Meet Stella Velon | Award-Winning Writer, Director, Actress

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

Hi Stella, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

I have been drawn to the arts for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I played the piano, took dancing and singing classes, and even won a poetry contest or two. But the one thing that fascinated me the most was movies… I have a clear recollection of how certain films influenced my childhood and teenage years. I used to become pretty obsessive and would even watch some of them over and over again — films like “Empire Records,” “Romeo + Juliet” and “Strictly Ballroom” by Baz Luhrmann, among others. Coming from a family of engineers, however, all that seemed so far away and inaccessible. An acting career is not something that was even considered a “real” career in my family. So it took me some time until I earned my independence to really dive into it.

I was miserable studying business/economics at a university in Paris, and then one day, a modeling gig (I would model on the side) took me to a feature film set, and after getting some amazing feedback from the director, I signed up for an acting class and the rest is history.

I can’t imagine doing anything else now. I just love being creative, and if I don’t get to express myself, be it through writing, acting, or directing, I become very frustrated. So it’s almost like a visceral need for self-expression for me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I began my career as an actor, and recently I started writing and developing my original projects. I also made my directorial debut with the psychological drama “The Critic.” In terms of produced work, this is the project that I am most proud of. I spent many months developing it and in pre-production and then, after shooting it, in post. The film came out very close to how I envisioned it, and that required a lot of work and time! As a first-time director, I was learning as I went, and it was a challenge at times. But it was very rewarding at the same time, as we received critical acclaim and earned many awards and nominations (35+), including a win in Amazon Studios’ inaugural All Voices Film Festival judged by top executives there (in a final selection of only five shorts). I was also nominated for a 2020 Webby Award for Best Individual Performance, among others. For more info, you can visit the film’s official website (thecriticfilm.com) and watch it on Omeleto/YouTube at the link below.

I am currently working on expanding “The Critic” into a full-length feature, as there has been significant demand. I am very excited about the feature film, but it’s no small endeavor as, once again, I want to do it well, and that will require time and getting the right people on board. The other project that is at an even more advanced stage is my half-hour comedy series, which is an even bigger undertaking. It’s a show that is loosely inspired by my experiences in the fashion world in NYC (and Paris) with a very big, diverse, and international cast and appeal. It has been a lot of work, and I cannot wait to share it with the world!

In terms of the lessons I learned on my creative journey, I find that the most important thing to achieve success and growth is to be perseverant and stay open to all possibilities. I also learned that it is not good to compare yourself to others, as everyone’s path is different, and that is incredibly important to keep reminding yourself. And to never let anyone else’s limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do stop you.

As far as the way I work and my brand, I consider myself an artist, meaning that I enjoy all the creative aspects of the storytelling process. My first love is acting, and I have been finding a lot of joy lately in writing and creating my original projects. I see myself directing more in the future, as many people have been telling me that I should too. When I write, I literally see the images and scenes play out in my head with great detail, which is what helped me immensely when I was making “The Critic.”

As an actor, I have been told to be a chameleon, which I love and consider a great compliment, although I have learned that it can be a bit confusing for people who don’t know me.

I am also someone who works very hard, and I like to immerse myself fully when I am working on a project. I love what I do, and it doesn’t feel like work for me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I like good food and I love nature and especially the sea/ocean. I am a Scorpio (water sign) so that probably explains it.

So besides the usual suspects in Los Angeles (Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park, Venice Beach, Malibu, etc.), which don’t need an introduction, I would take them to some of my favorite restaurants in town. One of those is Pace Restaurant, which is on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, right under the (Laurel) Canyon Country Store, a place with some pretty cool history. The Mamas & The Papas shot their first album cover (the one where they are in the tub) in its basement, and I was very lucky to be offered a tour by one of the store managers one day… Jim Morrison used to live in the house right behind too. (Side note: Watch the two-part EPIX documentary “Laurel Canyon” to learn more about the rich history of my (favorite) neighborhood!)

Outside of the city, one of my favorite places on the West Coast is Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Hyatt in the Highlands there has some pretty spectacular views. My favorite place for lunch in Carmel is a French bistro-style cafe called La Bicyclette Restaurant. It’s very cozy and charming. I would then take them to Pebble Beach and the 17-Mile Drive and Pescadero Point, which is famous for its ghost trees and where the “Witch Tree” used to be before being blown down by a storm. It’s very cinematic.

There’s also a really nice place where I would occasionally go to get away from the city called Calamigos Ranch. It’s tucked away up in the Santa Monica mountains. I love this place! It’s magical. I would go there every weekend if I could… There is also a really lovely restaurant not far from there called The Old Place. The food is great, and you feel like you are walking into a Western movie. It feels very authentic.

I can go on and on, but these would be my must-visit!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First my family, and then from my recent work, Jean Gabriel Kauss (producer of “The Critic,” with whom I am also working on my series project, among others), as well as my male lead Alan Smyth and my editor Ivan Andrijanic.

Website: https://www.stellavelon.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stellavelon

Youtube: https://youtu.be/99vwLjvknN8

Other: https://thecriticfilm.com

Image Credits
Main photo: Behind the scenes of THE CRITIC, © The Punk Floyd Company, Cinematography by: Akis Konstantakopoulos Portrait photo: Lance Staedler