Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Anna Cameron Of Cameraon Creative Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry
Also, it’s okay for your brand to change! The only constant in life is change. Your brand has to reflect that. My brand has evolved because I have evolved, but at first I was stubborn about it. I didn’t want to admit that I couldn’t go out for the same roles as I did a decade ago. But now I have different opportunities that reflect my life experiences and I’m so grateful.
Asa part of our series about Inspirational Women In Hollywood, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Anna Cameron.
Anna Cameron is an actress, brand designer, and mother of two. Anna is known for her role in The Woman in the Window on Netflix, and starring in Birthday Girl on Prime Video, The Detour, and The Following. You can catch Anna in on the new season of Netflix’s hit series Outer Banks this fall.
Anna’s career spans across film and television, commercials, and theater, and her passion for storytelling has taken her behind the scenes into directing, coaching, and launching her brand studio.
During her lifelong background in the arts, Anna has collaborated with New York and LA based design companies, directors including Joe Wright and David Shane, and photographers Jordan Matter and Peggy Sirota. With her wealth of storytelling knowledge, she launched Cameraon Creative where she coaches actors and professionals and designs full brand packages- directing brand films, designing logos, and building out unique websites to put her client’s in the spotlight.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you for having me, Eden! I was raised in the beautiful state of Maryland and had the amazing opportunity to live abroad in the UK for a bit because of my dad’s work. I was fortunate to learn at a young age that there was a whole other world beyond my small town bubble and was exposed to all types of accents and cultures in a short time, which was life-changing. I think because of that I became fascinated by story-telling and acting. When I came back to the US I was able to teleport back across the world through the characters in plays and books, and to make my own stories. My parents nurtured my love for the arts and I was absolutely passionate about performing as a kid, initially in ballet and then school plays. I grew resilient to disappointment when I sometimes wasn’t cast for roles that I was hoping for, which kept me humble. I think that helped me cope when I took the opportunity to move to New York to launch my acting career.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Well, I initially wanted to be a ballerina. I had been dancing intensely at a ballet conservatory when I had an injury and had to sit out for the season. Up until that point I had put pretty much everything I had into dance and was honestly so down on myself, thinking “what could I possibly do that is better than ballet?” Fortunately, I had just started high school and was directed to audition for the musical by my choir teacher. I never looked back!
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Well, believe it or not I was on a path to work in the medical field when I was scouted. [Laughs] I mean, I’m a Gemini, so I guess one side of me loves the arts and the other loves science. I was always fascinated by psychology, which makes sense when you’re getting into the mind of characters, so in undergrad I actually combined theater, psychology, and biology to create my own degree based off of the NYU Master’s degree for drama therapy. I had been working in a mental hospital as a nursing and therapy student assistant, and then worked in an Emergency Department after graduating University, planning to become a psychiatrist or a therapist. I went back and forth moonlighting as an actress and acting coach and was ultimately scouted after sending my materials to a management company in DC. The whole thing is wild, honestly.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting?
Phew, there were so many! And honestly I still make mistakes. But, oh my gosh, probably when my agent sent me to an audition for a new Jane Austen musical. I had ZERO information going into the audition about what was expected and was not informed that it was for BROADWAY. It was a shock, honestly. I luckily had spare clothes that I could move in, but did not bring water, a book of songs, or a headshot. We were taught a “simple” dance routine to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Madonna and I thought I was going to DIE. People were doing back flips during the improvised section. BACK. FLIPS. Everyone was so beautiful and so talented and warmed-up and prepared. I am ashamed to say that after the first break for water I left. I was mortified that I couldn’t get the steps as quickly as the others, that I didn’t have my headshot, that I wasn’t prepared to sing. I felt like a complete failure.
Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Don’t run! [Laughs] No, but seriously, I wish I had stayed and given myself a chance to try. Even if I failed miserably, at least I would have tried. I have always regretted that. Also, make sure you have ALL of the information before your audition, and bring your book and your headshots JUST IN CASE.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
Absolutely. I am forever grateful to Cathy Schnorr.
Can you share a story about her?
