Meet Sasha Marie Speer | Artist and Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sasha Marie Speer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sasha Marie, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Sticking with things. I think the tendency, especially when starting something new, can be to feel like you’re not doing as well as you’d like so you start something else or quit. It’s exactly in these times that it’s necessary to keep going. You may need to make some minor adjustments, but keeping after the end goal and keeping up the “reps” of creating and sharing material is the most important thing. Show up. Again. and again. and again.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about deep listening, and translating that into visual form. I work with individuals and communities to help articulate who they are and what they are dealing with in a way that other’s can feel a sense of relatedness. A connection.

What sets me apart are two things: time and depth. I take the time to really get to know the people I am doing a project around, and get to know them deeply.

I am most proud and excited about two projects I have in festivals right now. One is Son Rise, Son Shine, about a black, gay man who interacts with himself at different ages while figuring out how he fits into a world that tells him his existence should be different. The other is a series of Identity Portraits, which are poems and visuals weaved together, telling stories of the trans and nonbinary experience, including its pain and joy.

Getting to where I am now professionally has been a path that I could have never planned for. It’s been one of listening to my intuition and trusting it, which led to the next thing and the next. I have had to give up a lot of control and trust the process. Two good examples are these last projects I just mentioned. I was at an art show where I met a friend of a friend who had an idea which led to one project which led to these two. I had never spent time in the trans community before – I didn’t even know there was a community. I asked questions and spent some time with my intuition and then spent a year immersed in the community filming and listening. It had a great impact on me. I learned to be more fearless, to own my creativity and my voice more. I felt so much joy and love.

The challenges have been mostly me against myself. In order to succeed at anything in life, you have to have conviction. And I’ve continually struggled with mine. Mostly in the middle of a project, I will always feel like I am absolutely failing. The other time is the first time it’s shown to an audience. But I am learning that this is my process and to trust it. To understand that just because I may feel that way, that it doesn’t mean that is the truth.

Overcoming challenges has required a strong network of friends and collaborators. We go through life in community and it’s that community that keeps us upright when we feel like we are falling down. Also recognizing that the community may evolve and change. Some people are in your life for a season, while others are here for the long haul.

The lessons I have learned along the way are: keep going, trust your gut, keep your distance from negative and fearful people, surround yourself with emotionally strong and supportive people, and do you – whatever that looks like.

My brand is love. Not the cheesy kind, but real soul-connection I-see-you-and-care-about-your-wellbeing love. It’s unconditional and has no expectations.

My story is being real. You can wear the makeup and tulle and all the things (which I love!) but be YOU. Don’t hide behind all the rest of it. All of life is made up. We, as humans, created it – and we, as humans can always create something new from our current reality. That’s my story. Continuing to create and re-create. And keeping my compass on the joy – the things that make my soul sing – rather than what I think others want from me.

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.
Haha I have to laugh because the last time I answered this question for ShoutOut a friend came to visit and pulled out the list! So I am keeping it a bit shorter this time to spend more time on the joys and less in traffic 🙂

After spending this last year with the trans and nonbinary community in WeHo, I would definitely take them to The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in WeHo. I don’t care if you are cis or straight or whatever, it’s a place that shows what true community is and can do for people.

Then I would take them to dinner at Rosaline, which serves up 5-star Peruvian cuisine in a beautifully lit environment. Be sure to get your order in for their ribs before they run out!

The next area I would explore is Venice Beach and Abbot Kinney. Venice has changed the last few years, but it still has its creative edge and I believe is something everyone who visits LA should get to experience. I’d tour them around the historic Venice Canals, then along the Boardwalk and beach. We would have a Ricotta Hotcake or two at Great White before heading to do some afternoon shopping on Abbot Kinney.

Culver City has also changed these last few years, renovating the Culver Steps and opening up outdoor dining along Culver Blvd. It feels almost European. I’d catch an outdoor concert on the steps and grab a whiskey and their pork belly at Piccalilli.

Lastly, if you come during the time the bioluminescence is happening, I would take you down for a nighttime picnic on Hermosa Beach so you can watch the waves glow blue as they crash into shore under a full moon.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a Shoutout to my partner, Jase Whitaker. The creative life is a bumpy one and he has helped me through each and every bump. Whether I am stuck in an edit on a project or struggling with feeling like I am failing – or just needing some encouragement, he is there. Always.

Website: www.sashamariespeer.com

Instagram: @sashamariespeer

Image Credits
Jenny Baumert