Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Scout Latshaw. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Scout, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I was 4-years-old is when I first knew I wanted to be an actress, I would watch Shirley Temple and want to be on TV just like her. That year my mom found a casting for The Goodnight Show on Facebook and sent in a photo of me, and I got a small role on the show. After filming and seeing myself on PBS Kids I knew that I was destined for acting. However, I didn’t start practicing my craft until 2020. During covid, when I was 11, I decided to start taking my acting career seriously again. It took me a few months to get my first role in a commercial and being on set re-inspired my passion for the craft.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My parents initially tried to steer me away from acting because of how tough the industry can be. However, I was determined to pursue my passion, and eventually they supported my decision. My mom’s cousin Chris Patrickson, an actor in LA, told her to sign me up for online casting platforms like Actors Access and Backstage, which really helped me get started. These sites landed me my first few jobs in industrial videos, commercials, and short films. From there, I was fortunate enough to sign with an agency in Philadelphia, which helped me secure bigger auditions.
Some of my favorite projects include Haunting Tales: A Horror Anthology, The Bike Ride, and Light of Faith. Most recently, I wrapped on the SAG short Attaboy, an inspiring film directed by the amazing Rocco Sanabria. The Bike Ride was particularly special to me because it was the first time I wasn’t just acting—I also wrote, produced, and starred in it. The journey had its challenges, but the film has since been nominated for six different film festival awards, which makes all the hard work worth it. One of the things I love most about this industry is that every day and every job is different—there’s always something new to learn and experience.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
There are many rewarding aspects of being an actress, but one of the most fulfilling for me is being nominated for acting awards. When you pour your heart into a character and dedicate so much effort to a project, having your hard work recognized is an incredible feeling. Another rewarding part of acting is the support I receive from my friends and family. I’m fortunate to have a strong support system and connections in the industry—people who encourage me and lift me up, even when I don’t book a role. When I take a step back and reflect on the amazing people who have helped me get to where I am today, I realize that their support is truly the most rewarding part of my journey.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced occurred when working on The Bike Ride. For those who don’t know, I wrote, produced, and starred in this action short film. The idea came to me in 2023, and we finally began filming in March 2024. At just 14 years old, balancing school while leading a five-person cast and crew was a major responsibility. Thankfully, my mom was incredibly supportive, though she let me take full creative control.
We filmed at a reservoir in Maryland, and one night, while shooting a scene by a bonfire, all the lights suddenly went out—it was pitch black in the woods. We quickly realized we had gone slightly over schedule, and the generator had run out of fuel. With only one shot left for the night, we had to think fast. Fortunately, I was working with an incredibly talented and resilient team, and we drove to a nearby gas station to refill the generator.
Just as we were about to wrap, my mom—who was on set—got a call from the hospital. My grandmother was experiencing serious health issues. While I couldn’t go with her, my mom left immediately to be by her side. That meant I had to finish the final scene without her guidance. It was nerve-wracking to lead the crew on my own, but I pushed through, determined to get the job done. After wrapping for the night, our production assistant gave me a ride to my other grandmother’s house, where I stayed before returning to set the next morning. We ended up wrapping the next day, despite getting four hours of sleep and now The Bike Ride has had five film festival nominations. This experience taught me a lot about perseverance and leadership. Despite the obstacles, I proved to myself that I could handle challenges and push forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scout-latshaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoutlatshaw/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554717765906
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scout-latshaw-178b1a233/
- Twitter: https://x.com/scout_latshaw/status/1616971327960940549
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCATLX4LL6S1tOeu4nHP2uzg
- Other: IMDb – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13517718/
Image Credits
Nolan O’brien (Neo Digital Imaging)
Amy Jones Photography
Darrell Ayer