Today we’d like to introduce you to Sallieu Sesay.
Sallieu, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At 18, I discovered my love for theatre when I auditioned for the Laramie Project as a freshman and won over five distinct roles. My roles varied in the range from the Reverend Fred Phelps who was a racist homophobic to a Baptist Minister and then to a convict. It was something that those instructors saw, which further encouraged and solidified my determination to focus on life in the arts.
Coming from a single family home and being the first family member to attend college in the states placed an incredible amount of pressure on me. I was torn between following my heart and passion and obtaining a degree in a more practical line of work. I went back and forth between nursing and theatre for many years.
Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I would obtain a bachelors degree in nursing believing that it would in some way help fuel me in the future. As the old adage goes if you love someone, in my case it was this “thing”; that if you let it go and it comes back to you, then it was meant for you. I did just that I let it go.
I worked as a nurse in Seattle Washington after graduating from Washington State University where I obtained my Bachelors Degree in the Science of nursing. After five years of working in convalescent homes, hospitals and in administration I had had enough. I sat my family down and told them that I was unhappy with the way my life was going.
That although I was driving a Mercedes, had nice clothing and had traveled overseas three years in a row I felt unfulfilled. Furthermore, I explained that I was putting in my two weeks notice at my job and moving to Los Angeles. I did exactly that. On Nov. 17th of 2014, I drove from Seattle to Los Angeles. I had a direct transfer to a sister facility that I was previously working at and ended up in Downey California.
I rented a room from a very kind woman who is still a good friend to this day. She just so happened to be a real-estate agent and often encouraged me to buy a home. Exclaiming that my first home doesn’t have to be my dream home. I headed to her advice, and five months later I had the keys to my first home less than 10 minutes from where I had landed in Los Angeles.
I first started training at Ivana Chubbucks studio in West Hollywood. There I learned scene study and character study. I went between training in classes and applying what I was learning in my scene study and audition technique classes in the real world. I slowly began to make artistic and professional progress.
Although it didn’t make sense to many family members, especially, why I would leave a position paying me approximately $30 hourly to make nothing for 12 hours on a student film. Or why I would eventually graduate to making $125 for a 12 hour day which is just a little over $12 an hour. I knew and still know that I was and am gaining the experience that I’ll need improve my stock.
I believe that what I do is improving on the intangible. At least that’s how its viewed by many. That I am working on something that can’t be seen or touched, but please believe it can be felt. It’s felt when I speak those words, and its felt when those words and actions resonate with audiences.
After just recently having my four year anniversary and obtaining a new manager, shoutout to my Numero Uno Liz Fuller. I’m ready for the next decade and beyond. To be filled with great accomplishment. This is something that I have chosen to make my lifelong conquest. I’m not concerned about when or how long it will take me.
What I am concerned about is making sure that with each week, each month and each year I get one step closer to becoming The Best Actor Alive. To becoming Your Favorite Actors, Favorite Actor. To becoming someone whose story and struggle brings a person to an emotional place that will inspire them to follow their hearts desires and not merely a paycheck.
Just typing these words takes me to an emotional place because I’m fully aware of the sort of sacrifices that artists make in order for their art to be seen, heard and felt.
Has it been a smooth road?
My major struggle has been a personal one. I have struggled with the lack of time that I’ve had to give to my dear son. My daughter got to have a daddy for the five years I was in Seattle basically working as a nurse and being a father.
My son, however, was in the womb, and I was down here in LA. I didn’t get to read to him when he was in his mother’s tummy like I did with my daughter. My son also had different caregivers from the Time he was six weeks old up until now.
He is currently three years old. At one point I was working full time as a nurse in the hospital, taking a scene study class, audition technique and improve. Also, self-tapping, having in-person auditions and just simply commuting one hour from East LA to the West Side.
My heart just breaks for my poor boy because a part of me knows that this is the time that I will never ever get back. I felt that my bond with him won’t be as strong as it is with my daughter.
Other struggles include having a real lack of money when I went for over a year and a half without working a single day in nursing. I’m at that place now where I am attempting to find that balance. Still, there is that regret and guilt that I have which sits heavy upon my heart.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
As an artist, you are your brand. You are your sole proprietor. What I do that sets me apart from some deals with my mobile self-taping. I actually carry with me my Sony a6300 mirrorless camera, 50mm lease, standard lease, backdrop, tripod, sound equipment, editing equipment, lights, etc. I often help out many many people in this industry. Many of them are friends, and from time to time they’ll gift me a little something here and there.
In doing this, I’ve been able to make healthy comparisons in how often they’re going up for roles. I’m able to see how some peoples team works for them and how others develop an understanding and need to move on.
I also write and produce my own shorts and my own scenes. I look to see what I feel like I’d be right for on TV and I write that role. I film it, with 4k quality image and great sound. This allows me to learn about production through trial and error, also applying what I’ve seen on set. Furthermore, it provides demo reel footage for me, my friends and the casting people who will be hiring us for jobs during pilot season and episodic season.
I am most proud of the satisfaction and bragging rights that my friends have in their partnership with me. I also say that my friends are “lit” and that my team is winning. I believe in that. I surround myself with men and women who are die-hard thespians. People who live this stuff, read, and breath this stuff.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
This city is the best place for an artist to be. We literally have an arts district where fine art, modern art and other pieces are displayed and sold. We have plays being put on, we have major studio networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and many others.
Where better could a person cut their teeth than Los Angeles? We have more casting offices here than any other city in the nation. Now, I may be wrong with that statement, but I doubt it. Perhaps New York City is the only other place that comes close.
Pricing:
- @mobileselftapes on Instagram. Self tapes at your door for $50 an hour. Much less than the $1 a minute charged at other places. Plus the editing and uploading is done at no additional charge.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sallieusesay.com
- Phone: 310 595 5991
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sallieu
- Facebook: Sallieu Sesay
- Twitter: @Iamsallieusesay
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
