Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessandra Reza.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alessandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started off as a dancer, from grade school all the way up to my senior year of high school. As I got older, I found myself digging deep into making music. I started by producing beats on Logic 9 & also started getting a bit more comfortable with singing. I was working with other producers/songwriters/engineers/ artists that were close to being signed or already signed and I got more serious about building my skill sets that I decided to enroll myself into the Los Angeles Recording School. Also, developing myself as a Model (not an Instagram model). Safe to say, you can call me a modern day renaissance. (I also paint)
During and after school, I found myself working on photography and videos a lot more since I have already been in front of the camera modeling for well-rounded photographers and clothing lines, it peaked my interest to get behind the lens. I purchased my first starter kit online in 2015 – a Nikon 3300 with three different lenses and a few SD cards. I still use it till this day and I will tell you why in a few. I have been making visualization videos to songs I loved. Every time I hear a song that makes me move or feel intensely, I start seeing images of how I would make it into a music video and I did! I would do my own version of a music video. I’d Incorporate movements in my years of studying dance and my confidence as a Model. Using myself and how I edit my videos as a way of storytelling through the artists music. I’ve also shot for clothing lines like “Let’s talk Nú”, a woman-owned business specializing in lingerie. And various well rounded models whom are assigned to an agency.
Throughout this time, I was working 2-3 part-time jobs. Bartender, Barback, & Security Supervisor for festivals/conventions. Finding ways as a young 20’s dreamer to make things happen for myself. A 9-5 as an accountant wasn’t working for me. Money was great, cubicles and lack of expression weren’t. Never making excuses as to why I couldn’t do both, the struggling worker to make ends meet and the aspiring director/artist. It’s tough. You will ask yourself time and time again if it’s even worth it to struggle because you want to do what you love. To answer that question; Without A Doubt it is Totally Worth It! But, this is why you have to have LOVE for what it is you want to do. If you don’t, you have an expiration date. Trial and errors, failure, doubts, those don’t go away. However, your perspective and love will turn those things into lessons and you will find smarter/faster ways to get to where you want to go. Also, not making the excuse of “I don’t have the time”. You have the time. What you should be asking yourself is are you prioritizing your time and is it going into your long term goal and craft or on short term happiness. That’s what it really comes down to. It comes down to sacrifices. Trading in your time with your friends and family, nights out spending money on clubs & bars, materialistic pursuits, and keeping with “trends”. That time and money should go into your skills and better quality tools. Keep your Eyes on the Prize! The fun will come later.
A few years later, I found myself in the Television Broadcast Industry as an Audio Engineer Assist, A crazy story actually on how I got in. I was working at Riot Games in Santa Monica, CA where they broadcasted Live Gaming Competitions for League of Legends, and I came across a gentleman whom is now a beloved mentor, Mr. James (Jim) Duvall, he was working in the Audio Master Control room there and I stopped to ask him a question. The question was; “How are you using Ableton for a live broadcast?”. Ableton is a music production software where you can produce music. To which he replied, ” I use it as a playback for commercial music”. After that, I just kept coming by and asked him questions over and over, so he finally asked if I ever thought about Television broadcast. The rest is history. I started working at Gearhouse Broadcast/ Gravity Media & throughout my time of being there, I have worked with big named clients & celebrities. Most importantly being in this industry help develop my skills I have today. With the knowledge of Producing Television, I found myself digging deeper into the “Director” roll in the film/television/music video industry. I’ve worked my way up to a respected role as a Broadcast technician / Head of Audio at a high tier company, Facebook, and let me just say… As a woman in this industry, or any entertainment related field – you need to be Tough, & Fast. Being in the position that I am in today in the short amount of time that it took me. I have high hopes that I will be a well-rounded Director in no time.
I am someone who loves to pursue various outlets to express myself creatively. & I love that I am making a living doing exactly that.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Haha, oh boy. No. It hasn’t been smooth and I don’t think that it does anywhere in the near future. I don’t believe in overnight successes. So, with that you will definitely come across more challenges than struggles. The reason why I say that is because it’s all about perspective and how you look at a situation. As the cliche goes: ” Good things don’t come easy”. If you expect to get anywhere far, you gotta work for it and do it out of love. Cause if you don’t love it, you’re more than likely not going to stick to it.
With ALL of that being said, I have definitely come across some tough challenges. Like I’ve mentioned earlier, as a woman in the entertainment industry, you need to be TOUGH and FAST. Whether we like it or not ladies, it is a male-dominant industry. You will be talked down on, you will be challenged, you won’t be taken seriously right away, and so forth. The trick to all of that is, and probably the hardest things to do in situations like that, SMILE and GET YOUR S&*^T DONE. Be mature and work harder and smarter. Stay consistent and hold your ground. You will make it and you will SUCCEED. It is more of a challenge being a woman than the lack of experience. Experience and knowledge is endless growth. You should never put yourself in a position where you think you don’t have anything else to learn. That’s my key to success. Keep growing, keep thriving, fall down 10 times, get up 11.
Let’s level out the field, Ladies.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
There is so much that is in the works and already being formulated. As I dig deeper in the modeling and acting world, I am also continuously working with Artists directing/Filming/Editing their videos and creating my own visualizations in my spare time.
Also, the broadcast world has always been my career backbone. Working with A-list celebrities and a great Broadcast team behind me I am only making my chances greater in achieving my end goal as a director sooner rather than later.
Stay tuned. You will see my name on the big screen and my face/style on billboards.
Pricing:
- Photography – $250
- Video/Directing (comes with editing) – $350 10 hour day rate
- Editing – $250
Contact Info:
- Email: reza.alessandra@gmail.com
- Instagram: alessandra.nxcole
Image Credit:
Alessandra Reza & Kevin Soriano – @k.spanky
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