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

Francesca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

As an artist and entrepreneur, I have reinvented myself and evolved time and again. I grew up in Chicago, where I studied theater and acting, performing in school, as well as professionally. My studies took me across the pond to the UK, where I studied in Oxford and London, then eventually to Los Angeles. I have worked professionally as an actor in film, TV, and commercials ever since. Early on, I trained in classical voice and musical theater, but I had let it go, as the industry in LA focuses less on theater arts. But a few years ago, I felt a deep-seeded need to continue growing my skill and passion. And now I’m performing on stage again. So much of being a performer is about awareness of your body and great discipline. Which gave me the right ingredients to try martial arts. I have trained in Muay Thai now for seven years, even playing a fighter on screen, and representing a fight gear brand. Most recently, I have expanded my entertainment career by becoming a director. I felt driven to direct because I wanted to be involved in every aspect of the storytelling, while creating a safe and productive work environment. I use my natural type-a technical skills, along with my ability to speak the actors’ language, to bring the story to life. And it’s thrilling. And all the while, I also started my own bakery business, Honey Punch Bakes, where I make custom cakes, cookies, and more. Another perfect blend of technical meets creative. So, the most innovative thing I’ve done in my career is expanding my definition of who I am, what kind of artist I want to be, and how I communicate and entertain.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Focusing on my work as a director: I was initially inspired to direct after working on one TV show with many different directors. I had an acting job playing “Parker,” a series recurring guest star role, on God Friended Me, the CBS one-hour family drama. I worked with many directors across many episodes, and I got to see how each director’s demeanor, communication style, and energy changed the set and all the people who came to work together everyday. I happily got to work on the show for a long time, but I only ever experienced the story from one small point of view. I always left grateful but hungry for more. In all my experience as an actor, on stage, in film, TV, and commercials, I have worked with the full spectrum of directors, from those with technical minds but no ability to understand the actors’ process, to directors who are or have been actors themselves but lack technical knowledge or sense. And, unfortunately, I have worked with directors who did not create an environment where everyone felt safe and supported to do their best work. I am directing a film next month, and in my preparation, my focus is equally on planning how I will visually tell the story, and how I can take care of and protect the people I have gathered to be on my set. It’s a great responsibility, to be in charge of all these different artists, crafts people, and technicians. I aim to be the kind of director who leads with a strong vision and creates enough space to listen and allow for all the talented people around me to bring their best.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Collaboration. As a director, an actor, or a singer, there is no pleasure or point to our art when done solo. The entire point is about communication – telling a story, moving an audience to laughter or tears, and working together with other dedicated talented people to create that story.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I am mixed race. I am “Hapa,” half Asian and half Caucasian. I am proud of my heritage, and I have taken all the complicated feelings and interactions that come with being mixed along with all the good. But in Hollywood, I have faced some… interesting opinions. As an actor, I’ve been told by casting directors that I’m not white and that I won’t be considered for white roles. And then I’ve been told that I’m not “Asian enough” for Asian roles, which sometimes comes from a need to meet diversity quotas and check a box. I’m no stranger to facing difficulty checking a box on a form that asks about racial background. I am often left labeling myself as “Other.” But the industry is slowly becoming more inclusive. I am Asian. I am white. I am not half a person. I am fully mixed race. Even though there were times it felt like there was no place for me, my belief in my talent, and my passion for my art, helped me tune out all those opinions and keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chekabaer
• Facebook: @FrancescaLingPage

Image Credits
Brian Parillo, Compel Pictures, CBS