Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Dizon.
Elena, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was someone who always picked the safest choices in life. Nowhere near a “wild child” or any rebellious teen. It took a lot of growing up for me to realize how much of life there really is to explore. I was raised to live in a box that was only appropriate for the people around me. I let others dictate who I should be for their own needs or agendas. I ended up forgetting about me. And all of a sudden, I remembered that I used to have dreams too.
It’s hard for me to “briefly” explain my journey because there is so much to know. So much to share and so little time. Words can’t explain enough. A mentor of mine used to say, “Elena will never tell you in words which she is, she will show you.” As artists, that’s generally what we do anyway. We express who we are as we create.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am an actor. That is my artistry of choice. Every piece I create or perform will always have a different message depending on what exactly we are creating. If I am selling paper towels in a commercial, then the message is simple. Bounty is the quicker picker upper. Go buy it. But in a theatrical performance, it’s not all that cut and dry. If there is a message or intent to inspire an audience, I feel like that is the writer or director’s department.
My specific intent is much more personal. I don’t act for other people. I don’t put on a show for the Likes on social media. I do it to challenge myself on a daily, to prove that I can face anything that comes my way. I do it to honor the little girl who was always told “no”, and no matter what she did, she wasn’t good enough or worth anyone’s time. I do it to show that girl that she is a somebody to me.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Business classes, business classes, business classes. You want to earn a living. Education will take you farther than you know. We are artists, and we tend to forget to work out the muscle for our strategic minds. This is Los Angeles, where the struggle will never end. To earn a livable wage where you only need to focus on your craft, that’s the dream. When there are no distractions, you can grow so much more quickly. That would be fantastic, but how can we get there right now? Realistically, you can’t, not yet anyway.
At the very least, make sure you have your toes in the water that surrounds your field of choice. In other words, find work that is related to where you want to be. If you are a fashion designer, maybe it’s retail. If you are a musician, maybe it’s working as a technician in a sound studio. If you are an actor, maybe a casting office is hiring. Anything, there are so many different ways to get your foot in the door. It has the guts to get up and do the work.
Find somewhere where you can exercise your skills as what you are truly meant to be. If you believe within yourself that you and your talent are worth investing in, then others will take notice. More importantly, the RIGHT person for you will take notice of whether you realize it or not.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Audiences can view my work on shows like “Station 19” on ABC, and “Shooter” on the USA Network, I recommend they check their local cable provider on the times it airs. I will also be appearing in an upcoming episode of “Lucifer” which will be released on Netflix very soon. Social media junkies can, of course, follow me on Instagram at @realelenadizon where I normally announce any live performances or where I am going to be next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/realelenadizon
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/elenadizonofficial
Image Credit:
Stephanie Girard, ABC Studios, Chris Violette, Eugene Powers, Ajala Bandele at The Headshot Truck LLC
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