An Inspired Chat with Dana Schick

Dana Schick shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Dana, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely. Every time I think about how we made The Death of Us in the middle of a lockdown — facing uncertainty, isolation, and every challenge imaginable — and how it still went on to win awards, land distribution, and stream on Prime Video and Apple TV, I feel a proud, almost emotional smile. It reminds me that even under the toughest pressure, passion and perseverance can truly shine.

Now I’m stepping into a new chapter, producing original scripts and creating more content under Outta the Garage Entertainment. Watching that vision come to life fills me with pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment — proof that even in the hardest moments, I never stopped creating, growing, and dreaming.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dana Schick — an actress, filmmaker, and producer based in New Orleans. I co-run Outta The Garage Entertainment, LLC with my creative partners Yonash Breneman and Anthony Theodorakos, where we focus on character-driven, suspenseful, and psychologically rich storytelling.

During the pandemic, I produced and starred in the indie feature The Death of Us, which is now streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV. We’re continuing to build on that momentum with new projects, including Life Changer, a high-concept sci-fi procedural TV pilot, and a New Orleans–based feature currently in development. As a team, we’re committed to crafting films and original content that resonate emotionally, spark conversation, and push the boundaries of indie filmmaking.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think the people who saw me clearly before I could see myself were my parents and my acting coach at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. My mom and dad always encouraged my curiosity and creativity, even when I wasn’t sure which direction I was heading. And early on, my coach recognized my drive, my sensitivity, and the way I connected to storytelling — long before I had the confidence to fully own it. That foundation shaped everything I do today.

That support continues now through my collaborators at Outta The Garage Entertainment, Yonash Breneman and Anthony Theodorakos. They’ve believed in my vision from day one. Yonash directed The Death of Us and Anthony co-wrote the script, while I served as producer and first assistant director. Together, we brought the film to life and are now developing new projects like our sci-fi procedural pilot Life Changer.

It’s a powerful reminder that having people who see your potential — even before you see it in yourself — can completely change the trajectory of your life and career.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. Making The Death of Us during the height of the pandemic was one of the hardest experiences of my life. We were navigating safety concerns, limited resources, and the intense pressure of trying to create an entire feature film in isolation. There were moments when everything felt impossible, and I questioned whether we would even make it to the finish line.

What kept me going was the dedication of my collaborators, Yonash Breneman and Anthony Theodorakos, along with our cast, crew, and the incredible support of our investors during post-production. Together, we pushed through every setback and refused to let the circumstances break the project.

Seeing our film premiere at Regal LA Live in downtown Los Angeles, winning awards, and now streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV was a powerful reminder that perseverance can transform even the most difficult chapters into something meaningful. It taught me that the moments you almost give up are often the ones that shape you the most.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
Early in my career, I held onto the idea that talent alone was enough to succeed — that if you were good, the right opportunities would simply find you. Looking back, I realize how naive that belief was. Talent matters, of course, but it’s only one part of the equation.

Filmmaking — and really any creative path — is built on persistence, collaboration, and the relationships you cultivate along the way. Producing The Death of Us during the pandemic, building Outta The Garage Entertainment, and developing projects like Life Changer taught me that grit, patience, and a willingness to problem-solve are just as essential as artistic ability. Nothing meaningful happens overnight, and nothing great happens alone.

I’ve learned to value teamwork, adaptability, and resilience far more than the idea of instant recognition or “being good enough.” Trusting the process — especially when it’s messy, slow, or uncertain — is what ultimately keeps your career moving forward.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who pursued her passions with heart and purpose — someone who brought stories to life that truly resonated. That my team and I were able to create something meaningful with The Death of Us — premiering at Regal Cinemas LA LIVE in Los Angeles, streaming globally on Prime Video and Apple TV, and earning multiple awards and nominations, including Best Actress and Best Produced Feature — even when it seemed unlikely or impossible. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to have the unwavering support of my mom and dad, whose encouragement has been a constant in my life and career.

I also hope they see that I continued to grow, take risks, and build work that mattered, from our supernatural crime drama TV pilot Life Changer to our team film script Obstensible, a sci-fi thriller we’re eagerly awaiting next steps on in partnership with Witchcraft Motion Pictures. These projects represent the kind of storytelling I and my team want to leave behind.

Most importantly, I hope people say I lived with strength, integrity, learned from my mistakes, and always tried to protect and uplift the people I love — my family, friends, animals, and collaborators. That I used my work to support the film community and inspire others to create boldly and believe in what they’re capable of. Ultimately, I hope the story they tell is of someone who worked hard, cared deeply, created bravely, and left a meaningful impact through both her art and her heart.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: DanaSchick

Image Credits
Dana Schick