Conversations with Salomé Costa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Salomé Costa.

Hi Salomé, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you for having me. I am a 26-year-old French/Italian who was raised in Sint Maarten, the Caribbean. I started acting back in middle school where I took a couple acting classes after school. After graduating, I put my dream of becoming an actress aside and went to study Psychology in London for a year. When that year was over, I realized that my passion for movies and my dream of becoming an actress were still constantly on my mind so, I decided to audition for “Les Cours Florent” in the south of France. I was accepted and studied there for three years. At that time I wrote and directed a short film named “Upside Down’ which won fifth place in the town’s festival “Revolution ton 8 Mars”. Surprisingly, my knowledge of psychology helped me with many characters that I later played or wrote about.

I also started modeling on the side and walked in two of Caroline Bouvier’s fashion shows.

Close to the end of my third year at Les Cours Florent, the Michelle Danner Acting Studio in Los Angeles contacted me to come study with them. I auditioned and was accepted. For the past three years, I have been in Los Angeles.

Last year I started working on the other side of the camera. I worked on many different short films and features as a producer, production manager, 1st AD, and PA. I also wrote, starred in, and produced another short film called “Consumption” which is currently in festivals. I recently opened my production company “Roll In Picture” and was accepted to the One on One/Next Level Studio in Hollywood. Today I work on both sides of the camera and still model on the side.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road.  Moving to Los Angeles wasn’t as easy.  It’s a huge city and even though is a wonderful place to live in, it wasn’t easy moving to a city where everyone has the same dream as me and is willing to do anything for it. The competition and the talent are through the roof but even though it isn’t easy, it pushes me every day to work a little harder and fight a little longer.

This year I’ve also learned that working in production is not a piece of cake. Being an actress has its struggle, such as the nerves of auditioning, the constant apprehension of getting rejected, the self-doubt, and the deeply emotional role which forces you to dig deep into yourself, but working on the other side of the camera is a whole different struggle. The number of problems that I had to figure out solutions to both on sets and in post-production for “Consumption” was uncountable. Managing a big team and figuring out light, sound, and equipment issues as well as the post-production with the editing, coloring, and score was exhausting. Nevertheless, looking back at it today I can say that it was a great experience that allowed me to learn so much and grow from it. It was one of the most challenging times that I had to deal with but it was essential for me to get where I am today. I mean, who doesn’t love to overcome a good challenge?

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actress, producer, and model, but I also love to write screenplays in my spare time. The movie world is my safe space.  I enjoy the whole process of this artistic form of telling stories. I love to make people feel emotions and allow them to get out of their heads for a little while to take them on adventures.

Production in my comfort zone. I’ve worked on many films as a producer as well as 1st Assistant Director. I enjoy being a leader in a team and watching all these talented people who share the same passion, come together, each of their own tasks, to create art. It fascinates me and brings me so much joy. However, acting is my passion. It is what makes me feel alive. I enjoy getting to know my character and understanding them as well as defending their story.

I am extremely proud of our short film “Consumption” and the wonderful team I had the chance to work with. I am so grateful to be living in the city of my dreams and being able to wake up every morning and do what I love.

Any big plans?
My plan for the future is to continue working on both sides of the camera and create powerful films. Have you ever watched a movie that stayed with you for a few days? It resonates and connects with you and makes you feel all sorts of emotions. This is what I want to do with my movies. I want people to get in touch with their emotions. It seems like nowadays, people are afraid of feelings, but I’m the opposite. I believe emotions make us feel alive and I’m pretty sure even the toughest person has cried in front of a movie once, and I think that’s beautiful.

Later, I think I’d like to open up my own acting studio and teach the future generation of actors and maybe filmmakers too. Pass on the knowledge that I would have acquired throughout these amazing years.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.salomecosta.com

Image Credits
– Yves Bright – Vincent Lattuca