We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danicah Waldo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Danicah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

For a long time, I struggled with how best to invest our two most valuable commodities; my time and money. For years, I ran in circles—researching for answers, juggling too many priorities, and trying to make sense of where to direct these prized resources. I invested in education that I thought would teach me everything I needed to know and took jobs that offered the salary I hoped for. I studied late into the night to earn A’s, believing that following the rules and learning exactly what I was told would lead to success. I worked countless late nights at my job, trying to prove my worth for a future raise or promotion. Yet despite all these investments, my anxiety soared. What was making me feel so unsettled?

The shift came when I made a new investment—a surprising one. That new investment… was <i>me</i>.

I realized I’d spent so much of my time and money investing in external validation—finding people to assure me I had the answers, helping the companies I worked for achieve their goals. But when I decided to invest in my own vision, everything began to shift. I took the leap and started spending money, not on more classes, but on projects that were entirely mine. Instead of trying to climb the career ladder, I focused on pursuing the creative profession I had longed for—a career in narrative filmmaking, which had always felt like home. It felt incredibly risky, even unsafe. And yet, suddenly… everything changed.

I put that vision into action and invested in making my debut short film, <i>Sally, Get the Potatoes</i>. That film got into festivals. I secured a manager as a writer/director. I connected with producers interested in attaching me as the director for their feature films. All of my dreams are coming true, because I took a risk and invested in myself. No teachers grading my work, no guaranteed salary. But the rewards have been endless.

I believe the best investment we can make is in ourselves. You deserve to invest in your creativity, your vision. When I started trusting my instincts and taking risks, opportunities appeared in ways I couldn’t have dreamed of. There are still moments of doubt when I fight the urge to return to the comfort of what’s familiar, but I’ve come to understand that true growth only happens when we take risks. By putting time and money into myself, I’ve stopped spinning my wheels and started moving toward what truly matters to me.

The fear of failure is always present, but I’ve learned that staying safe is the worst investment of all.

Danicah, 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?

My name is Danicah Waldo, and I am a film director, screenwriter, and producer based in New York City. I didn’t always know I wanted to be a filmmaker. Like many folks in the performing arts, I began my journey as an actor.

I grew up in Patchogue, New York, a small beach town on the south shore of Long Island. Our one-bedroom apartment was cozy for my mom, sibling, and me, but that was okay because we were never home. We filled our days and nights performing in musicals at the local community theater, which became my favorite place in the world. I loved being there because no one treated me like a little kid; at the theater, I was an equal. It was magic.

As I got older and my passion for performing deepened, my mom and I would scrape together every penny we had to take the train into Penn Station for auditions we’d find in the Backstage newspaper. I acted in off-Broadway shows and independent films before deciding to attend Pace University, where I studied musical theater and had the opportunity to further explore my craft and deepen my understanding of storytelling.

After college, I continued auditioning, but soon found an incredible opportunity teaching at Applause New York, a premier performing arts studio in New York City. It was here that I began developing my skills as a writer, director, and producer, creating narrative short films starring young actors. During my time, I helped grow the Applause New York YouTube channel to great success, which now sits at 1.6 million subscribers and over 1 billion views.

I joined LIT Videobooks in 2021 and, over time, worked my way up to the role of Director of Production. In this position, I oversee the entire production system and direct the live-action elements of our documentary-style videobooks. It’s been a true privilege to help to build this innovative platform from the ground up.

After 10 years of creating content for other companies, I felt it was time to take a leap and develop a project that truly showcased my voice. In 2023, I founded Yellow Chair Films, where I wrote, directed, and produced my debut narrative short film, <i>Sally, Get the Potatoes.</i>

The film has screened at numerous prestigious festivals, including the Academy Award–qualifying Rhode Island International Film Festival, and has won multiple awards, including Best Short Film (Women and the World International Film Festival), Best American Short (Female Eye Film Festival), and the Audience Award for Best Dramatic Short (Woods Hole Film Festival).

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Teaching gave me an incredible gift early on in my professional life: the gift of mentoring.

Filmmaking is hard, and for many, their art feels sacred. It’s deeply personal, making it difficult to trust others with what can feel like your “baby.” Because of this, I find the film industry often has a gatekeeping mentality, built to protect the work and shield it from outside influences. But this approach can make the journey extremely lonely and, at times, feel nearly impossible to navigate as an outsider.

I believe a thriving creative ecosystem hinges on mentorship. Everyone should take part in supporting the next generation. This means sharing knowledge generously, offering guidance to those coming up behind us, and leaning on the wisdom of those ahead of us in our own journeys. The only way we can ensure everyone has a fair shot at bringing their art to life is by helping each other get it made.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply driven by two missions. First, I’m passionate about bridging the gap for female film directors. According to the 2024 Celluloid Ceiling Report, women made up just 16% of directors on the top 250 grossing films, and only 8% of films employed 10 or more women in key behind-the-scenes roles, compared to 70% that employed 10 or more men. This disparity motivates me to not only create my own work, but also to do whatever I can to encourage other female and non-binary creatives, empowering them to step behind the camera and tell their stories.

Second, I’m committed to telling stories that incorporate the perspectives of both children and adults. I love movies like “The Florida Project,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “My Girl,” “Room,” and “Eve’s Bayou”— films that raise awareness about the complexities of being both an adult and a child, sparking meaningful conversations across generations. I am excited to create work that challenges perceptions, builds empathy, and bridges the gap between different age groups, allowing audiences to connect on a deeper, more emotional level.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danicahwaldo.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/danicah.waldo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danicahwaldo/
• Other: www.sallyfilm.com

Image Credits
Main Image – Credit: Corinne Louie Photography 6 – Dreams come True – SOHO2 – Credit: Champion Eye Photo 8 – Dreams come True – Soho3 – Credit: Champion Eye Photo Danicah Waldo – 265 – Grateful – Credit: Corinne Louie Photography