Favorite Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Dumb and Dumber, and Miss Congeniality
Are you from Los Angeles originally? If not, where?
Born and raised in San Francisco by a big Greek family
Tell us about the moment you decided to move to L.A., how did it make you feel?
I moved to L.A. when I came down to study at the USC School of Dramatic Arts Program. I was definitely nervous and scared at first, but then reassuringly realized this is where I’m supposed to be!
How did you get into the film industry?
I am a creative, visual artist who wants to explore, capture and share this beautiful journey we call “life” through film and storytelling. While at USC, I acted in numerous student films and plays. I didn’t always have an opportunity to be in a show each semester, so I started exploring other avenues. I also wanted to have a “Plan B” career wise if acting didn’t work out after school. I was shelling out about $60,000 each year for my education with scholarships and personal loans; so I figured I might as well take advantage and milk the opportunities while I was there. Evidently, I took on a double minor in Business and Film Production.
While theatre and film were significant passions in my life, I was always curious and intrigued by the “behind the scenes” aspects of entertainment. I am that person at the end of a movie who sits there and reads the hundreds of credits that scroll up for what seems like days. It blows my mind to see how many talented people it really takes to make a successful production.
I took on several internships at production companies, such as Zucker Productions and Steve Carell’s Carousel Productions. I also worked in the Business Affairs department at William Morris Endeavor, which led me to my amazing production job at The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where I learned about the creation and operation elements of running a live television show. All of these amazing experiences further fueled my passion for entertainment; which is why I am now currently pursuing my acting, writing and producing career in Los Angeles.
Any particularly memorable moments on your journey?
Yes, most definitely! The amazing internship opportunities I just mentioned above as well as finally launching and creating my own content after I graduated from USC in 2013. I have starred as the lead in several plays, musicals, short independent films, and I was a featured dancer in the upcoming feature-length film Breaking Legs. I have also founded my own production company, Kalliste Zoe Productions, and developed several of my own independent projects; including music videos, parodies, comedic sketches and short films. I truly am beyond happy that I have taken matters into my own hands and started collaborating independently with others and making visual magic.
What do you love most about the film industry?
It is incredibly entertaining and mind blowing to see what we can do as visual artists now. The opportunities are endless and what I love most about films is that they create a beautiful, entertaining escape, inspire people to challenge perspectives and expand their imaginations.
What have been some of the more challenging moments about being a woman in the film industry?
I am constantly being hit on, which can be its own frustrating beast, and I feel like visually women are still commonly portrayed as sex symbols. Often women are wearing pounds of makeup, their hair is perfectly styled and they wear tight, revealing clothes. I grew up as a tomboy/athlete, so for me my “glam” side is not as comfortable for me as it is for others. I find myself frequently observing girls in audition rooms who wear high heels, low cut, revealing dresses and sexy makeup. I for one can’t compete with that and two, I don’t want to compete like that. All I can do is keep staying true to me and my art form, and hope that casting directors judge me more solely on my talents than how much cleavage I show.
What motivates you? What dream(s) are you fighting for?
Being around children motivates and creatively inspires me tremendously! There is something refreshing and exciting to be around children; they remind me of the simpler things and have an imagination that endlessly entertains. I am every day fighting for my dream to create a financially secure and supportive entertainment career where I can act, write, produce and share beautiful stories around the world!
Tell us about a passion project of yours/a moment when you created your own opportunity in LA.
I had a wonderful acting coach at USC tell me that if projects aren’t landing for you, go out there and start making your own. Everything today is DIY, “do it yourself”, so there really are no excuses anymore as to why an actor or actress can’t start writing and sharing their own experiences. You don’t need millions of dollars to create and share a compelling story. In fact, I often find that lower budget films are better than “A-listing” blockbuster movies.
I started creating my own opportunities in L.A. while I was a student at USC and immediately after I graduated. I am constantly collaborating with other artists on sketch/movie ideas. I finally took my first major leap with a short comedic sketch I wrote about Justin Bieber called Nightmare on Biebs Street; I produced and acted in the sketch, then virally released it. I didn’t care so much about the number of views or that it didn’t gain a lot of exposure virally, although that would have been nice. I was just proud of myself for taking the courage to write, produce and act in my own project; I also had such a fun time with it! Isn’t that why we got into entertainment; to have fun while doing what we love and are most passionate about?! There truly is something special about being involved with a project from start to finish; mapping out the story, characters, world and then collaborating with brilliant filmmakers to make the vision come to life.
What is next for you?
I have several passion projects in the works, including a short film right now called Birds Dropping, a dark comedy about two friends on a road trip where literally everything goes wrong. I am beyond eager and ready to keep contributing my talents and collaborating professionally with others in the entertainment industry as an artist. An inspirational message for all other artists out there; Love the art within you, not yourself within the art and just take the leap, follow your dreams and enjoy the journey!
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