We were lucky to catch up with Laurel Harris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Laurel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
I’ve been working in the entertainment business for decades as an actor and producer, and I absolutely love it. With that said, I’d been slowly progressing towards launching my own production company for a while. It was the succession of some powerful life events that brought this to fruition for me: First, COVID shut down our industry. Later, I became my father’s full time caregiver. Then, most recently, we weathered the union strikes. Ultimately, the smoldering fire within me to create this was turned into an undeniable BLAZE, because of these challenges.
Major pivots in my career have always come from a hearty mix of necessity, drive, and passion, with a heaping handful of grit thrown in for good measure! If and when I get a burning desire to do something, the kind that seems to nestle into my psyche and won’t let go – – then I’ve learned that I really must follow through on what it’s asking, even if it makes my gut clench and my heartbeat quicken. In the case of Laurel Leaf Productions, it was definitely born out of necessity. In other words, I knew I HAD to respond to that relentless inner calling to build it, and the rest of the ingredients would fold in as needed.
I may regret saying this, but for better or worse, there was far less logic involved in developing my dream for this production company. Of course I had enough knowledge and experience to get things started, but for the most part – – in the beginning especially – – I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing at times or what I was getting myself into. How could I? This was uncharted territory, after all, and that was thrilling! So, with blissful naivete, and copious amounts of gritty, heart-felt, gut tinging passion, I launched the company. The “why” didn’t concern me. I knew I HAD to do it.
I also knew that I needed experts in multiple areas who believed in the dream as well. Fortunately, some incredibly talented mentors and guides appeared along the way. It still amazes me that when something seems “meant to be,” the right people and opportunities show up. It’s kinda like life leaves us “breadcrumbs,” to follow along the way.
In this case, some of those “breadcrumbs” have been people showing up to fill key roles in perfect timing, relationships developing, funds coming together as needed, and collaborators truly excited to answer “yes,” when asked to join us. It’s so much better than everything feeling like it’s an uphill battle, barefoot, and in the snow! When things flow, I think we’re ultimately headed in the right direction.
Even if things don’t turn out the way I expected – – and they usually don’t – – it almost always proves to be a worthwhile endeavor, at the very least. There’s something juicy waiting to be experienced in the journey!
Here’s a quick example to punctuate all of this… On January 1st of 2020, I woke up proclaiming loudly and enthusiastically that THIS was the year I would launch my company. I was ready! The way I saw it, by March we would be filming our first project, and by that fall we’d be marketing it and prepping for our second film. We’d be off to the races in no time! Well, I’m sure you can guess how that all went down: yeahhhh…. It didn’t.
Initially, I was crushed. We’d worked so hard to launch that spring, and when the investments pulled out due to the pandemic, and there was no sign of our industry rebounding anytime soon, I eventually came to terms with the idea that the company wasn’t flawed, the timing was. Admittedly, I thought that everything failing early on was a sign that this entire venture wasn’t meant to be. However, I knew that the “pull” to create it was undeniable – – Insatiable in fact. Thanks to some wise counsel, I got the shift in perspective. Then, it was up to me to stay positive and focused, and to put one foot in front of the other – – not always easy, but totally doable.
So yeah. That inner calling – – while seemingly demanding, crazy, and unrealistic at times – – has become incredibly fulfilling as well. It’s led me to team up with some amazing, heartfelt people who inspire me continuously, and without whom I wouldn’t be here – – to see some long-held dreams start to bloom. Those detours and challenges are all part of the journey and spice of life, eh? Now, when that inner calling keeps pulling, and is too intense to ignore, I think it’s one of life’s greatest gifts to lean into it and not deny it any more. It’s become more fuel for my creative fire.
Laurel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Our company’s mission is to create, inspire, and empower. In the world of multi-media, we value tolerance, compassion and creativity, so we made a vow to use these passions to create entertainment that can offer better human connections for and to the world around us. We have a collective ‘co-op’ of artists who create new and exciting art that reflects the world we all inhabit, while our goal is to share it “with you, for you, and as a reflection of you.”
What’s our brand? It really revolves around inspiring people. If we ignite a passion within one person, a conversation between two, or a healthy debate between many, as long as we’ve created an opportunity for someone to look at the world from a different point of view, then we’re doing our job.
