We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lynda Reiss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lynda, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I have always been a ‘cup half full’ kinda girl. I just see the possibilities, and look at every misstep as being there for a reason. Sometimes, often times, the reason isn’t obvious. But when you do see it, its often a light bulb moment. The more aware you are of this, the quicker the reasons show themselves. It is because of this way of thinking that I am an optimist.
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 am a film director and writer. I’ve been a storyteller my whole life. I’m compelled to entertain and I think the reason for this is the world can be a pretty crappy place. Sometimes the only way through the darkness is to laugh. As a director I love delving into that space between the dark and the laugh. Examine why people do what they do, and peel back the layers. Life is comedy and tragedy every five minutes every day, and if I thought about it for too long, I’d never leave the house. I want to make people laugh and cry, to have the opportunity to let go and feel. I’ve had those moments, and I want to give them to my audiences. I’m all about the dramedy, stories of real life with reluctant heroes, and messy people. It’s that tone and those types of characters that are most real for me and help me fathom my life. I want to tell stories that help people make sense of the world but not take it all too seriously.
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?
Tenacity, humor and curiosity. My advice to young people is to show up, take that first step, and if necessary leap and figure it out on the way down. Seek the destination, but enjoy the journey, because the journey is where you’ll spend most of your time.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I have chosen, at an age where most of my peers are starting retirement, to change my career trajectory from a solid job in the art department of film and tv, into the highly competitive field of film directing and writing. It is a choice that has made me the most happy and the most terrified all at the same time. To be hired as a director is never easy, and I made this choice just before the covid shut down, and now a year of media guild strikes. But when I make a decision, especially one that has made my creative heart sing, there is no option for failure. I have to get up every morning and stay the course. You have to fight for your dreams, I refuse to beleive that mine won’t come true.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lyndareiss-director.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndajreiss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.reiss
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndajreiss/
