I do agree that thehustle culture mentality Effects
I, not just actors, but whenwe're talking about actors.
So that just that's why I saidthat eat, sleep and breathe like
I will only have success atthis If it's all that I'm doing
(11:59):
and it's just not healthy, it'snot a good balance in life
Speaking of that.
So we talked a little bit,actually before we started,
about how you're starting toshift a little bit and do some
different things.
So I'm curious.
I know we I'm at one end thebeginning, when I introduced you
, I talked about filmmaker andcomedy.
So what are you doing in thoseavid avenues now, along with
(12:19):
acting?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yes, so I'm kind of trying something new.
I am working on focusing mostlyon my own projects and projects
I'm collaborating on with otherpeople.
Long story Short, I've I'veworked in on the day job side.
I've worked in digitalmarketing for probably the past
decade in social media.
(12:41):
I also do video production, andyou know about that list because
you yeah with me and I actuallyI work for a wonderful
organization now full-time andreally excited about that side
of my career and really excitedabout the work I'm doing for
them and with them.
So I've kind of decided to makea shift and focus more on my
own projects.
(13:01):
I'm currently I'm looking overhere to my right because there
is a pile of scripts over thereI'm directing a show with
sketchworks comedy.
That was kind of my brainchild,so I'm very excited about it
and collaborated with a bunch ofwriters to it functions as a
sketch comedy show.
All SNL that has a through line.
That's awesome.
(13:22):
Yeah, I'm very excited.
We had a table read last weekfor it and we have our first
rehearsal Tuesday.
So working that's my first bigproject that I'm working on.
And then after that, you know,I'm kind of giving myself a
breather to kind of figure outwhat I want to do and what I
want to invest my time in.
I'm definitely one of thosepeople I want to do everything.
(13:42):
I'm like oh, I have this ideafor a documentary, but you know
there's only 24 hours in the day, so I'm trying to Focus on what
projects I want to pursue.
So after I do this, we'll see.
We'll see what's next.
But I also create content on myTikTok page and I love your
TikTok page.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Oh, thank you.
I feel like it's so slept on.
I'm like how do you not havelike a million followers at this
point?
I love your content.
I actually when I was like Ineed to see if Sunna would want
to be interviewed, because I wasscrolling through TikTok and
you came up and I went your pageand I just like rewatched all
the stuff.
So I think I think you're avery funny and your timing is
(14:23):
very good and I like theconcepts that you come up.
Your Costco concept is great,Thank you.
So our cost co.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Yeah, I.
That character is so much funto play.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Yeah and you I love in the.
I'll always look at thecomments.
I feel like so many peoplelooking comments on TikTok, but
the people who are often ofcomment on this video is that
you're a great actor Becauseyou're making me mad Like it's
so true.
Yeah, but yeah, no, I love it.
So with that, I'm sure thatyour Comedy show or the sketch
(15:03):
show is gonna be great.
Are you gonna be in it?
Are you just directing it?
Speaker 2 (15:07):
No, I'm, I'm, I'm.
As far as I know, I'm not gonnabe in it.
I may, because I've been kindof doing some stand-up comedy,
so I may do a couple minutes ofthat at the top of the show, but
as far as acting in it, I'm notnow.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Have you ever directed anything before not
film or TV, but anything that'sgonna be on stage or is this
like a directorial debut for you?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Yeah, so prior to this, I Directed a show back in
March.
That was a sketch comedy showand then, prior to that, I I've
directed a lot of kids sketchcomedy shows because I've worked
with sketchworks, with theirkids camps, and we do Fully
produced sketch comedy shows forthese kids and then also some
(15:54):
student showcases.
But I think this is probablythe most Multilayered and
complex show I have directedtoday.
So, yeah, so, looking forwardto it, there's lots of moving
pieces.
We actually have to film somecontent for it next weekend and
but I'm excited, I'm reallyexcited about it.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
I'm really happy for you.
What now?
When is it so it's?
