Conversations with Leeanne Bauer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leeanne Bauer

Hi Leeanne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been drawn to performing since I was a little girl. Growing up in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY and raised by a single father, our connection was always rooted in music and the arts. We had singing battles in the car and worked together on school projects for drawing and art class. As an adult, I realize how critical his encouragement has been for me on my path to performing.

Music has always been my first love, and years after those car battles with my dad, I made a series of moves to Los Angeles and Nashville, always in pursuit of furthering my music career and fulfilling a need that felt innate to who I was as an individual. I had the opportunity to work with some exceptionally talented and seasoned music professionals and released several singles independently while performing live for several years.

When the pandemic hit and music venues closed down, my need for performance remained, and I took the first steps to transform and expand my artistic focus into acting and film. The past few years in the film industry have been such a wild ride and one I would never take back.

As an actress, I find myself drawn to roles and character types with an edge to them. With the ability to draw from my life experiences and upbringing, I lean into characters of traumatic experiences and am really proud of those moments when I get a chance to play a layered character of extreme circumstance. Within the context of everyday life, I often try to suppress past traumas and experiences, so I truly love when I get the chance to live through those moments and connect with the audience in a really raw and vulnerable way.

Over the last year or so, with all the volatility in the film industry, I’ve dipped my toe into producing, writing, and directing. I’ve worked and collaborated with so many talented individuals and have found a new side my artistic growth in creating my own content, centered around strong female characters that were I can pull from my upbringing and background, and that resonate with other women. I’m excited to have several projects now in several stages of production and look forward to sharing them with a larger audience.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t say any of my achievements have been a smooth road, but the satisfaction is in the experience of it for me. I’ve always prided myself on being something of an underdog, proving my worth to others that have doubted me. So within that is inherent conflict and obstacle. I welcome the obstacles. The bumpy pieces of the road are really what drive me. I always take the struggles as lessons and move forward, a diligent student always wanting to learn and educate myself. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned so far have really propelled me towards success.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
First and foremost, creating and participating in projects that have profound meaning and themes are truly what drives me as an artist. I’ve spent the better part of this year focusing on a few projects that portray strong female lead characters and their emotional journey in what would typically be a male-dominated environment.

Storytelling and utilizing pieces of my own life experience to connect with the audience, is ultimately what drives my passion for film and creating stories.

This year, I’ve been involved in producing, writing, acting, and co-directing, expanding my skillsets in front of and behind the camera. I’ve had amazing opportunities to work with a few household names, and am actively working for a production company to continue to grow my experiences in film. I am proud of my achievements in collaborating and creating stories that focus not just on overcoming adversity, but moreso on the internal battle that comes with extreme circumstances.

As I look toward the second half of this year, I am thrilled that I have also just wrapped production on an action / thriller feature film, Blackout. My experience on this set expanded into co-writing, co-directing, producing, and acting. I got a chance to add to my list of experiences that I will never forget as we pulled together a world that was post nuclear blast, and executed an extremely condensed filming schedule with a limited budget. I have joined a production company (Rad Cine Films & Villainous Films), and am extremely grateful for the education and camaraderie I’ve received from its founder, David M Parks).

Working together from the proof of concept shot last year with him, I am also excited to see my feature film project that is in development gain some traction – a military genre feature film with historical relevancy in regard to women in ground combat, titled ‘The Risk Rule’. This film is extremely special to me, as I have also helped to co-write it with themes and content based loosely on my own personal experiences. Pulling together a team of creatives and with a significant veteran presence on our cast and crew, I look forward to bringing another strong female-lead storyline to life.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think there have been a couple lessons this year in particular that have really helped propel some of my work. One of them has been to never rely on others or wait for your opportunities to land in your lap. With the current state of the film industry, I think carving a path with creating my own stories and content has been the most valuable tool I have at my disposal at the moment. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to land with an outstanding group of production & film creatives. After some failed attempts, I am thrilled to have found a team that has the same loyalties, motivations, goals, and contributes equally so everyone gets a piece of the successes that follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leeannebauer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeanne_bauer/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14059758/

Image Credits
Hosstyle Photgraphy
Anel Muro
David M Parks
TJ Hastings
Adam Hendershott