We’re looking forward to introducing you to Effie Spence. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Effie, 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: When was the last time you felt true joy?
My full name, Efthemia, essentially means “good mood” so this question feels relevant. A moment a felt true and utter joy, aside from (and as corny as this might sound) feeling gratitude for the little things on the daily, was when I finally invested in one of my own films. It was a deeply cathartic moment and my best friend, Stefani Rose Lah, held me like a baby through it all. It is a project that has taken on more meaning as time has gone on and am finally in post production but I will never forget that moment after the first day of shooting. I finally, after years of making and breaking friends, found my tribe. I hired the locations, found the right cast, and let myself fly. I directed, acted, wrote and produced it. It’s called “Le Petit Saint” and the sheer pride and joy that I felt finally letting myself not only step into these bigger shoes, but to be held and supported by true collaborative friends, is something that set the foundation for the rest of my work.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a filmmaker, dancer and poet. I feel imposter syndrome in each medium, feeling like I could never go deep enough, that I am not practiced enough, good enough, trained enough, etc. but there is freedom in being a professional amateur. I do them all because I love them all and therefore can always do deeper, train more and flip my imposter syndrome into a beginner’s mindset, to always stay curious and to not aim only for results, but to chase honing process. My work is heavily influenced by Maya Deren, by ritual and personal witchery, by my cycle and by listening to my dreams. My experience has brought me to media produce with companies like the Shakespeare Center and teaching a healing movement series with MAUA, a matriarchal money management group. My company is called Pixie Logic.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I love this question because power can mean so many different things. Power can be when I got on stage the first time, or stood up to a bully, or came to tell the truth about something that frightened me, but the story of power I want to share is much more whimsical and innocent.
When I was maybe four or five years old, I remember sitting on the large rock outside my childhood home in Milford, NH. It was summer. It was still morning, but the day was already feeling hot. I had a little book with me and the rock was surrounded by bright green milk weeds, so butterflies and bees were flitting all around me. There was the perfect amount of dilapidated sunshine and shade from the sapling tree next to the rock and the curve of the rock felt just like the most comfortable lounge chair.
Looking back at that moment, I believe I was truly powerful. Being so young, and the youngest of three girls, yet finding pure bliss and solace is extremely powerful. That moment has cemented into me this sense that I am the caretaker of my peace and the universe presents its most wonderful elements around you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I have almost given up on acting and Hollywood maybe every month. It’s so hard to stay positive and frankly remember working as a background performer and seeing people when I was 22 who are my age now and thinking poorly of them for believing in themselves still at the ripe old age of 34, but now that I am here, I am not so high and mighty about it. I have a fantasy that I will quit being an artist and run away to my village in Greece and just have chickens and call it a day. But I know how hard that life is, too. It’s all hard and I have honestly gone through a lot of really heavy things this year and almost called it quits, for real. It can be too easy to succumb to despair, but I find looking at old videos and photos of work I have done as inspiring and really sit with myself and think, “Is there anything else I would be doing?” and the answer is always, “No,”.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
Santa Claus. I swear I saw his sleigh in the sky was a kid, but I digress. I believe in every god and goddess and minor deity. I think because we have thought them and thousands of voices and thoughts amplify their associated characteristics, then those are made manifest in actual beings, angels, and protectors. The only thing I don’t believe in are demons. I think they exist for those who think of them but more so as projected symbols of their own self hate. As a filmmaker witch, I listen to my projects like they have their own soul, and through that soul I get signs and symbols and synchronicities of particular deities who become their patrons and guides, For example, in my short film “Bubble + Squeak” it was very obvious Aphrodite was involved in the making of it, so I made sure to include symbols of her as thanks for helping me create it. Coincidentally, Aphrodite is my mom’s name, so it feels natural to believe in goddesses, I was raised by one.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop people pleasing. It has gotten me no where the past ten years so can’t assume that would change. It can be so insidious, people pleasing, that I am finally learning how to listen to my heart instead of whatever codependent meanderings my mind is making. I am beginning to implement a rule of three. If I say I want something three times, like email this agent, or get this style haircut, then I need to just trust my gut and do it. I find I often will speak about my potentialities because I am waiting to hear if someone else thinks it is a good idea and I am exhausted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://effiespence.com
- Instagram: @effiespence
- Youtube: @pixielogicproductions
- Other: TikTok: @pixielogic
Image Credits
Creative Portraits by Yury Sharlou
Stills by Madison Stonefield and Eve Rydberg
