I Am Me
Celebrating people and their passions because nobody can do it like you can.
I love that everyone has a story that is unique to them. Our journeys are all different, but we can still learn so much from one another. I am grateful that through my own journey as an actor I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people.
On my podcast you will get to hear their stories. This podcast is for the dreamers and the inspired. For the people who love people and are completely uninterested in living life by the status quo. Every person is unique to who they are. So look in the mirror and say it loud:
I AM ME!!!
I Am Me
I Am Sanna Erica - From Modeling to Acting, Embracing Digital Content Creation, and Advocacy For Labor Rights in Hollywood
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.
Welcome to.
Speaker 1:I Am Me podcast. I'm your host, liz Bachman, and on this podcast, I want to celebrate you for being you. I'm super excited to sit down with my guests each week and talk about their journey, their experiences and where they came from. So, without further ado, let's dive into this week's episode. Hey everybody, welcome back to I Am Me. Today I'm sitting down with Sana Erika. She is actually the first person that I ever took film acting classes from about six, seven years ago. She is an actor, she is a comedian, she's a filmmaker. She is an amazing person and, yeah, I'm super excited to sit down, talk to her today and see how she's been doing and what she's got going on. So how you doing, sana, I am well. How are you? I am good. It's a beautiful fall day, so I can't complain.
Speaker 2:Yes, the weather is slowly improving here in Georgia and not as humid.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and horrible, yeah, I'm so over the humidity and the heat. But anyway, kind of diving in because I know you are involved in to in many different avenues in the creative arts, I would say, but taking it back for a second, where did all this kind of start for you?
Speaker 2:Sure. So I started acting. I was like 14 years old. I mean, I had done church plays and school plays before that and was very involved in creative arts and stuff, but professionally I started when I was 14. That was the around the time. I became a model and quickly realized the close link, and I don't know why I didn't know this before then, but quickly understood the close link between modeling and acting and how those industries are often pathways into each other. So yeah, so I started taking acting workshops and booked my first job. Well, my first on camera job. I don't know that I can call it an acting job, but I first on camera job when I was 15.
Speaker 1:So that's. Do you want to dive into what that was? That's really. I feel everybody has their first on camera thing and it's always usually a fun experience. I feel like to look back or think on.
Speaker 2:Yeah, actually. So it was really cool. I was in New York City and I had just signed with elite model management, was getting started with them, and they sent me on this job with Bumble and Bumble hair products, which their hair products are just awesome, and they were like, well, we need to cut your hair on camera because we're doing a training video for our Institute. So it was like you know, it was the first time I was ever on a soundstage, on a set. They cut my hair, if you're familiar with, like a razor, not like a, but like the the looks like a comb.
Speaker 2:They have this special method of cutting with a razor. That was like they would just pull it through your hair and all the hair would just fall off. It was anyway. I feel like I'm going into detail with this way.
Speaker 1:No, no, no, no, no, no. It's great, I love it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so they they cut my hair on camera. That was my first on camera job was an industrial for Bumble and Bumble hair products and all I had to do was sit there.
Speaker 1:Was that intimidating for you as a teenager to show up on set and then know that you're going to have to get your hair cut?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was a little intimidating, mainly because I was like I just need to sit very still and let them do their thing. And then also, I think the modeling industry, at least at the time to me as was a lot more intimidating than Hollywood in a lot of ways. I think, working with people that you know I was, I went up to New York for North Carolina at the time and you know it was just all very, you know, a very different world. Yeah, a different world kind of had some culture shock in a way. I'm curious.
Speaker 1:Did you feel like because you were, you were 15, maybe you wouldn't have felt it as I would feel like a little star or something fit like 15 years old. You're in high school and you get to go do this studio shoot, Did you feel?
Speaker 2:that way at all. Yeah, I'll be honest, I felt like hot stuff and I look back on that like kind of like I think on one hand I was you know, I took it all in stride but on the other hand, I was like, oh, this is cool and special and like probably needed to calm down my little ego there. And I did, because acting is really hard and you know you have a lot of dead time and so I learned my lesson real quick, yeah.
