Stella Taylor of Seattle on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Stella Taylor. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Stella, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Excellent question! I love learning. Even just for the sake of it. Right now I am learning from those that I admire in philosophy and cinema. I’ve gone back to the greats over the holidays and winter season.

Right now, I’m re-reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism has been an eye opener for my life. Being that ‘Meditations’ is just a man writing to himself in his diary each night had, and still does, a great impact on how I move through the world. I read a piece each morning with my black coffee and learn and listen to what this guy was trying to say – and live each day. If I had a dinner table of people who had an influence on me in terms of how I learn to live, Marcus Aurelius would have the first seat.

I’m also doing massive re-watches of some of the great directors of then and now. Recently, I watched the new Criterion Collection of Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut.’ It took me and a good friend nearly 5 hours to watch. We’d pause the frame, rewind a scene, study the composition, put it on mute to see what Kubrick wants to show us…

So, yes, I’d say I’m learning from a lot of dead guys right now.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My background springs from blue-collar roots in the desert basin of Eastern Washington state. I listened to ordinary people tell extraordinary stories of land, legacy, and family growing up. So it’s no wonder I chased those stories right into wanting to be a film director.

I split my life into two parts: one, my stable, steady and solid video production management job. I get to make a living shooting videos and telling personal stories about lived experiences. My second, is my art life. Where I write, direct, act. It’s a good balance. I don’t know many people with my situation who can do what I do and still eat and pay bills.

But it is possible.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Fascinating question…I wouldn’t say the world told me I had to be anything at all. My belief is the world doesn’t care who you are. It cares how you show up within it. You see, the world that I’ve built for myself requires me to be what I am today as a person. Dedicated. Resilient. Intelligent. Committed. And a little charming. Like I said the life that I live isn’t too common for the modern day American. I get to do both. But I had to get an attitude adjustment first.

In my 20’s I’d say I was lazy, arrogant, entitled, and very naive. But I always had a vision of myself and who I wanted to be ‘someday.’ I just really didn’t know how to get there, or what the first step was. To say I was lost in the world was an understatement, and I was looking for it to tell me who I am or who I should be. Ironically, that’s when ‘Meditations’ found me and the line: “Ask no more of what a good person should be. Just be one.’ That stuck with me for a long while. Just be one? How?

It was a few years later that I understood what that line meant. That version of myself that I wanted to be? I had to start doing what she does. Today. Not someday.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
That failure itself is the greatest teacher I could ever have. I would also say that failure has taught me more than success ever has. Failing is something I know how to do very well. Success on the other hand? I need to practice that more.

To me, success teaches you what you did right, but keeps you blind to what you did wrong. Failure on the other hand, has taught me what I need to do better next time. There’s always going to be a next time, so remember the lesson from the previous failure. Ask: What did it teach you? It also taught me not to judge myself and beat myself up so badly. Telling yourself you’re no good after failing only reinforces that upon yourself. As an actor I’d never judge the character I’m playing. So why would I judge myself as a woman with her own character?

When I fail I don’t say I was a piece of garbage – I say ‘Well, I’m definitely not doing that again the next time.”

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to writing and directing my first feature length film ‘FACING WEST.’ It’s a story that I’ve been working and re-working for a few years now. Recently, I did a 5 minute sizzle scene as a concept for a character and a relationship that I am very happy with as a final result. But my first feature is my next big project that I am going to move towards.

I don’t really care if it takes me 10 years to develop write or direct. You get one life – I don’t really care if I’m 50 and making it. The film itself will outlive me.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That you get exactly ONE shot at life. And you control absolutely none of it – except for how you show up for yourself. All of us have different given circumstances in the world. Some are born with a silver spoon, others barely scrape by, some people leave their hometowns, and some stay forever. Some are on the fringes, and others the average. But we all get to choose our attitude towards life.

It’s not easy. In fact, it’s the hardest thing to do as a human being in this modern world. The self-correct muscle is not one that we exercise on the daily. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t do this all the time. But I still show up for life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alittledarkfilm.com
• Instagram: @stella.anne.taylor

Image Credits
Stella Taylor