We recently connected with April Yanko and have shared our conversation below.

April , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

While all of my projects have been significant and meaningful, I think my first film has meant the most, because it really started everything I’ve been able to accomplish since. “this is a garden” was something I wasn’t sure how to make, but I had wonderful friends who encouraged me to produce and direct, and embrace wearing many hats at once. At the time, I wasn’t sure if I felt proud of my work. But after letting it sit and revisiting, I’ve felt so warm rewatching. I’m really happy that I made it and that it was what began my filmmaking journey.

Here’s the link if you’d like to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4eXILF8CIE

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my career in acting, not really believing that I could do much more than that. And acting is great, don’t get me wrong, but really embracing my desire to be a professional writer, too, has made everything about moving to LA so much more fulfilling.

I learned that I had a comedic voice and figured out how to create with it through trusted friends back in Pittsburgh, where I’m from (which is where I made “this is a garden”). And what’s great is that each hat I wear strengthens the others. I can write dialogue that sounds like how real people talk, and I can look at a script and easily understand why a scene is important and why what’s not on the page is still speaking to the audience.

My ultimate goal is to create shows and films that I also act in, specifically in the comedy space. And most of all, I want what I create to be people’s comfort show/movie/whatever. I want people to put my stuff on when they’re feeling down or feeling like they want to have an even better time. It’s weird and fun to look back at my younger self and see hints that this was always what I wanted to do. I loved cartoons and animated films, movie musicals and “adult” shows. So much of what went into choosing my career was determined by what I saw on the screen, who made me happy and felt like my friends. And then, learning I could do both, be the person who’s on the screen and the one who created what they’re saying, it seemed unreal. But I’m doing it now; I just wish I realized doing both was an option sooner!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This lesson has been really difficult to unlearn because, for so long, it made a lot of sense. Many of my past teachers, both in acting and writing classes alike, say that if you can do anything else, you should. Meaning, if you can hold down a normal, non-entertainment-related job, then you should do that. It’s usually attributed as a comment about passion, as in, if you could potentially find contentment with working at some other job, then you’re not cut out to experience the trials and tribulations of the arts. If you think the grass may be greener, then you might as well quit right now.

I used to feel like those teachers knew what they were talking about, but I’ve started to feel that it’s ridiculous to say. Because of course you can do something else! Most of us DO do something else that isn’t arts-focused for our day job. I don’t think in order to be a part of the community, you have to blindly be okay with accepting the shit that you’ll often go through as you “make it.” And I don’t think that sometimes being frustrated and discouraged in your career means that you’re just not cut out for it.

Truly, any career will give you those feelings of discouragement. Even “safe” careers have unpredictability, competition, shitty coworkers, give you imposter syndrome, all of the above. We get to pick our suffering in life, which may sound dreary but should also be freeing. You’re going to have bad days no matter what; so what career is worth those bad days the most?

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I made my film “Butt Stuff,” which is on the festival circuit now, I had to learn some skills I’ve never tried before. Specifically editing and crowdfunding. I wasn’t happy with the first edit I saw, and I was really afraid that the film wasn’t funny and wouldn’t read well. It is silent, after all, so its timing and flow is crucial. So I learned how I could put my footage together myself, figured what pickups I needed, and somehow I managed to put the whole thing together. I then had the help of my partner and producing partner, Justin Wested, to check what I made, make tweaks, and do all of the special effects. It felt really gratifying after seeing the finished product.

Crowdfunding was definitely not something I thought I’d do for the project, but post-production costs were adding up and I was afraid I’d never finish the dang thing. So I sought out coaching, which I found through the Indie Spunk program. And that guidance helped me feel confident about running a crowdfund solo.

I’ve made films since finishing “Butt Stuff,” and these skills have made me feel even more confident in other roles. While the goal is to find people I want to collaborate with, there’s definitely freedom in knowing you can rely on yourself to get the job done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aprilyanko.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/post.march/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-yanko-8b2aa94a/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/post_march
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDA8xF3G_-wlZ0VpsF4RmoA