We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marcela Herrera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marcela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

I had a very challenging childhood riddled with struggles and insecurities in school and at home. I had never contemplated being an actor, in fact, my first passion in life was dance. However, by chance, at a very low point in my life (and I would argue a very pivotal time in my life), an opportunity arose. My mom had been reading a newspaper and came across a “cattle-call” for a Disney feature film production that was being conducted in the major US cities as well as in Canada. I took a chance and attended. I knew my situation was different when I was asked into a separate area away from the mass of young female hopefuls. I was interviewed by a young man and asked to do an improve conversation with a “ pretend friend”. We then proceeded into a separate room where I was filmed answering some questions. We shook hands, he thanked me for my time and I was off. We had been told that it would be 2 weeks if anything further came about and they would reach people directly. On that third week I was certain nothing would happen and tried to move on with my disappointment ( I had often felt disappointment which only fed my insecurities during that time in my life). However, incredibly, the production did reach out to my family three weeks later and arrangements had been made for us to fly to Los Angeles for a screen test. I had never been on a plane before that moment and it was all very exciting. We found out that I was one of 12 girls (could be 11, I can’t quite remember) from the many thousands that had attended. That in itself made me so proud, something I had never really felt in anything I had done at that point.
I did my screen test and the whole experience was incredible! The production treated us so kindly, they treated us to a dinner at a beautiful restaurant, we went to Disney Land, which is something my family could not do for us. The screen test was a magical experience and it honestly felt as if I was already filming the movie. I have never forgotten all those wonderful people and what they had done.
Alas, I did not get the role. So many factors came into play that are beyond a person’s abilities. I was sad but it was bitter sweet. I had gained so much from the experience that it absolutely shaped who I am today as a human being and as actor.
I had received a letter after that experience from the young man whom had interviewed me initially. His letter explained a bit about the decisions made and how they were made and why. The most important thing he wrote was a message to my family, to never let me quit, that I was destined to make it as an actor. I have NEVER forgotten his words and it is that letter that I keep in my mind that helps me through every rejection and disappointment in this business. Because, I believe him. This small act of kindness had and continues to have a huge impact on my life. Decades later I found him on Facebook and was able to thank him for his kindness. I am hoping sometime soon an opportunity will arise in which I can see him in person again and meet his wife and introduce my family to them. This would mean a lot. Until then, we are friends on Facebook and keep in touch in this way.

Marcela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began my career as a child with a chance cattle-call audition for a feature film. That experience allowed me the opportunity for a screen test in LA and an introduction into the industry and the folks involved. My love of films, being on set and surrounded by like-minded creatives was everything I needed in my life. I did commercial work, plays, and took classes as a child. Heading into my young adult years I felt as if I really didn’t have a place in the business. I wasn’t fitting the “actress mold” they were looking to fill in productions and I also had my first real run-in with “inappropriate sexual advancements” from a producer of a film, I decided that the timing wasn’t right for me. I wasn’t being taken seriously and I had a problem with that. So I took a very long break, many years in fact. I never gave up my dream, I suspected things would change, I would be older and life experiences would make me a better actor. Now, most people would tell you that decision was illogical, since it is known that most opportunities in film and television are for the younger talent and that the industry is unforgiving to aging actors. This is true to an extent, but somehow, I had a gut feeling that the industry would change and that I would flourish from those changes. I can’t tell you why I thought that but I did.
In the past 7 years I had returned to acting. I started from the bottom up. Learning about the changes in the industry, how technology is being used, finding my opportunities on my own, through my agent and obtaining a manager. Two of those years were halted by COVID , yet it provided me an opportunity to communicate and audition for CD’s that otherwise I would never have the opportunity to reach out to. I began not knowing about IMDb and not having any credits. I am extremely proud of how far I’ve gotten this far, and that’s with working full time and raising 2 children. You, the reader, may not have of heard of me as of yet, but I promise you will. It’s a matter of time. I have big plans to do great things for people when I’ve built that platform so it must happen.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

“Meant for This” The mindset and strategy to achieve your most “impossible “ dreams.

Erica Wernick

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

You know, the answer I provided for the previous question also applies to this one.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marcelaherreraactress.com
• Instagram: @actressmarcelaherrera
• Facebook: Actress Marcela Herrera

Image Credits
Miguel Ángel Tamayo Blindogg Productions Scott Murrish Eric Jordan & Eric Campbell photography (Main Photo)