What’s the main thing I want people to know about me? I don’t give up – – not easily anyway. I’ll follow my inner calling relentlessly unless it either changes or goes away. Whether it’s irony or fate, I once did a scene with Jane Seymour in SAIGE PAINTS THE SKY in which her character said what would become one of my most favorite lines ever: “Artists never go down without a fight, or at least a protest!” I love that. Of course, I didn’t know then how much that would etch into my psyche, but I’m glad it did!
It makes me smile when people remark about living as an artist with a kind of awe or wonder. I ask, “Do you do what you love for a living?” I’ve always thought life was about so much more than simply earning a paycheck. Yes, I’ve had periods where I’ve gotten supplemental work that supported my passion, but I always knew it was temporary, something to help me get to where I ultimately wanted to go in my career.
I’ve also had plenty of times when I wondered if I should give up on this business and do something else more predictable. I know myself well enough now that I don’t ask that question anymore because my answer never changes: “What else would you do, Laurel?” In other words, I KNOW now that I “can’t” do anything else. I was MADE for this work, and that’s enough. Knowing that on a more cellular level sustains and propels me through the inevitable ups and downs. Giving up just isn’t an option anymore.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
It’s impossible to narrow that down to one answer. I will tell you that I love being my own boss. There’s also nothing better than getting paid to do what you love. It’s the cherry on top! Anytime I get to work on set, I see it as a symphony of artists in action. Mind you, I’ve never been a musician or had the pleasure of uniting them in a proper symphony, but in my mind’s eye, these two art forms are siblings.
When you look at creating something for the screen, for example, all of these artistic geniuses unite to create and collaborate from the word, “go.” They bring their best efforts to the table, and when they do – – especially if they’ve checked their ego at the door for the success of the project – – then, it’s absolute magic.
For me, when we’re on set, and everything is flowing, it’s almost as if I hear the music in my head. I stand back and take in the “symphony” that is a project being birthed before our eyes, and I get goosebumps. It’s rarefied air when it all comes together in harmony, and the audience can feel it too. It’s one of the things I live for in this business. Oh, and those “inharmonious moments” that inevitably show up along the way? They become the juicy stories we tell the next generations!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I find that most non-creatives struggle to understand why I continually choose a pathway filled with immense uncertainty. In other words, why wouldn’t I grow out of this frivolous dream and get a job or career with benefits, predictability, and a pension? While my union provides that for those who qualify, there’s no definitive path to receive them. What most would consider success in this business is usually a result of some hybrid of talent, determination, passion and opportunity, and no two journeys will ever be alike in the blending of these. A lot of actors, myself included, would also love to enjoy more financial security on the regular. No question. I’d personally take some of that, with paid vacations sprinkled on top, pretty please!
However – – and this is a big “however” – – at what cost? If it means being unable to express myself as an artist – – say in a job unrelated to my calling, for example – – then I’d feel like a part of me died. Looking myself in the mirror daily with questions of whether or not I’ll finally be brave enough to take the leap and just do what I love, or play it safe and stay small, would haunt me. Been there, done that, and I can’t do it again, no matter how scary the unknown may feel.
Lastly, call them good luck, or my way of recycling a bit, but I’m the person who literally picks up every coin I happen to see on the ground. I find them to be a great reminder that life is abundant, and I never know where or when it’ll provide for me next. They’re comforting for me in this way, and now I get excited when I see a random coin lying on the ground waiting for me to notice it, shiny or not.
I had a spiritual teacher ask me once if I’d rather die empty, in the sense that I followed every idea, passion and whim that I felt truly called to pursue, or if I’d prefer to lay with regret as my ornery bedfellow, fiendishly reminding me of all the dreams I let die along the way. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t presented quite so persuasively, but the impression was deep enough that that’s how I perceived it, and I made a choice right then and there.
And, yes, chasing my dreams hasn’t guaranteed that I’ll attain them, no matter how entertaining or cherished they’ve become. Yet, I know for certain that the attempt to acquire them will continue to tame that pesky inner critic, and the journey can be unexpectedly wild and thrilling. For me and my conscience, there’s gold in that.
Perhaps someday, my legacy will inspire somebody – – even in some small way
– – to follow their inner calling. Who knows? Whether it’s a loud, seemingly obnoxious voice you hear, or a still small whisper that’s undeniable, heed the call. It won’t disappoint. If you can keep some child-like wonder towards your travels as well, all the better!
Just my two cents from a few shiny coins I’ve picked up along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: laurelleafproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelharrisactor/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/laurelharrisactor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurelharrisact
- Youtube: @laurelharrisactor
- Other: laurelharris.com
Image Credits
Don Jones Photography Styles by Jenece