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

Hi Allie, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
Ever since I was little, I knew what I wanted to be, I knew I was an actor, writer, director, and singer. My younger self would be happy to hear that I’ve accomplished important goals, such as moving to Los Angeles and getting into SAG-AFTRA. She would be so excited to learn I’ve been in movies and on TV shows, that I sing in musicals and on soundtracks, and that my screenplays and stage plays have been produced all over the world.

I’d like to continue working regularly in film, TV, theatre, and voiceover. I would love to be a series regular on a television show, especially the one I created – keep your eyes peeled, I’m working hard on those scripts! Shows with shorter seasons enable me to work in TV for part of the year, then shoot a feature film, then perform on stage in a musical or a play.

I want to be part of projects I’m proud of, and be happy and successful on my own terms. I want to inspire others to pursue their goals and make their dreams a reality.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My energy and work ethic set me apart – and hopefully motivates others, too! Everything I do, I do with my whole heart. Whether I’m playing a kind character or a ruthless one, whether I’m working on a comedy or a drama, I always arrive on set ready to work, and I’m always happy to be there. I’m eager to do the work and meet everyone involved and discover what we can create together. Performing makes me happier than anything else. I love diving into a new role and bringing a script to life!

How do you overcome challenges in your career and in your life?

I tend to tackle challenges head-on. I’m nothing if not determined, and I think I’m pretty resilient. I’m motivated and passionate and driven. When you do what you love and love what you do, you know what you want is possible, and you find a way to make it happen.
Navigating the entertainment industry can be difficult. Moving to a big city can be difficult. Making your dreams become reality can be difficult. But it’s worth it. If it’s what you love, then it’s absolutely worth it. Don’t compare yourself to others; comparison is the thief of joy, and no two paths are the same. Everyone has their own journey. Don’t be afraid to forge your own path. Trust your instincts, trust your gut, and make decisions that feel right for you. Take one step at a time, and you’ll make your own way.
Momentum is key. So is motivation. Having something you’re currently involved in, plus something else that you’re looking forward to. And that can be difficult if you’re not filming something right now, or you haven’t gotten an audition in a while. So make sure you’re staying optimistic and connected to what motivates you. Watch a favorite movie, or an episode of your favorite show. Remind yourself what you love about acting, or writing, or directing, singing, dancing, and see how you can create your own opportunities and incorporate that joy into your life. Touch base with other creatives and see if you can collaborate on something. Reach out to friends and family, and stay positive.

What are you most proud of or excited about recently?
I’m very proud of my film Future Shock. Earlier this year, in April, I thought, “If I could give myself the heads up about the pandemic, what would I say?” Inspiration struck, the dialogue and structure of the piece immediately came to mind, and I wrote the script right then and there. I filmed it shortly thereafter.
Wearing all the hats for this project – writer, actor, director, cinematographer, editor – could have felt overwhelming, but it didn’t. Part of that is because I always have been and always will be a multi-hyphenate, I’ve always been a storyteller in all of those aspects I just named, actor, writer, director, so I always think of the big picture when reading or writing a script – I think of how it’s going to look and sound and feel, I think of how it’s going to be shot and blocked, I think of how the characters are going to interact and how the audience is going to react. And part of the reason I didn’t get overwhelmed by doing everything myself is because I trusted myself: I knew I could do this, I knew I was capable of telling the story I wanted to tell in the way I wanted to tell it, I knew it was a story people could relate to – and I knew I could shoot in my own apartment!
Fast forward to October, when Future Shock was one of 17 films selected for the BoxFest Detroit Festival. The festival screened entirely online, allowing people all over the world to see it. A movie that didn’t exist six months ago was out there, simply because I had an idea, because I thought, “What if?” and I made it happen.

Watch Future Shock online: https://youtu.be/2jRDv655iGg

Learn more about Allie Costa and her many projects:
http://www.alliecosta.com
http://www.imdb.me/alliecosta
http://www.youtube.com/alliecosta
http://www.soundcloud.com/alliecosta/sets

Follow Allie on social media:
http://www.twitter.com/allieacts
http://www.tinyurl.com/alliecostaFB

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.
I would love to go to Griffith Park Observatory, because I haven’t been there yet, and I’d love to see the beautiful stars in the night sky! I’d definitely want to check out everything there, the observatory, the exhibit hall, and the planetarium. We’d probably see a show, a musical or a play, maybe one of each! Since we all love and appreciate theatre, that would definitely be on the itinerary. And as we drove around the city, I’d point out all of the venues, sound stages, and casting offices where I’ve performed and auditioned. We might see a concert, too. I would really love to hear the band Elbow perform live. Someday! Afterwards, we’d grab some food at a diner and lose track of time talking, laughing, and catching up.

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?
I’m very grateful for my family, who has always supported me. Many thanks to my incredible friends and relatives who tune in when I’m on TV, who are first in line when I’m in a movie or a play, who help me prepare for auditions and are willing to give me feedback on early drafts of my scripts. Your support means the world to me.

Website: http://www.alliecosta.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/allieacts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allie-Costa-152248411549551/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/alliecosta
Other: http://www.imdb.me/alliecosta http://www.soundcloud.com/alliecosta/sets/ https://newplayexchange.org/users/995/allie-costa

Image Credits
Photographers include Megan Hilliard, Andrew Joseph Perez, and Allie Costa

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