Cathy was my high school drama teacher, and was monumental in helping me to gain confidence in myself both in acting and as a person. I was bullied in high school pretty viscously, and she supported me through it with grace. She was one of the first people who I felt really believed in me outside of my family and she gave me courage when I had none.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
It is definitely tough, but it would be boring if it were easy, wouldn’t it? This career feels especially impossible, but you just have to keep going. I know everyone says that, but it’s true. Keep going, keep learning, and keep up your confidence. I have been exhausted, working multiple jobs to make rent, hearing “no” more times than I can count. So, say “yes” to yourself and GO! Go to classes, create something EVERY DAY, and if you need any help with coaching or figuring out your brand, please reach out.
Every industry iterates and seeks improvement. What changes would you like to see in the industry going forward?
A lot of positive changes have happened since the SAG strike ended, but I think something that would be icing on the cake in terms of putting women forward would be allowing breastfeeding mothers to bring their babies to work. I don’t think it’s a big ask, and I think it could ripple across industries. My daughter is a bottle refuser. On days that I recently worked away from home, she barely took any milk, which was a nightmare for everyone. If, in addition to having a designated pumping area, I had been able to bring my baby and a trusted caregiver to work so that I could nurse on breaks, away from set, I think everyone would win.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I just wrapped an episode on the latest season of Outer Banks and am keeping up with auditions! I’ve been most excited about my behind the scenes work, though. I’ve been directing and editing brand films and refreshing my own brand which is fun!
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
We absolutely need diversity in film and television both in front of, and behind, the camera. According to Dr. Martha M. Lauzen, in 2023 “women accounted for 22% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the 250 top grossing films”. 22%, that’s less than a quarter. Half of the population deserves more than 22% of a seat at the table. We need to give more people the opportunity to share their stories, their perspectives, their hopes and dreams because the US, in particular, is suffering from a great lack of empathy.
Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I hope to get more involved in directing and editing. I have been directing brand films recently and realized how much I sincerely love working behind the camera, having a vision, working with a team to shoot it, and then bringing it all together through editing.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
Be YOURSELF. There is no one else like you so celebrate who you are and your experience. Life is too short to pretend to be someone you’re not.
Creating/defining a brand for yourself is SO IMPORTANT. Having a clear brand identity helps casting directors when they’re looking for specific roles, and in business it helps clients to trust you and understand who they are working with. It’s essential to make your social profiles, websites, and your in-person interactions all project your unique brand!
Also, it’s okay for your brand to change! The only constant in life is change. Your brand has to reflect that. My brand has evolved because I have evolved, but at first I was stubborn about it. I didn’t want to admit that I couldn’t go out for the same roles as I did a decade ago. But now I have different opportunities that reflect my life experiences and I’m so grateful.
Build your network. I know it can be exhausting, but it really is so important to connect with people in the industry and attend networking events, but on that note-
Stay safe. I have heard horror stories and I have personally experienced abhorrent behavior from “professionals” in the industry. Trust your instincts, tell people you trust where you are going to be, and ask friends in the industry/research before you sign with an agent or manager or shoot with a photographer.
Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive?
Wow. Honestly, now that I’m a mom my self-care has gone out the window. So, this is a good reminder for me to take some time to take a bath again, put edible flower petals in my ice cubes and on my cups of tea (TRY IT, trust me), and to paint and write and read for me.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
Recently it’s been: “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” — Anaïs Nin
Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Well, it feels like it’s taking courage to simply exist lately, but opportunities have always presented themselves for me when I have passed through that thin veil of uncertainty/embarrassment and said the hard thing. I have become so much more comfortable with my inner-voice since becoming a mother, because not only have I had to speak up more for myself, but I am now responsible for speaking for two little humans who need me. Mothers are often courage personified, I think, because even when we’re anxious (which is nearly always when you’re parenting without a village) we still have to do the brave thing to be an example for our children. Something as simple as driving 20 minutes to the nearest grocery store with my baby and toddler by myself can seem impossible some days, but I do it. And I will sing and dance and make faces and giggle with my children by the apples. Maybe that’s a terrible example, but I know someone out there might understand. I’m here with you, whoever you are, in the invisible trenches. It’s mad though because I sincerely would do anything for them.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
There has been so much hate lately, especially online. I think making a free creative platform with drama, music, and art therapy that’s a safe online space for children would make a world of difference.
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why?
Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
There are so many. But, gosh today I would be absolutely thrilled to have lunch and a cup of tea with John Williams because he is an absolute icon and I would love to chat with him about how he composes and show him some music I have jotted down on my phone.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
Yes! You can find me @annacameraon or at cameraoncreative.com
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
