Daily Inspiration: Meet Clara Bach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Bach.

Hi Clara, 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?
I was born and raised in a small town in western France. Since I was a child, my parents raised me with a worldwide cinematographic culture; I was fascinated by these stories and characters. My parents worked nonstop, and I hated school. I felt that the institution was trying to shut down my creativity, as if I were merely a number to be used by society, rather than a unique individual with my own aspirations and goals. Along with all of that, we had a lot of family issues and I got bullied at school. I needed to grow up quickly and understand the violence around me in order to cope with it more effectively. My mother, who has always been such a dedicated lover of art forms, gave me a “theater class”. It wasn’t properly theater, but more a way of freeing myself from all the pain I was going through, and how to use ‘acting’ to be tougher, to survive it all. That being so, watching movies became my escape, it made me feel alive. At the age of five, I asked my father, “Where do you make films, how do you go ‘inside’ the TV?”. He said, “Anywhere, but in my opinion, the United States is great at making movies”. Say less. I wanted to be an actor. I could be everyone and everything forever. A world where imagination and creation are endless.

Inevitably, everyone around me judged me. So I did the unthinkable. I gave up on my dream. I set it away in order to look ‘normal’ during middle school. But nothing excited me more than Acting, so I started theater (for real this time) and played the most iconic characters of French theater. Bad luck strikes one more time! In High School, I was once again bullied; but by a teacher. Believe me, it feels really different. I felt miserable; life made no sense, and my head was filled with awful ideas. In my lowest hour, I got a flash of insight. I couldn’t let it happen to me; I couldn’t let people decide what my future would be. I knew my worth. I knew I could achieve great things. So, I did what I did best. I acted to save myself from a situation at school that could have been a total and fatal disaster, which requires its own interview (laugh).

After what had occurred, it was time to make a change. I strongly believe that if you dream to do something after a while, and if it is still in your mind, then it’s worth taking the risk. Someone once said that the bridge between reality and a dream is work, so, I applied at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles for a BFA in Acting for Film. When I got accepted, I knew my life would be forever changed. My 5-year-old me could not be prouder.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As you can see, the path to obtaining this ultimate goal was not effortless. On the other hand, I’m confident that because of those previous ‘fights/wars’, I became stronger and more determined than ever to face challenges. Whatever happens, you must be your own shield. So, I spent a year organizing my departure to another continent without landmarks. I knew no one. I was scared because I was only 18 years old but excited to finally be my true self. Obviously, I was saddened to leave the people I care about, my family and friends. Each of them has given me incredible strength, and I am so grateful for their faith in me. I wanted to show myself that I was capable of embarking on this journey. Of course, going off alone means being alone, and the mind can be a terrible enemy, but I’ve turned solitude into an ally.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I recently produced my own short film “Limerence”, directed by Mohammed Alshehhi. I also shared the screen with Brayden Barfield. This short film was a fantastic experience; between writing the script, the acting, and the millions of additional elements and duties at stake, I experienced every aspect of the movie business. “Limerence” is available on my website.

Aside from that, I recently completed my course at the New York Film Academy where I have learned skills and developed knowledge about acting. I’ve gained confidence and keep pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. I am rigorous about my work, and I appreciate working with people that share such work ethics. Furthermore, I learn a lot from others around me, and it’s true that this industry is fantastic for meeting new people from all over the world. It’s a great opportunity to network and establish your own general culture, as well as to create and explore new stories. Working hard always reminds me that it takes a lot of guts to start this job and even more courage to keep it going.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe we have a tendency to compare ourselves to others way too often, especially when attending events to meet new people. It’s crucial to realize that we’re all terrified by the circumstances, but some people manage to hide their anxiety better than others. The best approach to network is to be yourself. Yes, it may sound cliché, but that’s the truth. Let people discover you for who you are. In any case, you must work hard and make your own luck.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.clarabach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarabach_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-bach-306b5b276/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14150334/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
@amandarowanimaginery (headshots) @patil_vaishnavi20 @nuha.imagery