I want to see it.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Oh yeah, you should totally come see it.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
I'll, yeah, I'm like I'm interested.
Yeah, okay, I'll put you on thelist.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
It's the first two weekends of November, so I
believe it's the third, fourth,tenth and eleventh, and it will
be at the warehouse which isfrat pack productions.
It's near Avondale Estates,decatur in Scottsdale.
Okay so yeah so I want toinvite everyone who's in Greater
Atlanta or Georgia to come seeit.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So I definitely will plug you all, plug you on my
socials when I release thisepisode and I'll plug you all my
personal for sure too.
That's super exciting and Idefinitely want to come and see
it because that sounds so funand then kind.
So, just transitioning a littlebit what I Hold you in very
high regard, I consider youstill a mentor In a lot of ways.
(17:03):
I know we haven't talked toeach other in the last few years
, have been crazy pandemic, allthat jazz, but I just I really
respect you and I always learneda lot from you and then I
interned with you a little bit.
So I'm kind of curious whatyour advice would be to people
who not only maybe want to getin the acting industry or into
acting, but also Just contentcreation in general in any form,
(17:28):
because I feel like you havesuch a good handle of on that in
terms of how you go after itand you're really not afraid to
Pursue your creative visions.
At least that's what I'vealways observed well.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Thank you, liz, and, FYI, I hold you in very high
regard as well.
Like, I think you're justawesome and yeah, and I've
really enjoyed getting to knowyou these past few years and
Working with you and by the way,liz was like my right hand
woman in film shoots or videoshoots.
Like she.
(18:02):
She, like I Like, automaticallyknew everything to do do it the
bounce.
I handled that bounce perfectlythe bounce yeah, or the
reflector, the reflector oh yeah, I always had that no, but I
always remember I would comelike back in from like Filming
or whatever and like all myequipment would be packed up,
(18:25):
ready to go.
She'd be like can I have yourcar keys?
I'm gonna go put it like Idon't know, just great, anyway.
So, yeah, I would sing yourpraises all day.
Well, thank you.
Content creation and actingOkay.
So I think, as far as contentcreation, I personally think
it's really good to have a plan,and I know that probably goes
(18:45):
without saying, but I thinksometimes a lot of content
creation on the internet, whenwe watch it, we think oh wow,
this is so like off the cuff,like this, this was just, this
is so natural, they just madethis.
But no, like I think evencontent creation With exceptions
that appears to be off the cuffhas gone through writing and
(19:06):
probably rewriting and then morerewriting.
So having some sort of writtenplan and having it in your mind,
you know and if you're someonewho's gone to film school or
taken film classes, is probablyalready part of you but having
it in your mind as to how that'ssupposed to look at the end of
the day, like down to the shots,down to angles, everything, so
(19:29):
that you can kind of plan it outfrom beginning to end.
And the other thing is, youknow, if you are really wanting
to get into it, just start doingit, because the best teacher is
you trying things out and myfailures in the past and I'm
still failing all the time andI'm not a successful content
(19:50):
creator.
I would love to be, that wouldbe awesome, but I mean, okay, I
take that back.
I think I've had successes, butI'm not like a full-time
content creator.
You know, like millions offollowers.
So the best way you can learnis just to start creating and if
you're afraid of people seeingit, that's fine.
Just make it private and justwork, work on it, you know, and
(20:10):
keep it private or keep itfriends only, but really that's
the best way you're gonna learn.
I've made so many crappy videos, like in my life, you know and
I, but I've learned from themand I've learned from the
process of making them andtrying out new techniques and
Trying out new animation styles,trying out new editing programs
(20:31):
.
Speaker 1 (20:31):
You know, whatever I need to do, so with your content
creation, have you at allexperienced Like getting wrapped
up in views or likes because Ifeel, like a lot of people I
know, I can get wrapped up inthat when I put stuff out or do
you feel like you've got to apoint where you enjoy the
content you're creating andyou're happy with who sees it?
(20:53):
Or does that still mess withyour psyche at all?
