Julia Roth shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Julia, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I am working to keep my word to my inner child, to graduate from people-pleasing and find the things that bring me joy at a core level. To express myself, dress myself, and love myself the way she would. To find play. It’s vulnerable, clumsy, and divine. I’m so proud to be on that journey.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Julia Roth, I’m a screenwriter, actor, producer, teacher, and professional goofball. I make film, TV, and theater with all my free time through many channels, including my film banner, Bang Bang Pictures, and my theater company, HAG Theater Collective. I make all kinds of art, but if you twist my arm to self-define, I would call my brand “emotional comedy,” focusing on meaty topics (shame! trauma! sex!) with humor and lightness, because… how else can we survive?
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. He’s always been an incredibly hard worker, but more than anything he’s not afraid to fail. He has always taken big swings, thrown proverbial spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks and start again. Whenever I get too in my head or precious about certain choices I’ve made, he reminds me to stay bold and hold it all lightly.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I realized we are hungry to connect with one another in our pain and grief. I spent so long trying to hide what I was going through only to discover that each time I shared it, I became closer with the people I was sharing it with, and they would often bring me theirs. We are all suffering through things silently, terrified of being exposed, yet we are desperate to be known and loved. So I share my pain, and my dogged search for joy in spite of it. I think it makes everyone feel less alone.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That there is a beauty standard that must be upheld in order to find success. We worry about waist size and crooked teeth and double chins and eye bags. But aren’t these the very things that make us alive? Aren’t these the deeply human things we love about the people we love? You don’t need a snatched jaw to play a romantic lead. You don’t need a flat stomach to play a princess in a world full of sand! We don’t need to change our looks. As actors, we are here to play people. We have the prerequisite just by being.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
She loved hard. She laughed loudly. She tried to make everyone comfortable. She was very competitive in laser tag.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliaroth.substack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_s_roth/?hl=en
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/bangbangpicturesofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/hagtheatercollective/
Image Credits
Popcorn photos – Lisandra Vasquez
Pink Suit photo – Emma Mead
Stone Cold Fox BTS – Eric B. Fleischman
