Meet Swati Sharma | Writer

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

Hi Swati, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
I think collaboration is a core principle that sometimes gets overlooked in the entertainment industry especially by young up and coming creatives. When people think about artists, we always imagine a lonely visionary and we revere auteurs who can do it all by themselves. But the truth is, nothing can happen in a vacuum and nobody is an island. When you work in community with fellow artists you are challenged to manage diverse experiences, expectations and working styles leading to a more richer and multi faceted end product. That’s why getting film set experience or any experience working in a collaborative capacity with other people is crucial for artists. Learning how to collaborate, problem solve, when to push for your ideas and when to back down early in your career is a skill that will not only make you someone people want who work with again and again, it will also make you a better person.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a half hour comedy drama writer based in LA. Originally from India, I moved to New York City to study writing in 2017 before moving to LA in 2022. I write about mental health, generational trauma, complicated relationships, sexuality, and immigration – so you know, the fun stuff! A lot of my work focuses on protagonists who are on the brink of challenging a reality or way of being they have been accustomed to all their life, overnight. I think my instinct to constantly put myself out of my comfort zone carries through in my writing as well. In my journey working in the entertainment industry, I have learnt a lot of lessons. The most important one is to not judge my worth based on my achievements. I think seeking external validation is part of being an artist but to solely rely on that is not helpful and can be counter productive. Your quality of life and your perspective about yourself shouldn’t be based on what job, accolade or praise you’re getting and if you’re a writer, you should allow yourself to have fallow periods. Because then when you bounce back, your writing will be even more impactful and bold. All muscles in our body need rest! The goal is to not be hyper productive but to always be in dialogue with your creativity in a way that’s positive and productive, not punishing. Of course meet your deadlines! But don’t forget to enjoy what you do. I have found that this shift in my mindset over the years has had an uplifting impact on my writing, life and career as a whole.

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.
I am an east side girl through and through so most of my suggestions will be spots in that area. Barnsdall Art Park is a less known park in East Hollywood that offers you the best view of the Hollywood sign and the chillest picnic spot. I’m a big fan of walking (I know! Not usual for LA) so I would take them to walk along the Silverlake reservoir and the LA river – of course stopping at Spoke, the riverside bike shop and brewery. A visit to Echo park would be a must to check out the cute bookstores and eat at my favorite vegan restaurant Sage. I would ask them to catch a show with me at the Pasadena Playhouse and explore downtown Pasadena. I would end the trip exploring the Arts district and DTLA’s rich history by visiting some speakeasy’s and cool bars. I would also take them to my weekly volunteer shift at the Kitty Bungalow!

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?
Would love to shout out Kitty Bungalow, they are doing excellent work rescuing and rehabilitating stray cats in Los Angeles.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swati-sharma-58a361172/