We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Diana Savone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Diana below.

Diana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been being the writer, director, producer, and lead actress of my short film “Prophet.”

I wanted to write something that would make people laugh while they think about the absurdity of America’s for-profit, insurance-based healthcare system and how its failures fuel the unregulated alternative medicine industry. I believe having healthcare tied to employment is outdated, inequitable, and ineffective, and it ultimately forces a lot of Americans into desperation and quackery.

My character, Lucy, is diagnosed with breast cancer, and ironically, I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition during pre-production. While we were filming, I was experiencing severe symptoms of my illness, which unfortunately made me relate to my character more than I had anticipated.

My doctor advised me not to shoot “Prophet” but to instead focus on resting and recovering. But I was determined to make this film because Lucy’s story needs to be told. America needs massive healthcare reform because too many citizens are needlessly suffering and dying. I wrote “Prophet” as a dramedy because it’s easier to enter people’s hearts and discuss important issues while you’re making them laugh.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Diana Savone, and I’m the writer, producer, and lead actress in my directorial debut, “Prophet,” a dark comedy short film about the problems of healthcare in our modern world. I utilized my savings and crowdfunding earnings to complete my film, and while crowdfunding, I received a $4,000 grant from Seed&Spark’s Patrons Circle. “Prophet” has been officially selected for several film festivals in 2024, most notably HollyShorts and Dances with Films.

My career in film and television began as a costume production assistant. I quickly worked my way up the ranks onto a variety of TV series, including “Little America” (Apple TV+), “The Mandalorian” (Disney+), and “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” (HBO Original). But it was when I watched the great Jeff Bridges on the set of the indie film “The Open Road” that I decided to pursue acting.

I studied stage acting at Playhouse West and sketch and improv comedy at the Groundlings and the Second City, where I discovered my talent for writing. I produced and starred in a Funny or Die staff pick short called “The Wedding Planners.”

For the stage, I co-wrote a solo show, “Italian AF: One Woman, Six Characters, Zero Mob Ties.” In it, I performed six original characters, ranging from an eight-year-old girl to an 86-year-old grandmother.

While working in costumes, I gained invaluable on set experience where I witnessed a variety of directing styles and quickly became obsessed with studying camera movements and actors’ performances. Witnessing Bill Hader as showrunner, actor, producer, and director on the set of “Barry,” season 2, inspired me to become a multi-hyphenate myself. I’m passionate about creating projects for both the stage and screen.

I’m inspired by the works of Mike Mills, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Woody Allen, and the writings of Alain de Botton and Robert Greene. I love toeing the line between comedy and drama while highlighting important social issues like healthcare, mental health, and gender equality.

When I’m not busy creating projects, I love cooking, going to the movies, and taking care of too many plants in my West Hollywood apartment.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Robert Greene’s “The Art of Seduction” and “48 Laws of Power” have guided me through the Wild West of the entertainment industry. And Alain de Botton’s lectures on love, romanticism and success have made me rethink my life and career as a whole. I used to be heavily influenced by my family and society’s expectations of me, but Botton and Greene’s work have made me cut out the noise and tune into myself.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t fully understand why, but I have to create and perform character driven stories. I just don’t know how to live any other way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dianasavone.com
• Instagram: @dianasavone
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-savone-560978186/
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2705139/?ref_=nm_mv_close

Image Credits

-“Prophet” Cast and Crew at the 2024 Dances with Films (From Left: Abra Moore, Diana Savone, Luke Miller, Nicholas McGrath, and Sarah Cornell) Photos by Dustin McWethy
-Stills from “Prophet.”
-BTS photos from “Prophet.”
-Diana Savone and Meaghan Ryan Coates at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival. Photo by Sir. Henry Thompson Jr.