We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erika Toraya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Erika, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Having only produced three short films, it was a stretch to write, direct, act and produce my first feature film. I have been an actress for over 12 years and it was a wonderful, crazy-hard, and life-changing experience to take on. It has a large plan…to touch and change the hearts of millions. It can be done. This is what makes it all worth it. The lessons I learned are many and the journey taught me more than I would have ever imagined.
Erika, 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?
I found my joy of theatre and acting, in general, when in college (though, earlier, as a kid I loved to perform for my family- sing, dance and act). After a couple years of class and seeking an agent, I decided I would graduate college and work a “real” job, so I left acting.
I came back to it several years later when this nagging sensation came over me and wouldn’t leave me. I auditioned for a company and studied with them for a year. Then competed with hundreds of national performers at a yearly week-long event in Orlando.
Auditions, classes, networking, more classes, more auditions, I was cast in theatre, tv and web commercials and web series, industrials, short and feature films. It’s been a tough career but rewarding. Seven years ago, I began writing a feature that would change in topic and purpose. The decision to complete it would take three more years to re-write, meet with directors and producers, and attend film festivals. I sought finances and leadership, but to no avail. I was encouraged to produce and direct myself.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
So many things can go “wrong” and they do, but it’s only a test to our purpose behind out project and for me, it was a spiritual journey to trust and move forward. One, of many obstacles, happened three weeks before filming was to begin. I had cast and worked with my lead actor for about 6 months and I found myself without him anymore. For a reason I tried to work out with him, he was not making a decision and I had to make the hard one to let him go. I was thinking more about him who didn’t feel comfortable (anymore) being a negative character. I also had to think about the project and if he were to pull out the day before, which I could see happening. I now had only two to three weeks to cast my lead. I prayed and prayed. I auditioned an actor I had for a smaller role (one scene) to now being in maybe over 20 scenes. I had no funding, lost my lead male actor and two crew positions (that’s another story). I pushed forward, decided to use my savings and to produce and direct myself, and it was the right decision.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being able to see a concept and to work the steps to get there. There are so many creatives, that you come across people who inspire, competitions to motivate you, and education to serve your knowledge. I had a few friends who were so helpful to me both emotionally and with specific writing and filmmaking questions I had. I am so grateful. It is an incredibly difficult road with a ton of obstacles so you have to truly believe in what you are doing. To be able to take on roles I didn’t think I qualified for, helped me grow. This may be in all careers, but to be a filmmaker, you can heal through writing, meet people by networking, create a film with others’ talents and you have the potential to touch hearts through the media you created. I love it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erikatoraya.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/erika.toraya3
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/erikakenatoraya
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/erikatoraya
- Twitter: @Erikatoraya
- Youtube: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwinn9-20L7pAhXxIDQIHWl-CPkQFjAAegQIBxAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCVq_6O_3hSV4AfQXSp_p2NA&usg=AOvVaw3zAIF7xi8ajSCBpVQo_5Y_
- Other: www.insightthefilm.com