Speaker 1: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 my own experience and being humbled by acting pretty quickly. And then you add on to that that you're a teenager, you know so, and all the stuff that comes along with teenagers. Yeah, so modeling you don't model anymore. Is that correct?
Speaker 2:No, I mean I've. Over the years I've gone back to it a few times. When I lived in LA, I did, I started going to photo shoots and I got the opportunity to walk in LA Fashion Week, which was super cool. And then I did a few jobs here in Atlanta with an agency. I was signed with a couple of runway shows and I realized I think I always was trying, like with modeling, I was always trying to fit a square peg and a round hole and I always felt, oh, this is something I can totally do, I should do it and I love, I love fashion, photography, I love fashion. So I was like, oh, it's like a clear fit for me, but it just it always felt not the right path for me and so I never was able to sustain that career because it just wasn't really my thing yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's any type of performing, and especially now, with the way that I, when I say perform, I mean acting, music, modeling, anything, any type of performing arts where you're getting up in front of people, comedian I think there's not a clear path in any of it and there's a lot of crossover. And then today we have so much opportunity to create content on our own and to teach ourselves. So I think if anyone can create content and pursue their stuff and it works for them, then you're doing it right, and everybody's journey and path is just so different in this performing arts, entertainment. Ask industry, industry, because I feel like it is all intertwined right. So, moving from modeling, how did you end up transitioning, I guess, into? I know you had your first industrial, but how did you keep making that transition to making, to going from modeling to acting? I'm sure there is also like modeling and acting were happening at the same time for a period.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I mean any opportunity to pursue acting around that time. I did so. I took workshops, I learned monologues. I I did anything I could to learn and I Was able to. I did like a commercial with a local car dealership. I auditioned for a feature film that ended up not getting made but I got a part in it, just whatever I could do to really get my foot in the door. And then I took, I took a break for a few years Because it was hard, and I started going to college as began studying 3d animation and film and Ended up changing my major to theater because you couldn't keep me away from acting, and then Started working professionally during 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:Yeah, what was your? I don't want to say resistances in a good word. I feel like when you, when you start anything new, there's challenges. So I was gonna ask what were your challenges or areas that you were struggling with as you dove more into learning the craft and Art of acting?
Speaker 2:well, I think as far as Diving into the craft I never had Well, I won't say I never had a couple experiences that were not great, but most of my instructors were just wonderful, especially in college. They were just all lovely and just really poured into me in a way that I just really found myself Artistically or began the journey of finding myself. So that was awesome. I think my difficulties regarding acting have always been on the business end of it. You know, talking about culture shock, like kind of the young Hollywood crowd, was really really hard for me to feel like I could fit in with and Just kind of this constant hustle Was always really really hard on me and kind of balancing my life with that.
Speaker 1:I think anyone who is pursuing this for any amount of time starts finding the balance of 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 all that there is to you and there's life outside of it.
Speaker 1:Yeah so do you feel like you have kind of gotten to a place where you balance that now, or you have a better understanding of how to balance it, or maybe you've mastered it balancing you as son of versus you, as you know, an artist?
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, I I feel like Past Sana was definitely my identity and I think to a certain extent my identity still is and I'm still working that out.
