Halleta Alemu
This is Halleta Alemu, a trendsetting writer, film-maker, model, and actor based in Los Angeles, CA.
Get to know Halleta a bit more by catching our interview with her below.
Also, make sure to check out her work at halletaalemu.com
You're a woman of many talents, which we love! Recently we have been seeing you more active with your writing. Can you tell us more about how you got started in writing?
It’s so interesting, I really just fell into it. I would just write my stream of consciousness in my journal or quickly jot down sentences that would come to mind in my notes app and from there I started noticing there were themes & symbols that I really resonated with. I then started writing and sharing reviews on music I loved, which was the first time I ever shared my writing, and people really loved it. That gave me the confidence to start sharing more of my poetry and long-form pieces.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
Absolutely. It is 100% the way I digest life and create meaning. I feel like we take in so much, if i don’t write at least once a day my mind feels stuffed up. It needs the release. I feel more connected to my real self when I pour myself out onto the paper.
Working during the pandemic has been tough on all of us, as an actor and filmmaker what have been some challenges you have come across?
You know, it’s definitely been challenging but I shifted my perspective on it to be: What can I do with what I have? That was really my mantra for the first few months and essentially became the reason why I started the journey to create my own films. Which I had always wanted to do before but when the entire industry shut down and no on was making anything, it reminded me of how much power I have in all of this. That I can be the conduit of change in my career. To go out and make the art I want to make without waiting for permission, approval, or validation. That my ideas are enough, because they mean something to me.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated film?
Atlantics by Mati Diop. I watched it a few months ago and I think about it almost every day. I would kill to work with her. Also The Wedding Singer. Lol. It’s my favorite feel-good movie of all time.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process in writing, and filmmaking?
Believing in myself, to be honest. There is no one path when you choose this kind of lifestyle and you have to be able to consistently cultivate a mountain of belief in yourself when the path goes dark.
How do you balance acting, writing, filmmaking plus life?
They all really flow off one another for me. The base for all of them is taking care of myself because when I take care of myself I am in a more receptive space to be inspired. And when I’m inspired, all the magic happens. So as long as I get enough sleep, do some kind of workout, eat healthy enough, and meditate - the order of my life/passions works itself out.
What are some of your career goals as we are approaching 2021?
I’m currently writing a short film that I’m absolutely obsessed with, I’m hoping to pitch it and get it made by 2021. So in essence, collaborating with more artists and making more films.
To finish off what are 3 things you would tell your younger self?
I would tell her to SING, that you don’t have to straighten your hair to be beautiful, and that everything you love and what inspires you is the most important thing in the world, but you have to share it. Always use your voice and share it.
