Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberta Sparta
Hi Roberta , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started many years ago as a model, completely random and unexpected. I come from a small town in Italy with less than 12000 people. I was at the mall and a make-up artist suggested me to go see an a modeling agency in Milan.
Two days later I was in Milan with my dad and I started modeling part time as I was still in school.
Once I graduated I moved to Milan and that’s when I fell in love with acting; I was offered casting for video commercials and shortly after the first auditions for small parts on movies arrived.
I remember clearly the first time I set foot on a movie set; it was magical.
I was so fascinated by the process and what it takes to tell a story on camera. It was love! I started studying acting at one of the oldest school in the city and just dove in.
Few months after I decided I want to go study acting abroad as I wanted to be exposed to different teachers and techniques.
I did some research on line and I found the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA, I requested to audition and few weeks later I was in London.
I took a plane, put myself up and did my audition.
The following month I received a huge white envelop at home and I got the news: I got accepted.
With doubts, fears and excitement I packed my bags, said bye to family and friends and left for LA.
Also, didn’t speak English really…besides “What’s your name?”
It was the beginning of my biggest adventure!
Studying at the Academy and meeting people from all over the world was a truly special experience.
I decided to pursue my acting career in LA and got all my “immigrant” papers in order. I went from visa, to green card to passport. My career was a mix of high and lows, doubts and wins.
It culminated with my role as “Celly Organa” for Obi Wan Kenobi on Disney + in 2021; I became the first and only italian actress to be a part of the Star Wars franchise and on that high note, I “retired” from in front of the camera 🙂
I felt completed, like I had closed a circle and wanted to try something new.
I started working in production, behind the camera.
I first started as a PA and quickly escalated to AD department.
Scheduling and management came natural to me and I was feeling more useful and overall complete.
I traveled the country ( and the world) doing what I always loved: telling stories.
The jobs kept coming and they were getting bigger and also at times harder but I always had a good time.
I transitioned to producing in 2022 and again I was able to put my people and organizational skills to use.
In 2023 I opened Sparta Productions, my own company.
I have been involved in over 40 projects in less than 2 years.
A lot of people ask me if I get tired or how I do it all.
Truth is I love it, it doesn’t feel like a job.
It’s a passion, I wake up wanting to keep building, filming, finding new ways , new connections.
Bringing people together and helping in bringing a vision come to life is what fills my heart.
I have a pretty strict routine that includes meditation and workouts as self care is super important at the rhythm I go but most importantly: I LOVE WHAT I DO!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had to face quite few struggles; coming from a small town where the majority of the people has a 9 to 5 job it was hard to break the pattern.
It was also hard to move on the other side of the world and not be with my friends and family but looking back I would do it 1000 times over.
As I grow as a woman and as an enterpreneur I learn to celebrate obstacles as a positive omen of a change or a breakthrough coming. I reframe the narrative.
An obstacle is not a no, it’s a yes, a yes to find a new direction which most of the times results in positive grow.
More than naming obstacles I want to say to whoever reads this that obstacles are here to take you to the next level. It is an opportunity to reconnect to your true self and intentions.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sparta Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Sparta Productions is an independent media production company, based in LA with offices in Atlanta, NY and Milan.
My goal is to discover, develop and produce innovative narrative content.
I love partnering up with fellow creatives to bring to life interesting scripts
My highlight for 2024 was producing “The Remedy” alongside writer/director Daniel Kuhlman, directed by the uber talented Alex Kahuam.
The movie has been a labor of love and we can’t wait to see it finished.
My goal for 2025 is to develop a commercial focused side of the business.
I am looking for like minded individuals to partner up and keep growing together
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I learned to truly be in the moment.
I learned that when pressure builds the most effective way to come out of it is staying cool, listen to all involved and try to find a solution.
In high steaks situation it’s easy to get heated but if you can stay calm and grounded, you become the eye of the storm and you heIp others to find solutions and de-escalate the situation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spartaproductions.co
- Instagram: @spartaproductions_