Speaker 2:But my identity was so tied up with me being an actor that I didn't really have an interest and this makes me sound so boring then, but I didn't really have an interest in doing much else. I've always kind of been a very Creative person, like I really enjoy the arts. I enjoy going to art museums and painting and I have a sewing machine, knitting and making stuff, you know, and I think there was a time in my life when all of that other stuff just died or went to sleep. And I think the last few years have been kind of this experience of rediscovering, kind of the multifaceted nature of my personality and like how I love to do all these things and that's okay, and I don't know if it's just kind of this hustle, culture, mentality or capitalism or what, but I, I there was a time in my life where I just felt like all I needed to be doing was focusing on acting that eats, sleep, breathe mentality.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, and I know now that's not healthy for me and you know I like to cook and I like to try fine wines and I love to watch horror movies for fun and I love, you know, I don't know, just all the things that make me me. I think I'm still working on it Because there is kind of still that mental place that I go to where I'm like I'm not right unless I am an actor, but Right sense, but I have got, I have come a long way.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love that you said that, because I think one I completely relate to you like fell into the same Mindset trap and I feel like I'm just now starting to figure out, you know, hints me doing this podcast and other creative pursuits that I've wanted to do but felt like I shouldn't because I need to just Pursue acting and solely acting. I think also, just a lot of people can relate to that, because I do agree that the hustle culture mentality Effects I, not just actors, but when we're talking about actors. So that just that's why I said that eat, sleep and breathe like I will only have success at this If it's all that I'm doing and it's just not healthy, it's not a good balance in life Speaking of that. So we talked a little bit, actually before we started, about how you're starting to shift a little bit and do some different things. So I'm curious. I know we I'm at one end the beginning, when I introduced you, I talked about filmmaker and comedy. So what are you doing in those avid avenues now, along with acting?
Speaker 2:Yes, so I'm kind of trying something new. I am working on focusing mostly on my own projects and projects I'm collaborating on with other people. Long story Short, I've I've worked in on the day job side. I've worked in digital marketing for probably the past decade in social media.
Speaker 2:I also do video production, and you know about that list because you yeah with me and I actually I work for a wonderful organization now full-time and really excited about that side of my career and really excited about the work I'm doing for them and with them. So I've kind of decided to make a shift and focus more on my own projects. I'm currently I'm looking over here to my right because there is a pile of scripts over there I'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 of writers to it functions as a sketch comedy show. All SNL that has a through line. That's awesome. Yeah, I'm very excited. We had a table read last week for it and we have our first rehearsal Tuesday. So working that's my first big project that I'm working on.
Speaker 2:And then after that, you know, I'm kind of giving myself a breather to kind of figure out what I want to do and what I want to invest my time in. I'm definitely one of those people I want to do everything. I'm like oh, I have this idea for 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 my TikTok page and I love your TikTok page.
Speaker 1:Oh, thank you. I feel like it's so slept on. I'm like how do you not have like a million followers at this point? I love your content. I actually when I was like I need to see if Sunna would want to be interviewed, because I was scrolling through TikTok and you came up and I went your page and I just like rewatched all the stuff. So I think I think you're a very funny and your timing is very good and I like the concepts that you come up. Your Costco concept is great, Thank you. So our cost co.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I. That character is so much fun to play.
Speaker 1:Yeah and you I love in the. I'll always look at the comments. I feel like so many people looking comments on TikTok, but the people who are often of comment on this video is that you're a great actor Because you're making me mad Like it's so true. Yeah, but yeah, no, I love it. So with that, I'm sure that your Comedy show or the sketch show is gonna be great. Are you gonna be in it? Are you just directing it?
Speaker 2:No, I'm, I'm, I'm. As far as I know, I'm not gonna be in it. I may, because I've been kind of doing some stand-up comedy, so I may do a couple minutes of that at the top of the show, but as far as acting in it, I'm not now.
Speaker 1:Have you ever directed anything before not film or TV, but anything that's gonna be on stage or is this like a directorial debut for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so prior to this, I Directed a show back in March. That was a sketch comedy show and then, prior to that, I I've directed a lot of kids sketch comedy shows because I've worked with sketchworks, with their kids camps, and we do Fully produced sketch comedy shows for these kids and then also some student showcases. But I think this is probably the most Multilayered and complex show I have directed today. So, yeah, so, looking forward to it, there's lots of moving pieces. We actually have to film some content for it next weekend and but I'm excited, I'm really excited about it.
Speaker 1:I'm really happy for you. What now? When is it so it's? I want to see it.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, you should totally come see it.
Speaker 1:I'll, yeah, I'm like I'm interested. Yeah, okay, I'll put you on the list.
Speaker 2: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 is frat pack productions. It's near Avondale Estates, decatur in Scottsdale. Okay so yeah so I want to invite everyone who's in Greater Atlanta or Georgia to come see it.
