Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandy Duarte. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sandy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking a risk I think is the one big step or key foundation for being an artist, a creative of any form, because of the vulnerability and strength that it requires in sharing ideas that are personal to you. I think that pursuing your own voice in any creative area of life is a risk. You take that risk, that chance that what you believe in and love so much will either be well received or rejected. As a creative, the road is paved with a lot of rejection, and not all rejection is “bad”. It is part of the process of trying to sell an idea and seeing where it lands. Also some rejection for a project actually opens a door for other interest sparked in your work.

My creative partner (Nathan Blacklock) and I, individually have our respective careers within the entertainment industry. When we started to work together and collaborate on creative ideas, we felt organically inspired to create our own production company (Anachronistic Pictures) that would fully represent what our joint vision and ethos is in the landscape of film and tv. We decided to take that risk. To really go after it together.

It felt like the right steps to express who we are and what interests us.

In the process of creating our company, we shop our TV/Film ideas around, taking that risk that what we believe in will find its way out there into the world for further growth and collaborative expansion. Through the sharing of ideas, we have had Production companies LOVE what we have pitched but unable to execute due to the scale of let’s say project A etc., but in the process wanted to see more of what we have. So going back to risk, and the so-called “rejection” that comes with it, sometimes rejection spins into a positive. It’s truly something interesting to behold. Not for the faint of heart, but when you are doing what you love and believe in, its okay. You pick yourself up and you keep going. Because what’s better to look back upon? — That you regretted never taking a risk? Or that you did?

I prefer to take that risk. To vulnerably with strength keep pursuing that passion. Let is surprise you and live with less regrets.

And speaking of projects, we have some pretty cool ones in the works and can’t wait to share more when we can!

Sandy, 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’m a Dora Award winner [Canada’s Tony Award], and I have a passion for the stage, the screen and producing ideas – seeing them come to life. I won Best Supporting Actor at DTLA Film Fest for my role in the award-winning feature film CHERRY directed by Sophie Galibert, which saw its world premiere at The Tribeca Film Festival (June 2022) and won the AUDIENCE AWARD.

I’m an actor and producer with a deep sense of creative expression, paired with a business point of view. I think there is a real art in not only having an idea/vision, but to also find the artistry in business to formulate and flesh out those visions, so they can truly be realized.

The balance of creativity and business is what has got me to where I am today. Striving for balance in these areas. To work and surrender to arrive, so you can truly fulfill many things in life. Esoteric to explain, but when you find it, it makes the journey smoother. Is it easy? Good things usually get easier with practice, when you change your mindset to expand as your life unfolds.

I have found in this industry that there is great power in having and going after ideas, but there is equally, if not more power in the right collaborations. Those collaborators keep you inspired, keep you pushing and motivated and growing to be the best version of you and your work.

I have a lot of pride for our production company; Anachronistic Pictures, and working with my incredibly brilliant creative partner and dear friend (CFC Alumni) Nathan Blacklock, as we get to freely express ideas, and carve out a path that makes us happy. In life there are many paths, and things we must do, so when you get to have one where it is truly for you, by you, it’s liberating, exciting and definitely something to relish in with pride.

I feel deeply satisfied in being able to find a way to express myself both as an actor and producer. There’s a freedom in that.

Also that film I mentioned {CHERRY] can be found on Apple TV and Amazon. It was shot in Los Angeles during Covid. The process of making this film was unique, the passionate team, and the many, many film festivals we were a part of, has culminated into its final flow, theatre release and now streaming online. A timely story, and still hot-topic of abortion can be received in director Sophie Galibert’s creative, whimsical and yet profound way.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Great question that I had to select and intuitively reply to… For starters, when we look back on any civilization or era, we remember most the art that was left behind. Not the dollars and cents acquired. So with that being said, I think we need to foster more creativity, so we can be remembered for our humanity and expression. How to go about that? Well that’s complex. I think I chose the question because I really don’t now how to fully answer it, but want to try. I think for one, everyone should be able to access museums and galleries for free, anytime – any creative spaces that inspire us. Take us away from our day-to-day. These spaces create joy. Sparks questions. Ignite something inside us. Art shouldn’t be accessible for only some. I think it has the power to really inspire joy and love. And if there’s more of those emotions, then the world would be a better, less hostile place. It’s really a profound trickle down effect when you think about it. It begins with the cities approach to art and seeing its accessibility and support as integral as drinking water every day.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Maybe not so much of a pivot, but rather more of a hungry expansion that ties into my creative passions. One word: YOGA. I recently got certified to teach YOGA at Yandara Yoga Institute (an incredible life-deepening experience that went beyond the poses). I got to spend some life-changing time diving into an area of my life that is a passion and a constant, in maintaining balance to stay open to creative ideas and life. The time with their beautiful circle of incredibly passionate teachers (and our beautiful group) and stunning grounds, gave me the tools to further deepen areas of my life, so I can continue to grow as a human with the ability for more compassion, self-care and clarity. In all of life’s pursuits, we need something that anchors us to our deepest truths. When we find that, the journey becomes clearer, more enjoyable and peaceful, and peace can bring out much more of your expression in anything you do or pursue. It feels empowering to continue to learn new things. So thank you Yandara Yoga Institute and my dear friends made there.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anachronisticpictures.com
• Instagram: @sandy__duarte
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-duarte-98761011/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandyduarte
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2892951

Image Credits
Tim Leyes, Deckard Photography, Sophie Galibert