We’re looking forward to introducing you to Laura Vega. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Joy for me is a tingling feeling all over- even your skull feels a vibration. Most recently felt this after I submitted a short story about my dad. If picked it meant I would become a published writer! Then it happened! I read the e-mail over and over again~ Congratulations and there was my name Laura Vega we would like to include your short story in our anthology ! Alchemy immediately happened! Joy! Joy! Joy! Wheeeeee!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Laura Vega a SAG/AFTRA member since 1987 and an immigrant from Mexico. She draws stories from her own life and sometimes changes the narrative to connect to the macro and or to soften life’s blows. She was awarded best play and best actress in the Short and Sweet Hollywood ’24 Latinx for “La Cita,” a 10-minute play. She has written several 10-minute plays for the Frida Kahlo Theater’s 10-minute short festival and the Short and Sweet Hollywood. Her play’s include La Cita, Lockdown, Familix, The Secret, That’s What it’s All About, Borracha (currently accepted to Short and Sweet ’25). Ms. Vega has also written the short film ’56 Lincoln and co-wrote 2 full length movies-Love Sanchez and Norte. She wishes to continue to represent either on film, TV or paper her beloved Latin community.
~Think a little bit~
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
We believe what we are told as children. I was unfortunately told all my life how dumb I was. I believed it until I figured out things others couldn’t. I learned English pretty quickly. My schools were always giving me academic awards both here and in Mexico. I also had a unique point of view fueled by my imagination. I think people might have been scared of how accurate I was at figuring them out. I saw subtext and was intuitive to the point of being scary. Once labeled a witch because i could guess outcomes or anticipate results. Even as a young child. I remember being at a church and seeing a girl run around outside without supervision and near traffic. It doesn’t take a genius to put 2 and 2 together. I yelled at my auntie that that girl will be hit by a car. My aunt told me to be quiet but not before everyone at church heard it. By the time the car screeched it was too late. The little girl was hit by the car and killed instantly. Everyone turned to me. I didn’t understand why my auntie was upset with me. I did not cause this accident I predicted it.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
A definite owie on my soul was the suicide death of my partner, Michael, and father of my only child. There are no words to express the grief and sense of sadness that accompanies this type of loss. It does’t make sense, you keep telling yourself, until you begin to feel the ground below you once again. I discovered storytelling to be a powerful healing journey. In my new narrative I can change the outcome or perhaps share it with others in an attempt to raise awareness on this rarely discussed topic. I found that through the narrative my brain could transform the trauma to memory and release the toxic stranglehold that often accompanies life’s blows that get stored in the body.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my Industry tells itself is that there is only one homogenized story to tell here in these United States. Yes, there is the collective human experience but this is only enhanced by the diaspora that is the various cultures that are represented in this wondrous world of ours. It is in the curiosity of others that we can continue to weave our human tapestry. We are after all more alike than we are different. Our films, our stories need to be shared if we are to continue to thrive and align with our mother earth.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Shooting my films. There has been a tickle in my belly for so long about this. I remember doing a vision board and without even thinking came out filled with film cameras and images of films. I did not realize this was what I wanted subconsciously all along. I was as surprised as everyone else!.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Reinwayvega
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891857/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Image Credits
Graphics by G
