Meet Lea Mende | CEO Origin Film Productions + Co-Founder OriginActors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lea Mende and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lea, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?

I once read a quote saying something along the lines of ‘Think about what you can do for other people, instead of waiting for people to do something for you.’ Coming from Europe I had studied acting and moved to Los Angeles to pursue primarily this field of art. I am sure many actors can relate, the position you’re in as an actor can feel quite needy at times as you are depending on other people to see you, like you, consider and support you. While this is true for most artistic jobs, it feels different to have the subject of it being you, your looks, personality and most vulnerable self. You can be the hardest working person in the room and yet get rejected over and over again. When the pandemic hit and everything slowed down, I took the time to transform this feeling of dependency into a more productive state and asked myself ‘What else can I do for other people while staying in the same industry?’. I’ve had several years of experience in the fields of photography and production before moving to LA and had always loved the medium of camera as well as the organizational aspects of producing and bringing creatives together. I transitioned from photography to videography and spent hours

learning and growing. I’ve always been a sponge when it comes to seeking inspiration and soaking up knowledge wherever I go and that’s been very helpful along the way. Through phenomenal classes and generous friends in the industry I started working as a videographer and became a certified drone pilot. The next steps were a venture into business and self-employment. From filing for an LLC to writing contracts and creating a website, the creation of Origin Film Productions has been a steady and beautiful,
one-step-at-a-time kind of journey. Overall I believe shifting the focus from myself as an artist to the serving aspects of being part of a crew, as well as the benefit of owning a space to develop my own projects whenever I want to, were the foundation of starting my own business.

After owning the company for about a year, I’ve expanded to create on an even bigger scale and started another business this year: OriginActors. It’s a subsidiary company for photography and videography content specifically for actors.

Thank you for these insights! Let’s talk shop — Please tell us more about your companies and what you offer. 

Origin Film Productions offers Photography, Videography, (Aerial) Cinematography and Production. Our portfolio consists of a vast variety of visual art, with focus on fashion and narrative films. At the core of my work stands a passion to tell stories in the form of images and I join the collaborative process whenever it is needed by my clients.

OriginActors, my new company, is a one-stop shop for marketing material needed for an actors professional online presence, like Headshots, Editorial Portraits, Reels or Skill Videos. When I first moved to LA it was my dream to find a company like this, but it didn’t exist, so I had to hire several different places to shoot the content I needed.
Today, I solved this problem. With over 6 years of experience in front and behind the camera, I understand the creation of characters with strong intentions that show your range. I also strive to work in tune with the current market and consult actors thoroughly prior to every shoot. As an extension of the idea of serving with a purpose, I am passionate about sharing my experience with aspiring actors and artists and make their life a little easier — by hiring one company to create everything they need.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

One of my favorite spots in LA is the Hollywood Bowl. Enjoying live music in a beautiful open air scenario is an experience I highly recommend. Another adventure not to miss out on are all the incredible hikes throughout and around LA like Eaton Canyon or Los Liones Canyon. For a snack and coffee I wouldn’t want you to miss out on authentic European pastries from Proof Bakery in Atwater Village. One of my favorite restaurants right now is Issima or Cecconi’s in West Hollywood, but that changes weekly — I’m a foodie and love to try out new spots. We also have many nice art or photography exhibits throughout LA, so I would check out whatever is currently curated. To end the day with an astonishing sunset, I would drive up to Mulholland Drive for a nice overlook or sit by the beach in Malibu and listen to the ocean. It’s a beautifully diverse city we live in.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I truly believe that any success in life means someone, at some point, believed in you and nurtured your potential in any shape or form. I never take these encounters for granted and am truly grateful for everyone that has shown support and appreciation for me and my companies. Books I’d recommend are ‘The 5am Club’ by Robin Sharma, ‘The Gifts of Imperfection’ by Brené Brown and ‘Never Split The Difference’ by Chris Voss. The list of female and diverse filmmakers that have motivated and inspired me is endless. Representation is incredibly important to me as I as well have a diverse background so I want to thank every artist that has paved the way for more inclusivity.

Website: www.originfilmproductions.com / www.originactors.com

Instagram: @originfilmproductions / @originactors / @annaleamende