Speaker 2 (20:56):
I mean, it definitely does.
I have learned to look for twothings though a me liking it and
then be likes and an engagementand yeah, and there have been a
few times that I was like, ah,I love this video, I think it's
great, and then it's likedoesn't do very well at all and
(21:19):
I'm like what why?
You know, and yeah, so yeah,and it does.
It does mess with me sometimes,because sometimes you know I,
you know you create somethingand you're like oh, this is
gonna, it's gonna reach so manypeople.
People are gonna love this andthen it's like humbling, you
know, and it doesn't.
And I experienced that in myother professional life as well,
(21:41):
like my other career life anddigital marketing, where you
know I'll prepare a post and I'mjust like, oh, that's this
gonna be awesome, and you know,and then it's like womp, womp,
you know, and really the contentis great.
It's just people don't Take thetime or I don't know what it is
, but you know, I think that'sthat's the danger with social
(22:03):
media is sometimes big conceptsor maybe not even big concepts,
maybe I'm giving myself too muchcredit, but content that I
think is overall good can be notfind its audience or not, you
know, as kind of subject to thealgorithm and when it's being
pushed.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
So yeah, I think that parts frustrating to a lot of
the content we're seeing online.
There is forethought that'sgone into it.
People aren't Ness.
I mean, like you said, thereare some people who, yeah, they
pull off their phone andwhatever it works out for them,
but a lot of the especiallycreative content that you're
seeing on tiktok, instagram,real YouTube shorts, whatever
(22:46):
you're watching there's a lot offorethought and scripts and
stuff like that that goes intoit.
People don't just whip outtheir phone and shoot something
randomly off the cuff.
And so I think it is hard, whenyou put that much thought and
time and energy into it, to thenmake the video be happy with
how it came out and Not maybeget the views that you want on
(23:06):
it.
It messes with me, but I try toremind myself like, even if I
get one or two likes, I'm likeokay, at least that Somebody
enjoyed it like somebody gotsomething out of it and try to
remind myself that and to begrateful for that too.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
But yeah, and I'd rather it go viral in the right
way than go viral in the wrongway.
So you know that's true.
Very good point.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
Yeah, I'm thankful for those, the likes that are
sincere and the comments thatare sincere, even if there's
just a few of them, you know,because yeah, at least it's
resonated with someone and, andyou know, like I think you know
people have told me beforethey're like, oh, like people in
my life they're like I reallyloved that video and I'm like
thinking, oh well, that got like500 views, like that, you know.
(23:54):
But there are people who Reallyenjoyed it.
You know, and I think at theend of the day, that's what
you're trying to do.
You're trying to and entertain,educate, you know, and inspire.
Speaker 1 (24:06):
So I think it too.
I've always thought about itand I I would rather have a
community of a smaller group ofpeople than, say, have millions
of people.
But when there's not really anyconnection Amongst you and the
people who are consuming yourcontent?
Right, because I like theconnection.
(24:27):
I think that's kind of thepoint in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
And then, what would your advice be towards somebody
who wants to get into acting?
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Yeah, so Really focus your first few years on
learning.
I wish I didn't have Stars inmy eyes like I did when I
started, because I was just soready to Be auditioning and and
I did throughout the years, evenwhile I was still learning.
But I think if I could havedone it all over again, I would
(24:57):
have just focused more on thelearning process and not split
my time so much, really gettinga class that nurtures you, that
is respectful toward you, andstart doing student films.
So, like you probably have auniversity in your area with a
film program and those filmstudents and Liz knows all about
(25:20):
this those film students needactors.
Yeah, so do whatever you can toget in contact with them so
they might put their castingnotices on a big site like
Actors Access, but they mightalso just keep a register of
actors in their system that theycan sign parts to.
So, really, when you are onthose small film sets, you're
(25:43):
gonna learn how to perform onfilm.
And also, I would recommend,even if you don't want theater
to be your thing, go do plays.
Again, most places have acommunity theater.
