Meet Heather Fortin | Actor & Production Assistant

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

Hi Heather, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As cliche as it may sound, it was the only path for me. From the moment I saw Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music, I knew that is what I wanted to do – I wanted to be a story teller. I wanted to be a part of something that made people feel. Whether it make them laugh or cry or have the urge to dance, feel joy, anger, sorrow – I wanted to spend my life working on/creating projects that made people feel connected and understood in the way that film, theater, and television did and does for me. They say if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life, so to be a part of an industry that provokes emotion and thought, an industry that can impact humans on a level that no other industry can, one that is ever changing, every evolving to tell stories that inspire, encourage, or even just entertain, that is why I pursued an artistic and creative career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been beyond blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given to work in entertainment. Since I could comprehend a thought, all I’ve wanted is to be an actor. Entertaining people was what I knew I wanted to spend my life doing. While in my last semester for my B.A. in General Theater at San Diego State University, my professor got an email from a 2nd AD inquiring about having some theater and film students apply to come work as production assistants for a film coming to town. The film just happened to be Top Gun: Maverick, and that was my first set.

From there, those new coworkers and friends brought me into their world and onto their incredible jobs, setting me up for a packed next few years. I have met the most extraordinary human beings – actors and crew members alike – whose work ethic, intelligence, creativity, and skills have continuously inspired me and pushed me to chase my dreams down. My job on set is usually as the first team PA, which is the pa that is in charge of the actors/everything that has to do with the actors. It has been so valuable for me as an actor because not only have I gotten to work with people that I’ve looked up to my whole life, having the chance to learn their processes and listen to their stories and advice, but I have gotten to learn about every other department that makes the magic of movie-making work/ what tips and tricks help make the days go smoothly by being thoughtful and courteous of everyone else’s jobs.

I could ramble all day about the logistics of the work, but truly the biggest and best lessons I’ve learned while on this journey have all been about perspective and kindness. In a work environment that is so fast paced with such long and stressful hours, it is easy to get caught up in the hubbub of it all and start to forget to put your humanity first. At the end of the day, no matter what job or industry you’re in, all that matters is how you treat others and how you make others feel.

(A close second on best lessons would be the lesson we’ve learned from Elizabeth Olsen: that “No” is a full sentence.)

I am so proud to be a part of telling these stories. Whether it be from in front of the camera or behind the scenes, all I hope for is to affect and inspire others the way movies and actors have done for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not usually the one that people go to for recommendations – being a transplant and spending most of my time the first few years here at work, I haven’t been out and about as much as I’d like – but I’m still adventuring and trying to find new spots to add to my lists! The most fun and interesting places I’ve been have come from asking people on the street, in restaurants, or at work for their favorite go-to’s and trying them out.

So, if I were to be hosting someone visiting LA and playing tour guide, I would make sure we hit Millie’s Cafe in Silverlake (our household favorite) and/or Cha Cha Matcha to start off the day/trip properly. I’d make sure we hit some hikes in the Palisades and Fryman trail, catch at least one Malibu sunset, and enjoy some beach volleyball. I’d take them to the Academy Museum after giving a tour of some of the studios or famous filming locations, maybe do the swan boats, and I would have to take them to Griffith Observatory for the view. I would end the trip with a live show or some drinks at a rooftop restaurant in downtown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be anywhere without the incredible people in my life.

My parents and sisters, who were and are always encouraging my passion and constantly reminding me that I can be whatever and whoever I want to be.

My first ever AD team, Scott Robertson, Andrew Stahl, Spencer Taylor, and the PAs of Top Gun: Maverick, who set the bar not only as mentors and filmmakers, but humans, teammates, and friends in the industry.

And last but not least, every teacher in my tiny hometown who never once scoffed at my dreams, but supported and allowed me to dream as big as I possibly could.

Image Credits
Stephanie Gerard Photography