The life of a working creative can be difficult, but yet deeply fulfilling. In this episode we chat with writer, actor, and director Yolonda Ross – best known for her work in Stranger Inside, Antwone Fisher, and most recently as Ms. Green on the NETFLIX series The Get Down. Yolonda discusses her career journey as an actress and the successes and challenges she’s faced along the way. She talks moving to New York from Nebraska to pursue fashion and eventually falling into acting, navigating her first auditions, and struggling to find her place in an industry that is not always so kind to people who “don’t fit the mold.” Yolonda’s insight into the world of acting not always talked about is great for creatives who want to know how to put their work out there and need some encouragement and motivation to continue to pursue what they love. Yolonda chats how to stand out in the age of social media, the importance of relationship-building, creative ways to make money, how she booked her top roles to date, getting ahead, unplugging, being a woman of color in film, and letting go of fears. Enjoy!
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IN THIS PODCAST WE DISCUSS:
– How she “fell” into acting after moving to NY from Nebraska to pursue fashion
– The audition process
– Music’s impact/effect on her artistic process
– The first few years as an actor
– The difficulties of being a non-celeb “lead” actor
– Why actors make great directors
– How to stand out as an actor in the age of social media
– Getting chosen by Denzel Washington to be in Antwone Fisher
– Not fitting the mold
– Why making it in acting is 98% relationships & 2% talent
– Why theater is often an untapped resource for aspiring actors
– Creative ways to make money as a working actor
– Landing the Ms. Green role on Netflix’s The Get Down
– How to accept your gifts, stay focused & let go of fears
– Working with no guarantees
– Being a woman of color in acting
– The importance of unplugging
SHARE:
“I want to be able to bring the characters to life that mean something, that show something, that make people feel something…stories that people can love learn from.”
YOLONDA ROSS’ KEYS TO SUCCESS:
1. Confidence in self
2. Have realistic goals. Make sure they are defined, attainable, and make sense
3. Keep peace within yourself
FIND YOLONDA ROSS ONLINE:
Instagram: @yolondaross_creator
Twitter: @yolondaross
Website: www.yolondaross.com
JOIN THE #DREAMSINDRIVE COMMUNITY: www.dreamsindrive.com/JOIN
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