Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthea Piscarik

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I’ve always considered myself a creative type! As a child, my twin sister Maria and I recorded each other impersonating known celebrities being interviewed on a talk show. In second grade, my teacher commented on my report card that I “read with too much expression.” I believe my dramatic way of expressing myself evolved and transferred to writing. I enjoy creating characters and giving them a voice and a life on the page! My professional writing career started as a news reporter for feature articles. The quotes from interviewees fueled my interest in writing dialogue. The essence of a character comes through by what they say, and, in some instances, don’t say and how they express themselves in movement. I eventually wrote fiction and turned one published short story into a screenplay. I studied screenwriting at Act One: Writing for Hollywood and acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Characters, whether imagined or real, drive a story. I’ve explored character development on the stage and on the page. It’s all coming together now with a documentary film in release and another short film in pre-production. Those projects are based on real people that intrigue and inspire me. I’m also drafting my third novel, although sporadically at this point. But how did I get started on my creative journey? I hearken back to that second grader who read with too much expression and those childhood interviews with my twin!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

When it comes to achieving my goals, I’m not sure what a smooth road looks like! I’ve experienced more speed bumps, detours, and crossroads in my personal and professional life then I care to admit. But everything happens for a reason. I’m grateful for where I am now with all of the failures, false starts, and rejections along the way. Perseverance is the KEY to achieving anything in life! Years ago, I struggled with believing in my talent as a writer. I know artists, whether writers, actors, painters, dancers, or musicians, who struggle with the Imposter Syndrome. Many gifted individuals simply don’t believe they have gifts worth sharing with the world. The Imposter Syndrome can come and go throughout the lifetime of any author or artist. But it can also be a crutch to procrastinate or simply give up! I dealt with self-criticism by pushing through and not giving in to the negativity. I’ve also struggled with perfectionism which can lead to procrastination and impatience, especially with my days as a news reporter. I dreaded the quick turnaround of articles on tight schedules. But, on the flip side, I’ve been blessed with positive reinforcement and feedback from mentors and teachers regarding both writing and acting. And I’ve learned to trust the person inside me that loves to tell stories. It’s incredibly freeing to come to terms with the Imposter Syndrome and shrug it off. There’s humility in sharing your talents! Pride will keep you down and tell you that whatever you’re creating isn’t good enough. We have so little time on this earth to use and develop our talents. I’ve wasted time, no doubt. But I’m now seeing the fruits of my perseverance! Two projects that looked like they’d never go anywhere are now a reality. The first, a documentary, is now completed after nearly 18 years of struggles. I lost count of all the dead ends along the way to complete a project about a blind couple that raised their own sighted twins. But it’s a different story now since the twins finished their first year of college. The documentary, “Unseen American Dream,” is now submitted to film festivals. My other project, a screenplay based on Ella Fitzgerald, now shows promise with a short film version after ten years of keeping hope alive. I’m amazed at how patience, perseverance, prayer and trust shapes my life! It’s all in the timing, the right timing, as long as you don’t give up when you believe in your heart that something’s meant to be!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

My creative side leans toward writing. Yet, when I studied acting in college, a faculty member encouraged me to seek stage opportunities in New York City. I find the performing arts the most humbling! There’s nothing more exciting and terrifying than walking the boards! It’s live and there’s no turning back. I did continue my pursuit of acting at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and I’m so thankful for that experience. I learned how to think outside of the box, physically speaking, and release creative energy. Our classes including voice, movement, and scene study! It all comes together for the performance! Acting is not part of my journey right now, even though I draw upon that stage performance energy for podcast interviews and live talks. This year, I’m enjoying my role as a producer with my first short documentary “Unseen American Dream,” completed and submitted to festivals. I’ve learned, as a producer, that bringing the right people into a project is crucial to success, In my professional life, I successfully raised funds in the millions for a nonprofit organization that feeds, clothes, and shelters the poor and homeless. My legacy includes development and construction of three affordable senior housing facilities and renovations to several permanent supportive housing units. Partnering with others for the benefit of the community is my passion. And now I’m looking at the collaborative process for filmmaking by bringing talent and resources together for stories that inspire, enlighten, and entertain. Right now, it’s Anthea the producer under Saint Martin Productions LLC, and I hope it continues! Time will tell! In the meantime, I have three more novels to complete all in various stages of development.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

I’ve recently been asked, in a podcast interview, about trends and changes in the publishing world. Audio books are becoming increasingly popular. Self-published works will continue to flood the market, good or bad. And AI, a contentious topic for some writers, will dominate. I’m a member of the Authors Guild and the pluses and minuses of AI endlessly fuels discussions. But the film industry is in a state of flux. The book publishing world flourishes while the film industry continues to recover from the 2023 strikes and reviving sidelined projects. The use of AI sparks debates and demands from industry professionals, whether behind or in front of the camera. I’ve participated in zoom workshops that encourage the use of AI for devising plot ideas in scripts. I do use AI for research. But when it comes to writing, I’ll stick with the blank page and my imagination. Regarding trends, I think the film industry will see a renaissance of small, independent films. The big Hollywood tent-pole and franchise movies are not drawing audiences, other than the post-pandemic phenomenon of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” over the summer of 2023. Spending in excess of $100 million on a movie is risky business that most likely will not pay off in theatre runs. I think the trend will swing back to innovative, independent films that break out from film festivals. I recall the flourishing of indie features in the mid-1990s the heyday of experimental, low budget films like “Clerks” by Kevin Smith, “Pi” by Darren Aronofsky, and “Welcome to the Doll House” by Todd Solonz. “Blair Witch Project” written, directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. I could fill a page with great examples from the indie world from days of yore! I also believe short films will be a springboard for feature-length movies if the story shows promise. My own screenplay collaboration, “Ella” based on the life of Ella Fitzgerald, is set for production as a short film. It’s a Proof-of-Concept project that will hopefully lead to a full production of the feature-length script down the road. But, all in all, the pendulum will swing back to a new wave of indie films with evocative stories written, directed and produced with very small budgets that spark innovation!

Pricing:

• 14.95
• 23..95

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.antheatpiscarik.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apiscarik
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atpflower
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthea-piscarik-0a38a116
• Twitter: https://x.com/Atpflower
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@antheapiscarik4151
• Other: https://saintmartinproductions.com