Behind the scenes or on camera, Ella Mische's work has been lauded internationally for empowering women in entertainment. Recently, she was instrumental in launching the Croatian International Film Festival, and has worked closely with US-based production companies.
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Ella, you’re originally from outside the US. Can you tell us about your experience coming to The Academy?
I moved to the US when I was 12, first to Philadelphia, where I attended The Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts. When I first moved to New York, I was sort of oblivious to having to make a living out of acting; booking jobs and the industry weren’t on my mind. I used to walk around with my headshot and resumé and drop them off with casting directors. It doesn’t happen that way anymore.
Say more about the practical side of things, about making a living.
I always had a thousand jobs. My first was at the library on campus. It was a fun job; I love books and have always been a big nerd. I started off with entry-level work, primarily a few jazz clubs, and then I would get theater jobs…I was a stagehand for one of Larry Moss’s plays right out of The Academy. Watching him work was inspiring. I have had just about every job in and out of the industry.
After The Academy, I wrote my first play, Manhattan Lavender, which ended up in a small theater with a bunch of Academy actor friends and myself in it. I realized I don’t have to wait for auditions, and it can be hard to book something and stay creative and productive. I don’t like to wait around for the phone to ring.
Writing and producing, were those always options, or did you find them along the way?
I found it along the way because I realized that I wanted to act. I didn’t necessarily want to produce until other people started respecting the producer that was inside of me. Producing is a practical necessity that lets you act.
I grew up in an entertainment family: My mom was a singer, my dad was a sculptor, and my uncle was in a well-known rock and roll band in Croatia.
Acting, to me, is the greatest expression that there is; there’s so much freedom and safety in it. Everybody’s working with you, and it’s the safest place to be.
You do a lot of work promoting the representation of women in entertainment.
I love to highlight women and their work as much as possible. I started the Croatian International Film Festival (CIFF) which was held in August. This year, most panelists were women. I always find myself in circles with a lot of great women, and I love supporting students and graduates in finding their first jobs; that was my biggest hurdle when I was starting out.
I hired a young woman to be an associate at my company. There are so many people hungry for the work. When it comes to representing women in entertainment, I feel it’s important to open doors to one another. We all need to make a promise to each other that we will open doors to other women in this business. It starts with you and us together as a community.
Industry speaking, we've made great strides; it’s a much more progressive atmosphere. People are generally very accepting of everyone in our industry. I’m multicultural, and I understand what it’s like not to be part of one culture but part of another (or trying to fit into another). It starts with us. Whether you’re a man, woman, or non-binary, the work speaks for itself. Doing great work and being dedicated, people will recognize that. The space is about the work you leave behind in it.
Let’s hear a bit about your production company.
Galileo Films: I have one in the US and a sister company in Croatia.
Croatia has become a hub for filming television and film. The biggest success story is Game of Thrones...Succession and Mamma Mia, too.
And who doesn’t love GoT?
Right? There is so much Croatia can do with location–with a backdrop, the only thing missing are studios and soundstages. There’s a lot in figuring out how to get government funding to push that forward. It’s a beautiful country with some tax rebates…I feel like a salesperson at this point. [Laughs.]
You’re doing a great job. I think some of us have Europe, especially Croatia, in the back of our minds.
I’ve met so many people moving here and so many New Yorkers I knew. I had nothing to do with convincing them; they saw an opportunity and took it. Croatia is a great place to work remote. Digital nomads are everywhere. We’re in the EU, so you can kind of go anywhere.
Do you feel like there’s a solid community of actors or Academy alumni there?
There aren’t many Academy alumni here, but I stay in touch with quite a few in London. Two great Academy friends of mine have been pillars in my life. For my film festival, an old friend of mine came through just a few days before it and said, “Where do you need help? What can I do? I’ll even hand out pamphlets–whatever you need!” We were kids together at The Academy, and we still work in the same way. Those friends stay forever.
What’s next for you? Where are you headed next?
I’ve had some luck with projects I’ve worked on; I’ve been involved in some productions with Adam Sandler’s company, Happy Madison. I worked in casting on the film Hustle. Next, I hope to bring some films to shoot in Croatia and to continue acting. The biggest thing for me is to keep creative; that’s where soul food is.
Comments