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

Jillie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I have always respected different crafts, whether it be business or the creative arts, and the need to study. We all have gifts that come to us naturally, but ultimately you must refine those gifts. When I decided to be an actress, I took commercial classes, improv and scene study along with any short film or project or theater that would give me experience. I did background to become SAG-AFTRA and worked to build my IMDB credits. I attended networking events. Fifteen years ago there was much less information readily available and everything was in person whether it be classes or auditions or callbacks or filming, so there was a lot of trial and error. I took headshots and more headshots just trying to get the right look and mailed them to countless casting directors and agents (I’m not sure how many evaded the trash bin). When I then branched off into standup comedy, I felt I had even more to learn. It is one thing to be naturally funny and another to understand joke structure, timing and how to work with a room. It all certainly takes time, patience and persistence and there is no one right way, but I do believe putting the work in to learn the craft has paid off.

Jillie, 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 initially moved to San Diego from Minnesota to attend law school when I was thirty. A very convincing would-be professor asked me what I wanted to do as a child and I said “Something creative like acting.” He basically told me that I just got to California, Hollywood was just up the road if I wanted to check it out and that law school would always be there when and if I’m ready (he also told me I’d make a really great Orange County housewife, but at the time I did not understand what he meant). I though I was too old to start out in acting, but maybe I could become a makeup artist. So, I went up to Los Angeles every weekend for makeup artist classes. I was quite bad. On my second job, I was asked to be in the runway show instead of doing the makeup. More modeling, commercials and short films ensued. Then I got serious and took an acting class, and then my acting coach said I really need to move to Los Angeles if I wanted a real chance. So, I packed up my beloved beach place in Solana Beach and headed to Hollywood. It was not a small decision. It took a lot of risk, faith and hard work.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Non-creatives often do not understand that the pursuit of the arts is not about the money, although it is nice. For instance, in comedy, you are just trying to get stage time to fine tune your art. That may be waiting in line to see if you made the list for an open mic with three minutes to perform or doing a “bringer show” where you are required to bring so many paying guests in order to perform. Eventually you graduate to booked shows and you are just happy to have the time. Sometimes you even get gas money. Ultimately, you get on some paid shows if you are lucky.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s very rewarding as an artist when you see the finished product of a film or you feel the joy of making an audience laugh. Maybe they had a bad day, but you gave them an escape. Even better, it is an amazing feeling when you inspire someone else to pursue their dreams in the arts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecougarofcomedy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecougarofcomedy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecougarofcomedy
• Linkedin: www.linkedin/in/thecougarofcomedy
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/jilliereil
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/thecougarofcomedy
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@thecougarofcomedy   www.imdb.me/jilliereil