What Grasie Mercedes Does to Get Into the Creative Zone
“Don't have a plan B. To do this you have to LOVE it and commit to it.”
Source: Instagram
Grasie Mercedes is an actress, writer, content creator, and podcast host.
What was the Lightbulb Moment that inspired you to fully dive into what you do?
I've always wanted to be an actress but "first-generation guilt" made me feel like I couldn't possibly pursue such an unpredictable career, even though my mom has always been supportive of everything I do. Finally, after working in journalism and production for about eight years I decided to give it all up to become an actor. I haven't looked back since. It was the feeling of being deeply unsatisfied doing everything else that was my lightbulb moment. Now, I act, write and direct and have never been happier in my career choice. I didn't start acting until I was 30. I didn't start writing until I was almost 40. It's never too late to pursue your passions.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned in your current career?
That once I cared less about the outcomes and cared more about the process things would start to soar.
What often sparks your creativity or gets you into the creative zone?
Classical music always gets me in the zone when I need to write. I prefer anything where a piano is the star. Also long walks and meditation help. For acting, physical work/movement is best.
What is your unfiltered advice for anyone looking to break into your industry?
Find your tribe and get to work! Often people who want to be actors/writers/directors worry too much about representation and connections instead of focusing on their work. Get in class, make stuff, find other actors, writers, directors, who want to work as hard as you and who have a similar aesthetic and taste and MAKE SHIT! And yes, at first, it will quite literally be shit and that's OKAY. Keep practicing your craft and before you know it reps and connections will come to you as a result of seeing your great work. Because it will become GREAT and they WILL find it. Also, don't have a plan B. To do this you have to LOVE it and commit to it. If you want to "try acting" or "try writing" or "try directing" then you don't really want to do any of those things. You have to be willing to be rejected over and over again and pick yourself right back up and say, "okay, this wasn't the project for me but the right one is just around the corner..." then you get back to work.
Oct 13, 2020
By Natalie Alcala