We recently connected with Madison Oakley and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Madison, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
I would say I am about ninety percent full-time living off my creative work. Most of my income these days comes from my freelance model work, along with life modeling for various art studios then acting work. It will change month to month depending on what is more available and how my auditions went. When I first moved to Atlanta I was not living off my creative work full time. I worked part time at a coffee shop, however as I started booking more of the work I wanted to do I decided I would just jump in and try my hand at doing it full time. All the work I take is withing the creative real however on months that are slower I will fill in the gaps back taking some background acting work or stand in work. I still get to be on set and in a creative atmosphere, however it’s not my first choice.
You are going to have to be comfortable with instability. Both with your work schedule and your monthly income. Mine fluctuates a lot. If you are just starting I recommend reaching out to other creatives in your field that are also in your area. I wish I had reached out to the local models sooner. Taking classes and making friends with the students has also helped. We often send each other casting we know the other would be right for. Or if they have a project they had to back out of often they’ll recommend me as a replacement and vice versa. Networking definitely helps.
Madison, 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 both a actor and a freelance art and adventure model. I work with local art studios, universities and private artist posing for figure classes, sculpting, etc. As and adventure model I work with photographers from all over lending myself to their vision. Usually they will approach me with a concept they have in mind and we’ll talk in through. Discussing where, when, how long, what the look and wardrobe is down to the vibe or story they are trying convey and our boundaries. It’s important to have all the details long before the shoot so both parties know what the expect and we can make the most of the time booked as well. Most of the work I book is outdoors, usually has a earthy or ethereal element because that essence is my specialty. This line of work often has me trudging through mud and battling the elements, laying in swamps and rivers pretending it’s not freezing or that I’m not sinking into the mud. There are many difficulties, but it is also incredibly fun and often enough we create some very beautiful art.
I have been acting for many years, starting off in theater back where I am originally from in a small town called Sandwich, Massachusetts. These days my priority is film. I work all genres of film an have experience on various types of productions. However my favourite and best work is in comedy. Whether it’s dark comedy, more physical or satire these are my favourite projects to work on.
I travel often for all three lines of work, I will be in Saint Louis in April, New England for July then a tour cross country to the west coast the second half of July and start of August. Here I will stay for a while, trying the west coast market.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Ever since I was young I’ve had a passion for stories and story telling. My mother was big on bedtime stories and I would always request at least five instead of one. She is also a hilarious storyteller. The way she tells stories from her past or even recent things that have happen has always captivating me. This gave me a love for hearing other peoples stories, for wanting to share them, wanting to be apart of them. I think that’s my mission just to share human stories, to help give the gift of empathy and human connection. To laugh, to cry, to scream with others. Nothing makes me as happy as when I’m doing this work.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The people that you meet and connect with. The friendships I’ve been able to make have been some of my best friendships. There is a certain way that creatives relate, we vibrate on the same frequency. We all want to create art, to connect deeply with other humans, to feel deeply, to share stories. We have a common need. It always brings me such joy when I get to work with my friends on a creative project. Whether we’re getting together to create our own work or working on someone else’s, it’s truly special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/MadisonOakley
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddie_oakley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madison.oakley.31
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadisonOakley
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/MadisonOakley
Image Credits
Perry Julien Candace Jackson Nicolas Fernandez _Jordansfilmjournal Gregory Philips shotsbygo Jonathan Wade Chris Wu TherteeSeven