Speaker 1:So I definitely will plug you all, plug you on my socials when I release this episode and I'll plug you all my personal for sure too. That's super exciting and I definitely want to come and see it because that sounds so fun and then kind. So, just transitioning a little bit what I Hold you in very high regard, I consider you still a mentor In a lot of ways. I know we haven't talked to each other in the last few years, have been crazy pandemic, all that jazz, but I just I really respect you and I always learned a lot from you and then I interned with you a little bit. So I'm kind of curious what your advice would be to people who not only maybe want to get in the acting industry or into acting, but also Just content creation in general in any form, because I feel like you have such a good handle of on that in terms of how you go after it and you're really not afraid to Pursue your creative visions. At least that's what I've always observed well.
Speaker 2:Thank you, liz, and, FYI, I hold you in very high regard as well. Like, I think you're just awesome and yeah, and I've really enjoyed getting to know you these past few years and Working with you and by the way, liz was like my right hand woman in film shoots or video shoots. Like she. She, like I Like, automatically knew everything to do do it the bounce.
Speaker 2:I handled that bounce perfectly the bounce yeah, or the reflector, the reflector oh yeah, I always had that no, but I always remember I would come like back in from like Filming or whatever and like all my equipment would be packed up, ready to go. She'd be like can I have your car keys? I'm gonna go put it like I don't know, just great, anyway. So, yeah, I would sing your praises all day. Well, thank you. Content creation and acting Okay.
Speaker 2:So I think, as far as content creation, I personally think it's really good to have a plan, and I know that probably goes without saying, but I think sometimes a lot of content creation on the internet, when we watch it, we think oh wow, this is so like off the cuff, like this, this was just, this is so natural, they just made this. But no, like I think even content creation With exceptions that appears to be off the cuff has gone through writing and probably rewriting and then more rewriting. So having some sort of written plan and having it in your mind, you know and if you're someone who's gone to film school or taken film classes, is probably already part of you but having it in your mind as to how that's supposed to look at the end of the day, like down to the shots, down to angles, everything, so that you can kind of plan it out from beginning to end. And the other thing is, you know, if you are really wanting to get into it, just start doing it, because the best teacher is you trying things out and my failures in the past and I'm still failing all the time and I'm not a successful content creator.
Speaker 2:I would love to be, that would be awesome, but I mean, okay, I take that back. I think I've had successes, but I'm not like a full-time content creator. You know, like millions of followers. So the best way you can learn is just to start creating and if you're afraid of people seeing it, that's fine. Just make it private and just work, work on it, you know, and keep it private or keep it friends 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 them and I've learned from the process of making them and trying out new techniques and Trying out new animation styles, trying out new editing programs.
Speaker 1:You know, whatever I need to do, so with your content creation, have you at all experienced Like getting wrapped up in views or likes because I feel, like a lot of people I know, I can get wrapped up in that when I put stuff out or do you feel like you've got to a point where you enjoy the content you're creating and you're happy with who sees it? Or does that still mess with your psyche at all?
Speaker 2:I mean, it definitely does. I have learned to look for two things though a me liking it and then be likes and an engagement and 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 like doesn't do very well at all and 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 something and you're like oh, this is gonna, it's gonna reach so many people.
Speaker 2:People are gonna love this and then it's like humbling, you know, and it doesn't. And I experienced that in my other professional life as well, like my other career life and digital marketing, where you know I'll prepare a post and I'm just like, oh, that's this gonna be awesome, and you know, and then it's like womp, womp, you know, and really the content is great. It's just people don't Take the time or I don't know what it is, but you know, I think that's that's the danger with social media is sometimes big concepts or maybe not even big concepts, maybe I'm giving myself too much credit, but content that I think is overall good can be not find its audience or not, you know, as kind of subject to the algorithm and when it's being pushed.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I think that parts frustrating to a lot of the content we're seeing online. There is forethought that's gone into it. People aren't Ness. I mean, like you said, there are some people who, yeah, they pull off their phone and whatever it works out for them, but a lot of the especially creative content that you're seeing on tiktok, instagram, real YouTube shorts, whatever you're watching there's a lot of forethought and scripts and stuff like that that goes into it. People don't just whip out their phone and shoot something randomly off the cuff. And so I think it is hard, when you put that much thought and time and energy into it, to then make the video be happy with how it came out and Not maybe get the views that you want on it. It messes with me, but I try to remind myself like, even if I get one or two likes, I'm like okay, at least that Somebody enjoyed it like somebody got something out of it and try to remind myself that and to be grateful for that too.
