Meet Amelia Mahrie

We recently connected with Amelia Mahrie and have shared our conversation below.

Amelia, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Entering an industry where the majority of your job is auditioning just to get rejected takes tough mental armour. When I first started independently submitting myself to projects, I would get really attached to specific roles or specific concepts, and then be really disappointed when I wouldn’t book them. Don’t get me wrong – that still happens today – but as I’ve grown as both an actor and individual, I find myself reminding that insecure, people-pleasing part of me that I’m not going to be perfect for every role. And I’m not meant to be. As actors, we get the privilege to tell stories from a variety of perspectives and lives that are not our own, and for that reason there are going to be so many different voices needed to build each cinematic world.

Additionally, I’ve gotten the opportunity to help cast a handful of film projects and through this, have been able to develop a different frame of mind as an actor. I’ve had multiple filmmaker friends of mine reach out and say, ‘Hey, I’m looking for this type of actor to fit this type of character description,’ and then I get to play matchmaker. I’m super fortunate to have a great group of creatives to turn to and think, ‘Ok, a) who matches the filmmaker’s work style and direction well, and b) who do I think can tell this character’s story with the strongest voice?’ There are so many reasons why you don’t get cast and you rarely have control over all the factors. Working in casting has given me a really great perspective in taking the personal pain of getting rejected out of it. I highly recommend every actor to be involved in the casting side of a project at least once.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As if breaking into the acting industry isn’t hard enough alone, I had the brilliant idea of trying to begin my professional acting journey in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. I had just moved back to my hometown in Wisconsin after being abroad in Germany and Malaysia for several years and had officially been bitten by the acting bug while performing in my international schools’ shows. When I returned to the U.S. ready to jump head first into my new school’s theatre program, something about a pandemic and a poorly funded arts initiative made that less than feasible. But a beautiful opportunity was born from this: I now had a reason to independently branch out and pursue filmwork.

Four years later, I have over 60 film credits to my name and 18 theatrical shows under my belt. Just this May, one of my most recent short films, Reasonable Doubt, directed by Daniel J. Pico had the incredible opportunity to screen at the Marché du Film at the highly renowned Cannes Film Festival in France. Created from start to finish in only two days, this film was part of the 48-Hour Film Project’s competition “Yes We Cannes” in which the top teams from around the world are invited to compete. Our film team is an entirely Wisconsin made group and features some of the most hardworking creatives I know. The film industry within the Midwest not only contains an enormous amount of talent but also a fresh air of support and encouragement that cannot be found anywhere else.

Aside from acting, I have experience working in screenwriting, songwriting, producing, casting, assistant directing, and most notably: stage combat. This past spring I received certification from the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) in unarmed combat, broadsword, small sword, single sword, and quarterstaff. Training in combat is not only physically thrilling, but has greatly improved my personal confidence in all aspects of movement and collaborative work. Trust is absolutely essential when working in action scenes. It also makes me sound mad cool. “What are you off to this morning?” / “Oh nothing, just some casual sword fighting.”

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?

If I had three pieces of advice to pass along to someone in my field, I would offer up the following: 1) Make Mistakes 2) Never Be the Smartest One in the Room 3) Help Others.

Part of acting and working as a creative is appreciating the freedom that comes with embarrassment. There’s no right answer when you’re playing pretend so get over the belief that you have to always be perfect. Once you start making mistakes and trying things out just to see what happens, then you start cooking. Whether it’s in the rehearsal room or your own room while memorizing lines, make all sorts of choices and see what sticks. Don’t be afraid to look dumb because chances are you’re gonna. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve wound up on a set acting completely ridiculous. Whether the scene called for dancing without music, getting doused with slime, fighting off a demonic possession, or quite frankly anything involving a green-screen, the crews I’ve worked with have seen it all. But there’s no greater career than one that continues to push you out of your comfort zone.

There is always something new you can learn from those around you. And what’s so exciting about our industry, is there are a million ways to become inspired by others. I always feel the most alive when I’m talking with someone about something that they’re passionate about. I love to sit and listen to others explain to me why their favorite movie is their favorite, why they decided to shoot the scene this way, why it took half an hour for the first line of dialogue to be said. Tell me everything. When I find myself on set, I soak up everything. Pay attention to how others work and what is effective to you. Draw inspiration and use it down the line on different projects. Go to the cinema and watch a movie with a crowd. Feel the buzz and the engagement and question why this film has audiences hooked. Always be curious, always feel like a student, always allow yourself to wonder.

Finally, look out for others. I say that on both a broader scale and an industry scale. Give back to your communities, lend a helping hand, help those who are less fortunate. Additionally, when an opportunity presents itself, help move someone else up in the film world. I spoke about helping with casting earlier, but part of what I also love about producing is bringing creatives together. Be fans of those you work with. If Ava Corder and Darsh Thakker at Arrival Studios hadn’t taken a chance on 17-year-old Amelia Mahrie with no headshot or reel, I never would have booked my first short film. Just as others look out for you, look out for them.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My confidence. While writing this, I’m currently watching Rocketman (2019) with my good friend Aminee Hoff (who has also peer reviewed all of these responses – thanks Aminee) and I’m witnessing Elton John grow into his soul and discover himself. A year ago, last July, I would have said I have no idea who I am. I knew I liked acting and I liked making movies, but the inner personal details I was a little hazy on. But that’s what happens right? You go off to college and live alone for the first time and little by little you learn who you are. Within the past 12 months, I’ve become more grounded than ever. I feel self-assured in my craft and industry, and my part in it. Most importantly, I feel stronger as both ‘Amelia the performer’ and ‘Amelia the person.’

I owe a lot of this newfound confidence to those who continue to bring me onto film sets and allow me the freedom to play. Additionally, I owe even more credit to those in my life who support me and continue to do so. The last piece of advice I might offer up to readers who’ve made it this far, is to surround yourself with good people who fuel you emotionally and mentally. I would be a very poor woman if I didn’t have the friends that I do have. Keep ‘em close, they’re gonna be your greatest cheerleaders and you’re gonna be theirs too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ameliamahrie.com
• Instagram: @ameliamahrie
• Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12911407/