Interview With Actress, Screenwriter, and Producer Sybil Temtchine

Though she’s been in numerous films and TV shows, starring along side names like Adrien Brody, Ving Rhames, Helen Mirren, and Peter Fonda, Sybil Temtchine is one actress who doesn’t leave her success to chance. She’s been described as “one of those rare talented beings in Hollywood that can do it all.” In addition to ‘actress’, Sybil lists ’screenwriter’ and ‘film producer’ among her accomplishments. In her film short ‘Piece A’ Cake’ — in which Sybil not only starred, but wrote and produced — a woman faces her insecurities as she battles the urge to devour a decadent piece of cake, imagining the dire, albeit irrational, consequences that will ensue. Following the incredible response she had to ‘Piece A’ Cake’, Sybil and her co-producer Dean Pollack knew that they had to expand the story into a full length feature. Though Sybil is still in the process of securing financing for ‘Audrey’, she’s met the half way mark in their fundraising goal, and have recently begun casting for the male lead.

Impressed by her vision, dedication, and bold self confidence that remains strong in an industry where every imperfection is scrutinized, I wanted to share some of Sybil’s philosophies in life with VenusVision readers in the hopes that we can all be inspired to aim high and stay strong in the face of challenges, and ultimately reach our goals.

I wondered about the pressure Sybil must feel, trying to fill so many roles at once, as writer, producer, and actress. But she pointed out, “It’s one of the only ways to get things done sometimes … if you have a passion for something and you have to do it, you’ll find a way. Instead of waiting for other people to do it, I’ve always been the sort of person who does get things done on her own. It’s not even a matter of choice sometimes when something just drives you to make it happen.” Plus, she added, “It’s more rewarding in a lot of ways … since you get to be in control of the project.”

When we think of the Hollywood machine, we don’t typically think of movies that encourage women to be ourselves, instead featuring women that represent an ideal that is unattainable for most women. I wondered how ‘Audrey’ which Sybil sums up as being about “every insecurity that women tend to have, standing up to those demons, and coming through on the other side,” would be received. But Sybil remains confident. “I think women want to feel that it’s ok to be yourself, and be proud to be yourself … to be grateful for everything that you are. Like ‘Juno’ or ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, this isn’t about the “perfect” girl, but someone who can come into their own at the end.” To that point, Sybil and her co-producers are getting a lot of attention already for ‘Audrey’. “A lot of incredible things have happened for the film,” like being chosen for Film Independent Producer’s Lab which brings with it important industry exposure, as well as financing. ‘Audrey’ was also chosen for Panavision’s New Filmmaker Grant.

Asking how she survives among the harsh criticism that any actor can face in Hollywood, she pointed out that in the end what people respond to most is the ability to truly let go, and be yourself, rather than trying to fit into a mold of what you think others want you to be. She then likened her passion for acting to one’s love for their own children — an analogy that struck a chord with me, and made me understand how she can endure the bad for the sake of the good in the pursuit of her dreams. Parents certainly don’t enjoy every moment of parenthood, and at times, it can be extremely emotionally painful. But most of us wouldn’t trade our roles as parents for anything because of our passion for our children. Sybil’s dedication to her film career is the same.

“Does it hurt sometimes?” She said, “Yes, of course. I’m not saying it’s easy. But to me it’s always about the work.” Sybil then recalled the story of how Meryl Streep was initially turned down for Out of Africa on the basis that she wasn’t “sexy” enough. Instead of accepting that answer and walking away, Streep returned, portraying a sexier version of the character for which she was auditioning, and as well all know, got the part. It’s not uncommon to hear stories just like that of how our favorite actors were turned down for roles that in retrospect  seem perfect for them. But instead of quitting based on one rejection, or even multiple rejections, they kept pursuing their dreams. “If you do the work, and you do it well, that’s all that matters. It’s difficult sometimes, but it’s always worth it if it’s something you love.”

Sybil recognizes her good fortune to have had a lot of support from other people and she feels grateful to have had good people in her life. But she also has the innate belief that good will prevail. “If you live your life and work your butt off, keep your focus, and live your life with integrity, I do think good things will prevail.”

But how do you prevail when the signs say to give up? How do you maintain the fortitude to follow your dreams when everything and everyone may be telling you to quit? Sybil’s response to those questions was: “There are plenty of negatives going on in your head all the time, and you just have to quiet them. Sometimes you don’t believe in yourself, but you still have to put one foot in front of the other and continue, and it leads to the next belief.  You just have to get through, and then build fortitude from having done that. You will fall down. And you’ll get back up. You have to get up. You absolutely have to.” And it’s that conviction that I believe will make ‘Audrey’ AND Sybil Temtchine the huge success that they deserve to be.

So What If Jessica Simpson Is “Fat”

It’s happened again. Another celebrity has gotten “fat.” Egad! Jessica Simpson is a size 8, or a 10 even! The nerve of some celebrities, not starving themselves and maintaining the figure that we all virtually kill ourselves to try and achieve. If people like Jessica Simpson — at her current weight — serve as the new model for what we are supposed to look like, whatever will happen to us forever-dieting Americans.

Seriously. Think about it. If it became ‘in’ for celebrities to show off the fact that they actually eat, and end up filling a size 8, 10, or, should we dare say it, a 12, maybe the rest of us wouldn’t have to constantly feel so bad for never achieving what these people can barely achieve and maintain after spending a fortune on dieticians, personal chefs, personal trainers, vitamins and supplements, etc. It’s kind of a liberating thought. Would it really be so bad to have a body like Jessica’s (hopefully not in mom jeans)? It would serve as instant validation to millions of women who don’t think they are good enough/beautiful enough/thin enough even though they are within a healthy weight range. I’m not saying we all follow Jessica’s current diet which apparently consists of abundant amounts of buffalo wings, burgers and fries, but wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy food without feeling as guilty about it and to realize that a little flesh on our frames is not only normal, but healthy?

But alas, our society is not ready for “fat” celebrities yet. The story repeats itself — first it was Tyra Banks, then Jennifer Love Hewitt, and now Jessica. They all yell “I’m not fat!” and pronounce their love for their new, fleshier bodies, and then immediately proceed to whittle it all away so they can once again join the Starving Celebrity club. It’s all really confusing too because we’re not sure whose side to be on. One one magazine cover, you the headline “Scary Skinny” with pictures of Angelina, Katie Holmes and Tori Spelling, all of whom look like they haven’t eaten in a year with their bones jutting out and their faces sunken in. We feel sorry for them. We worry about them. Yet maybe we secretly want to be like them? But on the next magazine cover, Jessica is derailed for being fat. If we can’t accept her, then what does that say about the rest of us? And then there are always the articles that say things like “How to Work What You’ve Got” or “Fashion for Any Size” where they always show Queen Latifah looking gorgeous in some outfit, as though she is the only plus size celebrity out there.

I am not one to uninlaterally blame the media for our woes, especially since they produce what we buy, but I see a vicious cycle that ultimately we have the ability to end. When you see the magazines in the check-out line that highlight every celebrity’s cellulite, “jelly belly”, or other manifestation of their struggles with weight, it’s time to look the other way. I know many readers buy the magazines to feel good about the idea that these famous beautiful people struggle with the same things that we do, but the more emphasis we put on the imperfections of the “perfect”, the harder it will be for us to overlook our own imperfections. Next time reach for a pack of gum instead.