Speaker 2:But yeah, and I'd rather it go viral in the right way than go viral in the wrong way. So you know that's true. Very good point.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm thankful for those, the likes that are sincere and the comments that are sincere, even if there's just a few of them, you know, because yeah, at least it's resonated with someone and, and you know, like I think you know people have told me before they're like, oh, like people in my life they're like I really loved that video and I'm like thinking, oh well, that got like 500 views, like that, you know. But there are people who Really enjoyed it. You know, and I think at the end of the day, that's what you're trying to do. You're trying to and entertain, educate, you know, and inspire.
Speaker 1:So I think it too. I've always thought about it and I I would rather have a community of a smaller group of people than, say, have millions of people. But when there's not really any connection Amongst you and the people who are consuming your content? Right, because I like the connection. I think that's kind of the point in my opinion.
Speaker 2:Yeah exactly.
Speaker 1:And then, what would your advice be towards somebody who wants to get into acting?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so Really focus your first few years on learning. I wish I didn't have Stars in my eyes like I did when I started, because I was just so ready to Be auditioning and and I did throughout the years, even while I was still learning. But I think if I could have done it all over again, I would have just focused more on the learning process and not split my time so much, really getting a class that nurtures you, that is respectful toward you, and start doing student films. So, like you probably have a university in your area with a film program and those film students and Liz knows all about this those film students need actors. Yeah, so do whatever you can to get in contact with them so they might put their casting notices on a big site like Actors Access, but they might also just keep a register of actors in their system that they can sign parts to.
Speaker 2:So, really, when you are on those small film sets, you're gonna learn how to perform on film. And also, I would recommend, even if you don't want theater to be your thing, go do plays. Again, most places have a community theater. Most places have some sort of like if you're in a church you really like, and they do church plays. If you are still in school, if you're in high school, get involved with your drama department, because really, when you're on stage like A, there's no feeling like that, it's like the most rewarding feeling, so much more rewarding feeling than film, in my opinion.
Speaker 1:I'd agree with you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, also, you just learn so much being right there in the moment with the other actors, and you learn so much about reacting authentically and organically. So you get to put a lot of that training into practice. And I think what's cool about community theaters is they do a lot of plays by great playwrights, that you have the opportunity to perform these famous plays. Anyway, yeah, I would start there and then from there you can start to pursue the other things you need to pursue, like building your resume and building a reel, because you can get footage from the film sets you've been on and start pursuing professional work. Yeah, and then be open to making your own content as well.
Speaker 1:That's all really great advice because it takes time, like anything else. I consider it an illusion, over night success, which I feel like when I started I just thought but then a couple years, you know I'll be on prime time television or whatever, and quickly, like I said earlier, being humbled and, I think, recognizing the journey of it. And if you really fall in love with this art form, it's just.
Speaker 1:I enjoy my classes as much as booking the part, I would say, because sometimes that might sound horrible, sometimes even more because you build a community with your classmates and you're just in this beautiful little actor bubble when you're with your classmates, which is just so nice because it's just not like that on set and sets its own beautiful beast, I would say. But it is cool, actors, just get other actors.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think finding a community like something key you kind of basically mentioned there is like finding a community of people that you can hang out with and grow with. I perform and direct and teach with SketchWorks Comedy here in Atlanta hence the show I mentioned earlier and really those people are like my best friends. We went to New York and we performed like a month ago we did Vape in New York, which is a that's a zone story. I don't know if you've heard about that, liz, but so Vape was our parody of Greece that we got caught up in legal proceedings for a couple of years to like fight for the right to perform it. We sued Greece and we won in federal court, yeah, so it was really cool and we finally yeah, we got to perform it last year in Atlanta and then finally got to do it in New York.
