Daily Inspiration: Meet Lola

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lola

Hi Lola, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ll be very brief: When I was born, my mom said I came out with a notebook, a pen, and a microphone. I remember watching Disney Channel and seeing a commercial with a phone number attached to call if you wanted to be on TV. I wrote the number down and showed it to my mom, saying, “This! I wanna do this!” She quickly enrolled me in acting classes.

When I was 9, I got signed to my first modeling agency, Wilhelmina, in New York City and quickly started modeling and acting. When my family and I moved to Los Angeles at the age of 12, I continued to audition and act. There, I tangentially expanded my scope of passion to photography, writing, and eventually, directing.

I would make films on Photo Booth and iMovie, forcing friends and family to participate in the chaos of my storytelling. I would say yes to each and every creative project somebody asked me to be a part of. I still do this. I love every facet of the creative industry so why limit myself? ‘Oh, you need a sound engineer, a creative director, a producer? I’d love to!’ Even if I had no idea what I was doing. Especially then! That’s the best way I have learned: by doing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh abso-freaking-lutely not. Every other day is a struggle. Some days the road is paved with water fountains and a mowed lawn. Other days, I am not even sure if there is a road.

Starting out in the industry is always a struggle, especially if you are not well connected to it. Getting people to trust you, especially if you are seemingly green, will always be a struggle.

This industry is extremely difficult to not take personally. You are too big, you’re too small, nobody knows who you are, we just cast someone we found off the street, you don’t have enough followers, etc etc.

The best piece of advice I have ever gotten was: this industry is full of bullshitters, you have to start bull shitting yourself. The grind never stops, no matter how successful.

The artistic industry is one that is constantly in process. I am constantly striving for ‘satisfaction’ and when I reach said satisfaction, there is something new I crave. It’s the most beautiful and devastating part of this business. The struggle is constant, yet I choose it. And I will choose it over and over and over again.

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?
To not succumb to the demise of my self-flatulence: I am an actor, writer, director, and producer. I dabble in photography as well, but what girl with a vintage film camera doesn’t?

I started writing before I could speak, my mother says. I minored in creative writing in college, where I scripted various plays, poetry and have been published in various literary magazines such as The Underground and New Croton Review. I also wrote and starred in my first short film at 19 years old called Bus Stop. With heavy inspiration from Samuel Beckett’s, ‘Waiting For Godot’, my rendition was about two people in a relationship waiting for a bus that would never come. This symbolizes how stuck both of them feel in their relationship. Neither one satisfied, yet neither one wants to end it.

Acting has also been an integral part of my life. I acted in my first short film at 9 years old, and my first feature film at 19 called, “Who Invited Charlie?”

Last year, I co-founded a theatre company with my two peers, Jadene Meyer and Esther Kohl (fellow LA natives/creatives), where I produced a production of Clare Barron’s play ‘Dance Nation’ which I also directed and acted in at Royal Family Productions’ Off-Broadway theatre last May. Having no prior directing or producing experience, it was the greatest challenge and most beautiful thing I have ever created. This further exemplified to me the art of creating takes a village; be grateful for the one you foster, and foster it wisely.

My goal, always, is to foster a passionate and collaborative environment with my peers. I am constantly awe-struck at the talent that surrounds me. This industry is tough. And it is even tougher to adequately survive as an artist. If you are not actively enjoying what you are creating, what’s the point? When I come up, I’m coming up with everyone who has lifted me up from the beginning. As Troy Bolton said, ‘we are all in this together’.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have been very fortunate in finding incredible mentors who I humbly am able to call friends as well. I met my casting/producing mentor, Stephanie Klapper, through a Women’s Mentorship program at my Alma Mater, New York University Tisch. I met my acting mentor, Kevin Kline, through sheer family friend luck. He is a remarkable mentor, friend, and I feel incredibly lucky to learn from him.

I used to always be worried about being perceived as pushy or annoying. But once I let go of that fear, persistence shined through. Growing up in LA has afforded me the privilege to surround myself with such incredible creatives that I’ve met through school, family friends, even at a hair salon. My advice: talk to everyone, and stay in touch with everyone. People just want to talk about themselves. We should learn to listen more.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits
Larry Gu
Ella Mettler
Ian Trimble
Von and Wolfe