Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
Thank you for this interview with THE LA NOTE. I am an award winning actress/writer/producer. I love putting things together because I find it incredibly fulfilling to watch creative ideas come into fruition. Despite sometimes being a daunting prospect, writing a feature screenplay always gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’ve just finished my new screenplay which I am work shopping with actors and a director and am excited to start the producing side of it and then ultimately the acting comes into the picture. I am also working as an actress on a comedy pilot later this year which I can’t wait to begin. I play a very flawed but likable owner of a family business.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I always do what I say I’m going to do and I truly care about others. If I commit to something, I follow through and do it and I believe this is part of what makes me successful. I don’t think this quality of being reliable is the most glamorous trait, but the longer I’m in this business, the more I appreciate how rare it is. I think we live in a time where many people feel they can change their agreements and commitments at a drop of a hat or on a whim, without concern for others and I will never subscribe to that philosophy. My word is my word and in a town where friendships are hard to find, I think this makes me different from many people. I also believe this same quality makes me someone people want to work with.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
I would say the exact moment when I knew that I had found what I was meant to do was probably in high school when my drama teacher approached me and said I need your help. He proceeded to tell me that the lead actress in the high school play had gotten sick and that I was the only person in the entire school that could pull off what he needed me to do. He begged me to learn the three act play in a weekend and be ready to perform the following Monday. So I learned the play in two days and had all my lines memorized and every other actors lines memorized as well. I loved doing the work that needed to be done and I remember thinking, this is challenging but it’s fun! I was a little obsessive back then but that’s when I knew I would become an actress.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
The biggest challenge for me that I’ve had to go through would definitely be that I immigrated from my native country of Canada to become an actress and move to Los Angeles without knowing anyone in a big city like LA. I had to leave my family, friends and life I’d known and go through the scary prospect of starting a new life. I remember how tough it was to find friends and to get part time work to be able to pay bills and find an agent. It took a long time and I realize I didn’t leave an oppressive country like some people do but believe me, leaving your family and friends and starting all over is not a walk in the park and can be incredibly lonely. It’s a brave path but all good things came to pass because I met my husband in late 2009 and couldn’t be happier. Love is everything! I will always admire expats that build successful new lives in new lands. You have to be a certain type of person to accomplish that and in a sense, that is the American dream.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
My top 3 picks are: Sam Rockwell. He is one of my favorite actors. I have a movie role that he’s perfect for him in my new project. In fact, I wrote it with him in mind. My next pick is Rose Byrne whom I believe is one of the most versatile actresses because she is seamless in both comedy and drama and I also have the perfect lead role for her in my new project. Lastly I would love to meet with Guillermo del Toro because I think he’s a genius and he gave me a compliment through a friend this year about my film festival which is City of Angels Women’s Film Festival. (That’s probably a different interview).
Drop your social media links.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.k.crosato
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lisakcrosato