Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Argente.
Hi Anna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
What started as a love for performing songs and dances for my extended family with my cousins has turned into a life of creation through filmmaking, dance/choreography, producing, and making music. Born to a Barcelonan (Spanish) father and Chinese-Macanese mother in Hong Kong, I was raised in Hong Kong during my early childhood, Vancouver, B.C., for my pre-teens, and in the Silicon Valley for my teenage years. Moving around a lot growing up, I never felt a sense of security to location – instead, I’ve found myself in the arts. I’ve always been fueled by music and movement. Since childhood, it has been a passion of mine to push myself physically through direct vs. indirect means of motion to produce a story in a meaningful way. Gymnastics, dance, musical theater, and singing lessons permeated my upbringing. I started competitively dancing more seriously in high school, then “dougie”-ing my way into UCLA for its World Arts and Cultures/Dance program.
However, I struggled a lot with anxiety, depression and even PTSD during and after my college years. I took a long break from dance for that reason. What used to bring me so much joy had led to disillusionment because I was giving so much of myself to others to no end. Eventually graduating with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Digital Humanities, I turned to a career in various parts of the filmmaking process (operations, production, event marketing) to try to get a better understanding of Hollywood and its players. I wanted to bring thought-provoking conversation about characters and plot lines, and more diversity to the big screen in a world that was fighting to prove that unique stories from across the globe led to more impact in audiences. I ended up working my way up to being a Creative Development executive at MGM International TV, which was bought by Amazon Studios, creating award nominated series such as MARIACHIS (HBO MAX) and EL FIN DEL AMOR (Prime Video). It felt like the world was pushing me towards finding my truest authenticity while my Saturn Return reared its funny little head at me. When I eventually got laid off from the tech giant, I decided to dive back into movement and filmmaking on my own terms – hence the genesis of my creative development and production company: Sailon Silver.
I now train in a multitude of movement styles with top industry choreographers, while focusing on developing my career in the film/TV space through Sailon Silver. I’ve had the opportunity to perform at Coachella this past year, choreograph and dance in music videos, and work with some amazing creatives to tell the stories that I want to tell. I’m thankful for being able to manage my mental health in productive ways, and for movements like The M Project (@_themproject), by my dear friend Emily Gray. I’m glad Hollywood has started to embrace safe spaces and support for artists, but the work isn’t done yet. Despite it being an uphill battle in this rapidly transforming Hollywood economy, where streaming giants are banking on their own IP and “safe” A-list talent, I aim to challenge that notion. Audiences are yearning to see themselves on screen in the characters that we produce, and that’s what keeps me going. Art reflects society, and we all know society needs meaningful art that challenges the “status quo” and sparks respectful debate amongst its audiences. Sailon Silver has been a “creative catch-all” for the Renaissance Woman I aim to be: Producer, Dancer/Choreographer, Creative Director, DJ, Yogi. The list goes on but I’ll stop there for now!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I spoke about some obstacles in my previous answer, and each discipline brings up different issues within me and how I create my art given space and time. My biggest obstacle, besides my mental health, has been understanding how and why I need to create art. I learned over time it isn’t just important to make art for yourself, and isn’t just important to make art for others – that dichotomy is a dance itself. The balance is between sharing something you have poured thought, energy, and feeling into, and understanding that it is okay to share something, despite you feeling like you might not be “ready” to share it. Three of my biggest takeaways from my past two years of soul searching while starting Sailon Silver:
1) Create, create, create. Your best version won’t be your only version. It will be the culmination of many tries. Letting go of that sense of perfectionism will allow creation to flow with more ease. Abundance mentality is everything.
2) Your value system can NOT be what others will think of you, or you will only shut down; nor can it be what you think of you. It has to be about the process. If you love your process, the outcome will only be the cherry on top of your hard work and passion. You’re never going to feel “ready” to share, otherwise.
3) Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and challenge you to be the best version of you. Do the same for others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My business is called Sailon Silver. It’s a Creative Development and Production Studio, focusing on domestic and international stories. The name came to me from the infamous song “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (“Sail on, Silver Girl…”); although the initial intention of the lyrics is interpersonal, the sentiment in context of my company in Hollywood became clear to me…. Despite the country’s crazy economy, immense layoffs due to Streaming Wars, job market crisis for mid-level professionals in TV/film, and general existential dread about the state of the world right now, we still have to SAIL ON. My last name (Argenté) means Silver, so it felt fitting. My company is a reminder that all productions may have obstacles, but we sail on and find ways to make the product the best it can be as we focus on falling in love with the process. Art is a reflection of the times, and is meant to challenge an audience’s world view. I aim to focus on projects for Sailon Silver that lift up diverse voices and points of view, as a citizen of the world. I’m most proud of my resilience.
While I can’t discuss a ton in detail right now, my projects have a range of scope: I have a feature in early development, a mini-series pilot almost in pre-production, and a short in production that I am starring in, choreographed, and co-directing, amongst others. We’re open to developing IP adaptations or original ideas, consultations, pitch development, and cultivating artists to be their best throughout production in a safe space. I might be known for my dance/choreography and music background, though storytelling through dynamic characters and satire/absurdism are woven throughout my work as it extends to filmmaking.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
As I mentioned before, some other ventures of mine include:
A DJ residency at the legendary Hinano Cafe in Venice, usually the First Wednesday of each month. I go by the DJ name “ashtré”. I aim to push sonic boundaries with my eclectic taste, ranging from garage, techno, and disco to weaving in breakbeats and experimental bass with soulful vocals. I aim to bring a new vibration to the beachy Venice community through my international inspiration for the monthly residency at the infamous skate/surf hangout. It’s a West Side revival.
As a dancer/choreographer/producer, I am constantly training and aiming to level up. I love collaborating with other artists and exploring a range of styles. I’ve been leaning more into more commercial styles like hip-hop, contemporary, and jazz funk lately, but have trained in a wide range. I’m eager to find more opportunities to perform for larger audiences, and create works for brands!
As a Co-founder of Camp Butter, a non-profit music collective, I aim to create safe community spaces for more dance and culture to flourish. I founded Camp Butter with a chosen family of California-based artists and electronic dance music lovers who like to ~ slide more ~. Many of us are DJs, who venture between digital and analog. Our next event will be in November 2025.
I also teach yoga at Shefayoga Venice. It’s a beautiful practice that has helped me find my voice and allow others to look inside themselves while getting a great stretch in – come to the studio!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.annaargente.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaargente/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaargente/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vanillajam
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aargente
- Other: www.sailonsilver.com
Image Credits
Rachel Kupfer Adarsh Satish Alyssa Park Olivia Honeck
