Today we’d like to introduce you to Phedra Syndelle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Phedra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am from Houston, Texas and graduated with a BA in television/radio from the University of Houston. I was unhappy with my career path as a social worker because I wanted to work in the field my degree was in, so I took a leap of faith and moved to LA at the age of 26 with my four-year-old daughter. The most interesting thing about my move to LA is that I had never been to LA and didn’t have any friends or family out there. I moved to LA with no car and only 3,500 in thanks. I rented out a room for months and did background work to earn income. I was barely making ends meet. It wasn’t far along before money started to run low.
At one point, I didn’t have a place to stay for a month. I prioritized my daughter’s needs before my own. I made sure she had food and at times I didn’t eat. I remember living off of $1 hamburgers at McDonald’s. I found a job later working at a trade college and still did background work on the side. After three years of trying to get my feet wet in acting, I booked a few acting and print gigs without having an agent. Jobs didn’t come easy because it was a hard time finding an agent, so I will continue to do background work just to pay bills. One day I was on the set and seen the director swapping out the actor for someone who was dressed exactly like them to do action moves, so inquired about what was going on and I was told that was their stunt double. I thought it was so cool that this extra body was making the actor look so good. Most people think the actor is doing all of the action, but it is really their stunt double. I introduced myself to the stunt coordinator for advice and he told me what I needed to do to become a stunt woman. He recommended some training facilities and said that there was a lack of African American women in the industry.
From then, everytime I would do background work, I would try to find out who the stunt coordinator is to get advice and introduce myself. Some of the coordinators would ignore me or wouldn’t take me seriously because I was going background work, but I never gave up. After a year of training, I was able to create my own fight demo to submit to coordinators. It wasn’t long before the right person gave me a chance. My first stunt job was working on Real Husbands of Hollywood and doubling Anna Diop on Fox’s 24 Legacy. For 24 Legacy, I had to move to Atlanta if I wanted the gig because the show moved thereafter filming the pilot. After six months of living in Atlanta, I booked Avengers Infinity War, playing the Dora Milaje character From Black Panther.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was very hard trying to break into the industry, especially because I didn’t know people. It’s true about what they say, “it’s all about who you know.” I had to work extra hard living in a city/state I’ve never been to and trying to adjust, having a small child. My ambition and persistence is what got me through. I didn’t have rich parents, I grew up poor, especially when my father left my mother to raise four kids on her own when I was just in kindergarten. And moving to Atlanta was another challenge me being a stunt woman coming from LA, I was seen a threat. I had jealous people spreading rumors about me and emailing production studios telling them not to hire me. I lost a lot of work, but still never gave up. I focus all my energy on training and acting.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success isn’t about attaining prosperity or wealth, it’s about overcoming obstacles that helped you reach your goal. It’s self-satisfaction to me. Success is also based upon your goals and values. I feel I have a successful career because I have reached my goals (even though I have more to conquer), and I have inspired people on the way.
Contact Info:
- Email: bookingphedra@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/phedrasyndelle
Image Credit:
Zombie photo – Zombieland Double: Tap
Cheerleading photo – BET Saints and Sinners
Jumping off building: Doubling Tiffany Haddish in the movie Like a Boss
Stunt double Ryan Destiny on the FOX show Star
Picture with Tyler Perry for the Oval wrap party
Photo with gun and photo with costume are both from the TV show the purge
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