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

Hi Darlene, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always had a deep love for art. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pen and started taking art classes when I was just three. Over the years, I’ve entered a bunch of art competitions and even had my work shown in a gallery. I’ve tried my hand at different mediums—oil painting, acrylics, ink on paper, and clay.

On a different but related note, I was also passionate about dance. I took ballet for over 10 years, and along the way, I also explored hip hop, contemporary, and jazz dance. I performed countless times. Honestly, I truly miss the thrill of being on stage and the dedication that went into each performance.

These days, I don’t dance much anymore, and I only draw and paint occasionally, but my focus has shifted to a different kind of art – filmmaking. Filmmaking now consumes my life, and I absolutely love every part of it.

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.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my journey into filmmaking, which wasn’t easy but incredibly rewarding. Moving to the United States at a young age and pursuing a career in a highly competitive industry came with its fair share of challenges. I had to adapt quickly, learn the ropes, and constantly push myself out of my comfort zone. Missing my family, navigating a new culture, and breaking into the film industry were tough, but they taught me resilience and the importance of perseverance.

Overcoming these challenges involved a lot of hard work, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn from every experience, whether good or bad. I’ve learned that passion alone isn’t enough; it needs to be backed by dedication, a strong work ethic, and the ability to stay focused even when things get tough.

What I want the world to know is that I’m always eager to learn and fully committed to giving my absolute best in everything I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, I’d make sure they had an unforgettable time. We’d start with lunch at my favorite Thai spot, Toi, which has great vibes and amazing food. After that, we’d take a walk around Santa Monica beach, heading to my favorite, less crowded spot where my friends and I love to hang out.

We’d also have a morning picnic at Lake Hollywood Park, where the view of the Hollywood sign is iconic. Afterward, we’d spend some time exploring The Getty. The art and gardens there are just beautiful.

A trip to Downtown LA would be essential, starting with a visit to The Broad for some modern art, followed by lunch at Grand Central Market. We’d spend the afternoon browsing The Last Bookstore and then head over to Little Tokyo for dinner and some shopping.

To wrap things up, we’d treat ourselves to a spa day and then visit Griffith Observatory to watch the sunset over the city.

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 want to give a huge shoutout to my parents. They’ve been my biggest supporters and have always encouraged me to follow my passion. My dad, who works tirelessly, has been there for me every step of the way, especially when I made the big decision to move to the US. Thanks to his support, I was able to study in the US and earn my degree in film,

Every day, I work hard to prove to both my parents and myself that I can achieve my dreams. Their love and support mean the world to me, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I know they want me to live my best life, and that motivates me to keep pushing forward. My ultimate goal is to give back to them and take care of them, just as they’ve always taken care of me.

Website: https://www.darlenedarma.com

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

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/darlene-darma-05292a208

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13774068/?ref_=pro_nm_visitcons

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