Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Filley.
Hi Emma, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I practically grew up on stage. From competitive dance to local theater productions in San Diego, to choosing a path in the TV and Film industry. When I was younger, I remember watching kids my age, acting on my sister’s tiny television screen, and immediately thinking, ” How do I do that?” I started acting classes and jumped right into auditioning. I was living at home, so I would make every family member help me with self-tapes. My parents would always look at each other and ask, “Whose turn is it to read with her?” After booking a few jobs, I decided to take the leap and move to LA. It took a while to acclimate to a new city and learn to be independent in this career. Once I found my bearings, I got back into acting classes, and I finally felt like I was home and free to do what I love. My involvement in theater guided me. It is where I first learned confidence, came out of my shell, and took risks. It is a daily process with auditioning, studying, working, and filming, but watching my dream turn into reality is all worth it. With each step, I have been given amazing opportunities with the hope of many more to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I once had an audition in which I fully believed I was the perfect choice. Every physical feature of the character that was described resembled me, and on top of that, the character was dealing with the same struggles that I was at that time. This character felt effortless; it felt like me.
I did my first round of auditions, was happy with my performance, and ended up getting a callback. Acting is a tough job, so every callback I received, I viewed as a win.
I pushed myself as hard as I could with this initial callback and was fortunate enough to move ahead to the final call. At that point, I had already made specific playlists that revolved around this character and watched movies that had similar mannerisms to the role. In this last round of callbacks, the director said directly to me, “You are perfect for this part and exactly what we had in mind for this role.” I try my best not to be overly confident after auditions, but after hearing that, I truly felt like I had achieved the ultimate win of being cast in the role. Sadly, I heard nothing back. Which meant they went with another actor.
Acting can feel like an impossible career, and as easy as it is to say that I don’t worry about an audition after I do it, the truth is I stress after every single one. The rejection of not getting a part hurts just the same, regardless of how many times it happens. The only thing that helps me is evaluating how I felt after an audition and if I gave my all in the process. I try to be happy regardless of the outcome.
This job requires dedication, perseverance, drive, patience, and most importantly, a true love for the art. I have had many hard days where I have felt a lack of self-worth, questioning if I have what it takes.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in this mentality, but you just need to remind yourself that it’s not personal and you ARE good enough. You never know what they are looking for. Something as simple as your height could make the difference in who they choose. I remind myself to just be patient, keep pushing, write, create, memorize, and focus on the craft, knowing that I am just one audition away from making the dream a reality.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I act, sing, and dance. With an emphasis in acting, of course. I have been lucky enough to have worked on national commercials, films, and television series. I am most known for the film ‘Azi’ that got selected for Sundance in 2024. And have just wrapped two feature films that I cannot wait to share with the world. I am proud of the fact that I am working towards this dream without any hesitation, no matter how hard the journey has been. Every day, I strive to do something that helps me achieve my goal.
If I have no auditions to work on, I will find a script to memorize, watch movies with behind the scenes clips, or watch actors’ interviews. I do all of these things to not only become a better actor but also to be a better person on set and in life.
What does success mean to you?
I used to view success as consistent bookings, amazing roles, a walk on the red carpet, or even holding a shiny award in my hands. Now, as I’ve grown a bit more as an actor, I’ve seen the power of this medium and the influence a performance can have not only on me but on others as well. I hope to foster a career defined by impactful stories, meaningful experiences, and to inspire the next generation to challenge themselves, grow in their craft with each opportunity, and never give up on their dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10229309/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmafilleyy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Maya Dehlin Spach
Sarah Mireya
Ron Derhacopian
