Meet Taylor Karin | Actor & Filmmaker

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

Hi Taylor, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I don’t really know how to answer this question, because I feel like, when it comes to my career, the “work” and “life” are one in the same. I have the greatest job in the entire world. I love being an actor/creative, and see it as not just my work, but the greatest part of my life. So I feel, really often, like that work can consume my day to day- but joyfully and gratefully so.

It’s so fulfilling to do what I get to do every day, to grow, to accomplish new things, to audition for new people, to pursue my own endeavors, to let those projects lead me to new peers in the industry, to collaborate, even just to get a tea and take a walk with another creative I admire. I love being inspired by the people around me and I love making work all about what it means to be human. I love every single facet of my work. And I love all the new things it’s enabled me to do, and the new skills it’s allowed me to learn. There isn’t a thing I would change.

And maybe that’ll be different in a few years, but right now, it doesn’t feel like a balancing act- it just feels like I’m living my life on the terms I’d like to live it, doing the things that make me want to live better.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
That’s such a great question!! God, I don’t know- I think I’m really proud of my work ethic. I’m sure I can be outdone, but I don’t think I can be outworked. I’ve put in endless amounts of time, effort, and energy into the things I’ve worked on. And I think I balance that pretty well with being a decent type of person, who just wants to have fun doing my favorite thing with other people. I’m easy to get along with, and truly respect the process, and want to know more about every single end of filmmaking.

I’m especially proud, in this moment, of being secure enough as a creative that I can speak honestly. Being a woman in the film industry can sometimes be reductive. The imposition of being “nice” or “agreeable” on sets can be stifling, and even frightening when you can’t speak to your thoughts, beliefs, or physical boundaries. But I trust myself as an artist. I know I’ve done my homework. I’m open minded, but I’ve thought long and hard to form my artistic opinions, and I’m not afraid to ask questions. And despite some discouraging encounters on sets, I fight hard for every project I work on. I trust my team, I respect myself, and ultimately- I think my strength is just how much I care.

And that was built over years of telling myself that I am enough. And that’s why I’m here. Believing I’ve earned my place at the table is primarily because I had to tell myself that over the course of years and years. And it’s the best thing I ever did!! I had to believe it first. And now that I do, no one can tell me otherwise.

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’m pretty new here, so I don’t want to get chewed up and spit out for this. I don’t know the city TOO well yet!! But I’ll give it my best shot. I’m just gonna list some things I like:

– El Matador Beach, first thing to come to mind. Amazing when the tide comes in. Sweet and off grid.
– Los Feliz Flea!! I live in Los Feliz and it’s one of my favorite things to do- fun community.
– Griffith Park/Observatory! There’s some amazing races in Griffith Park, I did a 10k recently and it was the most fun time I’ve spent running! So maybe that. Of course observatory, too.
– I really love Pasadena! Colorado Street has great shops and restaurants, and a cute (albeit expensive) karaoke place found in Barney’s Beanery’s basement.
– We’re making sure to hit Magpies Soft Serve, any location. Favorite ice cream in the city (dairy allergies represent)
– Silverlake Reservoir. There’s a cutie little dog park there, and a cute strip of coffee shops I dig on.
– Highland Park has some CUUUUTE bars and a sweet little nightlife I’m really fond of.
– Biking around the LA “River” (very generous.) This of course includes stopping at Spoke for a snack, and SUAY Sew Shop for secondhand/sustainable clothing or the community dye bath!
– A comedy show at Largo at the Coronet (I saw Gary Gulman there, and he was incredible.)
– An American Cinematheque showing anything (the AERO is one of my favorite venues, that’s a killer theater. The Los Feliz Theater is also just a cutie.) Same goes for Vidiots!
– Elysian Park for some sweet running trails, cool views, and scorpion sightings!
– Bad standup comedy (can be found anywhere.)

I’m obviously an East LA girlie, but that’s all I can think of right now!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oof, there’s a lot! Obviously my family. Particularly my parents and their unending support have enabled me to live my life as a creative without the pressures of success for validation of my career. They believe in me and that belief is unyielding, and so motivating, without feeling pressuring. So duh, them. And my sisters- I have three and they’re beautiful, rich, interesting, hilarious, deeply human, out-of-this-world people who inspire me every day.

And then my friends and community. A great deal of my closest friends are artists and creatives. One of my closest friends, Amanda, is a singer/actress/multi-hyphenate living in New York City, who was just born knowing exactly how to be. One of my oldest friends, Tamar, one of the greatest party hosts you’ll ever meet in your life and a daily reminder of integrity, patience and planning. Other incredibly close friends/creative colleagues (Kelley, Daniella, Suzie, Hana, way too many to keep listing) who show me regularly their artistic integrity as well as their emotional capacity, being capable of showing me love and support at my neediest. My partner Major, who’s one of the single greatest artists I’ve ever had the honor of knowing and who validates my work constantly, both intentionally and unintentionally.

And genuinely duh, my manager, Anthony Leones!! He is the most ferocious fighter for his team, and being with him, I know I’m being taken care of. He’s my mama bear in this industry and he has saved me a million and one times.

And otherwise, the work of Ross Gay (a poet) feels especially relevant in my creative life right now. All the Henry O. Prize Winner Short Stories Books (the 2021 version being my favorite.) My therapist David and his insights on life and death and acceptance. My friend and creative colleague Thea who’s collaborating with me as a co-director on my upcoming project. My producer on that project, Travis, for always picking up the phone and caring enough to tell me to stop spending all my money, and for dragging us to production. And every single creative I’ve met along the way who’ve told me that my work means something to them. That was long, sorry! Is there a way to edit that down? I’m not sure.

Website: https://www.taylorkarin.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-karin/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUmEQkVRxA5eTN5c2w_mDkA

Other: VIMEO: https://vimeo.com/taylorkarin

Image Credits
Photographers: Chris Okimoto (portrait in the denim and red shirt) Major Dorfman (picture in the red dress laying down) Screengrabs from Straw Town (dir. Jacob Slusher) Down In New Orleans (dir. Neela Gerayli) A Good Cop (dir. David Chai) Overstimulated (dir. Taylor Karin)