In Focus: Actress Alexis Safoyan makes an impact on both sides of the lens

After being encouraged by her parents to explore different extra-curricular activities like karate and golf, Alexis found her passion for acting when she joined the drama troupe at her middle school but was disappointed when her teacher placed her in the technical crew where she learned lighting and sound design behind the scenes. Being a creative problem solver, Alexis found a way to perform. She wrote herself into the plays they were staging and suggested the additions to her teacher who agreed that Alexis’ presence would add to the atmosphere of the play.

As a teenager, she was cast in a local show called “Valley Views” and had a recurring segment on the show. She soon was signed by an agency and began auditioning for commercials, booking several campaigns including Samsung and OnStar.

In college, she immersed herself in the drama department and pursued film and television outside of school. She booked several films, including roles in “Destruction: Las Vegas,” and “Gwendolyn Green.” Her most recent movie, “D-Railed,” a horror/thriller starring Lance Henricksen is winning awards on the film festival circuit and is going to have a North American Domestic release in August 2019. Since filming D-Railed, Alexis has been steadily working. She recently booked the role of Jade Jarrett in “Carolina Shag” which films this fall in Massachusetts, a principal role in a Honey commercial, and an upcoming music video. She also won the award for best actress in the Inland Theatre League competition for the role of Bella in “Lost in Yonkers”.Alexis continues to work on both sides of the camera. After completing a role on the film, “Sister of the Bride,” the production company found her so endearing that they asked her to work as a production assistant after her scenes as an actress were completed. Her experience behind the camera has led to high profile opportunities including hosting the Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Experience at Coachella where her education at California Baptist University as a Public Relations Major and a Theater Minor came in handy. She interacted with many celebrities and high-level influencers.

“Being part of the production team is great for networking because you are there for a few weeks instead of one or two days and you make real, lasting relationships. It also makes you a better actor because you understand what is happening on the set,” Alexis says. “You become a more effective actor because you understand the lingo.”

As more and more actors are becoming creators and working both sides of the camera, Alexis is already ahead of the curve.