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

Alright, Lara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Ever since I can remember I’ve been driven to tell stories. My childhood was spent putting on plays in the living room with my siblings for an audience of our ever-obliging parents. However, I’d say it was probably around the time I graduated Oxford when I started seriously to consider a profession in storytelling. I had always known I didn’t want to go down a corporate route, nor was I in any way qualified to do so. My experience comprised a long list of productions that I’d directed, produced or in which I’d performed, and it was always these kinds of pursuits that lit a spark in me. At the same time the thought of a creative path terrified me. Having been lucky enough only ever to exist within the clear structures of a system, I was suddenly faced with the unknown and I’ve honestly never felt more lost or out of control.

I had a place at the East 15 Acting School in London for the following year, but as much as I knew I wanted to be an actor, the thought of this being my sole profession made me uneasy. I’ve never been good at letting others take the reins in my life and I couldn’t bear the thought of a career where I would constantly be at the whims of other people’s decisions. So, after endless research, a great deal of introspection, too many career quizzes, and an enlightening conversation with my friend, actor-writer-producer Cat White, I began to consider producing. This emerged as an option that would offer the agency and autonomy I craved, as well as provide me with the tools necessary to bring to life my visions as a director and performer. I remember a talk we had at drama school where the life of an artist was compared to that of a savanna animal – you have the luxury of roaming free, but there’s always a chance you’ll get eaten! My decision to produce was a means of attaining a little more control over my uncertain path across the savanna.

Lara, 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?

Absolutely! I am an actor-filmmaker born and raised in London, now living in LA. I started out as an actor and then gradually also ventured into directing, producing, writing and editing. My first experience of directing was at Oxford when I staged a production of Jason D. Martin’s ‘Dying Light’ starring phenomenal actress Charithra Chandran, who has since gained international recognition for her role in Bridgerton. I went on to start a theatre production company, through which I directed, produced and performed in plays across Oxford, London, Berlin and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

My first film was a makeshift project that I created alongside my close friend and talented artist Charly Faye entitled ‘A Room of Her Own’, a spin on Virginia Woolf’s famous essay. With this film we sought to present a daring and vulnerable exploration of sisterhood. We made it during the pandemic with no budget and a team of two, with the support of our talented friend and musician, Samfire. Between us we filled all roles – from acting, directing, writing and cinematography to set design, editing and make-up. As you can imagine, this project was a baptism of fire into the many complexities, hurdles and joys of filmmaking and it holds a very special place in my heart.

In my career so far, I have worked across disciplines as a creator and performer to bring to life stories I care about, as well as to raise awareness for subjects and causes that deserve greater attention. Through my Edinburgh Fringe production I raised funds for Clean Break, a charity that supports women in prison, and through my London production of Marsha Norman’s ‘Night, Mother, for Papyrus, a charity for suicide prevention. Whilst at AFI I produced five narrative shorts, one of which was a story I pitched entitled ‘Tell Me Something True’, which explored the psychological vulnerability of being an artist. I also produced Jewish-Ukrainian comedy, ‘Cherry Kompot’, which premiered at AFI fest and won awards at the London Independent Film Awards and the Eastern Europe Film Festival. Most recently, I directed, edited and produced a music video, ‘Possible Stranger’, for London-based alt-pop artist Samfire, which premiered in Wonderland Magazine and which won awards at the Athens International Art Monthly Film Festival, the Eastern Europe Film Festival and the Los Angeles Indie Short Fest.

In my work I seek to tell stories that shed light on topics that have been stigmatized and amplify the voices of those who have been silenced. I am also particularly drawn to female-centered narratives – stories by women for women, which offer an intersectional and cinematic exploration of the female gaze.

Can you share a story that shows resilience?

I’d say the most resilient I’ve ever had to be was in my first year at AFI when I had to have two back-to-back spine surgeries. The second of these was an unexpected emergency surgery, which meant I was rushed to hospital ten days before we were due to shoot the film I was producing. It was one of the scariest and most intense times of my life and there was a point at which I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to move properly again. I had to do all my classes remote and, on one occasion, even conducted a meeting from hospital. I did my best to take things day by day and, with the help of my incredible mother who stayed in LA to care for me, I managed to finish producing the film from my bed. It was after this that I produced and starred in ‘Tell Me Something True.’ Acting in your own film at AFI was deeply frowned upon and I had to fight a great deal in order to be allowed to do it. However, I had made a promise to myself that, if I went to AFI, this was a challenge I was determined to take. I’m inclined to say that it was my experience with the surgeries that gave me the strength to go through with it. I was more aware than ever of the fragility and sanctity of my health so I figured that, if I had the privilege of being strong and capable enough to do it, I couldn’t let the fear of others’ perceptions stop me. It was a powerful lesson and one I intend to take forward with me throughout my career.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think for me the most rewarding part of being a creative is witnessing a vision come to life. I find it so fulfilling to watch the seed of an idea gradually transform into a tangible piece of art with the capacity to move people. Another hugely rewarding aspect of the creative process is the potential to connect with other artistic spirits. I have had the opportunity to work with some truly phenomenal people – fellow actors or creatives who have become some of my closest friends. These are people who inspire me, drive me and catch me when I fall. Art has always also been a key source of strength and purpose in my life and I find creating to be a such a cathartic way of dealing with emotion and psychological pain. Finally, I love that creating offers me a platform and a voice and allows me to play a small part in provoking reflection to bring about much-needed social change. At the end of Greta Gerwig’s recent release, Margot Robbie as Barbie, declares: ‘I want to be a part of the people that make meaning, not the thing that is made.’ This speaks perfectly to why I have chosen to pursue a path as a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.larampmarks.com
• Instagram: @laramarks
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lara-marks-73327616a

Image Credits
Simon Annand, Leo Behrens, Charly Faye, Catherine Dimitroff