Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Moore.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Thank you to Daniel Wells for nominating me for the Most Inspiring Stories in Dallas. There is so much talent in Dallas — it’s a pleasure seeing all those who have been nominated in the past, reading about their success stories.
First, my greatest moment in life was flying in a fighter jet trainer, while the pilot did all kinds of dogfight maneuvers, at times pulling 5.5 G’s, during an hour-long flight. WOOHOO!!! I got choked up at the end of the flight which had nothing to do with the slight nausea I felt during that last low-level canyon run — instead, it had everything to do with the exhilaration and realization that a lifelong dream had become a reality.
Second, discovering and living my passion is what drove the first (sometimes torturous) 20 years of my career journey. Even I find it perplexing the number of career changes (9 of them) I had made in often distinctly different industries. Let alone all the various careers I considered, only to dismiss each for one reason or another. Whether it be working in animal preservation, crafting advertising messaging, acquiring new business for commercial landscape architecture, providing business strategies for healthcare practitioners, building network marketing teams, serving passengers for a commercial airliner and on a private yacht, being a life coach or fitness instructor, the common thread was always to 1) satiate and deepen my right-brain creative mind, and ultimately 2) find that “thing” that felt unequivocally aligned with my soul’s purpose. I direly wanted to stop searching for ‘it’ and finally get a chance to dial in and put in my all.
What all this leads to is this:
A short three years ago, I attended my very first acting class. I can remember it in detail (despite the nerves). The clearest moment was during not just one, but all of the exercises, I felt like my chest had been broken open and this light source began pouring out of me. As if, everything that was trapped inside making me feel suffocated was finally released. There was no clearer sign; I didn’t need anything more; I had finally found my passion.
All of this is to say, keep going after what your spirit desires. When that ‘voice’ is nagging at you to try something new, answer it with ‘hell yeah’ and find a way to take action. Even if it’s scary or uncomfortable, push through that fear and find a way — never let fear make a decision for you. Because what is on the other side of fear will blow you away. Keep adding to the colors, textures, shapes of your tapestry — at the end of it all, it will reveal a life that is a work of art, with your name stitched into it!
Please tell us about your art.
Face it human beings are interesting: their attitudes, behaviors, and actions. When we watch tv shows or movies, we see raw human interaction. We see people relating and behaving in ways that we either have ourselves or wouldn’t dare — either way, we desire to be pulled in and go on that emotional ride with them. In those minutes or hours, we are brought into an alternate ‘world’ — we suspend the circumstances of our own lives and enter into another dimension of time, space, circumstance and relationship. Sometimes we relate to the messages or themes, feelings or emotions, personal struggles or triumphs, and sometimes we simply appreciate it for the entertainment value that it is.
My hope is that my art draws people in and allows them to go on that ride — whatever story or message or experience they walk away with is personal and unique to each and every viewer. That’s the beauty of art.
Art or anything that you are passionate about involves a lifelong pursuit in learning, evolving and honing. And, the beauty about working your passion is that the energy to do it never gets depleted; the desire to do it is always present. It fuels us to keep going out there, despite the no’s or the times you wish you had done better work. And with each new experience, we gain a new level of comfort, new understanding of the process, a tighter focus, and a greater level of freedom to let go in the moment and trust our impulses.
I feel very blessed that my prayers were answered. I was at my end, almost having depleted all the possible options on my list of “what’s next for Holly.” But, with help from above and the will and determination to continue the quest, I walked through the doors of the University Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.
Since 2015, I have worked on a couple of dozen film and TV projects, a dozen, and a half commercials, industrials, print and voice over projects and a couple of theatrical plays. I have another six projects slated for the remainder of 2018, and I look forward to where this journey will take me. The sky’s the limit!
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Some general advice is speckled above; but to summarize, step into the fear and say yes to the voice inside you that is calling your attention to create or do — whatever that may be.
Be curious. Ask questions. Find those who are further along in their artist’s journey and learn what steps they took to get where they are — then take action. Learn about and understand the industry through and through. Network, network, network … build relationships. Within all industries, building relationships is what brings new opportunities. Find like-minded people who align with your energy, your passion, what you want to do and where you want to go — with those people, magic will happen.
Lastly, be patient. Instead of waiting to celebrate until you reach a “(un)certain destination,” celebrate and savor the journey — each project, each relationship, each new insight, each workshop, each conversation, each new experience. Enjoy the ride on the roller coaster — all the ups, downs, upside downs, curves, coasting, and hard stops. After all, we don’t get on hoping that we get to “end” of the ride unless of course, we don’t enjoy the ride itself. Make sure you enjoy the ride; if not, find another ride that does give you that exhilaration.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am grateful to those who support and encourage my endeavors. I believe opportunities, successes, and rewards are infinite, for everyone who wants to seize them. I encourage everyone to celebrate all accomplishments — whatever those might be — because you’re allowing others to share in your joy. It has a way of building community, deepening connections, and promoting goodwill and love. Celebrating our successes helps us remain appreciative of the strides we’ve made; helps us stay encouraged, and helps us remember how far we’ve come.
The best way to support an actor is to visit their IMDb page. A list of all projects — completed or in pre/post-production — are listed along with links to the project’s IMDb page as well. Trailers, photos, demo reel, and personal information, are collated on this single source location.
Visit me here: www.imdb.me/hollymoore
As it is, social media is another good source for staying on top of the events in our lives. I post new projects, completed projects, behind the scenes photos, premieres and film making events regularly. Independent films usually go by way of the film festival circuit with the potential for future distribution, so releasing films for large audience viewing is not permitted. But, when available, film projects, TV shows, commercials, and print work will be posted with details about when and where they can be viewed.
https://www.facebook.com/hollymooreactress and https://www.instagram.com/hollymooreactor/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imdb.me/hollymoore
- Email: HollyMooreActor@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollymooreactor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollymooreactress
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hollydmoore
- Other: www.imdb.me/hollymoore
Image Credit:
Jeffrey Nicholson (3 photos), My Brother’s Keeper (1 photo), Collision (2 photos), The Price of Fame EP Robin Williams (1 photo)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
