We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Hudson Bellini recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, 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?
I didn’t embrace my purpose for a long time. I was pursuing what I thought was a more traditional path to filmmaking. Working for other people and working my way up the ladder. But the daydreams were always the same. On the filmmaking side, I was the leader and the decision-maker. And when I wasn’t daydreaming about that, I was daydreaming about acting. Okay, probably the majority of the time I was daydreaming about acting. I hadn’t pursued acting at all. It was just a fantasy life that I indulged in inside my head. And the daydreams were always accompanied by a sense of sadness and hopelessness; a reality that would never be. Then, I had a terrible boss. He was a real jerk and a complete misogynist who treated me like I was lower than dirt. I became depressed and listless and my work ethic went way down. I needed joy in my life again, so I started acting in local short films and commercials. Before long it hit me, why am I allowing myself to be stuck in a position that makes me miserable? Acting had set my soul on fire, and there was no looking back.
I quit that job and began pursuing acting and filmmaking on my own terms. My daydreams since then have been full of hope and specificity. Since I’ve been on this path, I can’t imagine any other. That’s how I know, no matter how challenging it is sometimes, it’s the path I’m supposed to be on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an actor and film producer. Both of those have their own challenges and rewards. One of the challenges of being an actor is that, as talented as you are and as much as you can develop and hone your craft, at the end of the day you are relying on other people to give you an opportunity. As a producer, I can facilitate my own opportunities and opportunities for others. And I love discovering unique and special stories and bringing them to life from very start to very finish. There are a million reasons to tell a story and there are so many stories that deserve to be told. Acting is my passion, it’s the thing I could never live without. As an actor, it’s a special thing to be able to learn about and deep dive into people other than yourself. People who, on paper, could not be more different than you. But it is your job to find the connecting thread and understand them to their core. I am endlessly curious about people, and acting is a manifestation of that insatiable curiosity.
My most recent film, Angel, is currently in post-production and will have a Seed & Spark campaign launching in April. This story is incredible; “a true story about aliens” that is based on the writer’s real experience of being adopted. It is a vast, touching story that spans generations and is full of so much beauty and heart. The team is unbelievably talented and I am so proud to have worked with every single person who contributed to this film. We are so close to getting it completed, and this Seed & Spark campaign will get us the funds needed to complete the final steps. I truly cannot wait for audiences to see this film!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The skill that has been the most indispensable for me throughout my life, including my career, has been common sense. Being able to accurately perceive and make sound judgment calls is crucial in all aspects of life. Weighing and considering all possibilities so you can make a decision with certainty is a skill that becomes second-nature with enough practice.
The other skill that has been crucial to my career is creativity and imagination. Imagination is a muscle. The more you flex it, the stronger it becomes. Imagination and creativity are not just applicable in creative fields like acting and producing. While I do use those skills literally all the time, creativity is essential in being able to adapt and find solutions when life and career throw you curveballs. Creativity is the ability to think on your feet and see the possibilities.
Another quality that has helped me is confidence. I developed my confidence by looking at myself realistically and without judgment. By being able to acknowledge my shortcomings, not only can I strive to improve myself, but I can also confidently acknowledge my strengths. This allows me to overcome any feelings of imposter syndrome and know that feelings of confidence are earned because I am clear-sighted about where my strengths and weaknesses lie.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes! I am always looking for filmmakers to collaborate with, especially right now that my latest movie is moving into post-production and I am looking for my next project. So at the moment I am particularly interested in hearing from screenwriters who have a story they’re ready to share. I am open to all types of stories, including short films.
I would also love to hear from other filmmakers and producers who are looking for partners and collaborators. Filmmaking is an incredibly collaborative medium, one of the things I love about it, and I am always eager to meet and make connections with other people who are also on this crazy journey.
The best way to get in touch with me is via a message on Instagram. My Instagram is @rachelhudsonbellini
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelfeaturefilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelhudsonbellini ; https://www.instagram.com/angel.feature.film/
Image Credits
Max Beiler Ryan Stach
