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

Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?

I studied acting for two years at The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, where I immersed myself in the core principles of Method Acting. I studied everything from relaxation, sense memory, movement, and voice, as well as more technical elements such as script analysis and camera work. I truly enjoyed every aspect of my training. But, as an actor, continuous learning and improvement are essential. I still participate in acting workshops, work on my speech and American accent, take dancing classes, and engage in various projects to enhance my craft.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

I would definitely move to Los Angeles sooner and let myself live a more creative life. I’ve spent too many years fixated on work and financial stability, chasing my dreams without fully living them. Financial security has always been important to me, and it still is, but I’d strive to find a better balance and prioritize things that genuinely bring me joy and help me to be a better artist.

What skills do you think were most essential?

Besides the extreme awareness of your body and voice, and the ability to express yourself effectively, I think it’s truly essential to possess a high level of empathy, emotional intelligence, and the skill of active listening. You must be willing to give as much as you want to receive from others and stay open to everything you get.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Overcoming language anxiety was definitely the hardest aspect. Expressing emotions authentically through a language that isn’t your native one can be challenging. Even if you have fluency in that language, it takes an immense amount of time to master the precise sounds and rhythms of it. Before you even begin to develop the character, you must put in a significant amount of work.

Anna, 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?

I was born and raised in Poland, where my passion for the arts was nurtured from a young age, inspired by my father’s theater work. I always envisioned myself on stage, singing or acting, and took every chance to perform during my school years. With experience in small theater productions and numerous wins in singing, dancing, and poetry, I ventured into modeling, gaining independence and the chance to travel and work globally. It was a great period that boosted my confidence and taught me the work in front of the camera. I also spent six incredible years living and working in Spain.

Despite the beauty of that time, I decided to return to my true calling. In 2018, I relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and immerse myself in the Hollywood industry. Beyond my formal training, I have gained practical experience through various projects, including the short action film I co-wrote and produced. I’m very proud of that project and the talented crew I collaborated with.

While the journey hasn’t always been easy, my dedication and passion for acting, and love for storytelling, have driven me forward. My fluency in multiple languages and my ability to adapt to diverse cultural contexts have definitely enriched my acting approach. I look forward to more opportunities to showcase my talents and make a meaningful impact.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Pursuing acting has undoubtedly tested my resilience countless times. However, the story that best illustrates my resilience is the journey of obtaining my work permit and becoming a legal resident in the United States. I arrived here entirely alone, so I couldn’t rely on getting it through any family member. I also attempted the green card lottery, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me. This process was incredibly challenging and took me five years to complete.

Initially, I held a student visa, followed by an artist visa, each with its own limitations. Because I filled out all of my application while being here in the States, I was restricted from traveling abroad while my case was pending. I couldn’t even visit my family or close friends overseas, during both the visa application and Green Card processing phases.

Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that if you have a deep desire for something, you must be resilient and pursue it relentlessly, regardless of the obstacles. If you’re not prepared to give it your all, it’s better to reconsider whether it’s truly worth even starting.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist is an incredible opportunity to share your unique heritage and experiences with the audience. It’s wonderful to see how your unique perspective can breathe fresh life into a story and connect with diverse individuals. Every time you work on a project, you uncover new aspects of yourself and gain fresh perspectives. There’s something special about embodying a character and experiencing the world from their viewpoint, while simultaneously infusing your own background into the narrative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm10640007?ref_=hm_prof_name
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_paczynska/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaJustynaPaczynska
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZnQMWI-TKQ

Image Credits

Frederic Auerbach