On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with actress, director, author, and producer Lisa Crawford. Lisa has had an incredible journey towards acting, which includes being an elevator technician, managing casinos, and gender transition.

Lisa and I discuss the merits of using background work as a transition into an acting career, as background work can help you to develop professional connections and learn acting techniques at the same time as being paid and fed. Lisa also talks about her show Pink Is In, the second season of which is coming out in March 2021 on Bell Fibe TV. The show was born out of a chance meeting on set between Lisa and other background actors, who decided to make a comedy set in a women’s prison together. Thoroughly Canadian in spirit, the show has a cast of diverse characters who have stories that go beyond their gender identity and sexual orientation.

Lisa gives tips on transitioning into acting from a different career and she also explains how to avoid burnout when pursuing an acting career. Subscribe to the podcast to hear more stories of people who turn to acting later in life and to learn how you can start your own acting career.

Timestamps

[1:15] Lisa introduces herself and talks about her early experiences of film and background acting

[5:11] Lisa’s first films

[7:50] Patient roleplaying as an acting job

[9:56] Lisa’s childhood dream to make films

[12:58] Background acting as film school

[15:00] The origins of Lisa’s new show Pink Is In

[18:24] Representation and diversity in Pink Is In

[20:45] Rejecting typecasting and giving actors the chance to try out a different role

[23:35] What surprised Lisa about working in the entertainment industry

[26:27] The difference between first act actors and second act actors

[28:08] Lisa’s advice on switching into a career in acting

[29:56] How Lisa’s past experiences have helped to further her acting career

[32:38] Avoiding burnout in acting

[34:35] The funniest story I have heard in a long time

[36:11] How Lisa’s family would describe her career

[37:47] January is the waiting month…fingers crossed for good news

Links

Lisa on Instagram

Lisa on Twitter

Pink Is In website

Pink Is In on Instagram

Pink Is In on Facebook

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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