Meet Stevie-Jean Placek | Actor and Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stevie-Jean Placek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stevie-Jean, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is an essential step in someone’s life for two reasons. Also, to clarify, I’m talking about healthy risk, not a situation that puts one in danger or harm.

1. Taking a risk creates positive growth in your life. The challenges that come with it allow you to gain inner confidence and learn more about yourself.
2. Career-wise, taking risks causes momentum and opportunity.

I am taking a risk in my life and determined to take steps forward in my acting career. I am coproducing and playing the lead in the feature film Lady Lazarus. It was a significant risk to take on both positions because it is my first time producing, and the nature of the role is physically and emotionally demanding. With the filming process, I left my daytime job to focus entirely on this project. It was risky to walk away from a reliable income, but I was excited to immerse myself in a role and the movie-making experience. We’re coming to the end of filming, and there is so much ahead, but I already feel the benefits of taking this risk and leap of faith.

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.
I’d love to take this opportunity to talk about the film. It’s for sure what I’m the most excited about now and feeling the most proud of. Lady Lazarus is a deep character study with a dark psychological undertone that follows the life of Alex Blaire. A young woman who came to quick success through her first poetry publication is now experiencing her career plateauing. While attempting to stay relevant as a poet, she is in the midst of inner turmoil and struggling with an eating disorder but refuses to admit there’s a problem. Alex clings to what she knows only to watch it crumble- along with her sanity. Will she succumb to the lies in her mind or rise above through renewal?
The story explores relationships, identity, a loss of self, and so much more.
This beautiful and complex script was written and directed by Montana Cypress.
Montana shared this script with me three years ago, and I still can’t believe it is coming together now into something tangible. It has not been an easy process, but I’ve overcome these rough patches with support, determination, organization, and learning to adjust to last-minute changes or inconveniences. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is no matter how much you plan or prepare, things can go wrong, and that’s okay. It is a part of the process and, as a result, creates something even better. As well as letting go, going with the flow of things, and accepting help.
As for what I want the world to know about me and this project is that I’m excited to share it once it’s completed. Lady Lazarus has been a passion project for me and the director. Everyone involved has worked so hard and brought it to life. I hope this story creates conversation and someone finds something they connect to in watching Alex’s successes and failures.
Although I admit I am slightly afraid to share this film because of criticism or it not holding up to the expectation I’ve created in my mind, but that’s the risk that comes with creating something you don’t know what the outcome will be. Good or bad, and everything in between, this experience is worth it. I feel more fulfilled as an artist than ever, and that’s a feeling I want to hold to and continue to create/experience.

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.
We had the opportunity to shoot in some incredible places! You could make a day trip out of where we filmed. I’d suggest an early start at El Matador Beach in Malibu. Theres plenty of locally owned cafes in the area to pick up what you need for a brunch picnic at the cliff-foot beach. After, head up the coast to Pismo Beach. Beautiful beaches there as well, but the place you want to end up is the sand dunes. Filming in the dunes has been my favorite day so far. It feels like you’re in the desert, but you can see the ocean just over the dunes. It was the perfect setting to film the dream sequences. Plus, it brings out your inner child getting to roll down the dunes with a boogie board. Once you’re tired from exploring the dunes, end the day watching the sunset at the pier with some tacos from the Sunsets at Pismo Food Truck.

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 am very grateful that I’ve received an incredible amount of love and support throughout this process. I’d love to take a moment to give credit to my grandparents. I would not have had the opportunity to work on this film without them. From the start, they have supported my acting career by helping me get proper training at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and have been a crucial help in making this film. My grandmothers encouraging words have kept me motivated when things are challenging. As well as allowing us to film at their office and staying up with us late into the evening till we got the last shot. Thank you to the rest of my family for their love and support too.

I also would like to shout out AADA for giving us rehearsal spaces, access to wardrobe/props, and all the words of wisdom from my teachers there.

Lastly, a big thank you to my roommates- Neil and Claire. They both are phenomenal actors, and I’m so proud of their work in this film. Also, the patience and love they’ve provided me have kept me sane through the lowest points.

Website: https://www.steviejeanplacek.com/single-project

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

Other: https://www.montanacypress.com

Image Credits
Photography provided by Valerie Reyes, IG: vaalerieereyes Christian Moreno, IG: assumedadventures Chirag, IG: xhiloyxir