Meet Sonya Giddings | Actor, writer, director and producer

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

Hi Sonya, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
On the producer’s side they don’t see the hours spent in processing gathering and processing paperwork. In my case since most of my short films have been on zoom, I have to order props and have them mailed to the actors. People don’t see the hours spend watching auditions and selecting actors and hiring actors. On the writer’s side people don’t see the hours spend writing a script. The one thing I can say about the industry is that outsiders are not aware of is the hard work and long hours. People outside the industry always see the finished product they don’t see the long hours on set on the actor’s side creating that finished product.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have worked background work for TV, movies, commercials for years since approximately 2012. It all started when I saw the taping of Dead Man Down and I said I can do that. I pursued background work and never stopped. However, I had a passion of being in front of the camera actually acting. I went to a lot of different acting schools and  I have been on countless auditions and for some of the top producers like Tyler Perry , Lee Daniels. I have never been cast yet in one of their productions, but I am hopeful. I am a member of sag aftra so I cannot work nonunion projects and I don’t have an agent so I decided to create my art in the form of short films. That brought to life my production company very small only a one-person crew, which is me.  I am the actor, writer, director and producer. My very first short film just had me and my sister as the actors and one background person which I producer under sag aftra contract. My next one was called Extreme Obsession I hired actors and cast myself as well.  We filmed  virtually and it came out really well. My next short film was called The Wonderful Life of a Cat Lady, and of course I cast myself as the cat lady since I have cats.  My cats were the stars of The Wonderful Life of a Cat; this was hybrid in person me and my cats and the rest virtually. Of course, I had to make Extreme Obsession II we just filmed  that virtually, and it came out really well. All of my short films have won awards in film festivals.

It was never easy at all, Extreme Obsession II appears to be the most difficult,  but I had to keep going I got encouragement from some of my cast. It was one thing after another with trying to get to the next phrase to film Extreme Obsession II, the Pastor role was very hard to fill. Many other obstacles came up at the last minute including one of the leads having an emergency, so I had to recast him with someone in the cast who was cast for another part. This business is not easy it is very difficult, but I have to keep going. I learned to never give up if you have a vision and a dream you have to put in the work and money in to make is possible. I plan to write, direct and produce a feature film in person.  I want to world to know they will see my work and will love it. It will give an entire new prospective to virtual films.

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.
Hollywood walk of fame, universal studios , most definitely Disneyland which is an half hour from LA. The soap opera the Bold and the Beautiful has a fans tour every year. This would definitely be a must go meeting the cast of the Bold and the Beautiful would be a dream. I have been watching the show since day one when I was in middle school.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout-out to JESUS CHRIST first without him none of my short films would exist. I would also like to give a shout out to the cast for the amazing work. I appreciate those sticking by and participating in my projects. I would like to give a shout out to my family would always encouraging me to keep my dream alive and keep going. My family always gives positive feedback,  my family is so supportive my sister was in my very first short film and she is not an actress.

Website: www.sonyagiddings.com

Instagram: @sonyag_____

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZsfcPkhkn-XGB3fPBEgiQ