Women in Film Spotlight: Ariel Neona
Jenny Austin, of OR DIE TRYING, sat down with film friend, Ariel Neona to ask her a few questions about her experience as a badass woman in the film industry, living and working in Los Angeles.
Name: Ariel Neona
Field of Industry/Company/Job Title: Actress/Writer/Producer for Tuesday Morning Productions
Favorite Film: Closer
ODT: Are you from Los Angeles originally?
AN: I am from Boone, NC. I have lived in LA for almost 3 years.
ODT: Tell us about the moment you decided to move to Los Angeles.
AN: I always knew I wanted to move to LA, even as a little girl. Then once I graduated college, my parents basically pushed me across the country to pursue my dreams -- my parents really believe in me, they are my absolute biggest fans. I visited LA during my senior year of college, as a Journalism major (just in case), and fell in love. My mother and I found a place for rent and the land lords offered to hold the spot for me until I was ready to move after graduation. After that, the deal was sealed. I knew I was coming to LA. Everything fell into my lap and I knew I couldn't deny the opportunity to pursue the career that I truly love.
ODT: Why have you pursued a career in the film industry?
AN: It is the only thing I can see myself doing until I die.
ODT: How did you get into the film industry?
AN: I've always been fascinated with the idea of reaching an audience on a worldwide scale. To be able to put your thoughts, feelings and art out into the world and gather a response is an incredibly moving and powerful concept for me.
ODT: Any memorable moments in your journey?
AN: Nothing too specific...however meeting all of the people whom I carry my everyday life with here has been a very memorable experience for my journey -- They are the ones who "get me" and I think that each meeting has been very memorable. Once I came to terms with the idea of LA being my new home, things began to really flow and I began to meet some of the most talented people I know. Each moment here has been memorable in its own weird LA way.
ODT: What do you love most about the film industry?
AN: The fact that it is ever-changing. Art is fluid and although the film industry can be quite seedy in some areas, I believe that the film industry has the most positive influence in our pop culture. Film portrays what people want to see, want to be, want to think and want to believe. It can portray the crucial realness of our society or an obscure strand of imagination that transports people. It is extremely powerful and influential.
ODT: What have been some of the more challenging moments about being a woman in the film industry?
AN: Mostly not being taken seriously. I have a lot of interesting ideas that I want to make into a reality and sometimes it's hard to get movement happening as a young woman (who looks about 10 years younger than she really is).
ODT: What motivates you? What dream(s) are you most fighting for?
AN: Influence. I want to be a humanitarian. I think film is the perfect way to catapult what I want to accomplish in my life; world peace (cheesy, I KNOW, but so so true). And thats what motivates me.
