We were lucky to catch up with Shelby Alayne Antel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shelby Alayne, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I’m also someone who– despite pursuing a career path filled with uncertainty– would consider myself to be naturally pretty risk-averse. Growing up, I was accustomed to excelling academically and athletically, largely due to the fact that I have two wonderful teachers for parents who instilled strong work ethic and high standards in their four kids. I worked hard and got good grades because that was the expectation, but I didn’t feel a true passion for anything until I started performing.
Theatre really opened my view to what my life could look like. I adored being around fellow creatives, and for the first time I felt like I was among people who really got me. When I realized that it was possible to have a career in entertainment, I became single-minded in my pursuit. This determination propelled me to explore my passion for the arts even deeper, and I delved into photography, writing, and directing.
Finding my purpose was instrumental in building the confidence to make “risky’ decisions. Looking back, I realize that many of my decisions could be considered risky by conventional standards– going to school for Theatre and TV/Film production, moving to New York, diving into freelance work. But these things feel less like a gamble and more like a necessary pursuit of my passion.
Right now I’m working on saying yes to opportunities that I don’t feel 100% ready for. I think that the best way to grow is by stepping out of your comfort zone and trusting that you’ll rise to the occasion. After years of taking headshots for fellow actors, I recently started doing corporate headshots for businesses. It felt risky at first because I had never done anything that high-volume (or high-priced) before. There’s an element of risk involved any time you try something new, but it’s also the only way to get better and expand your abilities– I’m getting better at embracing that.
Knowing that there’s nothing else I would be happy doing has been the driving force of my life. I believe that the things I’m passionate about are going to be my best offerings to the world, because there’s fire behind them. To me, the real risk is looking back on my life and wondering “what if?”
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I call myself a creative freelancer as a catch-all, but the truth is that I’ve worked so, so many different types of gigs. In addition to acting, photography, and filmmaking, I’ve been a wedding coordinator, bartender, PA, lighting assistant, receptionist, hair model, social media coordinator… the list goes on and on. I honestly love being able to have the flexibility to take on small jobs and dip my toes in to see if the work excites me. If nothing else, I love using my experiences in my writing.
Above all though, my primary and most ardent love is acting. I’m really interested in being able to explore sides of myself that I don’t get to inhabit in everyday life. I think I’m a pretty even-tempered and ordinary person, but through acting I feel like I have permission to explore to all aspects of human emotion and experience.
With photography, I just love showing people the beauty that I see. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing someone’s confidence climb after showing them a stunning picture of themselves. Whether it’s shooting an event, a fashion brand, or corporate headshots, I want the people in front of my camera to feel like I really captured them.
Right now I’m celebrating becoming an official member of SAG-AFTRA, landing a guest star role on CBS, quitting my service industry jobs to pursue full-time freelance work, and scaling up my photography business (Shelby Alayne Photography). I’m also currently in post-production for a short film I directed, and I’m developing a comedy series with plans to film a pilot this summer. I feel so thankful for the opportunities I’ve had so far, and I can’t wait to keep expanding my comfort zone.
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?
To me, the most important qualities are:
Community: Having a supportive and encouraging community is everything to me. I’m so lucky to have friends who cheer each other on with their whole being, because at the end of the day, when one of us wins, we all win. I’m taking all my friends with me when I get an opportunity, and I know they’re doing the same.
Healthy Detachment: It’s a tough industry. People say that you get a lot of “no’s” but in truth you just… don’t really hear anything at all usually. You can’t take anything personally, and you can’t let your self-esteem depend on your accomplishments or bookings. You just gotta send in that self tape and move on to the next thing.
Curiosity: I try to embrace new experiences. You never know where they may lead, who you may meet, or what you might learn. How exciting!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am ALWAYS looking for other filmmakers to collaborate with! The NYC independent film scene has so many wildly talented artists that I want to work with. Hit me up with film scripts, community event ideas, project pitches– whatever! I’m so down. Let’s grab a coffee.
Contact Info:
- Website: shelbyantel.com
- Instagram: @shelbyalayneantel / @shelbyalaynephotos
Image Credits
Jacob Elliott, Emily Hawkes