Most places have some sort oflike if you're in a church you
really like, and they do churchplays.
(26:03):
If you are still in school, ifyou're in high school, get
involved with your dramadepartment, because really, when
you're on stage like A, there'sno feeling like that, it's like
the most rewarding feeling, somuch more rewarding feeling than
film, in my opinion.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I'd agree with you.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah, also, you just learn so much being right there
in the moment with the otheractors, and you learn so much
about reacting authentically andorganically.
So you get to put a lot of thattraining into practice.
And I think what's cool aboutcommunity theaters is they do a
lot of plays by greatplaywrights, that you have the
(26:40):
opportunity to perform thesefamous plays.
Anyway, yeah, I would startthere and then from there you
can start to pursue the otherthings you need to pursue, like
building your resume andbuilding a reel, because you can
get footage from the film setsyou've been on and start
(27:00):
pursuing professional work.
Yeah, and then be open tomaking your own content as well.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
That's all really great advice because it takes
time, like anything else.
I consider it an illusion, overnight success, which I feel
like when I started I justthought but then a couple years,
you know I'll be on prime timetelevision or whatever, and
quickly, like I said earlier,being humbled and, I think,
(27:28):
recognizing the journey of it.
And if you really fall in lovewith this art form, it's just.
I enjoy my classes as much asbooking the part, I would say,
because sometimes that mightsound horrible, sometimes even
more because you build acommunity with your classmates
and you're just in thisbeautiful little actor bubble
(27:49):
when you're with your classmates, which is just so nice because
it's just not like that on setand sets its own beautiful beast
, I would say.
But it is cool, actors, justget other actors.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
Yeah, and I think finding a community like
something key you kind ofbasically mentioned there is
like finding a community ofpeople that you can hang out
with and grow with.
I perform and direct and teachwith SketchWorks Comedy here in
Atlanta hence the show Imentioned earlier and really
those people are like my bestfriends.
(28:23):
We went to New York and weperformed like a month ago we
did Vape in New York, which is athat's a zone story.
I don't know if you've heardabout that, liz, but so Vape was
our parody of Greece that wegot caught up in legal
proceedings for a couple ofyears to like fight for the
right to perform it.
We sued Greece and we won infederal court, yeah, so it was
(28:44):
really cool and we finally yeah,we got to perform it last year
in Atlanta and then finally gotto do it in New York.
So, anyway, but bring that upbecause, like, I was with all my
friends and it was like thisreally fun trip and we were all
hanging out and, yeah, we didthree shows, but we really like
that experience lives in myheart, also for the reason that
(29:05):
I got to be with my closefriends, you know, and do this
really cool thing with them.
So I think finding a communitycannot be understated because,
again, it was like one of thosethings like when I was younger
that it was like, oh, friendscan wait, I'm hustling, you know
, but really, what is life about?
It's about relationships withother people, and you're going
(29:27):
to love working with the peoplewho you love.
Finding a community is, I think, really important.
Speaker 1 (29:33):
I agree with it.
I feel like I'm really learningthat now finding my people and
really investing in them,because if you feel empty before
you book or whatever, it's notgoing to matter how big the role
you book is, It'll that whenwill last for like 20 minutes
and it just doesn't matterwithout the community aspect,
(29:55):
like what you said, what's lifeall about, and the people and
connection is what makes this soGreat.
Yeah, what for you has been itsounds like that was definitely
a highlight moving or not moving, going to New York and doing
this production, this play withyour you know your cohorts,
essentially.
So what are your biggesthighlights that you can think on
(30:19):
, Because you've been?
How many years have you beendoing this?
You started when you were like14.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
So like over over 20 years, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Wow.
Can you think of a coupleexamples that just were big
moments in your career for you?
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Yeah, yeah.
So I don't know how many namesI'm permitted to mention because
of the strike right now, but Ican kind of give roundabout
answers.
Speaker 1 (30:45):
Yeah yeah, you don't have to give us name drop or
anything like that, because Iknow I don't want to get anybody
in trouble on here.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
So there was a show I did when I lived in LA that I
shot for three weeks and it waslike my first big job.
