We were lucky to catch up with Helenna Santos recently and have shared our conversation below.
Helenna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a short film I produced, co-wrote, and co-starred in called “Similitude”. This was a project that was purely art for art’s sake. It was an experimental project that was filmed primarily with just 3 people in the middle of California’s arid deserts over the course of numerous trips from LA to Joshua Tree. Many of the other projects that I produced have been with a “market” and end-goal in mind, like distribution on a specific platform, but this film was made just for the love of storytelling and was incredibly rewarding because there was no pressure when it came to financial expectation, investors, or accolades.
Helenna, 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?
I’m an actor, photographer, writer, and producer. As an actor I’ve been working in the industry for twenty years and have been in many network and streaming TV shows including Fire Country, The Flash, and The Good Doctor as well as the upcoming season of Virgin River. I’ve also acted in indie features, studio movies and national commercials.
As a producer, I produced and starred in two feature films as well as numerous award-winning short films and digital series. Both of the features I produced, At Your Own Risk and The Shasta Triangle, currently have distribution on a variety of streaming platforms.
I’m also the author of the poetry book A Long Dark Summer, and am the founder of the entertainment website Ms. In The Biz and was the editor-in-chief for its seven year run. As a writer I’ve also contributed to a variety of publications including MovieMaker, Backstage, Film Inquiry, WeScreenplay, and BUST Magazine.
Most recently I’ve also started a photography business and specialize in portrait, editorial, and lifestyle photography for actors, various performers, and creative entrepreneurs.
I’m a mix of Filipino and Russian/German heritage and a dual US and Canadian citizen. As a child, I lived and traveled to many countries around the world, but as an adult I have split my time between America and Canada.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Four books that completely changed by life and how I go about not only my career path but also day-to-day living are: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loher and Tony Schwartz
Atomic Habits by James Clear
and
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Right now with the ridiculously fast rise of AI, nothing is more timely and important than buying directly from an artist, hiring an artist who could be replaced by AI, and insisting on real people being hired for any creative endeavor. And I use the word artist to encompass all creatives whether that’s a visual artist, a musician, an actor, a filmmaker, an editor. Anything. This is a time where there is a real existential crisis happening for humanity when it comes to art, and I truly believe that while there are definitely some good things that can come from AI, we need regulation around it so that true artistry and humanity isn’t lost. I think that starts with each of us at home. So for instance, instead of using AI to create a cool portrait of your dog, hire a visual artist instead.
Contact Info:
- Website: helennasantos.com
- Instagram: @helennamsantos