Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Paez.
Hi Spencer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started acting compulsively. Auditioning for school plays, student films, etc. was a literal no-brainer, so I figured I should start putting my brain into it. I majored in Theater Studies at Duke University, where I found guidance from mentors and a rigorous research experience. That served me well when I was ready to put my heart into it too: I trained at conservatories on the East Coast, saw tons of theater in London, traveled to China with a dance troupe, and finally moved to LA to start my career. The winding, confusing life of an artist in this city has been manageable in part because of the practice and self-management I’d developed before even arriving. Along the way, I’ve always prioritized my quality of life. It’s kept me grounded. A loving community has kept me grounded, as did studying with the amazing acting teacher Saxon Trainor.
Since lockdown, I’ve been so excited about life that I’ve been busier than ever! I’m having a blast in the Groundlings program, now in the Advanced Writing Lab level. I’ve worked with artists I admire and respect. I’ve written several screenplays, one of which was named a Semifinalist in the ScreenCraft Virtual Pitch Competition. I got a new agent. I was invited into the venerated Echo Theater Co. And I even got to work with an Oscar-nominated director. The years I spent working on my craft and learning the business allowed me to then start listening to my own inner voice. What drives me as an artist? What do I care about enough to spend my life exploring it? That focus got me where I am today.
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?
In some ways, it’s been smooth because early on I learned the cautionary lesson that most people in LA sacrifice everything for their dream…and then they burn out. I decided I was going to make a life for myself, not just a career, and it’s kept me going. That said, I know the frustrations of unanswered calls and emails, the heartbreak of being exploited or abandoned, and the despair in being overlooked. The entertainment industry is wildly unregulated, and it’s not a meritocracy. I spent years without getting much of any traction from my talent, hard work, and vision. Many people are focused on getting through their day, and they think they don’t have the energy to strive for more than that. It can be lonely for an artist who wants to innovate.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an actor, I’m known for elevating the material, enlivening my collaborators, and bringing high morale to the workplace. When everyone is working so hard to make something we can be proud of, I see it as my job not only to play my part well but also to lift their spirits. I’m committed to that. That could be why I love comedic material so much! Most people know me for my comedic character work and my physical performance style. I also tend to play a lot of intense, sensual, and overtly sexual characters. It’s a gas.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
This is my journey. I can only consider someone else’s input as an option. Everyone’s got an opinion in this industry, but not everyone is forming their opinion with the same values and goals as mine. In the end, I choose it, I own it, and I reap it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4528323/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerpaez/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-paez123
Image Credits
Brandin Shaeffer, Joseph Adivari, Ashley Tsai
