Natalie Lisinska may be best known for her role as agent Alex Cranston on CBC’s InSecurity, but this English-born, Vancouver Island-raised beauty has a slew of film credits to her name as well – like Atom Egoyan’s Chloe, the cult hit Young People Fu*king, and most recently opposite Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale in Total Recall. Find out more about this 29-year-old Ryerson Theatre School grad in today’s YPDaily.
Elevator Pitch: Describe what you do in a nutshell.
In a nutshell, I pretend, professionally.
Why did you head into the entertainment business? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I decided to become an actor under the tutelage of Mr. Colin Skinner, my high school drama teacher. He was completely deaf, but read lips, and still worked professionally on stage! He gave me the courage to admit that I wanted to be an actor, and I have honestly never looked back.
What lifestyle adjustments have you had to make as a result of being in this business?
The greatest lifestyle adjustments I have made would have to be monetary. But I understood the moment I decided to do this professionally that I wasn’t in it for the money. I spent many years working my butt off as a server in the restaurant industry, and I am very proud to say that I now support myself solely as an actor. And even now that I am the lead of a show, I am always aware that it could all be gone tomorrow. We get paid well for what we do, but you may not have another job for months. Because the nature of the work is freelance, actors must live conservatively.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what I do on a day-to-day basis is being the CEO of my own company. The most challenging part is making peace with the jobs you didn’t get, but really wanted.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I would like to be working on international projects…and beginning a family.
What does success look like to you?
Success is being able to pick and choose which projects and which showrunners/directors I want to work with.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
The most memorable milestone of my career would have to be doing a 2-handed scene with Julianne Moore. She’s one of my heroes.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
My advice for other young professionals would be to only make business partnerships with people you trust. And to be yourself. As cliched as that sounds, it is the one thing that no one else can be better at than you. It is your secret weapon.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
They have yet to attain official “charitable status,” but I support a not-for-profit company called Project: Humanity that is run by some of my very best friends in the world. The mandate of the company is to raise awareness about social issues through the arts.
What do you find notable?
What do I find notable? Women in leadership positions behind the camera. We need more of them.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I have an iPhone 4.