We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brandi Aguilar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brandi , so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I don’t know if I have any “haters” per se…if I do then they haven’t told me! I’d like to think I’m a very friendly person with no enemies that I can think of. . I’m kind of a people pleaser and I am trying to combat that because I know it is impossible that absolutely everyone will like me or my work. Yes, maybe I have had to stand up for myself a few times if I felt I was mistreated or they were rude to me for no reason. As I get older, I realize I am definitely caring less if there are some people out there that don’t understand my sense of humor. And that is ok and their right! Everyone has a different sense of humor and that’s ok. This world is full of different opinions and viewpoints and I get that.
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 used to love playing pretend when I was little. So to do that as a profession is super rad. It’s competitive for sure, but that is what makes booking a job so sweet, I know I worked hard for it. None of it came easy!
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?
I think the 3 skills that are most impactful and helpful to me in my journey thus far were communication, networking skills, and my work ethic. Communication is great because I am really good (I feel) at getting my points across of what I want and what I do, I like to make people feel like I’ve known them for years because it breaks the ice. I guess that sort of goes to my next skill is networking. I love to network with people with the same goals ,interests, and ideas as I have. Being with them in the creative environment makes me incredibly happy. It’s the best feeling in the world, just being around people who have the same loves as you do and making a great piece of art together. Work ethic is important because this business is very tough, be prepared to work and study a LOT! And learn to be patient with yourself. You may not get your first acting part for years, so keep studying and keep learning your craft. Your first acting part is already on its way, it already exists! It’s just up to you to uncover it! So acting classes are a must. If you cannot afford an acting class that’s ok! Read books on the craft of acting or watch videos on YouTube on acting. The internet makes it so much easier!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
If I am VERY overwhelmed, I cry, haha. Or I take a nap. Then I breathe, and just keep going. I’m already a very anxious person so I have to remember my overall well-being comes first. I exercise on the treadmill, that always calms me down as well as keeping me in shape! I also try and just take a break. Even if it’s just for a day or so. It’s ok to take lots of mini-breaks to charge yourself up again.
Contact Info:
- Website: brandiaguilar.com
- Instagram: x_brandiaguilar
- Facebook: OfficialBrandiAguilar
- Twitter: @BrandiAguilar
Image Credits
Chanelle Barona Dante Swain Miss Missy Photography
