Today we’d like to introduce you to Allasigga Jonsdottir.
Hi Allasigga, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised on the island of Vestmannaeyjar off the coast of Iceland, until I was 9 when, rather dramatically, a volcanic eruption forced my family with all six of us kids to evacuate, leaving everything behind and starting from scratch. That experience turned my world upside down but it also opened me up to possibilities beyond that beautiful little island. My first job was shoveling volcanic ashes into buckets. Second job I worked in an old people’s home with all the associate experience you can imagine. (and a few you might not want to). Being forced to be resilient and adaptable so young became an absolute asset as an adult, as a professional, and certainly as a creative.
Moving to Paris when I was nineteen to work as an au pair was a world expanding experience, after that I moved to London to study, then, eventually I ventured to Los Angeles to work in the film industry. For many years I thrived on sets, collaborating on productions that pushed my creativity and challenged me in the best ways. Alongside my film career, I’ve always been a storyteller. I’ve been writing since I was a kid. I was lucky in my school. They encourage creative writing about your own experiences. As an adult having traveled widely and done many odd jobs meeting people from all walks of life, writing every day was and still is something I do every day.
Today, I’m a published children’s book author of a story that has been expanded into a full animation project. I’ve also written and developed a TV series which I also directed a trailer for. Perhaps my longest brewing project, given how personal the story is, is a screenplay for a feature film I plan to direct in Iceland; a full-circle dream for me. No matter the ups and downs, I’ve kept going.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most people trying to break into the film and TV world, there have been plenty of ups and downs. Writing and creating projects is one thing, but getting them made and out into the world is a whole different challenge. Breaking into the industry takes patience, resilience, and a colossal gigantic amount of persistence. We all know those stories about now iconic and much loved artists from film to music to literature, who had a thousand “No’s” before that one “Yes”. In hindsight it seems like a given they would make it, but it absolutely was not. I mean someone said “No” to The Beatles… bet they felt pretty silly.
That said, I’ve been fortunate to have some exciting meetings with studios and industry leaders, which has kept me motivated and moving forward. I was a finalist for a British competition which was encouraging. Every “yes” or even a “maybe” feels like fuel to keep going, it teaches me something and is another brick in the wall. I’ve learned that in this industry, the road is rarely straight, but if you stay committed and keep pushing, you create your own momentum.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Whether it’s working on film sets, writing a screenplay, or creating a children’s book that has grown into an animated project, I pour my whole heart into bringing stories to life. What I’m most proud of is my belief in my projects and the love I have for creating them and telling stories that people can connect to and feel. Every idea comes from a genuine place, and the joy I feel when developing them keeps me moving forward, no matter how difficult the path can be.
What sets me apart is my resilience and a healthy(huge) dose of stubbornness — I simply never give up, just don’t understand the concept. I’ve been told ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that’ about so many things: going to school in London, moving to and making a career in Los Angeles, writing and producing my projects. Accepting those limits would have made my world a much smaller, less colorful place.
So yes the entertainment industry can be unpredictable and a challenge to break into, but I’ve learned if I stand by my vision and persist, the right doors will open. I think that persistence, combined with the fact that I truly love what I do, gives my work its strength and authenticity.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’ve had the chance to do book signings for my children’s book in both New York and Los Angeles —
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Lundifilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikinga1212/
- Other: https://a.co/d/39eyfO7
