We were lucky to catch up with Anja Racić recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anja, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve been blessed to be able to work on many meaningful projects in the last six months, including short films, new play workshops, and innovative productions of Shakespearean classics. Although all of these are meaningful in their own way, for today, let’s focus on an independent short film, Cake.
From the very inception of this project, I knew it was going to be something special. An ardent group of filmmakers, a few overnight shoots, and a tiny, tiny budget resulted in memories that I will cherish forever.
I will never forget the final shot of the project. Let me set the scene: mid-January, roughly 6 am and we are racing against the rising light. The last scene must be shot before the sun rises, and it is a matter of minutes. Every single person (of our 3 person crew) is running around to set up the final shot, as us two actors are trying to warm up and focus in. The exhaustion is starting to catch up since this is the third night in the row we’ve stayed up long enough to hear the birds chirp. And of course, the final shot is one of those that when you read the script as an actor you go “Ah shit, I don’t know how I’m going to pull this off”. Without giving away too much of the film, I will just say this is a climactic moment for my character. As I stood there, final moments before “Action”, I could sense the feelings of doubt starting to creep in: “What if we had done all this work only for me to fail everyone right now? What if I am not a good actor? What if, what if, what if…” And as these thoughts pecked at my brain, my co-star came up to me and said “Just remember to breathe.”
This seemingly simple reminder changed everything for me. Breathing and getting out of my head allowed me to see what was really going on. I saw four dedicated, brilliant artists giving it their all to tell this story; but even more, I saw my friends, the people I love doing what we all love. What a privilege!
In this moment I understood that it is in our hands to choose what we will resonate with: fear or faith?
I could have let the fear overshadow the beauty of this moment.
The great Bill Withers said “Ego will make you call fear something other than what it is.” Fear approves of negative self talk, disguising itself in the excuse of “This is for the sake of doing my best work” or other such thoughts. But it never is. Fear is limiting, and true creation can never come out of the limited, scarcity mentality.
Creation requires reckless faith. And faith fuels potential, it fuels possibility. At the beginning of every project there is only an idea, a little seed. And faith, combined with hard work and dedication, is the water that allows the seed to grow and eventually bloom.
I believe faith is a courageous choice. It is a fueling, life fulfilling choice. But it also requires practice. Since finishing this project in January, I have been trying to practice faith, especially in these uncertain times.
Anja, 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?
When I turned 15, my parents gifted me a set of bags, a plane ticket and a whole lot of love as I set off for a 5,219 mile long journey to the United States. I was finally turning the birthday wishes into a reality. After seven years of living in various cities such as Atlanta and Chicago, I found myself in Los Angeles.
I was born and raised in Novi Sad, Serbia, an unmapped crossroads of European history. A region that has bled over and over again. A region that has lost everything, save for its Slavic Soul.
Living with a Slavic Soul is an inexorable lifestyle; a constant pursuit to fill a craving void of generational sorrow, led by a valiant need to survive against all odds.
I follow in the legacy of fighters, of people who gave up their lives for the sake of freedom. Indebted to their sacrifices, I am fortunate enough to continue their fight, only not on the field, but through creation.
This is why I have set off to become a world citizen with a Slavic Soul; an artist in pursuit of their highest potential in honor of the ones who came before me.
In the more practical sense of things, I am a performer. Actor. Singer. Dancer. And some might say a Playwright/Producer since I have a written and produced a solo show before. This list is likely to keep growing since I enjoy learning and am willing to take up any skills that are required for the realization of the projects I work on.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is to keep expanding as a person, and then taking the discoveries you’ve made and sharing them with the world. Through sharing these experiences, artists develop a deep connection with their audience. A connection filled with understanding and feeling that we are not alone in this whole human experience.
There are not many things that can change someone in just two hours. But, the arts can. One of my favorite things is walking out of the theater filled with inspiration, new perspective or provocative questions that lead me to further self-reflection. I wish to provide that for the audiences who come to watch the stories I am telling.
I am currently in a reimagining of The Tempest, a Shakespearean classic, at the Antaeus Theater Company. It is a form-breaking, genre-bending production with the goal of making Shakespeare more accessible to a contemporary audience. A few nights ago, we had a group of 30 high school students at the show and it was one of the most thrilling performances I have experienced.