Speaker 2:So, anyway, but bring that up because, like, I was with all my friends and it was like this really fun trip and we were all hanging out and, yeah, we did three shows, but we really like that experience lives in my heart, also for the reason that I got to be with my close friends, you know, and do this really cool thing with them. So I think finding a community cannot be understated because, again, it was like one of those things like when I was younger that it was like, oh, friends can wait, I'm hustling, you know, but really, what is life about? It's about relationships with other people, and you're going to love working with the people who you love. Finding a community is, I think, really important.
Speaker 1:I agree with it. I feel like I'm really learning that now finding my people and really investing in them, because if you feel empty before you book or whatever, it's not going to matter how big the role you book is, It'll that when will last for like 20 minutes and it just doesn't matter without the community aspect, like what you said, what's life all about, and the people and connection is what makes this so Great. Yeah, what for you has been it sounds like that was definitely a highlight moving or not moving, going to New York and doing this production, this play with your you know your cohorts, essentially. So what are your biggest highlights that you can think on, Because you've been? How many years have you been doing this? You started when you were like 14.
Speaker 2:So like over over 20 years, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Wow. Can you think of a couple examples that just were big moments in your career for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. So I don't know how many names I'm permitted to mention because of the strike right now, but I can kind of give roundabout answers.
Speaker 1:Yeah yeah, you don't have to give us name drop or anything like that, because I know I don't want to get anybody in trouble on here.
Speaker 2:So there was a show I did when I lived in LA that I shot for three weeks and it was like my first big job. That was like a really cool experience. It was definitely a culture shock experience. As far as entering the Hollywood world, that was really really neat. And to be able to view the fandoms after that kind of formulated around or formed around the show, that was really neat. And I did a feature that I shot in Savannah, which was a really fun experience because of the freedom us actors were given to improvise in that scene and just kind of make it our own. I had a really good experience working on a feature in 2021. That was just like a wild experience and I worked on it for three weeks and I had never worked on a film of that scale.
Speaker 1:So that was really cool.
Speaker 2:And then I think, outside of those, probably my favorite experiences have been my own projects, just because of the creative freedom I have, not because I think they're the best projects, but because really fun to create and to make them, and then also all the stuff I've done with sketchworks. So I just got back from New York with sketchworks this time, but I went two other times with them to New York to do sketch shows and perform as part of Sketch Fest and those were always really fun as well. And to be able to just be there with them and do comedy and be silly and doing comedy is just like so fun and just being able to run around on stage and play silly characters, I just love that so much.
Speaker 1:I would say I haven't done any sketch comedy but improv. I've done some of that and I love it. It's so much fun. The freedom to be able to improvise within scenes is always so fun, and I love when you're on any type of project where they trust the actors and let you let go and do that. The closing question I have for you is you've been doing this for over 20 years now, so how do you feel the energy has changed or transitioned, and do you feel like it's transitioned in more positive ways just throughout the years? Because you've been around to see a lot of different stages of the entertainment industry, I would say Maybe what do you see coming or think or hope that you want to see in the future?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think right now we're in this moment of intense change. I think a lot of it we have been 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 the title got me a little excited, so yeah, I feel like I need to find the author's name so I can appropriately recommend it. Burn it Down is by Maureen Ryan Power, complicity and a Call for Action. Call for Change in Hollywood.
Speaker 2:So Maureen has written for Vanity Fair for many years and in the book she talks about how she's reported on just horrible things that have gone down in Hollywood in the past 20 years or so and I think that book is a really good representation of the things that need to change, both from a labor standpoint so unfair things that we deal with like working hours and contract terms- and residuals and all the things we're fighting for right now, but also how marginalized communities are treated on set and how people of color are treated on set and how women are treated Just all these things LGBTQ people, you know and I hope I'm representing this well, but I think that book is a really great place to start if you are curious about what's happening right now and what needs to change.
Speaker 2:Having said that, I do think there's a general awareness, like a lot of people are waking up to the fact that can't continue this way. Also, I think something I'd love to see change and I haven't been the target of this as much as I felt like it was present in the modeling industry, but I know other people happen and that's just people who are mean, you know, and I really would love to see that change over.
