Today we’d like to introduce you to Gia Bay.
Hi Gia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started in school theater in Toronto, where I acted until my last production in my final year of high school. In high school, I was also scouted by a modeling agent (Elmer Olsen @ Elite Models at the time). This lead to my first photo shoot arranged by Mr. Olsen. I was in the eighth grade at the time. I modeled for many years while also attending high school and then York University.
I actually had a plan to become a criminal lawyer or a psychologist when I started at York. By the second year, in a film course I enrolled in, I had a life-changing epiphany. I had a flashback of the theater productions I had been a part of over the years and while watching a classic movie in class, I realized I wanted to pursue acting. I had no idea where to begin but I decided I was going to take a break from school to figure it out. A couple of weeks later, I received a job opportunity to work for a producer developing a film in Toronto at the time. I began working for him almost immediately. I also enrolled in an acting class he and his partner recommended. I was also modeling to continue to build my portfolio in order to apply for immigration to the US.
Finally, a couple of years later I received a life-changing call from my lawyer that the documents I needed were approved. I was moving to LA. Once I arrived in LA, I knew about two people both in the industry and to this day are mentors I am very grateful that I met along my journey. They directed me to some great acting coaches for where I was at with my work at the time. In class, I discovered some photographer names and learned more about what my next steps were to be. I began auditioning for any project I could get a self-submission from through online actor submission sites.
I signed with a modeling agency where I actually booked some SAG TV and film work that helped me get my SAG card. I then found an acting agent but not having anything substantial I had to work on student films, shorts, independent films that never came out and I chased down my material for years trying to get any piece of film I worked on. I did this for years. Finally, when my acting advanced with hard work and better and better acting coaches that pushed me, encouraged me and guided me, I booked an independent film called ‘Chaser’ in Ohio. I was excited about the part, which up until this point I had never been before. The production flew me out there for a month to shoot. My following project was in Canada during the covid lockdowns. This was my first recurring role on a TV series called ‘Diggstown’ on CBC in which I play a police inspector named Chozanne Lopez. Recently I booked my latest role on a TV series where I will appear in Season 5 but I can’t talk about it at the moment. Follow me @giabay for future updates. It will also be updated on my IMDb if you’re curious. https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2816739/filmography
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely had its struggles along the way and some smooth moments as well.
First, immigration which was a lengthy and expensive process. Once in LA not being able to spend quality time with my family (for years sometimes). Also, financially balancing paying for acting classes, voice classes, photoshoots and printing, submissions, traveling back and forth to auditions, expenses with self-taping and not to mention the regular expenses like rent (LA prices), gas, car, insurance, etc. You get the point. The balancing of life and living with building a career in this industry (which takes time) is the biggest struggle.
It is definitely a journey but those smooth moments when they arrive feel like the sky opened up and the sun began to shine again. Moments like breakthroughs in class with the work, breakthroughs in class with your own personal growth through the work, starting to get callbacks, booking the work and getting the opportunity to meet and work with people that share your passion for the storytelling. Those are the smooth moments that make it all worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actor. Known for playing Chozanne Lopez on ‘Diggstown’ CBC/ BET+ (Season 3 and 4). Also, the English voiceover of Sara on Netflix’s ‘Skylines and the English voiceover of Chantal on Rising High also on Netflix. Future projects include a series I will be appearing on this summer in Season 5 (I can’t mention the name just yet) and Chaser (a series that was just picked up for distribution).
Recently, I’ve started to write. Slowly, I’m just getting into the writing side but there are a lot of stories that I don’t get auditions for that I want to tell. So I’m excited about this!
What makes you happy?
Great question!
My family and knowing they are ok.
Kind people, empathetic people and the opportunity to have a conversation with them no matter how brief on my journey through life. People sharing their stories with me makes my soul happy because they trust me to do so and it opens my heart and gives me a deep level of happiness.
My work makes me happy because I grow a lot through it and being able to grow spiritually and empathetically makes my soul happy.
Being able to share a story and give a voice to a character a writer has written. That rare connection when I read the words on the page and am transported into the characters world. That makes me happy. When that happens, it’s like a portal to the next stage of growth in my life shall I accept the challenge/ blessing of being able to have time to explore and get to know this character from their eyes and in their world and give her a voice.
Also, being in love brings me great happiness. There is something about that magical connection between two souls.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2816739/filmography
- Instagram: @giabay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giabaygiabay
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giabay
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/giabay
- Other: https://m.facebook.com/iamgiabay/
Image Credits
CBC BET+ Zero Gravity Media Films Diego Madrigal
