We recently connected with Lindsay Evelyn Hamilton and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsay Evelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I know it’s a cliche, but I knew I wanted to pursue acting and writing professionally since I was very young. Because I didn’t have family support or the financial means to pursue an artistic path, I tried to get good grades and imagine an a different, more “normal” life for myself. But whatever I did, I always felt alien, like the odd one out of any group. It was kind of like living on the sidelines of my life rather than truly belonging to it. When I was about twenty, I made a brief go at moving to California with friends to pursue my acting passion, but God had other plans for me at that time: I became a single mother to my brilliant, wonderful son, who is now fourteen! Everyone said that being a mom would put an end to my plans to become a working actress and published author. But ironically, it did just the opposite: It motivated me to become more fully myself and live the best life possible for both my son and me.
The next ten years were full of obstacles, including serious health problems, that made me feel as if I was taking one step forward and many back. But I’m so glad I stuck with it because 2022 and 2023 were filled with long-awaited breakthroughs. Several of my upcoming films are either streaming now or will be streaming on Tubi within the next year. I’ve also been published as a poet and became the author of two books in the last few years.
Lindsay Evelyn, 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 am a SAG-eligible actress and published author. For two years, I studied acting and taught screenwriting at a local drama school in New Jersey. But in 2022, I got lucky with a role in the movie Mob Humor starring Tom Sizemore, a Popcorn Movie Productions film by Dennyann Giambrone. This film will be streaming in 2025. From there, I connected with my first real “film family” in North Carolina, and more opportunities followed. Shortly after, I met Sonya Giddings, a successful filmmaker who helped me earn my SAG eligibility and cast me in two award-winning shorts. This summer, I am starring in my first Tubi film: The Corn’s Children, a Mike Simmons production. Later in the year, we’ll be filming a fantasy/thriller that will stream on Tubi. I also had the fun opportunity to play a reporter in the horror/comedy Killer Kong by Atomic Blast Productions.
As an author, I’ve published two books: a coming-of-age novel called Lily Whites of Steel and a poetry collection titled The Shorter Story. The first is an Authorhouse book; the second I self-published for release on Amazon and in Barnes and Noble, which was an interesting process! I won’t lie- it’s extremely overwhelming to be a parent, make my living as a copywriter, manage my health, and pursue writing and acting. Sometimes I feel as if I am finally living the life I’ve always wanted, but am holding onto it by a thin thread. However, I will never give up on the arts, and seeing my hard work start to pay off is priceless.
What drives my work is this: I’ve always been compelled to make my feelings, experiences, and ideas into tangible art mediums that people can consume. For me, this means writing and acting. My poetry is sort of “old school” in that I use a lot of lyrical prose to explore the extremes of human existence. I’ve always been an intense person for whom a “middle ground” does not come easily, so I channel that intensity and emotionality into writing.
I’ve heard people say that “romantics are the new rebels”, and when it comes to contemporary literature, I agree! The old, extreme romanticism of works like Romeo and Juliet or Gone with the Wind is not present in a lot of modern books, plays, and films. To me, our culture has become too hyper-autonomous and cynical for its own good; I don’t want to forget about soul-deep love, romance, or even the darkest sides of human nature. I want to embody the intensity I was born with and keep pouring it into my work. I used to compare myself to others and worry a lot about whether I could really become “successful” in this business. But now I pursue the arts for me, and try to believe that my work will reach the people it’s meant to reach!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
When it comes to the independent film industry- and really, any creative space- workers really need each other. Most of us are starting with nothing and trying to build something of value to ourselves and others. A lot of networking, fundraising, and relationship-building goes into being successful as a creator. If these foundational relationships aren’t real and based on give-and-take, projects can easily flop.
For example, many films require fundraising campaigns to be made. Convincing people that it’s worth it to invest in a film means finding out what people who might invest in it really care about. Do they want to act in the movie? What are their own goals, and how can working together benefit everyone involved? With independent films, one producer may wear many different hats: fundraiser, cinematographer, writer, actor, editor, ect. Usually, many people do several different jobs on one project. That’s why teamwork is so vital. I help promote and/or raise funds for every movie I work on. I also try to always promote projects I am not involved with by people who have hired me in the past.
To me, adapting a teamwork mentality and developing good interpersonal skills are the two most important parts of being successful as a creator. One’s own talent only takes them so far in an underfunded industry. We all have to really help each other. Sooner or later, what you give comes back to you. It may seem like it’s never going to happen, and it may even be years down the line, but networking does pay off.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Before I’m a creator, I am a mom. I also struggle with an autoimmune disorder that frequently results in chronic infections that are hard to control. During “down times”, I can require surgery and/or bedrest. During “good times”, I often feel like I’m holding onto my life and happiness by a very thin thread. A lot of people call people who live with chronic or serious illnesses “strong” or “resilient”, but we don’t actually have a choice! I know that friends and family usually mean well when they say things like, “I don’t know how you do it” or “If I were you, I would have given up by now.” They don’t realize that giving up would literally mean choosing not to live in your own body!
I used to spiral with panic when my health took a turn for the worst or I got sick and it took a long time to find a diagnosis. That took up way too much of my energy and really slowed down the healing process. Being in “fight or flight” mode all the time does its own physical damage. So now I can’t afford to think the worst anymore. I have my moments of terror and despair, but I choose to believe I am well and will continue on a healing path. Thoughts have a profound physiological effect on the body. That isn’t mystical or esoteric, necessarily- it’s science.
There have definitely been times when I thought I was going to die and it was a very real possibility. There have also been times when I felt extremely lonely and isolated because people around me were thinking about careers and relationships while I was just trying to be here for my son. For years, I was pretty much alone in advocating for the right diagnosis and treatments. Now that I finally have a good team of doctors, a plan for healing, and some moral support, I am allowing myself to have some real hope for a healthier future.
One of my favorite quotes is by Ralph Marston: “Being positive in a negative situation is not naive; it’s leadership.” I tried so hard to take that sentiment to heart over the years, and I’m glad I eventually did.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12766566/
- Instagram: @lindsayevelynhamilton_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smc0101/
Image Credits
Ryan O’ Regan Bill Welch Dinesh Jayapalan