Bianca Jamotte LeRoux is a mom, award-winning filmmaker, writer, actress, and creator of the series Real Mommy Confessions. She studied acting with Susan Esper at the prestigious William Esper Studio and two years at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Her acting career began in musical theater and quickly turned to commercials, print, and recurring roles in soap operas One Life To Live and As The World Turns.
Her notable stage appearances include starring as Fantine in Les Miserables and Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray. Bianca’s most exciting role to date is undoubtedly her job as a mom, which brings on a daily host of challenges and accomplishments, often simultaneously.
Bianca’s first venture into moving behind the camera was the short film Twinkle, directed by Rosalyn Coleman. Twinkle was the Brooklyn Girl Film Festival winner for Audience Choice in 2014. Bianca was the co-writer, co-producer, and star of the film.
The Dramatic/Comedy Reel for Bianca Jamotte LeRoux
Shortly after her second child’s birth, feeling isolated in the ‘burbs she created the web series Real Mommy Confessions, real confessions from real moms all over the world. What started as a project to create community and find comedy in the chaos of parenthood turned into two seasons of an award-winning series.
As a writer, Bianca and her writing partner, Joy Shatz have written two award-winning pilots –Married to the Mobalinos and Sunday. She has also written for three of the comedy parenting anthology series “The unofficial Guidebook to…” and is a contributor to many parenting blogs and communities such as The Today Show’s Today Parenting Team.
Bianca was honored with the Alice Guy-Blanhé Women in Cinema Award from the Golden Door International Film Festival for her work as the writer, director, producer, and star of the dramatic short Flush The John.
indieactivity: Did you study what you do?
Bianca Jamotte LeRoux (BJL): I studied for two years at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, and then completed the two-year professional training program at the William Esper Studio under Susan Esper. Between the two, I feel I connect to the training at Esper most deeply. I love the definition of acting being “to do truthfully under given circumstances,” and this is what Esper is known for, training really grounded truthful actors. I believe being truthful is the only way to truly serve our characters and the story.
What is your filmmaking process?
Bianca Jamotte LeRoux (BJL): While I was at Strasberg I would ask to watch some of the old videos of Lee Strasberg explaining “the method” in a class, he was very clear that this method (and any method, really) is only to be used when you need to help yourself find the character or “get into” character. I first work from the page, writers don’t just throw words onto paper for no reason, every word is chosen purposefully, so I ask myself what I can learn from the descriptions of my character by other characters in the script.
I look for clues about physical traits and quirks, I read and reread and find where I naturally connect to the character and where I may need to create my “as if.” I do all my actor “homework”, and then I leave myself alone and trust that it’s all there, then I get on set or on stage and have fun.
As far as transitioning from Actor to Filmmaker, I use my acting background to help me write my characters. I create and do the same homework I would for my own role for each character as I’m writing. Who are they, what do they want, how do others see them and talk about them. I didn’t go to film school, so my knowledge of the technical side of filmmaking has been a “learn as you go” experience for me.
I make sure to surround myself with professionals on the technical side of filmmaking – DPs, Editors, etc. Not only does this help me create beautiful work, but I also learn every time I’m on set with them. When it comes to filmmaking, your team is everything.
Tell us about the work you have produced?
BJL: I began producing shortly after the birth of my first child. After a particularly horrible audition where the casting directors broke for lunch over an hour early and left my 11-week old daughter waiting in the cold waiting room and me, I walked out and thought “never again.” I created Real Mommy Confessions and produced two short films, all of which have had successful award-winning festival runs.
I have met many more kind casting directors, directors, and producers than awful ones. Still, I needed to create a life where I wasn’t waiting on other people, which makes balancing my family and my career much more manageable.
