Check Out Andrea Orta’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Orta.

Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up surrounded by the arts. I trained in ballet, ice skating and theatre, so it was unsurprising that I chose a career in performance. I always thought I’d end up in musicals or on the stage, but my first encounter with film soon shifted that attention. I got to work as a background artist on Bohemian Rhapsody, and the set was so impressive, the energy so electrifying, that I quickly succumbed to the movie magic. Since then, I wanted to learn more about the ins and outs of film and television. And I have worked multiple jobs in front and behind the camera.

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?
Honestly, one of the biggest challenges is staying motivated and disciplined as a freelancer. When you’re an actor, there are a lot of rejections and slow waits. This can be very disheartening and affect your self-esteem. But something I hold onto is advice that Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston said: don’t audition to get the job. Acting is about self-discovery, so I try to remember the fun in playing and exploring the character, even in commercials. I also make sure to stay involved in training, auditing classes and going to improv to stay fresh. And most importantly, scheduling my time always! It’s important to keep a consistent routine so you feel a sense of stability, and it also helps with being consistent in your work as you have a process you rely on.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I always say I’m an actress and writer because this double hyphen is part of what sets me apart from others. I have a lot of double hyphens; I’m Venezuelan and British. I was born in Venezuela but have spent the majority of my life in Europe, and so I think writing and playing characters that can share in the multifaceted of multiple cultures is important to me. I love writing and being a part of the creative development of a script, and I think my best work has been when I’ve been able to perform in projects I helped creatively produce. Another thing which is particular to me is that most of my experience has been in plays and musicals. Being theatre trained is a huge benefit as it gives actors such a strong foundation to draw from. Most recently however, I’ve definitely been focused on screen and internet projects. This year I was in a PokemonGo commercial campaign, worked with Abbott Elementary and BuzzFeed, and acted in the upcoming web series “And They Were Roommates”.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice is to reach out to the communities you feel most a part of. For example, I often go to panels and networking nights hosted by Women In Film, a popular group here in LA, and it’s so great to meet others in similar positions to yourself or who can give you insight into their trajectory. The Latino Filmmakers Network is another great platform and group which supports new and established artists. There’s also a lot of writer’s meet-ups hosted around LA, and you can often find information about them on Twitter.

The most important thing is to stay open to talking and listening to others and keep a lookout for opportunities to meet other creatives. Really special things always come out of collaboration so it’s crucial to meet other writers, directors, editors, crew members and everyone who makes the filmmaking process possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aandreaorta/

Image Credits
Sean Kara Photography Alonso Quintero Fregoso Jide Kol Photography