Elise Blasco of Orange County on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Elise Blasco and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning the most from the crew members and situations I come across when I’m on film sets. I try my best to observe the work conversations they are having with me or around me. I want to understand what promotes a strong work dynamic amongst everyone. If not while on set, certainly during the pre-production phases as well. Whether it’s positive or negative, I find both are valuable and extremely interesting to learn from!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone!

My name’s Elise Blasco, and I am a photographer and filmmaker. While I am still laying the foundation of my career, I am so grateful that VoyageLA invited me back for a second interview. Since my last interview, I’ve had the privilege of working further into the film industry, taking on various roles such as BTS photographer, director, PA, or assistant producer. But of course, I have to mention the many wonderful filmmakers and creatives I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. It is also thanks to them that I continue to learn and work in the industry as I build meaningful connections. So, whether we talked for 5 minutes or for the majority of the time on set, I truly value crossing paths with you all. I love hearing everyone’s journey as we’re all riding the same wavelength of ambition.

Over the past year, I’ve learned more about myself and the kind of art I aspire to create. Film and photography will always have my heart. But I’ve come to appreciate all forms of visual media, and for that reason, I’m working on a project unlike anything I’ve ever done. For the past few months, I’ve been slowly putting together a magazine to showcase my photography and film work, personal life, and to spotlight so many of those creatives I’ve met. So if we’ve worked together and you’re reading this, you might hear from me! This introduction is a little long, so in short, my name’s Elise, I am a creative trying to figure it out just like the rest of us. Thank you for your interest in my story, as it’s still unfolding.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
When I reflect on my earliest memories, I see my dad typing away at a homework assignment on his computer. He had gone back to school to pursue his bachelor’s degree online while working 6 days a week between two hospitals. These responsibilities alone racked up to a grueling 70-hour work week, before taking care of my brother and me. To supplement his sleepless nights, he’d always keep a stash of those tiny 5-hour energy shots. At the time, I was a three or four-year-old who liked to hang around her father. Fascinated by the keyboard sounds, I would grab a small cardboard box and sit beside him, pretending to type on it as well. After receiving full custody of me and my brother, the man was freshly divorced yet fiercely determined. And just to make this even more dramatic, I vividly remember he would play that song Mockingbird by Eminem often during this time.

He wanted to provide for us the best way he knew how, by increasing his earning potential and climbing the career ladder. Throughout my childhood, I observed his tenacious attitude toward work and the way his team relied on him as a leader. Like clockwork, every few years, my dad would come home with news about a potential job offer that paid significantly more than his current position. Sacrifice and future were the two key words I heard him say often. Before I could grasp the weight of both, I had a simple understanding of what yields long-term success. It wouldn’t be until my early adulthood that I realized how much those concepts truly shaped me.

It is because of my dad that I was fortunate enough to witness such a strong work ethic that I’ve adapted into my own. Now the best way I can show gratitude for his sacrifices is through my actions. As his daughter, I hope to give my dad peace of mind that my future is bright. I want him to know that I am making something meaningful out of the life he worked so tirelessly to give me. With this in mind, I cannot stand around and let my potential pass me by, knowing how capable I am. While he wasn’t always thrilled about me pursuing film and photography, he’s become more open-minded through the years as he’s seen my progress and dedication. I’ll forever be grateful that he’s taught me well.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of being seen, a tale as old as time. It’s ironic, I am an artist, but I still struggle with putting my own work out there. I’ve done a great deal of never posting. There is so much of my work that social media doesn’t see. Most of the time, it will go straight to the client or the crew I shot for, and that’s it. I won’t bother to show my friends, family, or anyone, let alone post. At the same time, I think I’ve gotten too comfortable not sharing my work, as I’ve gotten around it. These days, I am very rarely impressed with my work. Lately, my whole dilemma is that I’m good enough to be invited back or to be hired, but not enough for myself. Right now, I’m starting to feel the gap widen between what my skills can produce and the high expectations I have for myself. I’m afraid people will see that too.

But when I look at the bigger picture, I remember it’s not necessarily about being deemed “good” or “bad.” It’s about carrying on with the craft regardless of others’ opinions. Now, this does not excuse improvement. Always be a student. But to be an artist, you must showcase your vulnerability and creative expression, despite where your technical skills are at the time.

Because it’s my fear, it’s also my responsibility to work through it. Which is why I challenged myself to create a personal magazine, to share some of the most vulnerable points of my life. We miss so many opportunities by keeping ourselves hidden behind pretenses. Sometimes, the best things can happen to us if we just ask or take a small step forward.

I think what contributes to this fear is that I assume that I have to get to a certain point to share more of my work, but that’s totally bogus and counterproductive to being an artist. I tend to believe there is a more talented and refined version of me out there. While yes, I have a lot to learn, I forget that version of me is here and now. It happens when I decide it. It only seems far because I feed into it. Outside the things we cannot control, reality can be a manifestation of our mind’s framework. But we’re human, so it’s only natural to struggle. This is one of mine.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I believe our 20s are far more significant and finite than we realize. It may sound pessimistic, but we as people are naturally stubborn. Growth can take time; for this reason, it is essential to have certain principles developing at this age. While it’s hard to narrow it down to three key concepts, a strong sense of purpose, work ethic, and grit can be applied to almost any goal or desire. First, you figure out what you want and why, purpose. Then you take measured action towards it, work ethic. Now things are in motion, but you must keep going despite the odds, grit. When we have these principles developing throughout our youth, it’ll make the coming challenges and decades smoother.

Intimidating goals are usually the most fulfilling. Our 20s are the best time to take risks and be open-minded to what tests our limits. If we don’t give ourselves that chance, we rob ourselves of the dreams that could be real. I find we are much better off the sooner we live in alignment with our goals. Or else it’s just going to live in the back of your head with a bunch of FOMO and excuses attached. Be real with yourselves and put the work in now.

Don’t get me wrong, time is a construct. It’s numbers that we slap onto thin air to stay organized. I believe in most cases, it’s never too late to make a positive change. But time is a resource, nonetheless. If we’re not trying to live in alignment with our strongest desires now, then when? Even if you pursued something for a period of time and changed your mind later, or encountered mistakes, I promise the lessons from that are greater than remaining complacent. You never know what amazing things are waiting for you when you truly apply yourself. I don’t know who said this, but I will end it with this. Imperfection action will always beat perfect inaction. So don’t spend too much time waiting.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Since I went into detail with the other questions, I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. Yes, I believe I am doing what I was born to do. I was born to be passionate, and as long as that is alive, then so am I!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/gallery/234565085/BTS-Photography
• Instagram: elise.blasco

Image Credits
Jacinda Mallari
Aaron Vu
Elise Blasco