Meet Stella Velon

We recently connected with Stella Velon and have shared our conversation below.

Stella, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I don’t think you ever overcome imposter syndrome. You learn to live with it and to face it head on. It’s like courage. Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the ability to face your fears and to keep going.

I believe that all artists, and entrepreneurs suffer (although I don’t like that term in this context) from imposter syndrome to a certain extent. I even made a movie on that very subject: my short psycho-drama “The Critic.”
So, I guess, that was my way of dealing with imposter syndrome—a sort of exorcism through my art.

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 an actress, writer and director, in no particular order of preference. I love and am equally passionate about all three.

I began my career as an actor, while supporting myself as a model, and lately, I have been expanding my horizons as I began writing, and directing.

I made my directorial debut with the critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning short film “The Critic” which I wrote, starred in as the female lead, and also co-produced with my producing partner Jean Gabriel Kauss, with whom I co-founded The Punk Floyd Company. We are working on a series project that I wrote as well as the feature version of “The Critic,” among other things.

I also recently became a member of the British Academy of Film and Television and am also a member of SAG-AFTRA.

I am multilingual and have been spending my time between New York, Los Angeles and France. The series that I am working on, opens in Paris and will shoot between New York and Paris. It’s a very international and diverse project that, I hope, will appeal to a very wide audience around the world.

I am also working on a biopic on the life of a famous French singer, which, I hope, will happen. It is a very ambitious project.

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?
I think the number one “skill” that has defined me and my journey and that can take anyone places, is perseverance. It may sound like a cliché, but I think not giving up in the face of despair, even when everyone and everything around you keeps telling you that you are going to fail, is the key to success. In the arts, as in any entrepreneurial endeavor, one faces plenty of challenges, rejection and setbacks, and sometimes (maybe even more often than not) you feel like giving up… But all you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other, and the light at the end of the tunnel will eventually appear. Sometimes, it takes longer… and that’s what can kill your hopes and dreams.

Which brings me to the second important thing to remember: do not compare your path to other people’s because that will instantly discourage you and make you feel like quitting. That one is very important, especially in this age of social media.
I know I have to keep reminding myself that because it is a very human trait, but it can be so destructive. So put the blinders on and keep forging on.

The third quality that has been instrumental in my journey and that, I think, is crucial for surviving in the entertainment industry (and not only) is the ability to adapt and stay open to possibilities, and to being more than one thing. As a creative, you constantly need to reinvent yourself, and I have always remained open to learning new aspects of my industry..That is how I became a director, and a producer—all things that I wasn’t necessarily planning to be or become. And now I have discovered a new passion, or, should I say, another facet of my passion for cinema, and storytelling in general.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
It is very important for me to be surrounded by the right people, who are aligned with my vision…  I am very selective (and I don’t mean that in a pretentious way), as I prefer to wait to bring the right people in, likely to my detriment at times.  I keep telling myself that I have to stop being such a perfectionist. I feel like I am shooting myself in the foot at times, but I just can’t help it.

I would love to partner with a producer like Christine Vachon and the whole Killer Films Team. I love her / their work, and I feel they are perfect for the feature-length version of “The Critic.”

When it comes to actors, Joaquin Phoenix is up there, among the top talents I would love to work with. Perhaps because he’s a Scorpio (like me) and I am a little biased, but I think he’s one of the greatest actors working today. And also Tom Cruise. It would be so much fun to direct or act opposite Tom Cruise.

I also love Eemerald Fennell’s work. She has a very distinct voice, and style.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Main photo (black & white): Stella Velon by Marc Hervouet Additional Photos: 1) Stella Velon on the set of THE CRITIC 2) Stella Velon & Jean Gabriel Kauss at Ahrya Fine Arts (Beverly Hills, CA). Photo by Eddie Ruvalcaba 3) Method Fest 2019 Winners: John J. Jacobs, Michael Olmos, Edward Olmos, Stella Velon, Jean Gabriel Kauss & Milan Chakraborty. Photo by Eddie Ruvalcaba 4) Todd Karner, Alan Smyth, Stella Velon & Jean Gabriel Kauss at Ahrya Fine Arts (Beverly Hills, CA. Photo by Eddie Ruvalcaba 5) Stella Velon_Behind the scenes 6) Stella Velon at AMC Times Square_Q&A. Photo by Jun Sueanaga

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