We recently connected with Andriana Garbiso and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andriana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on, is the current feature film I am writing. Too many times have a I seen stereotyped casting, stereotyped stories, and impossible body types for the leading lady. My story is a champion for the people. A relatable underdog who breaks norms and does not apologize for her power. My maternal grandmother was born in Cuerámaro, Guanajuato, Mexico who was married off to an American soldier at age 15. First born in America, my mother was a registered nurse and none of my aunts looked like housekeepers, nor did my uncles look like cartel. These strong women were the positive influence to get an education, wait for marriage and children. My father’s side is Navajo and Spanish. Every man, woman and child, a proud, hard working American.

Andriana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an active child with supportive parents, I started sports and dancing at just 3 years of age. Skateboarding, karate, golf, swimming, and snowboarding are just the tip of the iceberg. You would think I was destined for a career in stunts. Growing up in Northern California watching The Fall Guy, Wonder Woman and Die Hard, you know it’s something you want to do but have no clue how to get there. Plus, my parents had me on a rigid path to college. My film and stunt career did not emerge until middle age, motherhood and divorce all kicked in. When you have tenacity mixed with the right mentors, anything is possible at any age. Perhaps it was the seven years of competitive karate, growing up in a rough town and high school drama that built up to what is now a feature length film script.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Push for putting arts back in schools. Support your local theatre groups and get information on grants. The saying is…. you don’t know, what you don’t know. There are new and creative careers being invented everyday. Kids need this exposure at a young age to figue out what they can build a career in that fills their soul. Too many people assume 9-5 at minimum wage is their only option. They need instruction on how to take action toward the lifestye they want to achieve.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Since age 15, I have had upwards of 40 jobs. I’ve only been fired from babysitting. This helped me learn many things I did not want to do for the rest of my life. It also well rounded me for the characters I portray on screen. When the pandemic happened and we were all blindsided by our false sense of job security, I fell back on my skills in Emergency Medical Services… a career I knew I did not want at age 19. Being forced back into a thankless low paying job was a double-edged sword. While others were suffering with no income, I was suffering at work pulling doubles to pay my bills, as a single mom in the new world of Covid Compliance.     

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @andrianagarbiso_theonlyone
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrianaGarbiso
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andriagarbiso/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConflictedFilms/videos
• Other: https://www.imdb.me/AndrianaGarbiso

Image Credits
Headshots are Olga Filatova photography