Meet Harriette St Ledger | Actor and Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Harriette St Ledger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Harriette, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In this career work life balance is a very funny thing. There will be moments in time where you are so busy filming, auditioning, having meetings. You feel like you will never have a moment to stop and take care of yourself. And then other times it can be so slow, you’re not filming anything and it feels like you have too much free time. It’s something I’m still navigating. I think its important to really work on your self care and setting good routines when you are in the slow period to make sure you don’t burn out when it gets busy again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career so far hasn’t followed the trajectory I was imagining when I was 8, it has grown and changed with me. I have always wanted to be an actor, however I only really found out how much I love creating films when studying media in school.. I am most proud of my work when it is something I have created. It is so artistically fulfilling to have an idea in your head, being able to communicate it effectively onto paper and then with a whole crew. It becomes an amalgamation of ideas and voices from collaborators and it’s so special to see what it turns into.
As an actor, I started in short films in Australia, then when I moved to LA in 2022 I created my own film After Roe Falls surrounding the nuances of abortion rights in America. I’m so glad I was able to be a voice in those trying times, and the film went on to reach many audiences, being screened at Cannes World Film Festival, Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda, Toronto Lift Off Film Festival ad many more.
Another film I starred in in 2022 ‘Ex-Affliction’, a queer dystopian thriller has gone on to win Best Short Film at Sydney Women’s International Film Festival.
Currently I am working on my next film “Queens of the Desert’ which is a proof of concept for a TV series, we have just filmed and it is being editing as we speak.
And finally the feature film I star in ‘Lost and Found You’ comes out this week on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Youtube, and Vimeo.

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.
At the moment I am travelling between Melbourne and LA frequently. So if they were to visit me in Melbourne I would take them to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria), and then we would probably go for a walk around the city, looking at all the shops and amazing restaurants. I would also take the to Phillip island to see the penguins, they are adorable.
In LA I would probably take them bar hopping, there are so many amazing bars. My favourite being Good Times at Davey Waynes, it’s a hidden 70’s themed bar with live music and it is always a good time. I would also take them for a hike to the Hollywood sign, followed by a trip to the Griffith Observatory. And on Sunday we would go to Jet Rag’s $1 vintage sale followed by the Melrose Trading post.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people I have to thank, but the real unsung heroes of my story are my parents. They have been so extremely supportive, even if they have no idea what I’m getting myself into. I grew up in a very small town, so to get to auditions and training it would take hours of driving, and my parents never once complained or suggested doing something a little more local. If I am ever doubting myself my parents are the first to pull me up on it and remind me of all I have already achieved.
Another shoutout goes to AAFTA, they are the reason I was able to learn about the American film industry so quickly, and adapt to the massive change. They have been an amazing support and truly the most incredible learning ground.

Instagram: @Harriette_Stledger

Image Credits
1. Ex Affliction
2. You’re so vain
3. After Roe Falls
4. After Roe Falls
5. Flunk
6. After Roe Falls,
7. Queens of the Desert,
8. Ex Affliction