Meet Caroline Donica

We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Donica recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I grew up as a transracial Korean American adoptee in East Texas, so there was no one in any room that looked like me other than my siblings. As an artist, I was told that I would never make it because I was Asian and short. As a woman, I faced resistance when I was placed in leadership positions.

Facing these challenges, I realized that if I wanted to succeed, I had to create my own opportunities; I had to build my own room. That’s why I decided to start Open Seat Productions. My vision was to build a space where artists, especially those who feel marginalized or overlooked, could find support, encouragement, and the resources they need to thrive. Open Seat Productions is dedicated to empowering artists through collaboration, craft, and community. By creating a platform that values diversity and inclusion, I hope to provide others with the opportunities I didn’t always have, ensuring that no one has to feel like the only one in the room.

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?

Currently, I’m focused on building Open Seat Productions through several avenues. We are in pre-production for several projects. We’ll be filming a short film at the end of September and have a writer’s room assembled for a TV show. Additionally, we are planning on pitching a documentary soon to investors and networks. Recently, we were hired to create sizzle reels for social media and internal marketing.

Open Seat Productions is continually offering classes and self-taping services. Our most popular class is the demo reel class where we help actors create a demo reel by discussing how they want to be seen and then writing and filming an original scene. We are also hoping to start a series of $15 – $20 workshops as one of our goals is to offer affordable training for aspiring actors, directors, and writers. Finally, we hold Scripting Soirées once a month where we read original works aloud and provide feedback.

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 always tell aspiring artists that I have three pieces of advice before they start this journey: Dream big, plan smart, and work hard.

Dream big: Without those big dreams, you won’t make it anywhere. Don’t let anyone, including yourself, tell you that it’s impossible. It takes courage and imagination to dream big. With that said, also follow the words of Socrates and know thyself. Know why you really want those big dreams. Understanding your why will help you develop the grit to see those big dreams through.

Plan smart: If you’re pursuing a career as an artist, you must plan smart. Artistic careers are challenging because many times, there is not a lot of financial stability. Do your best to stay out of debt, especially student debt. I worked 5 to 7 jobs in undergrad and 3 to 5 jobs in graduate school to stay out of debt. Develop other skills to have a survival job that is stable, won’t drive you insane, and give you enough flexibility to go to auditions, rehearsals, and more. I supported myself through remote, online work and teaching at children’s theaters. I have other friends who have worked in coding, cyber security, nannying, and personal training either privately or at gyms. I would also suggest looking into work teaching ESL in online programs. Trust me, the starving artist life is not as picturesque as movies would try to make you think, so plan your financial future carefully and consider things like health insurance, retirement, etc.

Work hard: Artistic careers require an insane amount of work. As an actor, you have to not just audition, but also understand the business of acting. Headshots, resumes, reels, websites, acting profiles, classes, etc. are all facets of being a working actor. Even if you have an agent, keep pursuing auditions. During the dry spells (which are often), create your own work or get involved with someone else’s to stay sharp in your craft.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am always looking for partners and collaborators. Currently, we would love those who have experience in distribution, marketing, and producing. However, we are open to anybody from directors to writers to actors to gaffers and more. As long as you work collaboratively and kindly with others, you are welcome to take a seat at the table! We can be contacted through our website or social media pages.

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