We recently connected with Noelia Soto and have shared our conversation below.
Noelia , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
From the moment I understood that we are all beings constantly learning how to navigate our passions, the thought of “maybe I shouldn’t do this because I’m not talented enough” felt pointless. From my first art show to the first time I spoke at a film festival, I’ve found myself in situations where, for a few seconds, I question whether I deserve to be there. But I always try to embrace the experience, give myself grace, and remind myself that if an opportunity has been presented to me, there’s a reason for it. This helps me let go of the thought that I may lack the talent or ability to be there
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I traveled all the way from Costa Rica to Vancouver at 18 to study Classical Animation and created the animated short film Movie Night, which I love dearly. It has been featured in two film festivals, internationally and locally. After graduating, I returned to my home country and enrolled in a film production program. Since then, I’ve worked as a video editor and videographer, doing freelance gigs and searching for stories to tell. Currently, I’m a film student and also working as a film producer.
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 believe persistence and discipline have played a major role in my life. Being able to push through and complete a creative project while staying true to my vision requires me to constantly rely on these qualities, allowing me to trust both myself and my process. Resilience is also crucial, especially in my field. Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you imagined, or the feedback isn’t what you expected, and the only option is to learn from it and keep pushing toward your dream.
The advice I would give to someone early in their journey, especially if they’re an anxious person like me, is to be disciplined but flexible. It’s important to work hard, especially when starting your career, but it’s equally important to know when to take a break, re-center, and realign with your goals to avoid burnout and discouragement.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My parents! My dad is the one with the artistic genes; he taught me everything about art and film. My mom, on the other hand, taught me all the qualities I need to navigate life: independence, discipline, problem-solving, and more. Both of them help me overcome my insecurities and mental blocks. They have always believed in me, even in the moments when I didn’t believe in myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://noeliasoto.my.canva.site/noelia-soto
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noeliasotocez/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/noeliasotocez
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/EQQ_MPkjaP4?si=AVWvbJ6Ff6o1biSO
