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Meet Ashna Sharan of As The Collective LA in Hollywood

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashna Sharan.

So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always wanted to be in film/television…even when I was in diapers as a baby, I pointed to the TV as I danced to Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” commercial for Coca Cola. My journey was not as straightforward as my desires, but then again, that’s what makes it a journey.

My mom put me in dance classes as soon as I could walk and I was performing on stage with other children my age. As I grew up, I performed in larger venues like the Wolftrap Center for the Performing Arts and the renowned Kennedy Center in DC. I even competed in dance tournaments as part of a group or duet, and as a soloist. I loved choreographing my own pieces.

I learned how to express myself creatively through dance. When I was a teenager, I started modeling. My father, in particular, was a tad more conservative and disapproved of modeling and acting as a career choice. He eventually came around, years later, after I graduated with a BA in Political Science and a BSC in Business Administration and had worked full-time.

I moved to LA almost three years ago to pursue acting in film and television. During this current COVID-19 lockdown, I decided to make my own content at home and try other aspects of the film industry (directing, writing and producing). That’s how my production, As The Collective LA, came to be!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve had my share of challenges, that’s for sure! These three challenges were probably the hardest ones I had to overcome.

One of my earliest challenges was growing up as a first-generation American. First-generation Americans (particularly of color) really struggle with their identity…because they don’t quite fit in either world. I think finding my own place in Virginia was something I struggled with for years. And it was not just an internal struggle; I had several encounters with people that were hateful or racist towards me. When that happens a lot, especially as a child, you start to hate yourself. So it took me a while to get my self-esteem back and really fight for what I wanted. To be able to see my self-worth and realize that I am just like everyone else and I have a right to be like everyone else. My skin color has nothing to do with it.

Another challenge was the late start in Hollywood. As I mentioned earlier, I was not allowed to pursue my dream profession and none of my family or friends had any connections to the film industry. I didn’t have the luxury of my parents putting me in acting classes/showcases or driving me around to auditions when I was younger or someone to show me the ropes. Also, emotionally leaving all my family and friends on the other side of the country to start over in Los Angeles in my 20s was scary. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here. Most of the actors I’ve met in Los Angeles pursued theater/film in college or started when they were younger. Not being allowed to do so ended up making the learning curve much higher when I reached Hollywood. On the other hand, I have life experience in other fields which I have brought to my work as an actor. That was one of the things I learned in acting classes in Los Angeles.

That leads me to my most recent challenge…money! I was earning a good income when I was working full-time in the East Coast and I had a strong network built on respect. When I moved to Hollywood, I had to start over and go back to the bottom…so I struggled financially as well because I didn’t realize how hard it was to make money as an actor and be able to afford rent in LA.

I have become stronger because of these obstacles in my life. It forced me to work harder for what I want.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an actress and I am proud to say that. It took me a while before I felt comfortable saying that out loud. I am typically cast in dramas, but I love comedy and adventure. What sets me apart…I am like a chameleon. Having lived abroad in different countries and speaking four languages, I adapt to my surroundings quickly. Because of that, I can also relate and play different characters authentically, drawing from my own real-life experiences.

I started my own film company called, As The Collective LA, a couple of months ago during the COVID-19 quarantine. So the meaning behind the title is because I genuinely believe the saying, “it takes a village…” People say that they are self-made, but in reality, no one can be 100% self-made. Because whether it was your parents that gave you the initial funds to start a business or your teachers who inspired you to pursue an idea or a colleague that vouched for you, there is always someone that helped you along the way. Of course, you HAVE to put in the hard work yourself. However, to believe that no one helped you even a little bit? I think that’s false and arrogant.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I realized I wasn’t the only creative struggling to deal with the lack of work. I thought about how I could help promote other creatives during this time. My answer was creating an anthology web series that is shot 100% remotely. I bring on talented people who would be comfortable working on a remote filming project. We do all of our scenes through zoom, skype or phone calls. This web series has been my saving grace during this lonely time and I have been so grateful to see the positive response.

Out of all the quarantine projects I’ve made so far, these are the three I am most proud of because it combines my advocacy and art to increase social awareness: Solidarity PSA, Pride Month PSA, and the Black Lives Matter film.

What were you like growing up?
I always had two sides to me because I live by the “Work Hard. Play Hard” mentality.

Growing up, I was the straight A goody two-shoes in class. I am also an extrovert so my friends are my family. I was the “event planner” in my friend’s group, the one who came up with the ideas of where to go, what to see, or what to do! I love planning so it worked out because travel and food are two of my passions. I was also the relationship guru (I still am)!

I always gravitated towards the road less traveled. It could be something as simple as my fashion. I’d find something that’s not as common. Other girls my age would start wearing similar things as me. If I ordered something at a restaurant that customers hadn’t seen, people would come up to me and ask me what I ordered…next thing you know, the tables were filled with those orders (true story)! When I decided to do pageants, I was the first Asian to get as far as I did in Miss Virginia (top 10)…now you see more Asian girls competing in Virginia. I was also the first person to bring Bollywood to my alma mater.

I choose my own path even if it’s not the norm.

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Image Credit:
David Proffitt, Logo design by Liz Merchant with photo by Suzanne Fladung

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