That was like a really coolexperience.
It was definitely a cultureshock experience.
As far as entering theHollywood world, that was really
really neat.
And to be able to view thefandoms after that kind of
(31:15):
formulated around or formedaround the show, that was really
neat.
And I did a feature that I shotin Savannah, which was a really
fun experience because of thefreedom us actors were given to
improvise in that scene and justkind of make it our own.
I had a really good experienceworking on a feature in 2021.
(31:36):
That was just like a wildexperience and I worked on it
for three weeks and I had neverworked on a film of that scale.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
So that was really cool.
Speaker 2 (31:44):
And then I think, outside of those, probably my
favorite experiences have beenmy own projects, just because of
the creative freedom I have,not because I think they're the
best projects, but becausereally fun to create and to make
them, and then also all thestuff I've done with sketchworks
.
So I just got back from NewYork with sketchworks this time,
but I went two other times withthem to New York to do sketch
(32:07):
shows and perform as part ofSketch Fest and those were
always really fun as well.
And to be able to just be therewith them and do comedy and be
silly and doing comedy is justlike so fun and just being able
to run around on stage and playsilly characters, I just love
that so much.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
I would say I haven't done any sketch comedy but
improv.
I've done some of that and Ilove it.
It's so much fun.
The freedom to be able toimprovise within scenes is
always so fun, and I love whenyou're on any type of project
where they trust the actors andlet you let go and do that.
The closing question I have foryou is you've been doing this
(32:47):
for over 20 years now, so how doyou feel the energy has changed
or transitioned, and do youfeel like it's transitioned in
more positive ways justthroughout the years?
Because you've been around tosee a lot of different stages of
the entertainment industry, Iwould say Maybe what do you see
coming or think or hope that youwant to see in the future?
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Yeah, I think right now we're in this moment of
intense change.
I think a lot of it we havebeen needing for a long time.
I have to recommend a book.
It's called Burn it Down.
Have you read that?
I haven't, no, but just thetitle got me a little excited,
so yeah, I feel like I need tofind the author's name so I can
(33:30):
appropriately recommend it.
Burn it Down is by Maureen RyanPower, complicity and a Call
for Action.
Call for Change in Hollywood.
So Maureen has written forVanity Fair for many years and
in the book she talks about howshe's reported on just horrible
things that have gone down inHollywood in the past 20 years
(33:51):
or so and I think that book is areally good representation of
the things that need to change,both from a labor standpoint so
unfair things that we deal withlike working hours and contract
terms- and residuals and all thethings we're fighting for right
now, but also how marginalizedcommunities are treated on set
(34:15):
and how people of color aretreated on set and how women are
treated Just all these thingsLGBTQ people, you know and I
hope I'm representing this well,but I think that book is a
really great place to start ifyou are curious about what's
happening right now and whatneeds to change.
Having said that, I do thinkthere's a general awareness,
(34:37):
like a lot of people are wakingup to the fact that can't
continue this way.
Also, I think something I'dlove to see change and I haven't
been the target of this as muchas I felt like it was present
in the modeling industry, but Iknow other people happen and
that's just people who are mean,you know, and I really would
(34:58):
love to see that change over.
you know I compare that to a lotof the other issues in
Hollywood, but really there's atoxic work culture and so many
layers of Hollywood, and so Ifeel like where we are right now
is we're going.
Oh, that's an issue.
We need to change this.
I don't know that I can speakas someone who is able to spirit
(35:21):
any of that change, but I am amember of Hollywood and a member
of SAG-AFTRA and hope to voteand see those things vote within
my union and see those thingschange in the future.
Speaker 1 (35:33):
So I was just going to say, like I don't, I don't
really have anything to add towhat you were saying in regards
to change and stuff like that.
I do think, moving towards thefuture, I too would like to see
more of a kindness and aninclusivity, not just amongst
actors, but kind of amongsteveryone that we are working
(35:55):
with on set.
