Meet Luciana Faulhaber | Actor, Advocate and Content Creator

Risk taking is well, scary, otherwise it wouldn’t feel like a risk, and it is pivotal for growth. There is that saying that “nothing good happens in your comfort zone” which I disagree with because comfort feels pretty good, otherwise people wouldn’t stay there. So we all have to ask ourselves what is what we actually want. If the answer is comfort, then that is great. There is nothing wrong with that. But if the answer is growth, then we have to take steps that feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar – that is the meaning of “risk” is to me, and not some big monster. For most of us life is a pendulum that oscillates between comfort and risk, and we find in theses spaces intermittently throughout our lives. So the key is always to be honest with ourselves, and stay curious about who we are, what we want, and what we are actually doing to pursue what we say and believe we want. Personally I have oscillated between being completely careless to unbearably scared, to then cautiously brave. From those experiences I can say the most change, growth, and accomplishment happened when I took bigger and bolder leaps.

I’ve always wanted to create impact and empower people because I felt empowered as a child by the educational experiences that I had. I wanted to give others the same opportunities to become more and overcome whatever circumstance they came from. I truly believe you are who you become and not where you come from. So I did the only thing I knew how, which was study and set off into an academic career, but I pretty soon realized it wasn’t my calling. I rerouted to the arts, and it took me a few years to realize that these two roads could point in the same direction. When I started as an actor, the roles I would read for and the shows that were on TV depicted women, and specially women of color, in a way that was stereotypical and oppressive. Quickly I decided that if I wanted better, then I could do better, and started learning every facet of content creation. I didn’t care how good I was or compared myself to others. None of that mattered to me. I created some projects at a school of filmmaking to learn the “how to” in real time, and once I gained the confidence, and learned what I was good at, I set off to create meaningful content with other people doing the same. Filmmaking is not something you can do in isolation, so having the right partners with similar values and goals is key. I’m happy to say that now we are off on a journey of creating meaningful content in scripted and unscripted worlds. Projects are like children so they tell you who and what they are if you listen.

I am currently the Director of Scripted films for an organization called Invisible People, and we just won a Streamy Award for creator for good. With Invisible People we are creating content for social good, educating, advocating, and fostering a collective sense of responsibility by using video and journalism to change the story of homelessness and influence policy change. I cannot tell you enough how impactful and powerful that work has been, and you can see it for yourself just by reading the comments under every mini doc or scripted film.

I also have a podcast called “Incessantly Seeking” in which I discuss love and relationships with the intent to demystify perfectionism, and the “toughness” culture in the hopes that helps others feel seeing and less alone.

What I would want others to know is that you can find a way to create work that inspires others, in my case content for good, even in an industry that is not conducive to it. Whatever it is you want to do or change, I bet there are other people who feel the same way. Go find them.

This is an easy one because one of my best friends did just come into town – my Mom! And we had a blast. Some of her favorite places were the Huntington Library and Garden in Pasadena, The Grove, Jazz at Lacma, and Salsa Night at the Sofitel. Food wise is a tough one because there are such wonderful places to eat in LA! We had a great time at Din Tai Fung, Akuma, DeSano’s Pizza, and picnicking with fresh fruits and snacks from the farmers markets that are all around Los Angeles.

It is true to say that it takes a village, and I would be doing a disservice to my tribe if I were to single any of them out. So to my tribe, I want to say a big thank you, as I do every day for you being part of my journey. Thank you for advocating for me, for drying my tears, for encouraging me, and for saying my name in rooms filled with opportunities. As you know, I believe in the tide that rises all boats and we are in this together. I got you just like you got me. We are a team.