Anna Sundquist
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna Sundquist a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Anna, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Is it lame if I say my mom? Because I think it’s the truth. As much as I might be more of an old soul, my mom is a young one. She is playful and light, and always reminds me to balance out my scheduled lifestyle with necessary coffee breaks or fresh air. Apart from the obvious fact that she truly enjoys life, she works harder than anyone I know. She’s taught me to go after something I genuinely like spending my time on, in addition to knowing why I do what I do. For her, she found meaning in the world of news and media. In my case, I simply love film, and see great value in storytelling.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Beginning of this year I got the most thrilling call from a young director whom I’d briefly worked with previously. (Anna is not in a position to disclaim names as of now). He offered me an audition for a role in his upcoming sci-fi drama, “Darko”(working title). A complex story about belonging and immortality. I said I’d think about it. Ha! Just kidding. I went through the audition process, and ultimately got the part. I called my acting coach, and we started prepping immediately. I loved having the time to dig deep into the character and story. Every actor has their own unique process, using different techniques and methods that work for them. I don’t have time to go over everything I do, but there’s one thing that’s critical when taking on a role. I find it pivotal to never, ever judge my character, and to find ways to connect their truth to my truth.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
A few years ago, right before I was about to begin my studies at The American Academy, my very wise friend Andreas Schuller told me something I’ll never forget. He said, “You have to be dumb enough to try, and smart enough to follow through”. The percentage rate for success is devastatingly low, so having the belief that you have what it takes is key. Now the crucial step is following through. And by following through, I mean constantly working on improving the craft and skill, regardless of what field you’re in. I think that becoming excellent at what you do, in addition to working equally as hard on finding other people who want to work with you, is a winning combination.
And the most important one… just don’t give up. Like I nearly did last year. I arrived in Los Angeles with a fresh acting visa, ready to find a lovely apartment and get going. The only problem? I didn’t have a credit score, and I certainly did not have money for a larger deposit. Simply put, I wasn’t the ideal candidate and got nothing but no’s. The solution? Couch surf. For weeks. Months. In the midst of the chaos, a friend of mine passed away and I began to struggle mentally. I remember getting back from the funeral, laying down on my friend’s sofa in North Hollywood. As I was looking at my suitcase on the floor, I started to seriously question it all. I had just witnessed with my own eyes that there’s no such thing as a guaranteed tomorrow.
I could go back to Norway at any time. To family, friends, safety. Even with no money left, my mom would get me a ticket. So what was stopping me? Purpose? My vision for the future? Fear of failure? Or maybe just to prove all the people who had rejected me wrong? I don’t know, but I did wake up the next morning knowing I had to pack my suitcase and keep going. Onto another couch. A few weeks later, a friend co-signed an apartment for me and I booked a role in an indie film. It barely paid my bills, but I felt invincible. Not to say I’ve felt invincible since. On the contrary. It’s a constant rollercoaster – you just have to stay on it. So to clearly answer your question:
1) Be dumb enough to try
2) Be smart enough to follow through
3) Just don’t give up
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
“The Power of Now”, by Eckhart Tolle.
I mean.. Gosh. Most books do leave me with nuggets of wisdom, and reading is one of my biggest pleasures in life. However, there’s only one that has left me with way more than bits and pieces. In all sincerity, it changed the way I think and made life a little bit easier. I’ve gifted it to all my friends at some point, and I would love for whoever is reading this to give it a chance. Just trust me on this!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: itsannasundquist
Image Credits
Mauricio Esteban
