Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Masson.
Sofia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As a child, I had a tremendous amount of energy and was always putting on shows for my family, friends and for my classmates. From ballet recitals in the living room to short scenes in the kitchen with barbies and other makeshift props, my performances eventually led me to ballet and drama classes. My name is Sofia Masson and I’m a native New Yorker of Brazilian heritage. Having lived in the United States, Europe, and Canada, I can definitely say that my multicultural upbringing has contributed to the person and the artist I am today.
My passion for performing really began to flourish during my elementary school years in Berlin, Germany. As an American living in Germany, I was able to overcome the difficult cultural and language barriers through the languages of dance and of music. My devotion to performing only strengthened when my family moved to Miami, Florida. Moving back to the States was an adjustment, but the theatre once again brought a sense of community. I performed in my first major musical production at the Miami Children’s Theatre Company. These new experiences brought a sense of camaraderie and commitment to my life and I began to see performing as more than just a hobby.
Coming full circle, I eventually moved back to New York. It was refreshing to return to the artistic hub of the City where the opportunities are endless. My high school years shaped me tremendously as an artist. I was introduced to the works of Tennessee Williams, Chekhov, and Shakespeare, to name a few. I participated in city-wide Shakespeare monologue competitions and was awarded for three consecutive years. I also studied ballet, modern, and West African dance at Alvin Ailey while also taking tap and jazz classes at Steps on Broadway, sharing studio spaces with professional Broadway dancers. My high school musical productions were performed at off-Broadway theaters, and I was also lucky enough to perform at Carnegie Hall as a vocalist and violinist. The stage was where I was able to do everything I loved: sing, dance, and act. I loved the thrill of a live audience. Big or small. Towards the end of my junior year, I acted in my first film. The process was different, but I loved it. At the film’s screening, I was told by a professional that I had a gift for the screen and I needed to pursue it. I was always a theatre kid and I had never really considered film acting, but something sparked inside of me and I couldn’t ignore it.
College led me to Montreal, where I spent my undergraduate years studying theatre and film at McGill University. I began working for McGill’s student television company known as TVM, where I eventually became the Executive Producer. While my passion for theatre never subsided, I was increasingly involved in the world of film. I was writing, directing, and acting in short films, and thereby dissipating any possible doubts that I’d want to pursue this path.
At the end of my college years, I found myself at a crossroads. I took a leap of faith by going to college in Montreal, and it only felt right to take another leap to an unfamiliar city: Los Angeles, where I’ve been living for three months and have already found an incredible community of artists.
I consider myself a citizen of the world and I strive to incorporate my worldliness into my art. Being exposed to many different cultures has led me to have an open mind, to learn to adapt, to accept differences, and to not be too strongly rooted in one place. I believe many of these attributes can be applied to my work as an actor as I navigate another new and exciting chapter of my life.
Great, 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?
Life isn’t a smooth road. There will always be obstacles, but I view these obstacles as a test of character. Moving so frequently at a young age was not easy. Oftentimes, once I felt rooted in a community with reliable friends, it was time to move again. That’s hard for someone in their formative years, yet it forced me to adapt and to be open-minded. In many ways, I think these qualities have helped me. The creative space is collaborative. Everyone carries his or her own vision, yet accepting and appreciating differing perspectives can make the creative process so much more worthwhile.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an actor and freelance filmmaker. While I’m not on set or auditioning, I’m usually photographing or filming events. I have developed a deep passion for food photography and documentary filmmaking, dating back to college when I created, directed, and produced a miniseries about restaurants in Montreal inspired by Netflix’s “Chef’s Table.” As a freelancer, I’m quite proud of the influence I’ve been able to have on local communities. The series that I produced and directed not only told the stories of how these restaurants came to be, but also helped generate business. These opportunities eventually led me to work as a videographer for the world-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, for whom I wrote, produced, and directed another miniseries by the name of “When the Apron Comes Off.” As an actor and filmmaker, I love creating art that can serve a community.
I’m an artist and an academic and there have certainly been moments when I saw these two aspects of my identity as dichotomous. I’ve come to realize, however, that being the academic and studious person that I am has only strengthened my artistic self. I’ve developed a curiosity that fuels so much of my work. I always want to learn more, read more, watch more, and listen more. The same applies to my work as an actor. The deeper I dive, the more I want to discover about the characters I portray.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
A few years ago, I wrote, shot, directed, and edited an experimental film that was awarded best film in its category at the Montreal Fokus Film Festival. The film was a very personal piece, focusing on mental health, and it felt surreal to see my work on the big screen let alone win an award. This was my proudest moment by far as a filmmaker.
As an actor, my proudest moment is quite recent. Having arrived in Los Angeles less than three months ago, this moment happened one evening in early March when I got home after wrapping on a project for which I had prepared for weeks. As I sipped my tea at 5 am sitting at my kitchen table, I found myself feeling such a rush of adrenaline. Despite having just wrapped after four consecutive overnight shoots, I didn’t feel tired. I felt energized as I thought to myself: this is the gratifying feeling of being a working actor.
Contact Info:
- Website: sofiamasson.com
- Phone: 6464076104
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sofia_masson_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofiamasson2020
Image Credit:
Photography by: Kerrious at https://kerrio.us/; Sean Carney at McGill University
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