Meet Sean Szatkowski | Actor, Comic, Producer

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

Hi Sean, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art always called to me in some capacity; probably my natural rebelliousness. Art’s tenderness & virtue was felt from an early age as a “black sheep” everywhere I went. Experiencing extreme levels of bullying at a young age required me to develop a sense of humor & romanticize my own life through reading books, watching movies and television, music, and comedy. Being highly in-tune with my emotions allowed me to immerse myself into characters and with such need for respite within called for different outward expression. Plus, I’m a passionate person who craves the fire of experiences. The holistic, pie-in-the-sky goal was my desire to share further empathy and calls to action with audiences for a more compassionate world looking to take up for solutions to our problems; and at worst giving others a space to escape, take a “mental vacation”–to entertain. A mentor saw that within and pushed me to take the leap from simply practitioner to professional.

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.

My whole career –truly (my) life is about taking a leap; even when others can’t see what you do until it is there. As an actor, comic, writer, and producer I’ve been told my strengths come from my natural instinct and empathies, an ability to break down the subtext of scripts to make bold decisions, and a relentless pursuit of understanding my character and the work. Also, being okay with failing, humiliating yourself helped set me apart. Sam Miller, a mentor and or big brother who coaches actors encouraged me during the pandemic to take that leap from simple practitioner to professional. He understood my desire to play all sorts of characters and felt strongly it was my time to pursue them.

Landing a major supporting role early on allowed me to garner larger auditions and opportunities; starring in a few plays, shorts, and films such as MEL, YIEE, A Streetcar Named Desire, ect.

But, the pandemic would eventually fully grab hold and auditions dried up, anxiety as to “was this a mistake to leave my job in advertising” crept in. As an actor I don’t like to be idle; and fortune would have it that a script with the type of writing actors salivate over was dropped into my lap during an audition lull.

Kevin Hickey, writer of “By The Grape Of God” heard rumors of my acting from other creatives and as friends from college asked me to read his script. A month later, over deep-dish pizza we decided to pursue producing this SAG-AFTRA film, and Kevin asked me to take on the lead role “Oh shit, it’s you!–will you play him?”. I couldn’t say no. We faced SAG’s longest strike and still secured fiscal sponsorship from Film Independent, a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, and various brand sponsors along the way; with no studio backing either!

Now I’m on the precipice of premiering a self-produced SAG feature film, behind a script all believed in, with talent from the industry, both sides of the camera, I could not have imagined getting so early into my career. Luck of the Irish, with a lot of work ethic I suppose.

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.

If a best friend was visiting…hmm…Probably start with one of the touristy hikes and a trip to the Getty Villa, a cost effective way to see some incredible art & history.

Followed by lunch somewhere on Sawtelle street as they got the best food; probably Bar Hermanito.

Hitting the beach would be on the table knowing that my friends don’t get that experience too often so either near Marina Del Rey or Santa Monica Pier for the iconic experience would be good for them.

Since we’re in the area we’d stop by Jonah’s for their amazing food and get friends some drinks. Followed by some more cocktails at The Room and see if the night takes us to Club Bahia for dancing if nothing else is available nearby.

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?

Shouting out Real Time Rescue is truly an honor & privilege. They are an organization that works with LA’s homeless and their pets in getting back on their feet. It’s an organization I volunteer with and their own members stepped-up to help me when I needed it. Not to mention, this is a dual problem that should receive more addressing by all of us as a collective community and country.

Sam Miller of Greenshoes in London, deserves further shout out as he saw this individual; a “black sheep” of his acting school in me, and showed me that I was ready to take on the craft I loved. His support and guidance of more than just my acting has allowed me to make leaps and bounds in my career and life that I may have been too confused to go for.

Lastly but not least Marisa Laurance & Kevin Hickey who believed in my vision to bring Kevin’s script “By The Grape Of God” to life. Sure, there were a few “You sure?” moments, but the trust they had in me allowed us to make a one hell of a film; filled with some Hollywood award winning & established talent across the board. Couldn’t be where I’m at without you.

Website: www.bythegrapeofgod.com

Instagram: @szatsean

Image Credits
Initial photo: Seth Goodfellow Vasu Karla Zachary Smith Giovanni Silva, Giovanni Silva N/A N/A Betsy Zuck