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

Olivia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The very first professional-level set I worked on was my own. I’d have to say that’s my proudest achievement to date…

This was the set of my short film, “Breathe,” which I wrote, produced, and starred in. “Breathe” utilizes overstimulating audio and a metaphorical “White Room” to throw the viewer into what it feels like to have a panic attack.

When I was 16 years old, anxiety was not only affecting my own quality of life, but my relationship with my loved ones as well. Words were failing to adequately communicate what I was going through. It wasn’t until I wrote “Breathe” that I was finally able to show, rather than tell, what anxiety felt like to me. The relief I felt when my loved ones connected with “Breathe” inspired what I feel is my greater purpose: to help others connect with their loved ones, as well as empower them to use creativity as a means to persevere.

I spent a year making sure “Breathe” would have the exact impact I wanted it to, through both script and screen. I then began to pitch…and pitch…and pitch. THIS is where I believe a large part of my work ethic was born: out of my sheer determination to create this film. I worked every angle I could- physical and digital pitch packages, countless emails (to which I can credit my current email addiction), and stalking various filmmakers’ websites. Nobody was safe :)

I can’t begin to describe the empowerment I felt when I was joined by a team of much more credited artists. They didn’t just listen to me, they respected me…which meant the world. That shoot day was hands-down one of the best days of my life. I was 18, producer on my very first AND very own set, and tasked with catching a panic attack on film.

“Breathe” has now screened for various reputable mental health organizations, to include Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, the Georgia Psychological Foundation, and more. I also had the opportunity to screen “Breathe” and lead a creative workshop at the Berman Center, an acclaimed mental health treatment facility in Atlanta. I got to see my mission for “Breathe” happening in real time.

Since moving to LA, I have been featured in Marc Lehman’s Normalize It Forward Podcast, where we discuss navigating social anxiety as a teen through early adulthood. I can’t wait to continue using my voice to advocate for those struggling with anxiety, who may not have the words…YET.

“Breathe” can be found on the official website: www.breatheimpactfilm.com.

Olivia, 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?

Although I pride myself on being multifaceted, and I have interests that lie in many different art forms, I want to emphasize that I AM AN ACTOR. I always have been- I don’t remember a time when story wasn’t my favorite thing in the world. Nothing can beat the feeling when you hit a sort of “actor’s high,” and a scene clicks…the moment when preparation perfectly collides with being the most present you will ever be.

I began with singing and dance lessons at an early age, but- to call myself out- I would always “productively procrastinate” by focusing on the story I was telling versus the vocal/dance technique. When I was 10, my then-singing coach observed this, and pushed me to focus on acting. Thanks to her, I was in my first professional level musical at the Horizon Theatre in Atlanta, GA. It was a combination of being in that production, as well as seeing my first-ever Broadway show and almost falling off of my seat, that caused acting to star in every dream that I had for my future. There was no looking back.

I will always love, and jump to participate in theater. However, at the age of 15, I became infatuated with acting on camera. Two reasons for this: 1) The camera allows the audience to see every thought that passes through your eyes, which allows you to just “be”, and 2) Filmmaking as an art form fascinates me from top-to-bottom. Since then, I’ve taken years of acting classes, both geared towards on-camera acting as well as theater technique, had various roles in three feature films (Grounded, The Family Plan, In The Shadows), over seven short films (including my own), and have a lead role in “Good Things Take Time,” an original play by Mara Swanson, set to open this Fall.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Two books that I believe are largely responsible for who I am are Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Funnily enough, both books align with the acting method I enjoy the most: the Demidov Method, a method that emphasizes surrendering to human instinct and being free in the moment versus pre-planning or over-analyzing.

I was introduced to Into The Wild by my ninth grade English teacher. This was a time where I absolutely had no idea who I was, aside from the core belief that I was going to be an actor. I was beginning my strongest chapter of social anxiety, and every little thing felt like I was running from a bear.

I was taken by the story of Christopher McCandless, who dropped everything he knew about societal life, and lived out the rest of his days being present with nature in Alaska. Granted, this is an extreme version of what I would ever do- I could never, ever, give up future memories with my family and friends, nor could I give up my dream of acting. However, this story put everything into perspective for me. Nothing matters more than fully living every day. Or, as Matthew McConaughey puts it, “L. I. V. I. N.”. I still have anxiety, but sometimes when day-to-day challenges seem too great, I think back to Chris.

Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey, re-lit this spark for adventure. I read his book right as I’d finished producing my short film, “Breathe,” and I had completed all of the acting roles that I’d booked that year. I felt confident in my craft, after being immersed in acting class for years, and I felt confident in my ability to self-advocate and navigate the film industry. The only thing I was lacking in was life experience. Matthew’s journey to Australia, like Chris to Alaska, stirred up a need for change.

It was fate- my dad’s business partner needed a house-sitter in LA for a month. At 19 years old, after having only ever lived in Atlanta, I packed my bags and flew across the country to start from scratch. My goal was to just live, not even to act…but even there, acting found me. I’m so glad it did- I found myself immersed in a class full of actors I now call my family. I lived more than I ever had before, and it showed up in my work. I made friends through acting, surf-rock concerts, and opening myself up to everyone who crossed my path. My confidence and self-identity grew tenfold, and I now live in this world that I built for myself in LA.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I’ve always been a fighter. For a few years now, while auditions have been scarce, I’ve created opportunities for myself by attending screenings, shaking hands, email follow-ups and introductions, and making the phone calls most people are afraid to make. I’ve even written my own project.

What I wished I’d realized sooner is that all of my effort through emails, networking, etc., should not only consist of reaching out to casting directors, reps, and industry “higher-ups.” It should also include lifting up and connecting with fellow artists.

I realized this after having the opportunity to attend multiple film festivals this year. Y’ALL- there is a whole wave of artists getting ready to take the film industry by STORM. I started to reach out to the artists that strike me the most, to connect for future projects. I wish I’d started doing this sooner, as it’s shifted my focus back to the art itself, rather than just being “scouted.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oliviahealey.com
• Instagram: @olivia.k.healey
• Other: www.breatheimpactfilm.com
  https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm11774624?ref_=hm_prof_name
  https://www.uareheard.com/how-teens-should-handle-social-anxiety-with-olivia-healey/

Image Credits

Deidhra Fahey Photography, Stephen Bowman (HMUA)