Speaker 2:you know I compare that to a lot of the other issues in Hollywood, but really there's a toxic work culture and so many layers of Hollywood, and so I feel 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 speak as someone who is able to spirit any of that change, but I am a member of Hollywood and a member of SAG-AFTRA and hope to vote and see those things vote within my union and see those things change in the future.
Speaker 1:So I was just going to say, like I don't, I don't really have anything to add to what you were saying in regards to change and stuff like that. I do think, moving towards the future, I too would like to see more of a kindness and an inclusivity, not just amongst actors, but kind of amongst everyone that we are working with on set. But what I was also going to ask you was what would you say to people who are not in this industry, who are kind of seeing this strike happening and they don't really understand why it matters or why it's so important?
Speaker 2:I think we're. You know, at this point we're fighting for some very fundamental labor rights and a lot of those issues have come out of the fact that technology is changing. We're scrambling to adapt and adapt in a way that's fair to our members. As far as understanding this strike, I think something that people can do is see it in the terms of, like the greater labor market and several strikes this year. You know the United Auto Workers, the UPS strike, where people were fighting to keep their trucks under 100 degrees. You know like for air conditioning. You know just very simple things that you think like shouldn't that already be a thing Right? And you know Hollywood has gotten a lot of attention. I feel like what Hollywood can do for the greater labor market is bring attention to the greater labor market, if that makes sense.
Speaker 2:So, you know people go oh, the actors and writers are on strike, like wow, that's, that's really interesting, that's really cool. I sometimes you have discourse against it, but at the very least you know it can draw attention to the fact that all these other industries are also fighting for rights within their workplaces and we should be paying attention to that as well.
Speaker 1:Well, I was going to just say set the tone for, like you said, we're seeing a lot of technology changes that are going to especially you think of AI and stuff like that. It's going to bleed over into other labor markets and it has in certain labor markets already. But setting the tone for how that gets to be used Right Kind of. I feel like actors are on the forefront of that and writers so I don't know. I think it's easy to look at actors make snap judgments about us being superficial or whatever, which obviously I don't agree with that. But you know, people outside looking in, it actually affects people a lot more than they realize. Actors being on strike.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it brings the issue to the forefront in a way that unfortunately other industries people wouldn't pay attention, which we should be. You know, we should be paying attention to when other industries go on strike, because it's important and it affects all of us. But I think at the very least our contribution, besides what we're fighting for ourselves and the general labor market, is that we can bring attention to labor rights period.
Speaker 1:So kind of finishing on maybe a little bit of a lighter note, do you have a dream role that you want to play?
Speaker 2:Oh gosh, I don't know that I have one dream role anymore, but I would love to be on some sort of political comedy show at some point, and I would love to voice a character on an adult animation show. I love it. So I mean, I definitely used to be like, oh, I would love to play this famous literary character, but I don't think it's that anymore. I think I want to be a part of projects that are smart and doing good work in the world, you know, that are making a positive impact. If we weren't on strike, I would cite several examples right now, but that's what I can say.
Speaker 1:So yeah, that's really fun and I like that answer because I don't. I don't feel like I have a specific person as much as I have more of a broad thing that I'd want to be in. Yeah, I love that. Well, it's pretty much all I have. Do you have anything that you'd like to say in closing?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think the only thing I can say is, if you're in greater Atlanta or the Atlanta area, be sure to check out SketchWorks Comedy. The first two weekends of November you can go to sketchworkscomedycom to buy your tickets for the Dream Cafe experience, which I'm super excited about and is looking like it's going to be a really cool, really weird and really fun show. So if you like all that, definitely come check us out.
Speaker 1:All right? Well, I definitely will, and hopefully maybe I can bring friends or something. Thank you so much, sana. I had a great time talking to you. Anybody listening, if you can rate, review the podcast like the Instagram page. I'll also tag Sana's Instagram when I post this episode. But other than that, thank you guys for listening and I look forward to talking to you in the next episode.