We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Phillips. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.
Julie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
It’s hard to choose my most “meaningful project.” It’s a bit like choosing a favorite child, and as I say to my kids, “I love you both equally.” My go-to answer is usually my very first project, my short comedy, “One Hot Day,” because it was my first. It was my first time writing a script, my first time producing, my first time as the lead, my first time as EVERYTHING! It was about a day in the life of a menopausal woman suffering from hot flashes whose life and marriage had lost their passion. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I learned very quickly out of necessity. And the best part? It resonated with so many people. My whole purpose as an artist and filmmaker is to give voice to underrepresented women over 50 in an authentic, often humorous way. And when that content is relatable and resonates with an audience? Well, that’s just the cherry on top!
So, that’s usually my answer. But today, I have a different answer. I’ve come a long way in the 4 years since I made “One Hot Day.” I have now made 3 more short films, 3 web series, a proof of concept TV Pilot, and I have collaborated on many more!
So today, the answer to my most meaningful project is my web series, “Bothered.” “Bothered” was created during the pandemic. I wrote a monologue to do in my acting class (which had pivoted to Zoom) about a woman having an emotional rant about things that bothered her, including social media, dating, and political correctness, while on a Zoom 1st date. Think “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with a dash of “It’s Always Sunny..” during a pandemic.
Well, long story short, this monologue developed into a series co-starring a friend from acting class with a similar sense of humor. What started with two people is now a 4 season, 38-episode, two-camera, SAG Microbudget, award-winning series streaming on IndieFlix. I have managed to write most of my friends’ guest-starring parts, I have volunteers offering to help out on set en masse, and I even have “merch!”
So for me, right now, TODAY, this project means the most to me. I am a team player. A huge believer in passing the ball when someone else has an open shot and celebrating, supporting, and giving voice to the uniqueness of every player. I created something that enabled me to play with and collaborate with my creative community. The fact that I created something that everyone wants to be a part of fills me with immense satisfaction. But ask me tomorrow and I may have a different answer ;-)
Julie, 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 liken myself as the post-menopausal answer to Phoebe Waller-Bridge, for the 50+ crowd. Bawdy, self-deprecating, and full of heart. But the question is, how’d I get here? How did I become a 56-year-old content creating, actress, writer, producer, and mogul? Just kidding about that mogul part…for now.
I was born and raised in Studio City, California. I began performing at the wee age of 2 when my dad, iconic film and TV composer, Stu Phillips, was working on a television commercial and needed some young kids in the background. I was hooked, and I continued into my teens. When I went to college (USC/UC Santa Cruz), I decided I was better suited for feminist writing and organic farming than I was for being an actress.
But when I moved back to LA in 1989 I was once again bitten by the performing bug. Over the next decade, I studied at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and Groundlings Theater and booked a few television shows (Love Streets, Days of Our Lives) and films (What’s Love Got to Do With It) while supplementing my income as an aerobics instructor. But I never really felt that there was a place for me in this industry. Constantly being told I wasn’t pretty enough to be a leading lady or quirky enough to be the best friend, I felt lost and unvalued.
In 1999 I got married and made my love of teaching fitness a priority. I once again took a hiatus from acting to raise a family and teach Pilates. In 2018 an invitation to be on the SAG nominating committee sparked my re-ignition into the world of acting…And I have never looked back.
As a creator, what is important to me is authenticity, humor, and heart. I write what I want to see as an audience, what I want to play as an actor, and what I think will be fulfilling and fun for my friends to be a part of. I don’t have a big budget, or any budget, really. I make sure every project I do fosters a supportive, fun, collaborative environment where everyone is inspired and well-fed.
I am incredibly proud of how much I have learned and created since I returned to “the business.” Especially considering that I didn’t know how to do anything! I put myself out there, volunteering on every set I was allowed on and surrounding myself with other artists. Being 51 years old and learning how to edit a self-tape, memorize lines, use sound equipment, and fill out SAG paperwork was an incredible challenge. But I did it. An old dog CAN learn new tricks.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I am incredibly driven in my creative journey. Part of that comes from my age and the fact that I only came back to acting five years ago; I’m raring to get on with it! The other part of that is my desire to create as much dynamic, authentic content for women over 50 as possible. I have many friends who have been in the industry for a lifetime. They have ridden the highs and lows of success. But the lows are much more of a norm as we age. Meaty roles are rare for women over 50 unless they’re already famous and can write their own ticket. Otherwise, they are limited AND stereotyped. My goal is to provide myself and my friends with fun, authentic, and relatable roles. This is not to say that I exclusively write for the 50-plus crowd. Most of my projects represent a fairly wide age group. However, my stories are generally inspired by my experiences and focus on a theme relatable to me, a 56-year-old woman.
I would also say a lot of my creative drive comes from the joy it brings me. Writing, working on a character, or shooting content with people who inspire me fulfills me in a way that excites me to get up in the morning. What’s that saying? If you choose a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. I love creating.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t have to pivot in life at some point, especially during the pandemic. But my career/life pivot began long before the pandemic. I had just turned 51 when my high school friend, Mimi, asked me to tag along with her on a trip to Spain. She had lived there for over 20 years, got married, had her kids, and had a house there. She needed to go to Madrid to clean out her house so they could rent it. My initial instinct was “NO.” I know, stupid, right? But, I hadn’t taken a trip with a friend or even by myself since I had gotten married. I (happily) only ever traveled as a family or with one of my children. Going away with Mimi was outside of my norm. What would my kids do if I wasn’t there? Then I realized my teenage children would be just fine if I went away on a girls’ trip. And I got full support from my former husband and children about going away. The only person stopping me was me.
So I went. And I would love to regale you with wild stories of the two of us hitting the town and getting lit (as the kids say). But that’s not what happened. We took lots of long walks, ate amazing Paella, and cleaned out Mimi’s house. But it was the first time in at least 15 years that I existed just as myself, not as a wife or a mother, just me. And I felt entirely lost. Who the heck was I when I wasn’t a mom or a wife? My kids were getting older; they wouldn’t need me so much anymore. How exactly was I going to fill my time? I was teaching Pilates pretty sporadically, and although I enjoy teaching, it doesn’t fulfill me.
So one night in Madrid, I lied in bed, closed my eyes, and asked myself, “If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?” The answer surprised me like a dormant volcano erupting: Act. That was the answer. I wanted to act again. Maybe there was a reason I kept paying my SAG dues all those years when I wasn’t acting… Somewhere deep down, I knew I wasn’t done.
When I returned from Madrid, I found an acting class. Shout out to Mark McPherson and all of the Studio 24 Seven Peeps for embracing, supporting, and inspiring my journey. I’m not sure I would have stuck with it had I walked into any other acting class. And although we are no longer together, my ex-husband, as well as my children could not have been more supportive of my decision.
Best pivot ever ;-)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juliephillips.org/
- Instagram: @juliephillipsstein
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.p.stein
- Youtube: @juliephillips49
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user86746825