Today we’d like to introduce you to Meitar Paz.
Hi Meitar, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since a very young age, I had an indescribable passion for performing. Being a very creative kid, I always felt the need to create something original.
I remember turning the living room into my stage and my family into my loving audience. I used to practice for hours, act, sing, and dance around the living room as if I was casted in a broadway show. I became a part of my school’s choir and acted in every show in school, as my passion for stage just kept growing.
At the age of 14, I joined the Haifa theatre youth group and performed a range of challenging acting roles for five years. I loved theatre but wanted to explore more, and started taking on-camera acting classes. I started working on films and commercials and booked a guest star role on tv. But guess what? I wanted more…
So, after my two years army service, I took a flight to LA so that I could learn film acting in the most professional way and taste the “Star dust” LA has to offer. I studied acting for three years at the Michelle Danner acting school, where I now teach (full circle…), and started working on many exciting films, web series, tv, theatre productions, improv shows, commercials, etc. I got to travel for work and shot 3 feature films in Chicago and a feature film in NJ. I also took a tv development course in UCLA, and since then, I have been developing a tv pilot amongst writing my own films. I feel very grateful to be able to keep pursuing my dream and do what I love most.
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 hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’m very grateful for this journey, and I think that pressure and challenges are an opportunity to rise. I moved to LA by myself, without knowing anyone here. I arrived with a big suitcase and a big dream in my heart. I left everything I had in order to follow this dream. It was, and still is a lot to sacrifice- living far away from my family, friends and loved ones, leaving my home, my country (and my comfort zone), adapting to a new language, accent and culture…
Also, at the time, I was in a long-term relationship, and just like the movie “La La Land”, we were afraid that my acting dream would get in between us. After I moved to LA, we tried to maintain a long-distance relationship for about a year, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Losing my partner and best friend after five years together was a lot to sacrifice.
Also, the entertainment industry can be quite challenging. You have to learn how to face rejection and teach yourself how to fall and get back up. It can be quite a roller coaster, but I’ve learned to enjoy and appreciate the ride. I’m blessed to be surrounded by the wonderful friends I made in LA and by my incredible family that supports me even from miles away. I don’t let challenges harden my heart, I use them to renew my spirit, empower my mind and strengthen my soul.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actress, writer and a director. As a filmmaker, I see myself as a storyteller and an ambassador, and I hope that with my films and scripts, I can create a positive impact, raise awareness to important, relevant subjects, and inspire people to fight for a safer, brighter future.
I think what I’m most proud of is my latest film “Invisible Flags”. “Invisible Flags” is a film I wrote, directed and played the lead in, and deals with the painful yet important subject of domestic violence. The film has won so far over 20 awards worldwide. Most of the female actresses in the film are real domestic violence survivors who by working on the film, chose to courageously process and fight their traumas.
They play their characters in such an authentic, vulnerable way, hoping to help other women who are currently dealing with domestic violence in their homes by showing them that they are not alone and letting them know that there is a way out of this vicious cycle, and a hope for a better future. The film has recently premiered at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. It was so heartwarming to receive so much love from the audience and reporters and hear how much the film touched them and significantly impacted them.
Also, a few people who have watched the film contacted me privately and told me that the film has assisted them in identifying and acknowledging the invisible red flags in their relationships, what helped them escape a dangerous situation that could have become deadly. Knowing that my film helped even a few people means the world to me and motivates me to keep creating meaningful films that will reach people’s hearts.
I think that what sets me apart from others is that I always stay true to myself and my values. I always remember who I am and where I came from. I think it’s important to stay humble and understand that even though the entertainment industry can get quite competitive at times, it’s not about the competition. For me, it’s about growing as a person and as an actress while collaborating with fellow dreamers and lifting each other up.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is finding personal meaning and contentment in your life. It’s being abundant in appreciation, being wealthy in wisdom, rich in meaningful relationships, prosperous in purpose and comfortable with yourself. Success is fulfilling your passion and doing what you love. Success is the progressive realization of your goals or ideas.
In order to achieve success, you need to:
See your goal
Understand the obstacles
Create a positive mental picture
Clear your mind of self-doubt
Embrace the challenge
Stay on track
Show the world you can do it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm8910324/
- Instagram: Instagram.com/meitarpaz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meitar.paz
Image Credits
John Kennedy, Yossi Ishlach, Dan Kennedy.
