Meet Saşa Klein | Screenwriter

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

Hi Saşa, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Figuring out my work-life balance was incredibly difficult and it often takes moments of tipping the scale to both extremes to finally achieve equilibrium, especially as someone with rampant ADHD. Thankfully, being involved in both athletics and film in both high school and university has given me a “trial run” of what balancing two extremes might feel like. Though daunting at times, both my rowing career and my pursuit in film have offered me a unique set of benefits that have deeply influenced who I am and how I approach life.

On the athletic side, rowing taught me the value of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. The physical demands of the sport pushed me to my limits, teaching me how to set goals and work relentlessly to achieve them. I learned how to manage my time efficiently, stay organized, and persist through challenges. Though it has been a LONG eight years, my lessons from the sport are invaluable not just in my athletic career, but in every aspect of my life.

Now, on the film side, screenwriting opened up a different world for me. It was a way for me to process my experiences, reflect on my thoughts, and explore my creativity. Screenwriting also taught me the importance of attention to detail, the art of revising your work, and (extreme) patience.

The combination of athletics and the film has provided me with a unique solution to approaching stressors in my life. The physical rigor of rowing balanced out the mental and emotional challenges of screenwriting, and vice versa. When I was drained from practice, diving into a script offered me a creative recharge. Conversely, when I was feeling creatively blocked, the discipline and structure I developed through rowing helped me push through and stay on track.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Right now, I’m finishing up my senior year at Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Screenwriting and wrapping up an eight-year rowing career. The dedication I developed as an athlete has profoundly shaped my approach to screenwriting, letting me blend perseverance with creativity. As a woman who’s navigated the rigorous demands of competitive rowing, I bring a unique perspective to my work in that I like to write strong female characters. It’s becoming clear that the typical “strong woman” archetype- often depicted as angry, cold, and one-dimensional- is wearing thin. Characters can exhibit strength in so many different and nuanced ways, and I think we all want to explore those possibilities. I’m so excited to continue writing after graduation and share my stories, especially those that showcase strong, multifaceted female characters.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Alright, I am a SoCal local but I am a tourist at heart. I’d start with breakfast at Layla’s Bagels, then hit Santa Monica Pier. Then, after an hour of traffic, get to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Afterward, we check out the LACMA and enjoy a dinner at Élefante. The next day, a Malibu day trip to Zuma Beach with food from Malibu Farm. Then finally, we hit Universal Studios with express passes. That, undoubtedly, would be my perfect weekend.

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 definitely owe A LOT to my parents. I went to LMU, a university in Los Angeles with an exorbitant tuition and top-10 film school, one of the biggest reasons I was able to attend was because of my athletic scholarship for the rowing team. From the countless early morning practices my parents drove me to, to helping me with my D1 recruitment journey, they’ve always been in my corner! Without their guidance and unwavering support of my passion for film, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saşa-klein-714658147

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sashiex

Image Credits
@Crewdadpix, @carey_qian, and @shooter_will