Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elle Vernee’. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Elle , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
– …In an expensive and painful way. My first full-time job was a respectable job with upward mobility, having been tapped early to replace a retiring, long time valued employee. I was collaborating with great people in a solid, well-established organization; and I was miserable. I spent moments throughout my workday glancing at the clock. Around a year into the position, I began to have severe chest pains that mimicked heart attack patterns that landed me in the emergency room. Tests began that evening and followed for several months. All test results came back with nothing. My final medical advice was to journal the times that the pains occurred. Generally, the pains began early Monday mornings and lasted throughout the week until Friday afternoons. The pains never happened on the weekends, or during my off time. I was unfulfilled at work, and it was affecting my health, even at a suitable place to be employed. This led me to desperately need to figure out why am I here? What am I supposed to do? I must work, but I cannot spend my life in pain and staring at a clock. I became laser focused on my purpose. After prayer and fasting, I learned that I am a creative individual and require creative outlets for my well-being. During this time, I was reminded of how much I have always loved storytelling in all forms. I have been doing it since I was a kid, and my storytelling has always been entertaining to the audience that received it. From family to classmates to now stage and film.
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?
Storytelling is my business and business is good. My professional career spans over a decade which includes acting, writing, producing, and directing for theater. My acting credits include stage, film, television, and commercials. I have always been fascinated by people and their different personalities; but most of all their stories. This same fascination fuels my acting as I become fascinated by the world of imaginary characters. Upcoming, I look forward to the release of the feature film “Snatched,” two short films “Fintech” starring Zack Fox (Abbott Elementary), “There’s No Crying” which is the directorial debut for Raychel Smith and finally the webisode “Never Divorce a Billionaire Heiress.” In addition to my acting, I have established myself as a writer having written a number of original plays and live stage productions. These were self-produced and commissioned by various organizations while also snagging a new playwright honor from the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Texas. As a screenwriter, I have been recognized and won awards for screenwriting on the film festival circuit as well as screenwriting competitions. I also produce for film plus theater and currently serve as Executive Producer for the short film “Midland” due out later this year. Lastly, I assist in Executive and Contracts at The Directors Guild of America in Hollywood.
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?
Looking back reading, training, and listening have been the three areas that have been the most impactful in my journey to becoming a professional storyteller. Once I made my decision to pursue a career in entertainment there were no full-time professional artists in my personal community. So, I read any book I could I get my hands on regarding acting and writing beginning with “Breaking into Acting for Dummies” by Larry Garrison and Wallace Wang. It was so helpful to me and was my bible for years. I also read biographies and scripts. I joined acting and writing groups online, plus took acting and writing courses at The University of Alabama. I listened to every piece of entertainment news and watching movies and plays began to be a form of instruction as well. I did not have many resources at my disposal. Furthermore, that would be my advice for someone just beginning their journey: use what you have. While Alabama has some of the most talented people on this side of heaven, it still was not an entertainment hub for professionals such as Los Angeles or New York. However, I was able to begin my journey right where I was. It was my work in Alabama that garnered the attention of a theater director who invited me to audition for my first professional acting contract in Orlando, Florida. I booked it and the rest is history. I then got my first agent from that production who booked my first national commercial. Just get going, right where you are.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
All day. But only positive, “the glass is half full” personalities need apply. I am jealous of the infamous creative teams and collaborations such as the Matt Damon – Ben Affleck duo. And the familial collaboration of Spike Lee and the artists he has repeatedly worked with from the very beginning of his career until now, Denzel Washington, Samuel Jackson, Terence Blanchard and others. I would love to be a part of a creative collaborative effort that yields amazing results that can impact the industry. I can be reached through social media @ellevernee for any professional artist that truly enjoys storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: ellevernee.com
- Instagram: @ellevernee
- Facebook: @ellevernee
