Put away money from each cheque in an account that is just purely for your savings. My Dad told me that on my first job. Never listened to him, and I regret it now.
As a part of our series about “Filmmakers Making A Social Impact” I had the pleasure of interviewing Andrew Moodie.
Andrew Moodie is a Canadian actor, playwright, and director known for his contributions to theatre and television. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and TV shows, including roles in popular series like “Murdoch Mysteries” and “Orphan Black.” Moodie is also an accomplished playwright, having written several critically acclaimed plays that explore themes of race, identity, and Canadian history.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
Well, I started off as an actor, born and raised in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa. I LOVE Ottawa. It’s a small town dressed up as a world capital. Everything is so CLEAN. Quiet. Safe. Chill. But I always wanted to be an actor, never wanted to be anything else. I started off doing made for TV movies about the Underground Railroad that were shot in Ottawa. It became clear, very quickly that if I wanted a career in film and television, I would have to leave the cozy confines of Ottawa and move to Toronto. Filthy, grimey, crime riddled Toronto. Started writing plays to act with my friends. And then I got some offers to write for TV and film.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Never lie about being able to drive a car. I was 18. My first big film role. I won’t tell you what it was. It’s embarrassing. I was playing a pimp, in a purple felt hat. It was dreadful, but I didn’t care. I was in front of the camera! They wanted me to drive a purple Cadilac down the streets of Montreal. And it was owned by a member of the crew who half-jokingly told me to not put a scratch on it! I get in and I turn to the actress playing my ‘ho’ and I asked, “Uhm, so… how do you drive a car exactly?” She was terrified. She gave me some advice, and with my video game skills I was able to not kill us. But I learned to never lie about what you can and can’t do.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Easy. Lee Smolin. Everyone calls him the new Einstein, and he HATES that. As far as he was concerned, Einstein was a philanderer who didn’t give proper credit to others for work that he is hailed for. Hot goss!
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Sydney Poitier. Intelligent. Suave. Debonaire. Genius. Principled.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
Well, in my career I have used my voice to advocate for racial equality in the arts. I have been vociferous in my belief that the arts are like a playground and everyone, of every race, religion, gender and gender preference can have a turn on the slide.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
I wrote a play about the Harlem Renaissance and I had sent it to a theatre and someone told me that they would never produce my play because there were too many black characters. And so I started a facebook campaign to encourage diversity in theatre. And eventually that theatre added diversity to the board of directors and today, their most successful production stars a person of colour.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
My mom. She worked in hospital administration, and I saw how she fought tirelessly for the rights of nurses. She set an example for me.
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
- When it comes to issues around diversity and inclusion: every human being has the capacity for empathy. Stop for a moment and think about what it must feel like to BE that other person.
- Donate time. Whatever organization that means something to you. Donate your time.
- Self care. Make sure that you are doing what you need to so that you can stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Just that act alone makes society better in so many ways.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Put away money from each cheque in an account that is just purely for your savings. My Dad told me that on my first job. Never listened to him, and I regret it now.
- Don’t read reviews. The bad ones can’t help you. Only professionally trained instructors can help you become a better artist. And the good reviews will never feel good enough.
- Your physical and mental health is more important than being an actor. Once had a major asthma attack before rehearsal. Had to change my diet, exercise. Got better. You can’t act if your dead.
- Just listen. To your scene partner, to your children, to your spouse.
- Don’t flirt with gay men if you’re straight. You may think it’s funny. They may not. It’s… a long story.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
A hurricane is made up of raindrops. It may not feel like you alone make a difference, but when you join forces with others, you can change the world. Don’t worry about the planet. The planet will be fine. It’s the delicate ecosystem that we need on this planet to survive, THAT’s what we need to worry about. It took a group effort to screw it up, it will take a group effort to fix it.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Spike Lee. Do the Right Thing? PURE INSPIRATION.
Can you please give us your favourite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Pay your taxes. When you don’t, bad things happen. The country needs our taxes to function. To help each other. To create a better future for everyone. Pay your taxes.
How can our readers follow you online?
@AndrewMoodie on Insta and Threads. And for the OLDS, I’m on facebook.
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Filmmakers Making A Social Impact: Why & How Filmmaker Andrew Moodie Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.