Make Your Own Acting Opportunities: Advice from a Female Filmmaker

May 31, 2019 | Cat Elliott

Actress, filmmaker, the owner of two production companies: Alexandra Boylan has worn many hats. She’s known for “Catching Faith” and “Wish for Christmas,” both of which she starred in, co-wrote and co-produced. The same is true of her most recent film, “Switched,” in which she joins a cast that includes Denise Richards and John Schneider. But how did she go from being a self-described struggling actress to a successful filmmaker creating her own roles? Boylan took time to share how she navigated her path and how other actors find their way to similar success.

 

Alexandra Boylan

How did this journey begin for you?

“I moved to LA when I was 19 years old to pursue acting. Ten years later, I was still pounding the pavement, trying so hard but just not being able to get an agent or book anything. I felt like I had to remove myself from LA to get a new perspective. I heard that the film industry was going to Albuquerque, New Mexico so that’s where I moved. While there, I met Richard Galli and John K.D. Graham on a short film. I had written a short film of my own, and I asked them if they wanted to make it with me. They said yes, and that was sort of the beginning.

We eventually made our first feature together, ‘Home Sweet Home,’ for $10,000 with like five people. We ended up selling it to Image Entertainment, and it did really well. I had spent 10 years in LA trying to make it as an actor and then after making my own movie, I would walk into Walmart and see myself on the cover of a DVD. So I always tell actors, ‘Make your own opportunity. Because you could wait for 10 years, and no one’s going to give it to you.’”

 

What do you like about being behind the camera?

“I get to tell stories that I really believe in and really love. But I never thought they were going to be within the faith-based family genre. I noticed a lack of female-driven movies there, though, so my mission became creating films for women in that genre. I mean, 90 percent of the audience buying these movies are women. Why are we not speaking to them?

‘Switched’ tells a story around a topic I feel very strongly about: bullying. The movie centers on two girls in high school, a bully and her victim. The latter prays that the bully would know what it’s like to walk a day in her shoes, and they wake up switched. It’s ‘Mean Girls’ meets ‘Freaky Friday.’ Along the way, the girls find empathy and compassion for each other. I think we should always be creating movies that start a conversation on how we can love people better. And the movie really addresses that you cannot love somebody else unless you first love yourself.”

 

What advice would you give to actors who want to make opportunities for themselves by creating their own content?

“Unless you know a writer, you need to start by writing a script. When you’re writing it, keep in mind what kind of part you want to play. And know that you have to start somewhere. No one knows anything until they’ve done it, and if you fail, you fail. Whatever. You get back up and try again. Funding can be a little tricky, but if you have talented people on your team, you can do a lot with a little. You just need the material, a camera and sound. From there, keep the scope of the project realistic to what you have to work with.”

If you’re an actor struggling to find opportunities, consider taking Boylan’s advice and create your own. Don’t be afraid to write your own stories, creating a role for yourself that you’d love to tackle. As she points out, everyone has to start somewhere. With some perseverance, you may even end up in a place where other actors are seeking your advice. Boylan published “Create Your Own Career in Hollywood: Advice from a Struggling Actress Who Became a Successful Producer” to help answer the questions she frequently gets from actors. And with the role of “author” under her belt, Boylan can add yet another hat to her impressive collection.

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