Meet Anthea Neri-Best

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

Anthea, 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?
Several things have helped to make me a resilient person. For one, my Filipino heritage has instilled values emphasizing family, perseverance, and community support in the face of hardships. Overall, though, I would say that my resilience is deeply rooted in my mother’s courageous and selfless spirit, which I believe is a part of my genetic makeup, passed down through generations as a source of strength.

When I was just four years old, my family decided to immigrate from the Philippines to the United States. My mother left behind her comfortable life, her private practice, and a successful medical career to pursue the “American Dream” for our family. Her unwavering determination left an indelible mark on my own resilience.

The “American Dream” embodies the belief that hard work and perseverance can lead to a better life and endless opportunities. My mother’s lifelong pursuit of this dream reflects her deep conviction in the power of resilience. She invested effort and confronted adversity to create a better life for us, serving as a lasting source of inspiration for my own resilience.

In addition, my mother was not only courageous through immigration and the beautiful life she created for us here in the states, but also during her five-year battle with ALS and frontal lobe dementia. When doctors said she had months, she lived for years. When they said she couldn’t function, she stood up and danced. Her ability to defy medical odds and her tenacious spirit inspire me to confront life’s challenges with courage, adaptability, and an unshakable determination to chase my dreams, love fearlessly, and stand steadfast in the face of adversity.

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?
I’m an actor, singer, and producer, and what excites me most is the realization that I can create opportunities rather than wait for them. Together with my husband, we founded BxB Studios, a multimedia studio. As our award-winning short film “Face On” gained recognition, people began approaching us, eager to know what’s next.

This led us on an inspiring journey: independently producing and funding our very first full-length feature film: SHERYL. We even ran a successful crowdfunding campaign, raising over $60k in just 45 days. This has been no ordinary feat, considering the challenges of everything from a pandemic to a SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike. My husband, Justin Best, an award-winning storyteller, took on the roles of writer and director, and I had the privilege of playing the lead protagonist. We assembled a talented, diverse crew behind the camera and conducted a global search to find the exceptional, diverse cast that completed our team for SHERYL.

SHERYL is a dark-comedy/thriller. It follows the story of a beauty-obsessed woman on a quest to create the perfect face after being dumped by her serial killer boyfriend. While the film is told through a lens of horror and comedy, it addresses real issues like self-love, acceptance, and societal pressures, particularly for women.

We’re excited to bring this unique story to the big screen and are thrilled to announce that SHERYL will have its world premiere at the film festival, Dances With Films: NY on December 1, 2023 in New York City.

At BxB Studios, we envision a world where our imaginative and captivating storytelling infuses boundless joy and excitement into the lives of our audience. We aim to pioneer the creation of vibrant, bold, immersive worlds inhabited by captivating characters, each serving as a gateway to places where adventure, humor, and wonder flourish. We wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of storytelling, with its ability to elicit laughter, awe, and pure enjoyment.

Our commitment is steadfast. We aspire to craft stories that resonate with audiences of all ages, granting them an escape into the infinite realm of imagination, where the extraordinary and adventurous come vibrantly to life. Our studio provides filmmakers with a safe haven to create, collaborate, and connect through the power of storytelling and our art.

Going forward, we are planning to launch our very first comic book issue of SHERYL and venture into the world of podcasts. Additionally, we have several scripts in pre-production. We’re excited to share inspiration and creativity with all who join us on this remarkable journey. We aim to lead by example, showing that dreams become possible when you believe.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that have profoundly influenced my journey are resourcefulness, belief, and kindness. To those embarking on their path, I offer this advice: embark on a quest to discover your true self, unburdened by the noise of family, societal pressures, and imposed limitations. Ask yourself, “What do YOU want to create? What do YOU want to say? How do YOU want to do it?”

Let’s challenge the stereotype of the struggling, financially burdened filmmaker. Transform it into a journey of self-discovery and enjoyment. Shift your perspective on daunting tasks and see them as opportunities for personal growth. When the world deems something impossible, reframe it and say, “Oh, this will be fun! How can I make this happen?” Remember, belief in yourself and your project must come before anyone else’s belief. Share your child-like wonder and ignite the spark of joy in others. This is where the real magic happens and the gateway to boundless possibilities swings wide open.

It’s not about the resources; it’s about your resourcefulness. We live in an era where endless knowledge is at our fingertips. If you don’t understand something or want to learn, a quick internet search is all it takes. You don’t need a $100,000 camera to make your film; your phone will do just fine. Start creating, and don’t worry about perfection; the beauty lies in its imperfections.

Lastly, Hollywood may have its reputation, but instead of dwelling on it, let’s BE the change. Never underestimate the power of love and kindness. We are privileged to craft stories for a living, so shed the masks worn by “Hollywood” or “indie” filmmakers and present your authentic self, brimming with curiosity and wonder. Being a kind human will take you far in this industry.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
The most recent book that has significantly influenced my development is “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin.

Rick Rubin masterfully relieves the tension and pressure we often impose on ourselves as artists and storytellers. He grants us the permission to dare to be free and exceptional in our artistic pursuits. His book was filled with one “AHA” moment after another. Here are three of my favorite quotes from his book:

1. “We can’t force greatness to happen. All we can do is invite it in and actively await it. We’re all different and imperfect, and it’s our imperfections that make each of us and our work interesting.”

2. “In terms of priority, inspiration comes first. You come next. The audience comes last.” This insight is particularly crucial, especially in filmmaking. We’re often told that the key to making a successful film is to have a Hollywood star or certain elements, but we tend to forget that, first and foremost, it’s a good story that connects with people. There’s no one-size-fits-all measure of success because everyone has a different definition.

3. “The goal of art isn’t to attain perfection. The goal is to share who we are and how we see the world.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Waleska Santiago, Stephanie Girard

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