Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Ozinger.
Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I did a lot of theater before exploring film as well. The first movie I was cast in was an Austrian feature film. It won a lot of awards all over the world and was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. When I was cast, I already knew it was gonna be a big production because the funding was really big, and I was hopeful for its success from the beginning. When I moved to New York, I started with theater again before doing film. The short film Behind the Curtain was a bigger success than I expected. Of course, you have faith and always hope for your projects to turn out well, but you never dare to expect too much when you are just starting out in a new city with smaller productions. So I was beyond amazed that Behind the Curtain won so many awards at such big festivals. I myself won awards for Best Leading Actress at the Best Shorts Competition and the Accolade Global Film Competition. And I was in good company since the other winners of that festival have won Oscars and Emmys as well. You do the work, and you hope for the best, but it was incredibly rewarding to get this kind of recognition for my work so early on, I have to say.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I always try to think and plan ahead, have a plan B, C, D, and so on so I can avoid big rocks on the road. But of course, you can’t predict everything. The biggest struggle while filming Behind the Curtain was that I was a producer, directer, and actor at the same time – it was a lot on set. I had an incredible team and Assistant Director who were so professional and beyond helpful that it made the ride much smoother. But I learned a lot during that film production. Actors usually just show up prepared on set and only have to concentrate on their scene. However, as a director and producer, you are responsible for so many more things at the same time, and I should have given up some responsibility sometimes in order to be able to focus on one thing at a time. But you learn with every production, with everything you do what works great and what can be done better. Planning ahead at what time I am only a director, what time I am producer, what time I am only an actor on set, so I can truly focus on one thing only. Especially if it is your own production, you want to be in charge of everything. It still turned out great and it was a success, however, I know that for future productions, delegating certain responsibilities can be a good thing too.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What sets me apart from others? That’s a good question. I feel like in a job interview when you have to convince them that you are the best and tell them why you are better than the other applicants. I think you need a certain amount of talent, sure, but it is more the drive, the passion, and the dedication to each project that gets you somewhere. Everyone who is not in this business thinks luck will get you somewhere. All those famous people were lucky that they got discovered. Nothing could be further away from the truth. Passion and dedication will make you work hard and get you in that room of opportunities and success. Of course, luck could too, but that may be one person out of 100 in that room. Each project, audition, and meeting is an opportunity to show my best. I’m always prepared, I am always informed, I have a backup of everything I could possibly need a backup for. I think most artists are passionate about the craft, and dedication to the work that comes with it will get you one step further. So I think I am most proud that I got to where I am today not only by having talent and passion but also commitment to keep going and doing the work. It is exhausting some days, I’m not gonna lie. But I would not want to be doing anything else, and it is incredibly rewarding as well.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Well, most people (casting directors, etc.) reach out through casting websites. But I have also had a lot of people reaching out to me on my Instagram and IMDb accounts. I’m always happy to meet people in the industry and collaborate with them. I had a cinematographer reach out to me on Instagram a few weeks ago because she saw the screening of my film Behind the Curtain at a festival in September and really liked my performance. She came across my Instagram account and remembered my film. She said because I looked so fun to work with she reached out and asked if I was interested in auditioning for her next film. Her last film was screened at the Chicago International Film Festival, so it’s always amazing to meet people in the industry through your work like that. That’s how I also reach out to people. I see something I like, and I try to connect with them.
I think it’s funny how social media works -I have been private for a very long time until a friend told me I should use the opportunity and show my work and connect with people through my profile. And lo and behold, it worked well so far. And I understand because if I see someone’s profile and they look fun and great to work with, I also want to reach out and collaborate with them. So always feel free.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanessaozinger.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessa__carina/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8848088/
Image Credits
Juan Pablo Toro