The show began with a giddy energy; students wriggling in their seats and some even trying to outsmart the actors by waving at us and trying to distract us during the scenes. But as the show progressed their attitudes changed. The exchange of energy between the audience and performers was tangible. Hearing them giggle as the young couple professed their love, or seeing them sit so still as Prospero renounced his revenge that you could hear a pin drop.
Afterwards us, the actors, came out to greet the students. Their faces shined with wonder and amazement. Witnessing this transformation within an audience is one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I moved to Los Angeles in the height of the pandemic and I often refer to how lonely that time was, especially for an extroverted artist like myself. I was in this huge city filled with creatives, but I could not find a way to meet anyone. During this time I realized how important it was to have a supportive community and safe spaces to take care of our health, mental and physical.
CREATIVE RESOURCES:
Brainstorming new ideas, celebrating each other’s work and sharing more artistic resources are just some of the benefits of why community is so vital for artists. And here are some of my favorite ways to nurture community:
1. Actor/Writer Workshops at the Secret Movie Club
Secret Movie Club is a wonderful creative hub for all kinds of filmmakers. Besides the amazing film repertoires and monthly open mic screenings, they organize a Filmmaking Workshop at the beginning of each month. This is a space where writers can bring their scripts and meet actors with whom they will workshop their materials and receive feedback on.
SMC cultivates a wonderfully supportive community, and I’ve gotten a chance to workshops scenes in various different genres with myriad writers/directors.
Here’s the SMC’s rundown:
“Do you have a script you’d like to hear parts of read aloud? Do you want to work on your acting chops with fellow performers? Do you want the chance to network with folks in front of and behind the camera for your next short, music video, feature, experimental project?”
More info: https://www.secretmovieclub.com/calendar/secret-filmmaking-workshop-jul-23
2. WeAudition
If you are an actor, you know how chaotic it is receiving a last minute audition that is due in 2 hours and then scrambling to find a reader. Here is where WeAudition comes to the rescue.
WeAudition is an online platform where, at any time of day, you can connect with fellow actors through video chat. Actors from all around the world help each other with auditions, rehearsing, and self-taping.
I’ve gotten a chance to meet cool actors and read scripts that otherwise I would not have had a chance to, and on top of that it is a great way to find new scene partners and practice the craft.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
Living in a loud and busy city like LA can be quite overwhelming. Finding ways to calm my nervous system and stay physically active is crucial for me in order to do my best work as an artist and enjoy my life to the fullest. And If you are like me and into accessible and affordable ways to take care of your health, here are some of my favs:
1. Gratitude Group + Sound Bath organized by Adam Weiss (IG- @adamgoesham)
The Gratitude Group meets on bi-weekly bases in Elysian Park. Nearly 100 people set up on the open fields of grass and lay down for an ethereal sound bath. Once the sound bath is done, we all receive journaling prompts. The questions go into topics of gratitude, self love and ideas of how to support oneself during challenges. At the end anyone who is eager to share may share their thoughts with the group.
This event is so wholesome, grounding and something I look forward to each time. It is a beautiful way to connect with other strangers who value their well-being, enjoy nature and celebrate each other’s discoveries.
This event is organized by Adam Weiss, who is doing amazing things for the community in Los Angeles. Looking to explore the city in fun and unique ways? Follow @adamgoesham for rad recommendations!
2. PWYC Community Classes at Center For Yoga
Physical movement is one of the best ways to take care of our health. However, taking fitness classes in LA can get quite pricy and as much as I dig free Youtube workouts, I also crave being in the room with others. This is why this weekly Pay-what-you-can Community Class is awesome.
Hosted in the beautiful studios of the historical Center for Yoga, this class meets every Friday at 2pm. Each week there is a different instructor teaching and you get to explore different styles of yoga and movement. Check it out, you won’t regret it!
Center For Yoga: https://centerforyogala.com
3. Eaton Canyon
This one is simple; do yourself a favor and hike up to Eaton Waterfalls. I promise you will feel like you are no longer in LA, your mind will be cleansed and you will feel amazing after moving your body. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and water-shoes (or not, hiking this trail barefoot brings out that inner child connection) and enjoy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/anjaracic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racicanja/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHsSPKLuko-PRNFLtuqICg
Image Credits
Leah Huebner, Girafon, JSDC_Foto, Brandon Dougherty