Contest Chair Winner, Young Talent, Aaliyah Espana

Contest Chair Winner, Young Talent, Aaliyah Espana

Aaliyah is an amazing young talent and the recent winner of our personalized director chair contest! This is the voice of our future. We are so proud to be a part of her journey.

 

What was the first project you ever did for film?

 

The first project l filmed was a YouTube commercial called Teacher Be Gone.

 

How did you get involved in acting?

In fourth grade, Creating Creators partnered with SAUSD and the program allowed students to write, direct, act and work with all the equipment required to create films.  

 

What is your dream role?

I would like to play a superhero.  Fight villains on screen and save the day.

 

Who is your favorite director and why?

That is a tough question.  I worked with Lidia Porto and she is  fun, sweet, professional and very experienced.  Anyone working with her and her team instantly feels as part of her family.

 

Who is your favorite actor or actress?

My favorite actress is Maya Rudolph- she is so funny. 

 

We loved seeing you on the black carpet at Screamfest with Creating Creators! What was the best part of doing that?

The best part of being on the black carpet at Screamfest was interviewing the actors.  I was also amazed by the decoration; it was scary but cool. 

 

 

If you could interview on any red carpet, what event would you love to do?

I would love to interview attendees at the Emmy awards.

 

What advice do you have for any young actors or actresses just starting out?

I, myself am just starting out and the advice I want to give is to keep trying, keep reading, keep dreaming.  

 

What is your happiest memory?

My happiest memory so far happened last year; I went to Disneyland with my older sister for my 12th birthday.

 

If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?

I would be a Jack Russell Terrier dog.  They are so cute and full of energy!

 

What do you enjoy most? acting or writing?

I enjoy acting most.  Writing is more complicated because the stories that I think about make perfect sense in my head but it takes me longer to put it on paper.  

 

What inspires you?

More than ever before I feel inspired by the shows I have watched such as Gentefied and the actors from Vida.  Watching them on television inspires me to keep walking towards my goal. 

 

You have been able to work on some very exciting projects with school and through Creating Creators, what has been the best part about that so far?

The best part of working with Creating Creators is that they give students the freedom to create.  I was able to write, direct, act and edit  The Moustache Heroes film with their help.  They are professionals who do not talk down to us as authoritative figures.  They get down to eye level with students and teach us to be professional and independent. They make us feel supported and responsible because they trust us not only with very expensive equipment, but also set high expectations for us to get the work done.  That lesson expands beyond the classroom and I carry it in my heart. 

 

You recently won your very own personalized Filmcraft chair! How does it feel to sit in it? What do you love about it?

I love my chair!  It really is a piece of art.  It is comfortable to sit in it.  I love that it has my name in my favorite color and all the fine details.  From the rubber on the feet to protect the wood to the Filmcraft company logo on the arm rests.  It’s a beautiful chair and very easy to store and carry. 

 

If you could design a Filmcraft chair for anyone in the world, who would it be and what would it look like? 

I would design a Filmcraft chair for our former first lady, Michelle Obama.  It would be all black like mine with gold letters that read, First Lady 4Ever.

 

If you were given the ability to write and direct any movie, what genre would it be?

I would write an action movie mixed with some action.

 

What is the hardest part of playing a character in a movie? What's the best part?

The hardest part of playing a character in a movie is portraying the image the director has for that character.  The best part of playing a character in a movie is learning the background story of the character. 

 

What message would you like to tell the world right now?

I would like to tell the world to reflect on the things that truly matter.  We can live without toilet paper for sure, but we all need to support each other.  

 

Besides acting and writing, what activities do you enjoy??

I enjoy dancing, coloring, and playing with my dog.

 

If you could give $100 to any charity, which would it be and why?

I would donate the $100 dollars to The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders.  My youngest brother is diagnosed with autism and The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders was a blessing to my family.  They diagnose, educate, and  provide services for low income families and do clinical research to find out more ways to help children and their family.  

 

If you could design clothes, what would they look like? Do you have a favorite clothing style? 

I would design jean jackets with cool patches.  I like to wear Converse with anything; dresses, jeans, shorts, etc.

 

What are your dreams for the future?

I want to attend USC but I have not decided what my major will be. 

 

What do you think you will be doing ten years from now?

I think that ten years from now, I will be drinking coffee studying for some difficult finals.

 

 

What is your favorite tv show out right now?

My Hero Academia is my favorite show right now.

 

If you could become one character on tv, real or imaginary, who would you be?

I would be  Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

 

Best movie you've watched recently?

The best movie I recently watched was Pixar’s Onward

 

What projects do you have coming up?

I don’t have any projects right now.  Today I recorded my first video audition and I am hoping I will be doing some more of those.  I want to enjoy the summer, read and write a new story.

 

What makes you feel thankful?

My family.  My dad is considered an essential worker and goes out to work every day.  I see all the hard work my mom does at home- while helping us to get an education, and supporting myself and siblings with our dreams.

 


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