Meet Lara Marks | Actor & Filmmaker

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

Hi Lara, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

There’s an Oscar Wilde quote I love that goes, ‘The play was a great success, but the audience was a disaster!’

Firstly, I think it’s funny! But I also think it conveys an important (and often-disregarded) sentiment that applies both to the plight of the artist, and to daily life. As humans and creators, we rely all too often on the responses of others to determine the value of ourselves and our work. We seek validation to affirm our merit and, as a result, lose any sense of agency when it comes to what we do. There’s no doubt that critique is fundamental in helping us to develop and grow and we should of course take it into account. However, I believe it is also vital that we learn to trust our own faculties and critical capabilities when it comes to assessing our work. There are always going to be people who disapprove of what we do or whose sensibilities do not line up with our own. So, we have to develop conviction in our unique tastes and artistic vision and recognise that we too can assess the respective merit of our creations, without being solely at the whims of others’ reactions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a British-Greek actor and filmmaker, originally from London, now living in LA. I started out as a theatre performer, acting on stages across London, Oxford, Berlin and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At age 11, I toured with the London Children’s Ballet, performing in a production of ‘The Secret Garden’ at children’s hospitals and old-people’s homes. It was on this tour that I fell in love with performing as I realized the immense power of art to bring joy to people.

Whilst at Oxford, I began craving greater creative autonomy and agency and set up a theatre production company, producing, directing and starring in productions of plays by award-winning playwrights, such as Alan Ball, Tom Stoppard and Marsha Norman. I ventured into film thereafter, which was when I also began delving into writing and editing. I trained as an actor at the renowned East 15 Acting School in London and then moved across the pond to take my MFA in Film Producing at the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Whilst at AFI I produced five narrative shorts, one of which was a story I pitched entitled ‘Tell Me Something True’, which explored the psychological vulnerability of being an artist. I also produced Jewish-Ukrainian comedy, ‘Cherry Kompot’, which premiered at AFI fest and was awarded ‘Best Short Film’ at the Eastern Europe Film Festival and the London Independent Film Awards. Most recently, I directed, edited and produced a music video, ‘Possible Stranger’, for British alt-pop artist Samfire, which premiered in Wonderland Magazine and won awards at the Athens International Art Monthly Film Festival, the Eastern Europe Film Festival and the Los Angeles Indie Short Fest.

In my career so far, I have worked across disciplines as a creator and performer to bring to life stories I care about, as well as to raise awareness for subjects and causes that deserve greater attention. Through the Edinburgh Fringe show, I raised money for Clean Break, a charity for ex-female convicts, and through ‘Night, Mother, for Papyrus, a charity for suicide prevention.

My experiences have shaped my belief that art, representation, and social conscience can work in a powerful symbiosis and I aspire to use my career as a creator to inspire, empower, and give.

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.

Soo first night I’d take them to Jitlada. It’s the best low key Thai spot for a jet-lagged dinner after a long-haul flight. We’d do a day in East LA. Blue Bottle for coffee, a hike up to Griffith, brunch at Sqirl, a movie at the Los Feliz theatre, dinner at Bacari or Lolo’s in Silver Lake and dancing at Tenants of The Trees. A day in Venice strolling along the Boardwalk and Abbot Kinney with sunset rooftop drinks at Hotel Erwin and dinner at Felix or Ospi for pasta! A day in Malibu starting with a hike to Malibu Creek or somewhere in Topanga, brunch at Malibu Farm, an ocean swim at Point Dume and dinner at Cholada’s Thai or Duke’s. And finally I’d have to fit in dinner at my all-time favourite restaurant in LA, Jones Hollywood!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There are countless people who have been fundamental to my story, but to name just a few.

My parents. As lawyers from Europe, my decision to pursue a creative path in Los Angeles was even more daunting to them than it was to me, but they have not once faltered in their unwavering support. They’ve been front row at every show, performance and film screening I have ever done, following me to London, Edinburgh and even Berlin, and their faith in me has never wavered, even on the occasions when I’ve lost faith in myself.

Samfire. My creative soulmate since we were eleven. We grew up performing together, even taking on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as co-starring Southern bridesmaids, and she has composed music creating a distinct and mesmerising sound for so many of my creations so far, ‘A Room of Her Own’, ‘Night, Mother’, ‘Tell Me Something True’.

Charly Faye. My partner-in-crime, who has been a constant source of light, strength and inspiration. We met at drama school, quickly became inseparable and she has been an integral part of my journey ever since.

Finally, my LA guardian angels – Paige Schaeffer and Millie Jones. Without these two, I don’t think I would have survived the two years at AFI. As two of the most talented, fiery and imaginative artists I have ever come across, they have been by my side every step of the way and have added endless color and excitement to this incredible journey.

Website: www.larampmarks.com

Instagram: @laramarks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-marks-73327616a/

Image Credits
Leo Behrens, Charly Faye, Samfire, Catherine Dimitroff, Natalie Lauren, Paige Schaeffer