We were lucky to catch up with Ford Ferreira recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ford, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I feel purpose isn’t a fixed singular thing. Instead, as we grow and experience the world around us, new adventures and purposes await us. I’ve seen so many good friends fall into the trappings of thinking they need one monumental purpose and feel wildly insignificant because they haven’t found it. However, I believe purpose is way more organic and not something we always have control over. I, like many, have had many different professions, passions, charities, and causes I felt fostered my purpose (and still do). The purpose to help those in need in the AA community to which I belong, donating to charities I am passionate about and creating awareness around mental health.
Before acting, I was getting ready to go into a master’s program to become a professional in the mental health field. Fate would have it, I would end up acting instead. That doesn’t mean one purpose dissipates to make room for another. I still, and will always advocate the importance of education around mental health while also living simultaneously as an artist. Life rarely allows us the luxury of moving in a smooth, linear way; as we change, so does our purpose.
For the past year and a half, I’ve been working as an actor, and I feel my current purpose is to create and help tell incredible stories with other artists. As an actor, you are a tiny part of a much bigger puzzle, from writers, directors, make-up artists, costume designers, music composers, sound, editing, and lighting people, all in the hopes of creating worlds people can escape into. Whether it be to entertain, inspire, terrify, educate, or challenge your beliefs, there is such power in storytelling and perspective.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
This past week, I headed into the Jenga Productions studio in Glendale to do some ADR for a film (Recall) I was in last August directed by super talent Jennifer Massaux and co-written by Ryan Vallan. Although I had a small part in that project, it was wonderful being a part of the process and working with such delightful people. You learn so much when working with professionals who operate at such a high caliber. One of the best parts of being in the industry is the incredible people you meet along the way.
Before going into the studio, I also wrapped a SAG short film the week before that shot near my hometown of San Diego. However, it wasn’t without its challenges: night shoot, cold weather, and two other actors had early call times on other jobs in LA, which elevated the anxiety slightly. However, even through the chaos, the cast really bonded and made the most of the situation. The silver lining is that the project made me SAG-Eligible, which is very exciting, being just a little over a year and a half into my journey. I feel fortunate and incredibly grateful.
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 am a huge believer in the power of attitude and mindfulness. My personal experience with sobriety (10 years in July), my education in psychology, and being a byproduct of therapy have been such a gift. I am incredibly mindful of slipping into negative thinking or possibly self-sabotage and immediately flipping those behaviors and attitudes. Without overly simplifying, so many of us (sadly) are operating on autopilot or survival mode and rarely take the time to check in with ourselves. If I can give any one piece of advice that has changed my life, it is to slow down. Take time, listen to your body, and be kind to yourself.
Another is to be more optimistic every morning before you start your day. Tell yourself you’re going to have a good day. When you put out that energy, you’ll be surprised how it comes back to reward you. Also, we know so many things are out of our control, so give yourself a break and stop beating yourself up. That’s why attitude is vital to well-being; it’s one of the few things we can control that can shape the world around us.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
So many of my successes are because of my incredible partner in life, my husband Michael, to whom I’ve been married for almost seven years. We are similar in many ways but also opposite. He can always find humor in nearly anything, and he’s helped me relax more. So much of what “stresses” me out can quickly be extinguished when my husband pokes fun at it. He allows me to see the world through a less serious lens, and it’s freed more space for joy in my life.
I do not equate happiness to having a husband, boyfriend, or partner but rather the importance of who you allow into your world. And for me, Michael is my cheering section, comic relief, loving, trusting, kind, patient co-pilot in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/fordferreira
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ford.ferreira/
Image Credits
Jenga Production Studios pic: Jennifer Massaux BTS set photos: Ozi DeLucas
