Meet seana kofoed | actor, writer, and producer

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

Hi seana, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
For someone in my business, which is that of storytelling, both as an actor and as a writer/producer, I think we rarely, except perhaps the top 1% of us, think in terms of ‘success’. I suppose supporting myself as an actor would be considered ‘success’ but for me, success has always meant ‘am I finding joy and satisfaction in what I’m doing?’ So there has never, for me, been a ‘measure’ of success in terms of, say,’fame’ or ‘followers’ or accolades, or even financial riches. For me, ‘success’ is finding happiness in what I’m doing. Aside from my little family, which fuels so much of my happiness in life, on the work front I feel most ‘successful’ when I am bringing stories to life for the enjoyment of audiences, viewers, and other creatives on my team. Success to me is representing the world in which we live, both in front of and behind the camera. Success is bringing together crew and cast members who are both incredibly talented and kind. Pulling together teams that want to bring joy and a journey to our audiences, our viewers in the theatre or at home. I love linking creative people together, I love offering work to people whose work I admires. I love writing dialogue for magical, skilled actors, and giving creative freedom (within our budget) to our crew. There is no greater feeling of satisfaction and ‘success’, than watching your creative team work together in a positive and exciting way. Kindness is key. Empathy and curiosity about the human experience is key. I don’t like attitude, I don’t like pretenders, I don’t like ego. I like people who like and respect other people, who have a great work ethic, who want to see others succeed. I’m a big believer in ‘rising tides lift all boats’, Which, for me, means my success…is the success of many others as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a big believer in gender-balance and diversity in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera. With my fairly new production company, Film Camp Productions, my producing partner Kelly Demaret and I strive for a diverse and 50% female (or female-identifying) cast and crew. I strongly believe that the more diverse the voices brought to the storytelling table, the more engaging and exciting those stories will be. I don’t think a film written and directed by a woman needs to be a story about 8 women sitting around chatting. We need to diversify our stories, allow our characters to take risks, to be different – a task at which playwrights and so many tv writers have always excelled. I’m no longer willing to sit through a film about 8 men and 1 tertiary female character. I just tune out. Not interested. I want gender balance. Meaning, just STRIVE to do a little better on balance in your casts (and crew). And I want diversity. If I turn on a film and it’s just a bunch of white guys…I stop watching. Our viewers at home want to see themselves reflected on screen. It’s our responsibility — and joy! — to make that happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well…haha I’m a mom of two kiddos now, so my ‘hot spots’ have changed. I love hiking over in Griffith Park, I love chatting over wine in someone’s back yard. I’ve always loved Pitfire in North Hollywood, because it’s kid friendly, but they have nice food and wine. A great chopped salad. I’ve always loved The Garland Hotel when we’re staycation-ing, or in from out of town. That little restaurant, The Front Yard, is fabulous too. And our favorite sushi in North Hollywood is Sushi Don!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh gosh I’ve been the beneficiary of so many leaps of faith, given the gift of good writing, of trust in my abilities to bring a character to life. My first big theatre job was at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City, that was the first sort of blind act of faith by director Joey Tillinger, casting directors Nancy Piccione and Bernie Telsey Casting, as well as others over at that fabulous spot, handing a new arrival a sweet role written by the amazing English playwright Shelagh Stephenson. That first job is always the hardest to get, and that was a huge gift to me. I’ve enjoyed magnificent leaps of casting faith by Jenji Kohan, Jamie Denbo, and Jenny Bicks, among others. And most recently the gift of a great role on NCIS: Hawai’i by fantastic show runners Chris Silber, Jan Nash, and Matt Bosack, and great writing by the entire writers’ room — all actors know that we live and die by the pen of the writers :).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanakofoed/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seana-kofoed-93a832a8/

Twitter: @seanakofoed

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearMindMovie/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeEMurMXTyAA6DoOkbkh5Dw

Image Credits
Commander Chase/NCIS: Hawai’i pic — Courtesy of CBS Cowgirl hat pic – Courtesy of Clear Mind Productions, LLC Seana kofoed, Marielle Scott & Rob Benedict — Courtesy of 30 Miles from Nowhere, LLC. Seana Kofoed & Matt Peters – Courtesy of Clear Mind Productions, LLC Editorial headshot – Seana Kofoed — photo by Kelly Balch