We recently connected with Sandra Nelson and have shared our conversation below.
Sandra, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
As a child, I watched my parents work hard for what they had in their lives. Both my parents worked for Oscar Mayer’s in Chicago. My mother worked in the hot dog department and my father was VIP on nights. My parents worked for Oscar Mayer’s for over 35 years. The position my father had was very demanding. He had to keep up with the more elite managers and the CEO of the company. We didn’t live a normal life. It was always about prestige, manners, money, and how you carry yourself. I grew up in a strict household where we had to read books on manners, how to set the table, how to speak properly, your looks, and education. We was told when we get a job, you are to be on time, do your work, and not cause any problems because you can move up in a company if they see something in you as an employee. That is how my father got promoted. He wore suits everyday. They instilled this in my brain for over 15 years. My father always told us that because we are a black family with money that you have to work 110% harder than anyone else. You are being judged all the time. I was taught to be focused and be persistent. My mother started her own Modeling school named “LaSand’s House of Charm” while working at Oscar Mayer’s. My mother instilled in me that you always have to look like you have it all together. She said to never leave the house looking bad because you never know who you will meet. She was on me so much about being pretty, clothes, hair, modeling and so on. So, this resonated with me my entire life. All my life, I give 110% in everything that I have accomplished in my life. That is who I am today.
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?
After my divorce, I moved back home with my two sons to live with my father. I had to start all over again. I was on welfare and started looking for a job. One day, we was in the car and I saw an ambulance go drive by. I told my father that I want to work on the ambulance. So, we looked and found a course “Emergency Medical Technician”. During the class, we needed fire gear for extricating patients out of cars.. So, my Dad knew someone that worked at the Fire department in our town. When I met the Deputy Chief, I knew him from high school. He helped me get the gear and I passed the class. I called to thank him and he said that he wanted to meet up with me. So, I met him. He said the fire department is hiring firefighters. I started laughing, I said “they not going to hire me because I am a girl. He told me that there are five women on the department and if they can do it, so can you. The test came around which was a written, physical agility, run a mile and half, and oral exam. I had a month to work at it and I did it. I passed all the test but I couldn’t walk for two days. It was tough on me because my last job was an Admitting Clerk in the hospital in Reno. I wanted this career because I was a single mother and I need to provide for my sons. This career will do it. Now, I am working in an all male-environment which was extremely hard on me the first 7 years until I was promoted and it was still hard. My experience as a Black Female Firefighter was that I had to work 110% harder than the men and had to prove myself over and over again. It’s hard for a woman to be accepted in an all male-environment. I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t realize how dangerous it is to be a firefighter. So, I prayed everyday to stay safe for my children. After 15 years, I was promoted to Engineer, then Acting Lieutenant. One of the guys, I worked with was a print model and actor. One day, after a fire we was talking about what I was going to do when I retire. I was planning on going to law school and he said “NO”. Why go from one serious career to another one and be in school loan debt of over 100 grand. He said “You should be an actor. I stated laughing. I said “Im too old” he said “no” then I said “Im not pretty enough” then he said ” that is not true. He said let me show you step by step then I will let you go into the acting industry. I worked as a background actor on Chicago Fire as a firefighter and medic. I worked on the show from 2016-2021. I learned a lot working behind the scenes. In 2018, I got my headshots and signed with “Dream Team Talent Agency. I had to take Modeling classes to get back to my female side because I had been working with men for over 20 years. I had to relearn about walking, makeup, posture etc. That guy and I are still friends and we help each other with our Auditions. I am so grateful for him because he showed me how to get into the Entertainment Industry and it makes my life shine. I have taken 13 Acting classes since 2017 and I have an Acting Coach for life. My acting coach Christine Horn with “Book Move TV” changed my life. She taught me everything about this industry and how to give a great performance in my self tape auditions. Dan Kairis, a producer and director gave me my first speaking role on a short film “Legends of Mr. Hollywood”. I have been in 13 films, 12 commercials, and I booked a CoStar role on Chicago PD in 2022. I booked a role on a Christian Film “Honest to God” where I worked with Actor Larry Thomas from Seinfeld. I feel so special because I had been through so much in my other career while raising two wonderful sons. To have a career that focuses on how you look, makeup, and your performance makes me feel good. Even if I don’t book a job. In 2023, I booked a product video with “Prepared Hero”. They was looking for firefighters to market their brand “HERO Fire Spray”. I felt so blessed. I have signed with 2 other agents for commercials and print. I am so grateful for all the support that I receive from my Agents, family, and friends. In 2023, I wrote a book that is on Amazon “Flames of Resilience: Unveiling The Reality of becoming a Female Firefighter. I don’t think I would of gotten far in life if it wasn’t for my parents and their work ethics and how I was raised. I thank God for how I was raised.
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?
Focusing on my dreams are important to me. You have to reach out and network with people in the Entertainment Industry. Every Monday, Im on a Audio Zoom with Casting Directors. I learn a lot by networking with them on the Zoom and Instagram. In today’s world, we have social media which is a valuable resource to connect with people. I focus on what I have to do to succeed in this business. What i do is put myself out there in the social media world to show people who I am. I remember one of the Acting Instructors said to me “why don’t you put your two worlds together on Instagram”. So, on Instagram, I am Firefighter_Turned_Actress. She stated it will get people’s attention to go to your page, and it does. I have to focus on having a clear vision of my goals of being an actress. When I get an audition, I work on it right away. As actors, you have to follow directions and how to submit your self tape auditions. This is very important because it shows Casting Directors and Agents that you can take directions. I work in front of the camera about 30 minutes every day to stay focus and continue to work on my craft. I just started making one minute or less videos on youtube. Its funny. Celebrating other people success is so important to me. I truly believe that you should celebrate other actors in the industry. I truly believe what God has for you is for you. Saying Congratulations with happy emojis on social media means a lot to people. They work hard and I think if we celebrate other people booking roles that it will come back to you. Give people their flowers.
Patience taught me so much to schedule my day to day work. I am retired so I have plenty of time to work on myself and my craft. There are a lot of NOs in this business.. So, if I get a no, I just move on to another project/casting call. Patience is meaning to have the ability to wait and continue to work on yourself and your craft without getting upset or angry. It takes a lot to be in this business and you have to be patient. If you are starting out, take acting class, network with other people in the industry on social media, and stay focus. Keep striving to learn from others. The best way to learn is to watch tv and watch these A-List actors and their craft. During my downtime, I exercise by swimming. It refreshes me and makes me feel good. Its a workout for my entire body. For new actors or creators, stay focus, determined and have a positive attitude and praise other while you are working on your craft. Save your coin because investing in yourself is so important and will get you far in this industry.
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 into networking and collaborating with film directors, produces, and casting directors. Im excited to network with industry professionals in other states like New York, Atlanta, and LA. Looking into collaborating with industry professionals that are casting for box office movies and industrial/brand commercials. You can contact me via email at: Firelady1508@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firefighter_turned_actress
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrnSuger
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chicagoactress
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCfF8OcxVGlhBd8nR124c_g
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@firefighterturnedactress?_t=819B1lBtHbO&_r=1
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firefighter_turned_actress
Image Credits
Jason McCoy Photography Darel White Jen Stanko Director Chris Stone 3 photos is me Sandra Nelson
