Meet Amani Boyd

We recently connected with Amani Boyd and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amani, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

Self care is so important as a teen in the entertainment industry. It doesn’t have to be having a whole spa day or spending a ton at the mall, (although that’s fun too) self care for me can be as simple as wearing my favorite shirt or making a cup of hot chocolate. Setting boundaries between my personal life and my work life is also key because I don’t want to get caught up in work. I’m able to focus on the script and be engaged with my scene partners more when I have had time to rejuvenate myself.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have been acting for nine years and I can safely say that the thing that draws me to it is artistry and the technical skill that goes behind making a film. I did a couple modeling shoots as an infant, starred in a music video for the band Meet Me at the Alter in middle school, and currently play Mariah on Carl Weber’s “The Family Business.” Working on different sets has opened my eyes to the creative ways that each production works together.
I have also been exploring fashion design. I made a classy dress for my birthday using a pattern I purchased online, but I made a few tweaks to match my style. It was a bit challenging at first because this was the first pattern I have ever followed. Despite making a few mistakes, I am still very proud of the result and the process inspired me to make even more. My homecoming dress was entirely free handed. I drafted a few designs before finally deciding on the one I liked; the final dress. I loved the freedom I felt while making the dress and I am so excited to make more.

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

The ability to be multifaceted, speak up for yourself, and to have a hunger for knowledge has been key in my journey. You cannot be shy to try new things in this industry. You will have to do things that may be new to you or out of your comfort zone. Those may include realizing an abstract idea through body language, or making it believable that you actually are evading a horrifying monster. A challenging one for me was portraying an intense emotion that I had never felt before. It is not an easy task; it really requires me to dig deep within myself to bring fourth my emotions or feelings.
On one hand, being open to trying things is important but, being assertive is also key for protecting yourself and your career. Use your own better judgement, If something is not working for you or does not feel right then speak up! If you explain your issue (as daunting as it may seem in some cases) than you can come to an agreement or they can make accommodations. Know your worth, because while there are many awesome people in this industry, there are a few that are looking to exploit you.
To learn the difference between those types of people, make connections and do research. When I get an audition, I research the casting director and the producers and the director. That way I can get an idea of what they might want from my audition or how they are perceived by others. Lastly, get to know your cast-mates and the crew. They might invite you to work with them on other projects and you’ll make cool friends.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

There’s no doubt that I would not be where I am in my career without the guidance of my mom, she’s my number one supporter! Whether it’s taking me on the sometimes hours long drives to and from set, to lighting the fire under my butt to keep my grades up in school, my mother has always been there to celebrate my achievements and most importantly, to help me learn from my mistakes. My mother also gives me crucial financial advice as an accountant and business owner. One of the things I find most useful is when she shares with me the challenges that she faces with her own business. She shares with me what went wrong and then teaches me about how she overcame those challenges. Seeing my mother study to become a CPA and strive for a PHD while already having two degrees is so inspiring to me, I strive to be as high achieving as her.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @amani_e_boyd
• Other: Imdb:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9447695/

Image Credits

headshots by Freshlook photos