October 23, 2018 3:43 PM
Los Angeles’ main industry has always been movies though decisive competition has arrived with the newest invasion of tech companies. Actors struggle in a city that is speedily becoming overpriced, soaring tech salaries now pushing the aspiring actors even further out of the city limits. Thousands of young hopefuls arrive each year seeking fame and fortune because they once starred in a high school drama or did a local insurance commercial… and some, a few, have that magical raw shining talent that we see on the big screen… or nowadays, rather on our laptops watching Netflix! Unfortunately there is no real actor’s path in LA, not a great academy, like in London or Moscow for example… nowadays a huge Instagram following is enough, talent is no longer specifically required. Though actors are demanded to survive in an expensive town with rich man’s prices. They have to pay rent, 9$ lattes, buy expensive headshots, pay to record auditions, make reels & finally take both work shops and acting classes at bafflingly high prices. Sadly many times they get lessons from complete hacks whom jump at the chance to stuff a vibrator in a young actress’s hand and takes pleasure in sexually humiliating their clients rather than giving them tools to actually break down a script. Ah yes, if anything Hollywood has been consistent about one thing, and that’s female abuse. From Judy Garland & Marilyn Monroe, to Lindsey Lohan and beyond the tough realities of competing to the best at being famous is not easy.
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If only the 55 year old producers slobbering over the 20 year old actresses could know what it feels like to come from Idaho at 19 and at 27 finally understand that they’ve been duped; once they they have a drug addiction and no education stuck in a town that labels you too old at 29. Oh yes, the masquerade is cruel. Always has been. But where I find the light in this macabre setting of film making is the human bonding that happens when you find your LA family. Among the rare creatives who came to tell a story and just be part of the magic, among those who have talents and are more than just a face, or more than a hungry predator taking advantage, …among those beautiful souls I find hope in the humanity of collective dreaming and tribal caring. In the Creative sister and brotherhoods.
Our interview with Stephanie Moore:
How do you describe what you do for a living and what you do for passion?
“I would say I’m an artist of all sorts. My passion is dance, music, creating artistic content, and recently falling in love with the ocean and art of surfing.”
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in a small town called Orange, Texas. Right by where Janis Joplin grew up. A good place to grow up and a good place to leave.”
How would you define your upbringing?
“I was always surrounded by dance and sports. Always knew there was something more out there that I was missing, that I wasn’t being able to express.
How old were you when you started in your business?
“Pretty old for this industry. I would say 20 years old for modeling and acting. 3 years old for dance.”
What was your school/ sport or interest /specialty before starting in the business?
“Definitely dance. Especially tap dancing. Performing has always felt so natural to me. I love to express what’s inside me in every outlet.”
How do you view that part of you now? Did you benefit from that specialty in your current business?
“Dancing taught me so much about my body and presence. My hand eye coordination taught from dance allows me to be naturally good at so many different talents. Playing the drums is the same for me as tap dancing. The awareness of my body helped me in posing for modeling.”
What are your earliest memories of starting in the business?
“Landing in New York City crying being lost and scared as hell.”
What were your most innocent thoughts about the business in the beginning?
“That people looked out for you. But they don’t.”
If you could change anything in the business you are in, what would it be?
“I hate how models and actors are paid. It takes 3 months to get paid for a job. I never understood how they expected us to survive that way. There needs to be more of a union for models. And I’m tired of the use of the word “exposure”. Just another way to get you to work for free.”
What do you think of how femininity is presented on your business?
“It’s definitely changing. I feel very strongly on the art of the female body. Freeing the nipple would be nice.”
What do you think about women’s overall treatment in the United States now?
“I think it’s a good time in history to be a woman. I’m sure equality won’t happen in my lifetime but I feel my generation is having a voice that is being heard with action behind it.”
Do you follow politics?
“I do until it upsets me and need a break. Have to stay updated to be able to have debates with my family in Texas about being Republicans. I still love y’all. (smiles)”
Do you think arts can influence legislature?
“Certainly. We need all the platforms we can get. Push your limits and get it heard.”
Do you feel powerful as a young female artist today?
“I do. Also very grateful. Never underestimate the power of the you know what. I like to push myself to do what society would call more “masculine” things. It’s a balance.”
What are your thoughts on the #metoo movement?
“I’ve had one too many thoughts on that. One too many of my own experiences. I’m just glad we are making the industry a more safe place for future generations to feel safe and powerful in their art and not powerless to the power people when they want to say no.”
Do you have any #metoo experiences?
“A lot of close calls.”
If you do, would you ever want to share them?
“I’m not sure.”
Do you think there is a stigma to being the victim of an abuser? Would you be scared to report an abuser? Would you fear not being believed? (Even today?)
“Yeah to an extent. People can easily judge how you let yourself get in the predicament in the first place. Most people wouldn’t understand unfortunately until it happens to them.
Do you think an abuser of women can otherwise be respectful in his/her daily conduct or do you think that lack of respect and abuse carries into said Man or woman’s daily conduct?
“I’ve seen so many Jekyll and Hyde situations. So yes, they can charm you and when you least expect it they will harm you too. Mainly addicts.”
With all the ups and downs of being a young artist in Hollywood what is your over all take away from participating in the show-business structure?
“The feeling of creating to me is something that is priceless and lasts forever. If I didn’t have that outlet I would probably be caught up in the wrong things.”
Take me though a normal week of a young actress in Hollywood:
“Yikes. Without judgement. Let’s see, it’s all about the coffee in the morning. And no, we don’t support Starbucks here. Your daily workout, which for me is Pilates. I go on Casting’s and auditions. I network at night meeting people in the industry at fancy events that get old. And if I’m lucky I get to surf and be in nature. I’m so lucky to live in California I’ve grown so much and become more enlightened in the 5 years I’ve been here.
Rie Rasmussen
