Today we’d like to introduce you to Vaia.
Hi Vaia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from Canada, I am an LA based writer, director, actor and stuntwoman.
I aspired to be in movies and TV from a really young age.When I was around six, I would build ramps in the street and fly over them on my bike and skateboard, declaring that I was a stuntwoman! I kept building them higher and higher until I crashed. Early preparation for a career in stunts.
I loved action heroes growing up, especially Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider movies and Uma Thurman in Kill Bill.
I did all kinds of sports, competed in gymnastics then got in to martial arts, kickboxing and boxing. I attempted to get in to the film industry after high school but took a sidetrack when I committed full- time to boxing on the National team and subsequently moving to the States and having a professional career. After I retired from boxing I revisited my long-time dream of being in TV and films. I got my foot in the door first as a stunt performer, then an actor. I’m now transitioning in to writing and directing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! My journey in the film industry has had a ton of challenges. I got my start as a stunt performer in Vancouver landing my first stunt job in November 2009. I thought I was off to a great start, but only a few months later, Vancouver hosted the 2010 Olympics, which led to a complete halt in film production. In addition, the Canadian dollar became valued more than the US dollar, causing a significant decline in production opportunities over the next two years.
In search of better prospects, I relocated to Los Angeles, only to discover that many productions had moved to other states. This transition meant starting from scratch—securing my SAG card and establishing a new network of connections in a highly competitive environment. It was a long and challenging process. I continued to train and network and spent a year doing background work before finally landing my SAG card through a National commercial that called for an Olympic-level boxer, which aligned perfectly with my background.
Unlike many professions, stunt work often lacks a clear pathway, especially for those who aren’t born into the business. Stunt performers don’t have agents or managers like actors do to get them work. It’s largely your own hustle that will get you Film and TV jobs. And the hustle never stops. No matter how established you are, you always have to continue to evolve your skills, keep your marketing updated and stay fresh in the minds of people that can hire you.
One of the biggest challenges I faced in the beginning was the fact that there weren’t many actresses I could double with my height, body shape and ethnicity. I’m short but I couldn’t double kids as I am not built like one. However, there were some stunt coordinators that were impressed with my background as a professional fighter and gave me opportunities as an ND performer. An ND stunt role is where you play a character, usually without dialogue and then there is some type of action. Some examples could be a a riot scene, a bar fight or a shootout, where they need performers for a potentially dangerous scene and can’t risk using an actor for that. I got my start doing mostly ND work but since then I have had the opportunity as well to double some amazing actresses, like Salma Hayek, Rosie Perez, America Ferrara and many others.
I am beyond grateful that despite these obstacles I faced early on, I was able to build a career using my talents and abilities and doing what I loved to do. Of course, more obstacles showed up along the way that we’ve all had to deal with – namely COVID and the strike and the current state of the industry in California.
People these days are always talking about “in these uncertain times”. Times are never certain, never have been and never will be. I live by the belief that you have to just keep it moving, doing what you love, remaining in a positive state and trusting that things will work out.
These experiences taught me resilience and the importance of keeping your mind on the prize and mentally shutting out the obstacles. Each struggle has contributed to my personal and professional growth, reminding me that no matter how long you’ve been in the industry and no matter how successful you are, there will ALWAYS be challenges to overcome. It’s just part of the process. That makes the victories so much sweeter, doesn’t it?
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a filmmaker who specializes in writing and directing my own projects, a passion that has evolved alongside my extensive background as a stuntwoman and actor for the past 15 years. With over 120 SAG credits, I have been very fortunate to have worked closely with some of the biggest A-list actors and highly accomplished directors in the business.
I am known in the stunt industry for specializing in all types of fight scenes, taking hard hits and being able to deliver dialogue as well as performing the action.
My unique background as an athlete sets me apart in the industry. Before pursuing a career in the film industry I was a professional (World champion) boxer and before that an amateur National champion competing all over the world as a member of the Canadian National team. This year, I was honored to be inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame. In addition to boxing, I also have extensive experience in kickboxing, jiujutsu and MMA. Having been a real fighter in my past life, I bring an authenticity to what I do, whether it’s being the hero on the winning side of a fight or being the one having to take the hits, with the latter being the much more common scenario lol
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The film industry has transformed significantly in the last decade and will likely continue to evolve tremendously in the next 5-10 years. I think for sure the biggest change we’ll see is the use of AI. With AI we have streamlined numerous processes like editing, storyboarding, visual effects etc. resulting in increased efficiency and productivity but also threatens to eliminate certain jobs. I know my colleagues in the stunt industry have been very concerned about being replaced by AI over the last couple of years.
Another change I think we’ll see is studios focusing more on mid-budget films rather than the big budget blockbusters. For instance, what happened after the misstep with “Snow White”, may have studios more cautious about huge cost risks. Meanwhile, films like Anora, that cost only six million to make and won five Academy awards, may have the studios recognizing that smaller independent films have the potential for commercial success.
Yet another big shift I think we’re going to see is an increase in independent films funded outside the studio system. With technology these days it’s MUCH easier and affordable to produce high quality content than it used to be. Streaming platforms have created avenues for filmmakers to distribute their work without relying on major studios. Crowdfunding and social media provide independent filmmakers avenues for building an audience and fundraising that didn’t previously exist.
A trend I’d LOVE to see is people returning to see films in the theaters! Bring back movie date nights! Filmmakers design movies to be viewed in a theater setting, so let’s give them the full respect. The pacing, sound design, and visual storytelling are all crafted with the theatrical experience in mind, which I don’t think can be fully appreciated while watching at home with the dog barking, noisy neighbors or your cel phone going off!
Contact Info:
- Website: vaiazaganas.com – coming soon!
- Instagram: @vaiazaganas
Image Credits
pictures 4, 5 and 7 are AJ DeLeon
