Meet Cody Sloan

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cody Sloan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cody, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I really struggle with imposter syndrome when I’m working, especially when I feel like the stakes of a project are very high. At its most basic level, it can feel really vulnerable to put yourself out there as an actor, whether it’s an audition, a first screening, or an opening night. What really helps me be more easy on myself and feel deserving in those moments is reminding myself that everyone feels this way. Even the actors I really look up to and imagine “oh, there’s no WAY that person doubts themself.” One of my teachers in grad school, the wonderful Marco Barricelli, would say that he would doubt himself and feel insecure all the time at the start of a process and that it’s something he started to recognize as just one part of his process. And something that would shift over time. I keep coming back to that and remember that imposter syndrome is natural and happens to all of us.

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’m very excited to have a short film that I wrote, co-produced, and stared in entering the festival circuit next year. SHOT DAY is a very personal story, drawing on my relationship with my weekly testosterone shot. I was lucky enough to collaborate with an amazing team and a longtime friend, Emily Moler, on this project. And it is the first film my production company, Baby Teeth, is producing! I’m very excited to share it!

SHOT DAY
A young trans man battles his anxiety to complete his weekly testosterone shot. In one day, he incentives himself in different ways, but can he find the simple strength he needs to take care of his body?

Directed by Emily Moler
Written by and Staring Cody Sloan
Produced by Cody Sloan, Emily Moler, Caroline Keeler, and Russell Sperberg

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Some advice I would give any actors starting is find a class or a coach that you love and get some training! This can be anything you feel excited about – improv, Shakespeare, and scene study class. It’s so helpful to spend dedicated time working on your craft without the pressure of a job. It will push you to grow and let you build a community of other actors and creatives. I’d also advice folks to see a lot of theater and watch a lot of movies that you love! Make a list of actors that you admire and inspire you and watch everything they’ve ever done! Watch their interviews and be curious about their career and how they think about acting. Not only will you learn from watching them, but I think it’s really inspiring and grounding to know that their are other artists out their doing work you love and find exciting and finding their place in the industry.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Not exactly a challenge, but we are in the middle of festival submissions for SHOT DAY, for the upcoming festival season. It’s my and my co-producers first time taking on that process. It’s very excited, but sometimes intimidating to feel like we’re learning as we’re going. So many friends and collaborators have been generous with their experience and support – letting us ask questions, sharing their festival experiences, etc. Like so much of this industry, you can feel stuck by “oh I’ve never done that before” or you can just jump in and go for it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28224060/
• Other: FilmFreeway:
  https://filmfreeway.com/projects/3215004

Image Credits

Image Credits: Cody Sloan and Emily Moler