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

Hi Elizabeth , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I began designing in 2002 in High School in an Intro to Design course. I honestly can’t even remember what program it was a part of since our High School didn’t even have Photoshop. I didn’t really hone in on what I love to do (film related work such as posters and pitch decks) until the past 7 years, but I consider the experience I recieved along the way, in both digital and physical media, to be indispensable in rounding out my outlook on my work today.

For both design and acting, I really stick by the viewpoint that it is going to take time for your talent to catch up to your taste level and that the best way to do that is by consistency! Keep your curiosty alive, put in the work, and learn to fear regret rather than failure. It’s scary to put yourself out there and it can be embarassing to bomb, but that feeling will 100% not stick around if you look at it all like lessons learned and not statements about your worth. Surround yourself with people you feel safe around, don’t let anyone question your value, and make sure those who you allow to speak into your life are full of both honesty and grace.

Good Design and Good Acting are both reliant on one of the same things, listening that leads to understanding and collaboration, so I would definitely emphasize the need for that skill, as well as resilency, a ground sense of self, and the determination to have fun along your career path, whever it may lead.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Elizabeth, a graphic designer for 20 years and an actor for the past 9. Originally from Upstate New York, I first visited LA in 2008 and fell in love with the pace of life and the sun (anyone who grew up in the vicinity of Buffalo NY has done their time in the cold). However, It wasn’t until 2013 that I moved out to stay and joined the ranks of many people pursuing the arts while holding 2+ part time jobs. As time passed I’ve been able to become 100% freelance, and focus solely on design and acting.

In both of my career fields I am a storyteller, whether or not it is through film or through expressing a client’s storyline in a pitch deck or poster. Through design, where I focus on film (Pitch Decks, EPKs, Posters) while also assisting in branding and a variety of other ways, I consider myself a “Creative Doula” who supports others in expressing their ideas and who works towards birthing their projects into the world.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There are so many ways to support artists and creatives in today’s society, be it through sharing about them on social media, giving to the endless Seed&Spark or Kickstarter Campaigns that fund Indie Film, going to screenings, buying their art, encouraging them verbally, celebrating their wins and being there as a friend when life gets rough!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I absolutely adore the two communities I am a part of online, The Delta Community (focused on the business and craft of Acting) and The Spark (affiliated with Actors Encouraged, a Healthy Mindset Community). They both help to keep me accountable and stable in the ups and downs of my creative life!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @elizabethmaealan

Image Credits
Christopher Sheffield, Camila Noriega