“I entered Hollywood with no connections and no clue about the Biz. I would have fared far better having a mentor.”
Actor & Writer — @lisa_catara
What pulled you into film and TV in the first place?
In 2005, I made the drive across the US from NYC to LA following the abrupt end of my first dream, Broadway musicals, which pretty much began and ended on September 11, 2001. I’ve been a natural storyteller and Creative all my life. The medium changed, but the passion for storytelling never has. I couldn’t have known that shift from stage to set would bring me so much joy and feel like “Home.” It’s the type of chaos, collaboration, and problem-solving I crave.
What do you think the industry gets most wrong about women like you?
It’s challenging to answer what I believe the industry gets most wrong about women like me because I’ve never quite fit into a box. I suppose the honest answer is that my greatest challenges never came from the work itself, but in the gatekeepers, those in between talent and decision-makers. I’ve also had bad timing: getting established just days before the writers strike in 2007, then rebuilding and reinventing myself in time for the pandemic and our recent strikes. The industry has shifted yet again.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is the ability to thrive doing what I’m most passionate about, reaching toward my ultimate potential (do we ever really get there?), and hopefully reaching back to inspire others to do the same. Our stories need to be told. I have a lot more in me!
What are you most proud of that most people don’t know about?
I am deeply proud of my ability to learn, adapt and thrive despite countless obstacles and events beyond my control. But what I am secretly proud of are all of the fellow creatives I’ve been able to elevate and get employed over the last 20+ years.
What keeps you going when the industry makes it hard?
What has always kept me going remains an insatiable creative appetite. I’ve been both blessed with and cultivated a wide range of skills applicable to the Arts and Entertainment industries. But Creativity isn’t something I’ve been able to “turn off.” I’m constantly downloading new ideas and wanting to breathe them to life.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had heard earlier?
I entered Hollywood with no connections, and no clue about “The Biz.” In retrospect, I would have fared far better having a mentor. Someone to help me fine-tune focus and avoid some of the pitfalls of the industry. Especially where it came to navigating patriarchy.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have many projects in various stages of development. two film scripts (one, I’m penning into a novel, the other could be a phenomenal series), my autobiographical blog, my podcast (GATMPodcast), my fashion designs, and my photography (I’m a self-taught automotive/street art photographer)… I think I’m over “creating my own projects,” lol. I’m hoping to connect with fellow filmmakers/writers/storytellers to finish and elevate these efforts and conceive new ones, together!
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