Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Blake.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a little girl, I always dreamt of being in the spotlight. It was almost an instant connection for me. Like in some way, I knew my calling from the jump. From music concerts in my Elementary school cafeteria, plays and musicals in the “cafetorium” of my middle school, big time shows in the auditorium and blackbox theatre of my high school, speech and debate national competitions, my college performance of “The importance of being Ernest”, to booking my first feature, auditioning for principle roles for network series, and booking my second feature — It was always a dream for me until I made it become my truth.
I grew up in Garland, Texas; a town right outside of Dallas. My childhood consisted of singing voicemail answer machine messages, creating a pop bands in my front yard with my neighborhood kids, auditioning for school plays, and of course maintaining straight A’s. When I became a sophomore in high school, I made the decision that I was going to make my passion my career. After graduating high school in 2018, I moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with my best friend where I attended college at Oklahoma City Community College. After realizing just how hard adulting was and how quickly money can disappear from your bank account, I had to make the decision to drop out.
I ended up having to move back home for a while to “get my life together” — so I called it. Honestly though, It was one of the best decisions of my life. After breaking what felt like an entire season of depression, I made a promise to myself that I would begin to build myself as it pertains to my craft. I started seeking out agencies and tried to network in every corner that I could fit into. In 2019, I connected with my amazing acting coach and mentor John D’Aquino. I attended a workshop that he hosted in Dallas, where I met my first ever agent — Sooze Johnson.
Sooze was definitely a huge stepping stone into the industry for me. Not only did she get me into many rooms, but she genuinely believed in me. She made me feel as if I was her only client and I knew no matter what, she’d fight for me. She’d push me in ways that I needed to be pushed and always reminded me that I have what takes.
I made the move to Atlanta, GA in October of 2020. I began working at Trilith (formally pinewood) Studios as a health and safety production assistant on Spider-man No Way Home. Working in that type of setting was so inspiring. Being able to watch one of my biggest influences, Zendaya, in action only made me want to put in overtime. I will say one thing, spending about six months of your life with the same people all day everyday will instill a kind of strength and humbleness within you that can be so healing. I just remember being on set everyday thinking about how blessed I was to be able to be on a multi-million dollar movie— in any capacity.
In the midst of working in production, I was still heavily auditioning. At the time, I was attached to my agency in Dallas and Sooze was working her hardest to get me in the east coast market. Unfortunately, in February of 2021, Sooze passed away from stage 4 pancreatic cancer. My heart was broken into a million different pieces. Not only was she an extraordinary agent, she was my friend. She was someone who really enhanced my confidence in my abilities and I will forever be grateful of her friendship and kind heart.
I took some time to grieve and kind of reevaluate where I was in my journey. I continued to submit without an agent and ended up booking my first feature! It was my first supporting role for a network and I was beyond ecstatic! Transitioning from being on set as a PA to being on set as talent was such a cool experience. I got along a lot with the crew and learned so much from their welcoming personalities. I kept working heavily in production until October of 2021, where I decided to quit my salary job as a COVID Production Coordinator and become a full-time freelancer.
This was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Freelancing has been awesome and it has opened so many doors for me, but it’s inconsistent and you don’t always know if you’re going to be able to keep the lights on at home.
I am blessed to say that I haven’t had to go back to a full-time job since October! I’ve made my way by taking smaller gigs such as Script Supervising, pa-ing, crafty, and many other positions within the industry. I also began classes at Catapult Acting Studios where I trained with Jared Wofford (AKA The best teacher EVER!). Since I’ve gained more free time to work on myself and my craft, I booked a Micro-series that I filmed in Brooklyn, NY in November and I also booked my 2nd feature as a supporting character which is set to premiere in October of 2022!
Recently, I’ve turned my attention to training and writing/ working toward this huge project I am developing in my hometown. I’d have to say that I am really proud of where I am today. As a Latina woman coming from poverty, I can honestly say I’ve already beat so many odds, and I can’t wait to continue telling stories. It’s only up from here and I’m so grateful for all of the help and support that I have been given along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working in this industry is anything other than a walk in the park. It can become draining at times and very demanding — you just have to remember why you’re here and keep your eye on the prize.
I used to struggle a lot with confidence. Most people that know me know me as this very outgoing, strong person and that’s what I’ve been pretty much my entire life — at least in the eyes of others. Acting is such an eye-opening profession. You get told no after no after no, over and over again and you might start to doubt yourself. You have got to remember that a no isn’t necessarily personal, it’s not because you’re untalented or you’re not meant to be an actor, you basically have to just accept that it wasn’t for you and that takes a lot of mental maturity and self-confidence.
On the crew side of things, the long hours can literally suck the life out of you! I remember going into work at 5:00am, working for 13 hours on set nonstop, then having to come home and film two auditions that were due the following morning. It’s so hard to balance your personal agenda sometimes with your work agenda, which is why it’s so important to try to merge the two.
Another thing that is quite a struggle is having a social life. I notice that at times I become so involved in my work that I forget to think about me! I also forget to check on the people who love and support me the most. People in this industry often feel like we’re facing some sort of clock because of the fast-paced environment that we are constantly in, so we get sucked into this mindset of “work work don’t stop” — and we don’t. I always have to remind my friends and family how thankful I am to have them and I have to work 75% harder to remember to reach out to them and not trapped in the tunnel vision realm.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actress, writer, and director who also wears many other hats. My main goal is to share stories — whether that be through words, actions, or direction, I want to be able to educate and allow people to empathize with certain situations.
As of right now, I am most proud of my web series that I have been writing. It’s a reflection of my personal experiences with people I love and it has been quite a challenge to write. I really am satisfied with my ability to put all of these emotions I felt through my childhood onto paper. I am set to film it this year and hope to release it sometime before 2023!
I’m not just a dreamer, I’m a go getter and make it happen-er! I don’t like to sit around and wait for the next opportunity to come to my doorstep, I go out and get it or I create the opportunity for myself. If there’s a character type I really want to audition for but I haven’t seen it, I’ll write it! If there was an audition I didn’t book but I really resonated with the character, I’ll write me a character like that! If there’s a story I want to explore, I won’t wait for it to be developed, I will develop it! A lot of people in this industry do too much waiting and not enough creating. I think that’s a big difference between me and others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I want to give a HUGE shoutout to the one and only brilliant John D’Aquino for always lending a helping hand and for being a huge vessel for me, my lovely family who continues to love and support me on a daily, Sooze Johnson (may she Rest In Peace) for guiding me in all the right directions, my amazing talented friends for always listening to my crazy ideas and helping me out with auditions, my other brilliant teacher Jared Wofford for helping strengthen my scene study skills and offering the best advice a gal could ask for, Cliff Johnson over at Stay Redd Pictures for holding it down and always helping out when needed and providing BOMB opportunities, Cody Liu for being the bro and always helping a girl out with her auditions — even if it’s last minute, my best friend of nine years, Mya Jimenez, for always picking me up when I’m feeling down and reminding me why I chose to do this, and mostly I would like to thank my grandmother “mema” Paulette Blake who even in heaven continues to show me the way. Thank you for always believing in me and for reminding me to never give up, even when times get tough.
If I missed anybody please know that you are greatly appreciated and loved and I am forever grateful!
Contact Info:
- Email: Kimmblake19@gmail.com
- Website: https://kimberlymblake.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmblake/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimmblakeactor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGbdNr0SGkNe8VF8Yrbhf9g?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10826242/
Image Credits:
Keson Graham
Deanna Griffin
