Today we’d like to introduce you to Irma Lake.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“Starting an acting career at 30 is too late,” I thought before my birthday. Yet, when selecting a gift for myself, I opted for acting classes at Lee Strasberg and set off for Los Angeles. If I couldn’t live the dream, at least I wanted to touch it. Shockingly, this Russian Chicago girl made it in Hollywood, now at 36 with roles and a producer award under my belt. My first film, “The Moderator,” hit the worldwide screens in 2022, and walking the Cannes red carpet was a “pinch me” moment.
This wild ride wasn’t just about landing roles. Hollywood, with all its ups and downs, played matchmaker, too, helping me meet my husband, with whom we are working together now. So, it’s been a double win: career and family. This adventure, filled with unexpected turns, taught me it’s never too late to follow your dream. And let’s be real, if I can do it, chasing dreams with more hope than sense, then really, anyone can give it a shot, even YOU!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The barriers were numerous, indeed an ocean of them, with the Atlantic Ocean being the first literal barrier. But seriously, challenges included nailing the language and accent, not coming from money, battling low self-esteem, and facing heaps of prejudices and stereotypes, especially as a pretty blonde.
Then there was this game-changing moment. While working as a model, someone inspiring told me, ‘You can do so much more. Sell your talents, not your body!’ That hit deep. I realized the power of my voice and ideas, not just in acting but in shaping stories as a producer. So, I shifted gears, focused on mastering my speech, and eventually made the leap to producing. It turned out, showcasing my talents was the real jackpot.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am both an actress and an aspiring film producer, currently serving as the head of development at H-Films. I starred in “The Moderator” 2022, a drama highlighting vigilante justice against men who perpetrate violence against women. At H-Films, we specialize in developing original feature films from our scripts and offer production services in Morocco for Hollywood movies and international commercials. Currently, we are in an exciting phase of developing several scripts for both feature films and TV series.
Additionally, I had an honor of producing “The Lost Princess,” a romantic adventure set in Morocco, which is set to be released at at Beverly Hills Film Festival on 2nd of May at 07:30 pm at Chinese Theaters. Directed by Hicham Hajji (known for “Redemption Day” 2021), it has already been selected to be presented at the Beverly Hills Film Festival next month. It would be my pleasure to invite you to the premiere in the first days of May 2024.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
How did I overcome all this and realize my dream? Some might say luck; I say COMMUNICATION SKILLS! Effective communication was key to breaking into Hollywood. I found it easy to meet producers, directors, and actors in Los Angeles. The ability to approach anyone, exchange business cards, and develop a relationship is a skill you can develop, just like muscles on your biceps or glutes!
Attending premieres and screenings, I managed to chat with Jennifer Lopez in the ladies room, ask Olivia Wilde about a special scene in her movie, hear Ron Howard confess at the presentation of his movie “13 Lives” that he hates public speaking, and see that Jake Gyllenhaal is very friendly with fans and takes photos with everyone after the screening of his film “The Guilty.” Last year, “Avatar” producer Jon Landau gave me advice over breakfast at the Producers Guild, and Jerry
Bruckheimer greatly inspired me with his words after the premiere of his latest hit, “Top Gun.”
I am certain that anyone on the planet, regardless of where they are from, can achieve their dreams through skilled communication and building mutually beneficial relationships. I’ve decided to share how to master this skill in my book “From Zero to Hero,” which has already been released in Russia and is soon to be published in America.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.h-films.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irma.lake/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irma-lake-74a53b155/
