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

Hi Amanda, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are so essential to being something extraordinary. To stand out we cannot be ordinary in our decisions and the ways we think. I have always been ambitious and have been able to see outcomes of taking risks positively. There is a lot we can learn from taking a leap of faith and learning from it. I started my acting career in the middle of the pandemic in 2020 and if I didn’t use that window of a worldwide lockdown to pursue my dreams, I don’t think I ever would have. I moved to LA for nine months and through that journey I am writing a feature film of my experience of being a starving artist called “Beyond The Silver Screen”. It is a risk as I have not written a screenplay before and I have a huge vision for this film that will need a lot of support. The most important thing about taking a risk is having a plan of action no matter what comes of it. I have spent so much time learning the ways of filmmaking and though there have been many skeptical of how realistic it is to create and star in my own feature film, I am currently learning as I go to make it happen!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My driving force to pursue the entertainment industry is the people I want to impact and inspire. My feature film I am working on is something I truly want to be a jumpstart for my career. I have done mostly supporting roles and creating my own project gives me the freedom to play a bigger part, not just as a lead actor, but a bigger part in the industry to give other indie filmmakers and actors opportunities and give them the collaboration on a set that I would want to experience. This journey has not been easy as being an artist is truly going against the grain of society, but there is so much fulfillment in self expression and creating. A lot of my career has been making things happen for myself and not waiting around for opportunities or making excuses. I have overcome the obstacles by seeing every mistake as a success, every risk as a success, because at the end of the day my failures and my risks are more than what many would do. For a lot of artists, we are incredibly ambitious and it takes a lot of guts to take a leap of faith and keep going no matter where we end up falling. I have learned a lot of people won’t understand your big dream and visions for your life and career, you have to continue to believe in yourself and trust your instincts! Just because people in your life don’t understand or agree, does not mean it is not possible! Everyday is an opportunity to do the impossible, to do something no one else has done before. That is what makes many creators brilliant, and the most famous examples beyond the film industry are Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. Do not be scared to standout or follow a dream! Within the entertainment industry I want to stand out, I want to do things differently and be a light to those around me as well!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have to share coffee shops, my absolute favorite thing to do in LA was to explore coffee shops as I am also a barista and coffee enthusiast. In no particular order, Day Dream coffee, Blue Bottle, Mandarin, Dayglow, Coffee Coffee, Alfred’s, La La Land Cafe, Hollywood Flowering Tree, Vacancy Coffee, Aroma Cafe and Priscillas. I spent so much time in LA adventures from beaches to coffee shops! There is just so much to do!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful for all the support I have, it is truly a laundry list. I feel so grateful to have learned from so many people in the industry and have people who believe in me. I have been apart of Wendy Alane Wright’s business of acting course called the Hollywood Winners Circle that show and walks through the business of acting and how to truly take action and be in charge of your career. It has allowed me to take the right steps to market myself as an actor. I also have to thank my agent in Arizona, Angie Seger, Signature Models & Talent, for seeing my potential and allowing to have so many amazing opportunities! With that, I also have to thank Bella Hibbs who is a casting director apart of Good Faith Casting, she truly gives so much amazing insight and knowledge for people in the industry on social media. I had the privilege of attending the SWAC (Southwest Actors Conference) last year that she hosted and it empowered me so much. There were so many amazing speakers and it was an incredible opportunity to network and make connections.

A lot of support also come from social media, I have been sharing my journey of pursuing my acting career and it has been amazing to see the community and support that comes from that alone. On Tik Tok I have about 12k supporters who have been apart of my journey, Through social media I even received an encouraging message from actress Sarah Jessica Parker, It is truly amazing of the possibilities there are through social media!

I also have to thank my friend Cara-Hope who has been so encouraging of all of my ambition. We have truly been each others cheerleaders to create our own content and truly take risks. I got to be apart of her short film “Clothed Identity”, the community and collaboration was truly unlike anything I have ever experienced on a set. The actors and crew had room to play and create beyond just the script and because of how much it was collaborative the final product is even better than we imagined! It will be premiering at the Nuart Theater in LA, we have the goal to get it to the Oscars! Follow @ClothedIdentity and @LorraineStudios for all the ways you can support!

I also have to thank my family for supporting me and my ambition! I really feel grateful to continuously feel empowered and encouraged to continue to purse this career. Even for the people taking the time to read this, thank you for seeing me and supporting me!

Website: https://linktr.ee/AmandaSophiaValdes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandasophiavaldes/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@amandasophiavaldes?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
Stills from the short film “Clothed Identity” by Tri Ha Portraits taken by Rycardo Bia

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