But what I was also going toask you was what would you say
to people who are not in thisindustry, who are kind of seeing
this strike happening and theydon't really understand why it
matters or why it's so important?
Speaker 2 (36:11):
I think we're.
You know, at this point we'refighting for some very
fundamental labor rights and alot of those issues have come
out of the fact that technologyis changing.
We're scrambling to adapt andadapt in a way that's fair to
our members.
As far as understanding thisstrike, I think something that
(36:33):
people can do is see it in theterms of, like the greater labor
market and several strikes thisyear.
You know the United AutoWorkers, the UPS strike, where
people were fighting to keeptheir trucks under 100 degrees.
You know like for airconditioning.
You know just very simplethings that you think like
(36:55):
shouldn't that already be athing Right?
And you know Hollywood hasgotten a lot of attention.
I feel like what Hollywood cando for the greater labor market
is bring attention to thegreater labor market, if that
makes sense.
So, you know people go oh, theactors and writers are on strike
, like wow, that's, that'sreally interesting, that's
really cool.
I sometimes you have discourseagainst it, but at the very
(37:18):
least you know it can drawattention to the fact that all
these other industries are alsofighting for rights within their
workplaces and we should bepaying attention to that as well
.
Speaker 1 (37:30):
Well, I was going to just say set the tone for, like
you said, we're seeing a lot oftechnology changes that are
going to especially you think ofAI and stuff like that.
It's going to bleed over intoother labor markets and it has
in certain labor markets already.
But setting the tone for howthat gets to be used Right Kind
(37:52):
of.
I feel like actors are on theforefront of that and writers so
I don't know.
I think it's easy to look atactors make snap judgments about
us being superficial orwhatever, which obviously I
don't agree with that.
But you know, people outsidelooking in, it actually affects
people a lot more than theyrealize.
(38:13):
Actors being on strike.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Yeah, I think it brings the issue to the
forefront in a way thatunfortunately other industries
people wouldn't pay attention,which we should be.
You know, we should be payingattention to when other
industries go on strike, becauseit's important and it affects
all of us.
But I think at the very leastour contribution, besides what
we're fighting for ourselves andthe general labor market, is
(38:36):
that we can bring attention tolabor rights period.
Speaker 1 (38:40):
So kind of finishing on maybe a little bit of a
lighter note, do you have adream role that you want to play
?
Speaker 2 (38:47):
Oh gosh, I don't know that I have one dream role
anymore, but I would love to beon some sort of political comedy
show at some point, and I wouldlove to voice a character on an
adult animation show.
I love it.
(39:07):
So I mean, I definitely used tobe like, oh, I would love to
play this famous literarycharacter, but I don't think
it's that anymore.
I think I want to be a part ofprojects that are smart and
doing good work in the world,you know, that are making a
positive impact.
If we weren't on strike, Iwould cite several examples
right now, but that's what I cansay.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
So yeah, that's really fun and I like that
answer because I don't.
I don't feel like I have aspecific person as much as I
have more of a broad thing thatI'd want to be in.
Yeah, I love that.
Well, it's pretty much all Ihave.
Do you have anything that you'dlike to say in closing?
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Yeah, I think the only thing I can say is, if
you're in greater Atlanta or theAtlanta area, be sure to check
out SketchWorks Comedy.
The first two weekends ofNovember you can go to
sketchworkscomedycom to buy yourtickets for the Dream Cafe
experience, which I'm superexcited about and is looking
like it's going to be a reallycool, really weird and really
(40:08):
fun show.
So if you like all that,definitely come check us out.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
All right?
Well, I definitely will, andhopefully maybe I can bring
friends or something.
Thank you so much, sana.
I had a great time talking toyou.
Anybody listening, if you canrate, review the podcast like
the Instagram page.
I'll also tag Sana's Instagramwhen I post this episode.
But other than that, thank youguys for listening and I look
(40:34):
forward to talking to you in thenext episode.
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