We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Wegner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amber, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
First, let me start by saying, thank you so much for inviting me to share my story with your readers! I joined SAG-AFTRA in 2014 after booking six commercials in six months in 2013. I thought that for sure this was going to continue for years to come. And then I was humbled with the harsh reality that this business has its ups and downs. Since 2014, I’ve had years where I only support myself from my acting income and years where I have actor support jobs. In my podcast, Actors Inspiration, I always share with my listeners the importance of having a way to generate income to support your craft because unfortunately, this industry is very unpredictable.
Amber, 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 am from Sacramento, California. I went to a performing arts high school, however, I studied dance and not acting. I didn’t begin my acting journey until I moved to Los Angeles when I was 28 years old.
I spent 3 years pounding the pavement, taking classes, and doing a lot of non union background jobs in hopes of eventually being able to qualify for SAG-AFTRA.
I ended up getting married in 2007 and put my acting career on the back burner while I went back to having a steady job while raising kids.
In 2013, I got back into acting and in 2014 I joined the Union.
I have mostly been a film actor and I’m excited for the next steps into my acting journey as I move into television and back into commercials.
In 2021, I started my podcast, Actors Inspiration. It’s been really well received and I look forward to each episode. Some days I interview other actors or creatives and on other days, I share words of wisdom or tips I’ve learned along the way on my acting journey.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes, podcasts!!! There is a fabulous podcast called, Audrey Helps Actors, from actress, Audrey Moore, that is a game changer! She breaks down this industry in a very matter of fact, and educational format based on her many years in this industry. She has a career that I admire very much and I wish her podcast had been around when I was 28 and just starting out.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. I am a storyteller, I am a dreamer, I am a believer that all things are possible. The purpose of starting my podcast, Actors Inspiration, is to give creatives like me, who are in it to win it, boosts of motivation and encouragement along their artistic journey. There are so many people that will never understand an artist’s journey. This is a place to come to feel inspired to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anchor.fm/amber-wegner
- Instagram: @amberwegner777
- Twitter: @amberwegner777
- Other: IMDB imdb.me/amberwegner
Image Credits
Tina Vonn Photography Getty Images Rich Polk