Real Mommy Confessions came out of my need to get back on camera and show that there is a comedy in the chaos of parenting. I would look online and see all these beautiful “perfect” pictures of mothers and their children and felt like a failure, so I started reaching out to mothers worldwide to share their real stories about themselves as mothers. My goal for all of my projects is to tell meaningful stories and create work for myself in a variety of genres and styles.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
BJL: I have decided to step away from filmmaking and acting for the time being. I’ve learned not to say “I’ll never do it again!” because that’s usually when I get called in for something I can’t pass up, but it’s really not where my heart lies right now. I’m finding great pleasure and peace of mind focusing on my job outside of the entertainment industry and focusing on my family. I’m still creating art by focusing on writing and other forms of artistic expression, I am learning everything I can about photography and acrylic painting. I watch tutorials, reach out to people whose work I admire, and dive in and make mistakes (I’ve messed up a ton of canvases.) I hope when the world opens back up, I can take some classes in all of these areas.
How do you combine acting, producing, and writing?
BJL: Filmmaking is a “team sport” the only way to combine Acting, Writing, and Producing successfully is to surround yourself with a great team.
How did you get into the film business?
BJL: I worked, and continue to work, my butt off.
How do you turn an idea into a screenplay?
BJL: I’m a big fan of the “what if.” I will call my friends, writing partner, mother, husband, anyone who will listen and say “What if…” this is usually followed by a laugh from whomever I called because they know I’ve been weaving a story in my head and just got really excited about it and have to share it! After that, it all comes down to following through and work ethic. There are millions of great ideas out there; having a great idea is the easy part. Making it happen is the hard part.
Explain your writing process?
BJL: By the time I actually start typing, I’ve already written a lot of the story in my head. I really enjoy writing with a partner, my most recent pilot script “Married to the Mobalinos” started as an idea based on my in-laws that I pitched to Joy Shatz, another Actress who writes and produces as well. We started talking about the characters, speaking as the characters, and by the end of our lunch, we had created our Mobalino world.
We’ve now written a few scripts together and been awarded Best TV Script for “Mobalinos, as well as Screenwriters of the Year for our short film script “Sunday” at the Austin Revolution Film Festival. Now the script is being developed into a sitcom script/series.
What writing tips or ideas can you give growing writers?
BJL: Write! Stop judging yourself and just write! I was terrified to write, it often feels more vulnerable for me than acting, maybe because I’m more secure about my skills and training in acting than writing, but I wasted too much time being afraid. Just write now and worry later.
What is it like working in the Hollywood system?
BJL: I have fortunately/unfortunately not had to deal with the Hollywood system much. I decided to have children right around when I started getting called in for series regular roles by networks. Since having babies, I have realized chasing Hollywood is not for me. I want to tell stories and create art in a way that works with my life.
I have a fantastic job that allows me to feel fulfilled professionally, spend time with my children every day, and work with strong women who genuinely want to do good for their community. This job also uses many of the skills I have learned throughout my life in the film industry.
What do you want to change about the film business?
BJL: There is so much talent out there that will never be seen because of money, or not knowing the right people, I’ve always been a fight for the underdog kind of person, so if I had magical powers, that’s what I would change. Also, I’m in huge support of all the change we see now with women speaking out about sexual abuse in the industry and both women and men fighting for gender equality and diversity in the industry.
How do you want to be remembered?
BJL: Doing everything whole-heartedly. I always tell my kids, ” Don’t half-ass anything, put your full ass into it, or don’t do it at all.” They giggle because it’s one of the few times I “curse” in front of them. Upcoming projects: A short script that means so much to me, “A Little Bit of You” that I have Co-Written and Emily Krawczyk, the script has received interest from actors and directors I admire.
I’m hopeful it will create work for two brilliant actresses in the future, and tell a story that is very near and dear to Emily and me. The short film, Predatory is written and directed by the insanely talented, Emily McGregor. I play Kingsley, an intense entrepreneur looking for her next business partner.
Synopsis: An anxious woman is contacted by an old acquaintance to catch up, but the day-drinking takes a turn when everyone’s true motives are revealed…
Imagine you started your life over. New city. New life. No close friends. It can be hard to scroll around online, seeing people you’re supposedly connected to thriving in their lives. It can leave you feeling a little subpar. Lonely. Now, what if one of those ‘successful friends’ — okay, an acquaintance — sent you one message… “Wanna meet up?” What would you do next? What would you be willing to do to be friends?
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