We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Heyn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I found myself in the mother of all booking slumps. Sure, there was a pandemic, and I’d had a baby, and there were strikes and then more strikes, but I just could not get hired as an actor to save my life. I used class and auditions to get my acting ‘fix.’ Unfortunately, though these things made me a better artist, they didn’t compare to the magical feeling of being on set and WORKING. Something had to be done and I was going to have to do it myself. Fuu——-

Guess I’d have to… write something (great, love it), act in it (score, #winning), and produce/direct it myself to keep costs low (say wha???) Double fuu——.

Enter my web series, ACTORS ANONYMOUS. An eight episode comedic mockumentary about an over-emotional and self-absorbed actress who joins AA in the guise of an alcoholic to learn how to quit Hollywood and find happiness.

The idea had been with me for about seven years, I’d tried to get it down in various ways, but it wasn’t until I set the goal of actually shooting something that I saw it as a web series. I spent about six months writing, three months pre-producing, five days shooting, and am now in month two of post.

The whole process was exhilarating, terrifying, and HARD. To bet on myself felt like a huge risk, and I had no idea if there’d be any rewards. I spent most days furiously working, and most nights questioning why I was doing this, who I thought I was, and deciding to quit, only to wake the next day and do it all over again.

But once I made it to the shoot… The shoot, the thing I craved most, being on set with other amazing artists creating something… Once I was there, everything changed. I was like Keanu in an action movie, kicking ass while somehow maintaining boyish and charming vulnerability. All the work, the fear, the doubts were worth it. It was even more fulfilling than being hired by a production and I’d gotten there all on my own.

And here’s the kicker… On the final day of the shoot I booked a role on a Netflix show. Slump over. Holy Fuu——-!

Follow us on IG for updates on when you can see it! @actoranonymous_official

Megan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was one of those kids who always knew what they wanted out of life. Once I started talkin’, I was talkin’ about being an actor. I delighted in the dramatics of school theatre programs, both on and off stage. I majored in theatre in college then rushed to LA after graduation to realize my lifelong dream.

My first big break was being cast in a regular show with Matt Besser at Upright Citizens Brigade. From there things got going. As years passed and work ebbed and flowed I started writing and found I’d had talent there as well. And now here I am learning to direct.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

ACTORS ANONYMOUS was very difficult to cast. I’d hire an actor and they’d drop out. Offer out a role and never hear back from the person. And every time, I took it personally, like I wasn’t good enough for people to want to work with. I was accustomed to rejection as an actor, but this felt so much more vulnerable. Like I was asking them to be a part of my soul and not my web series.

I had to learn how to separate this type of rejection from my worth as an artist/person. Fortunately, good came out of all of it. My skin, which I thought was pretty thick, got thicker. And I learned that this is just the way the film gods make sure you get the perfect cast. May take a minute, but the right people always wind up with the job.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’d say the best resource for an artist, especially filmmakers, is your community. The one you live in and the friends you have. The biggest, most kismet blessings I had while making ACTORS ANONYMOUS all occurred because I drew from my community.

Our location was given to us for an amazing deal because I reached out to a neighbor on my street. I met extras who were willing to work for free at my local coffee shop. I had friends offer to be PA’s. I’d known my producing partner since college.

I admit asking for help wasn’t easy, but I did it anyway and was constantly surprised by the rewards it reaped. People want to help artists, especially ones in their direct vicinity. If I’d known this earlier, I may not have taken so long to start shooting my material on my own.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @megheyn, @actorsanonymous_official

Image Credits

Theo & Juliet, Peyton Schabillion