We recently connected with Sarah LeJeune and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I worked on recently was a feature film that I wrote and starred in called “Amazing Gracie.” This film was inspired by my incredibly smart, 8-year-old niece, Amelia, and it was so special to see a project I loved go from the brainstorming phase all the way through to post-production, which we’re in now. This is the first feature film that I wrote that was produced by a company (Living Word Studios) that I’m not in charge of. (haha)

While, of course, writing, starring in, producing, and editing a film makes the project meaningful, to me the most meaningful part was that this story is about a larger-bodied woman, and yet the story isn’t about her being larger-bodied. As someone who has struggled to find exciting roles as a plus-sized actress, creating the opportunity for myself to play a role about an everyday life that has nothing to do with the “struggles” of being larger-bodied was so exciting and incredibly important. So often in films, we see larger bodies either take a supporting, sidekick role, the role of a villain, or their entire character arc is about their body, which I think can create an unhealthy stigma about men and women in larger bodies.

One of the most unexpected, yet incredibly meaningful parts of the production was working alongside the young actress playing the title role of Gracie, Celina Acevedo. I remember being an actress at that age and soaking up every word that my fellow actors had to say and so being able to encourage her in her craft was one of the biggest blessings of working on this film. I can’t wait for Amazing Gracie to be released and for folks to get to see her shine!

As an artist who has written, starred in, and edited feature films, but who has also worked regular 9-5 jobs to make ends meet, I think it’s so important to find meaning in each project you work on. Now, it doesn’t have to be life-altering meaning, but even if you can find meaning in some small way, it makes all the difference and gives you encouragement as you look forward to the next project. For example, I recently did a 9-month stint as a video editor for a beauty company, something totally out of my normal area of expertise, but not only did I learn so much, which is meaningful in it itself, but I knew that the videos were inspiring women of all shapes and sizes to feel their best.

Sarah, 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?

My name is Sarah LeJeune and I’ve got a lot going on. I wear many, many hats, but I’ll try to highlight my favorite few.

I’ve been an actress for about 20 years and a video editor for just over 10 years. I got started as an actress fairly young when my parents and teacher noticed my natural knack for dramatics. My mom is a singer and my dad is a guitar player, so they both love the arts, so I was incredibly blessed to have their encouragement, which gave me such a head start.

I started working in film when I was 18 when I made a jukebox musical that no one will ever see, called Sway. I wrote, cast, starred in, sang in, and edited it. It was so cheesy and silly, but also sweet and cute. I learned a lot, and that is how I got bit by the film bug. I’ve been pursuing film in various capacities ever since.

Being a video editor kind of fell in my lap as I edited my cheesy, musical project, Sway. I also knew I needed a backup plan for my acting career, and I thought being a video editor still kind of scratched that creative itch I knew I would have in my work. It honestly couldn’t have turned out better. I truly believe being a video editor makes me a better actress and vice versa, even when I’m editing things like weddings, social media posts for beauty brands, or commercials – there’s always something to be learned.

The same goes for my career as a screenwriter. I’m constantly trying to allow my different crafts to intertwine and make me better. I’m always trying to pull from my experience, but also the experience of those I encounter to tell exceptional stories that point towards hope and redemption.

When I started the non-profit, Project Brickworks, with my mom, Diane LeJeune, I knew I wanted it to be a place where people could find encouragement in the arts, so that’s what we do! Through our podcast, The Collaboration Conversation, our scholarships, our speaking engagements, and other outreaches, we constantly try to encourage folks to tap into their talents and gifts and use them on a daily basis, whether in their job or hobbies. We also love connecting like-minded folks, or those with similar interests! For example, we love connecting young, aspiring filmmakers with some of the more established ones in our network to try and give the next generation the opportunity to learn and grow in their craft.

If I could share any small piece of advice, it would be to try and handle everyone with kindness. No matter if you’re the employee or the client. Kindness goes a long way. Nearly all of my freelance clients came from word of mouth and I think that speaks not only to my work but mostly how I try and treat those I get to work with.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Throughout all my endeavors, my mission is ultimately to encourage those around me to pursue their own passions with excellence and integrity. Whether that’s told through the stories I write, the clients I edit for, or the sets I’m on as an actress. I want to leave some sort of positive impact, however small, wherever I go. That’s what’s most important to me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Just before the pandemic, I had the incredible opportunity to test for a lead role on a network TV pilot and I really thought “this is it.” This was gonna be my big break. Spoiler alert – I didn’t book it. Which is okay. I’m always grateful for closed doors to continue to guide me on the path set out for me. But afterward, I did think it was going to be the first of many big auditions like that and it wasn’t. Not only that, but the entertainment industry as a whole got put on pause and it felt like most of my creative endeavors were canceled. At the same time, my mom lost her job of 12 years and we both felt this struggle to continue to positively influence and encourage those around us – since no one was around us during the pandemic! She and I were able to pivot and create our non-profit, Project Brickworks, where we could continue to encourage folks to use their talents and gifts, even if we were all stuck remotely or virtually. And through this, we created our podcast, The Collaboration Conversation, and it has just become a huge part of our lives, and such a gift to us as we get to share the stories of people in our sphere and beyond. Talk about a pivot!

Contact Info:

• Website: sarahlejeune.com, projectbrickworks.org, thecollaborationconversation.org
• Instagram: @thesarahlejeune, @projectbrickworks, @chattanola (for my adorable puppy content)
• Facebook: facebook.com/thesarahlejeune, facebook.com/projectbrickworks
• Youtube: youtube.com/projectbrickworks

Image Credits
Kristen Moore