Meet Sara Spadacene | Actor/Producer

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

Hi Sara, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I would say my work life balance perspective has changed because my perception of success has changed. When I first got out here, I really used to beat myself up. I felt like I was so far behind because I wasn’t on TV right after graduating and I wasn’t signed with CAA. I would look left and right, comparing myself to others instead of focusing on myself and the things that I could control. Now, when I think about what success means, it really comes down to the company that I keep. My success isn’t determined by my resume, it’s determined by the life that I lead day in and day out. I ask myself, you know, am I proud of who I am and how I treat people. The point of all of this is to say that, even if I have weeks, heck months, where things seem slow, I don’t beat myself up the way that I used to. I now know that it’s all a part of the journey.

On a more practical note, the BEST thing I started doing for myself is tracking my hours – Thank you, Elly Smokler! For example, in my planner every day, I have three categories: Vision Work, B Job and Self Care. At the end of each day, I like to see where my hours were spent. This helps me stay focused.

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.
I’m a really good listener. I care about what people have to say and I don’t forget it. I’m most proud of the fact that I was just nominated for Best Actor at the 2022 Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge. I’ve booked TV roles and commercials, but to be acknowledged in this capacity, for this particular film, is humbling and rewarding.
There is one big lesson I learned out here and that is – you can’t think of the industry as vertical. You don’t just move up. You move left and right, you move backwards, you move diagonal AND you move up. I think the secret of life is trying to be happy with where you are right now and it’s the same for acting. If you can be proud of where you are in this moment and understand that everyone is on their own path, I think you will stay in the game longer because, this – all of the waiting and hoping and praying – is your life. As my Dad ALWAYS says, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Those are words I live by.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love tour guiding because I love LA history so much. It ultimately depends on who the person is BUT if they’ve never visited before, I definitely have an itinerary. Thursday morning I would take them to Beachwood Cafe for breakfast and hope we see Harry Styles. We would then drive down Franklin into Hollywood and I would show them the Hollywood and Highland area. I know it’s touristy, but I love it. We’d see the stars, check out the Chinese and Dolby Theaters and definitely bop over to the Hollywood Roosevelt…easily in my top 5 favorite places in LA. I’d drive them along the Sunset Strip, into Beverly Hills, and down to The Grove. We would sit at one of the outdoor tables, and pretend we were in Paris but also Disneyland. We’d them go home, shower up and head to Yamashiro and/OR Sugarfish for a sushi dinner. We’d be drunk. Next morning, we’ll wake up, probably make breakfast at home and drive to the beach. We’d start in Malibu and enjoy the water and then I’d drive them back down the PCH to see Santa Monica and Venice. We’d end up at Dodgers Stadium, make a pitstop at The Short Stop and then end up at Jones Hollywood for late night pizza and martini’s. Sunday, pending the mood and the hangover state, we’d probably do brunch in West Hollywood or drive to Vegas…SKIES THE LIMIT. No, what we would actually do is go to Universal. When Monday morning rolls around, I would drop them off at Burbank airport because LAX is actually the seventh circle of hell. Remember: This is a FIRST TIME VISITOR TOUR GUIDE. I have done many iterations of this question, but this feels standard.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I come from a big, Pittsburgh, Italian-Catholic family. This meant my brother’s hockey games every weekend, dinner together most nights, and my whole extended family attending my dance recitals. I was never alone. I always had something to do and someone to do it with. It’s probably why I am so interested in being an actor because I really am obsessed with humans. I am – the absolute opposite of an introvert. I wouldn’t be who I was and I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for my family. Especially my Mom, Dad, Nana, brother and sister. Having a support system the way that I did growing up gave me the confidence to follow my dreams, believe in myself and always give myself a fighting chance. I am also very thankful for my partner, Chris. I trust him and his opinion probably more than anyone else’s. He has such interesting takes on things and I’m always curious to hear what he has to say.

Instagram: @saraspad

Linkedin: @saraspadacene

Twitter: @saraspadacene

Facebook: @saraspadacene

Youtube: @saraspadacene

Other: TikTok: @saraspad4

Image Credits
The two professional photos on here were taken by Gary Reisman.