We recently connected with Gretel Munday and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gretel, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
As an actor in todays climate- one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to write your own work. That being said, I would have never called myself a writer or producer at the beginning of my career. Writing hasn’t come naturally to me and has been a slow burner! The biggest block I have had is procrastination- but once I recognized that I had the tendency to procrastinate- I allowed myself to write without a hard schedule. If I didn’t ‘force’ times in my day to write, I found ideas coming to me and scribbling down those ideas no matter what I was in the middle of, then I was excited to grab my laptop and turn those scribbles into screenplays. I also would let myself marinate on the ideas, writing from your own experience can be strange as I had to realise that you don’t have to write word for word what actually happened. You can take your own experience and elaborate or relate it to something else- seems simple- but especially writing comedy I’ve taken situations in my own life that were hard to live through & made light and a joke of it. It has deepened my writing, has become the kind of story I’m drawn to watch on tv and laugh at …and hopefully one day will be the kind of relatable story the viewers will laugh and relate to! Full circle.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At the end of the day. Im just someone who is pursuing a passion. I have been an actor for as long as I can remember. Everything I do in my very normal life is in pursuit of that passion. Its watching TV and being enthralled with the performances, its being moved by something outside of yourself- its my drive for myself to be able to make someone else feel that way. I have such a natural affinity for comedy in my every day life, I absolutely love to make people laugh. The idea of being able to work around people in a comedy is a big drive of mine. We only have this one life to live- you gotta have fun while living it! My current every day life is focusing on that- I’m officially writing my first sitcom and I’m so excited to be putting my energy into something that’s positive and enriching and to make myself and others laugh!
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?
I think the three qualities or beliefs I have instilled in myself that have helped me pursue a difficult and competitive career are these:
Living for the hope of it all.
I would much rather live with hope and belief, than live a more comfortable and safe life that is not as exciting or hopeful. Yes I might fail and there for sure are more ups and downs in this career, but I wouldn’t be who I am if I wasn’t as hopeful as I am.
Resilience against rejection.
It’s just simply not about you. Its not negative, its not you aren’t good enough or you cant do this and that. You do your best & you move on. The right role will find you (or you can write it for yourself!)
Everything happens for a reason.
A broad and everyday saying, but hell of a comfort in this industry!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am absolutely looking to collaborate with others. You never know what quality someone else has that will bring out qualities in yourself you didn’t know you had! I have been so lucky to meet so many people living in the UK, NYC & LA. From all different walks of life. That has shaped the person I am so much. Moving to LA I was both excited and nervous to be fully immersed in the industry. I thought it would be like the movies, your barista, taxi driver, accountant and hairdresser were all actually actors and you get lost in the sea of women that look exactly like you and you are all in competition for the same roles. But I have found LA to be actually so much more than that. Everyone here is in the industry in different ways, from crew to writers, producers to talent, and we all are chasing a dream. I have never felt competition with my friends, we are all supportive and uplifting of each other. Ive always been drawn to strong women and working in female led fields- so if you are a female trying to find your way in the comedy world or have your own advice to offer- I would love to connect!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gretelmunday.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretel_munday/
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