We were lucky to catch up with Amy Zubieta recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Lost & Found (short film). I developed this project along with 3 other women that I met in an online business of acting class in 2020. There didn’t seem to be a lot going on and the time and we wanted to create something of our own. We met on zoom at least once a week, sharing different ideas and then narrowing those down to want we wanted to do. Then getting into the details of the characters. I was with the project from the start and working with other female actors who wanted to create something of our own that gave us the chance to develop the kind of characters we wanted to protray and be able to bring to life. It’s particularly meaningful as well because I good family friend of mine connected me to our LA director, who was the last perfect piece to round out the project. Unfortunately, our family friend passed away last year, but the impact he had on our lives (and honestly everyone’s he touched) was beautiful and unforgettable. He was one of those people that was happy to support and connect people and never wanted the recognition or glory. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, with a heart that was always full, always with more to give. He is greatly missed.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

AMY ZUBIETA is an indie film actress, known for her dramatic work in many thrillers, including ‘The Night House‘ (directed by David Bruckner; starring Rebecca Hall) ‘Walk Away,’ ‘Dig,’ ‘Alone,’ and ‘Halloween Inferno Part II.’ In addition to ‘The Burned Over District,’ she has more cult/thriller films coming up: ‘The Abaddon Pit,’ ‘Mark of the Werebeard,’ and ‘Hello, It’s Me.’ The web-series, ‘Lost & Found,’ which she co-created, co-wrote and starred in will be released in 2022. Amy is a yoga instructor, singer, teacher, rock climber, book and tea connoisseur, and board game enthusiast! @amy.zubieta

As a stage actor she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work in musical theatre productions of ’Triassic Parq: The Musical’ (Syracuse Area Live Theater) and ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ (Broadway World-Regional).

I went to Syracuse University for my undergrad – Bachelor of Music, Music Industry – as a voice major I was in a couple of operas and after graduating I got in to community theatre (just as my adult extracurricular kind of activity).

For the first film I was in, the director saw me in Disenchanted The Musical as Cinderella and asked if I’d be interested in auditioning for a role in his film. I landed the role – loved it. But at the time I was still working full-time, as far as I knew there wasn’t a big market in my area and honestly I just didn’t know where to start and as a single mom, I didn’t seem realistic. Fast forward a few years and I landed a role in a short film for a senior thesis project at SU. That was probably the moment I decided I wanted to try to make this work. Over the course of two years or so I continued to work on short films, while I slowly wrapped my mind around leaving my full-time job, going down to part-time, starting to substitute teach and see what I could do to fill in any gaps and free up time to focus on what I love.

I found myself landing roles in multiple horrors/thrillers, which was pretty surprising to people who know me because I’m terrified of scary movies. I can’t watch them. But I love acting in them and have met so many wonderful people that love the genre, love the stories they get to tell, and that extra bit of chaos/fear/pain that drive the characters and relationships in a more immediate and reactive way.

The Burned Over District is the film I’m most of proud of at the moment. It was accepted into Horror Hound and I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress! My character went on quite the journey and I’m so excited for everyone that was a part of this film.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

While this is not always at the forefront or in the details when I’m applying, auditioning, doing the character work or on set, it’s really important to me to find balance with the work and as I grow on this journey always come back to my daughter. Acting is what I love to do. There’s a part of it that feels natural, but I also put in the work. I think it’s important for me to share that with my daughter. It’s not always easy, it’s not always consistent in the work, but I’m doing what I love and not sacrificing my other full-time job as a mom. Additionally, as I become more particular about the work I take, I want more and more to be in the films that have elements of hope or redemption or some sort of positive realization that causes or allows someone to change. We see ourselves in the characters and stories we see and the more we see the anti-hero stories or the dark side of human choices, the more we identify with that. And I prefer to be optimistic and give that to people.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist, is essentially getting to play all the time. There’s a lot more to it than that and there’s the whole business side of the career itself, but the acting part…I get to play in my imagination, create a slightly skewed world to my real world and give anyone who sees that film something to connect to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amyzubieta.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amy.zubieta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.zubi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/akzubieta/videos
• Other: https://imdb.me/amyzubieta

Image Credits
Brian Parillo Tim Davis