I’m a non-binary actor, artist, and writer with over twenty years of experience in television, film, music video, and online media. I’ve worked across broadcast, indie, and digital projects, which has given me a broad view of storytelling, performance, and visual craft.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I get a huge amount of inspiration and joy from watching other people’s creations take shape – seeing an imagined world transform into something tangible on screen. There’s something powerful about that shift from idea to fully realised experience. As an actor, it’s also incredibly motivating to watch talented performers bring characters to life with nuance and depth. It reminds me why I love this industry in the first place.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first acting job was a TV commercial for the trams in Oslo when I was 18. I’d never been to Norway before, so it was incredibly exciting. There was one take where I had to cry, and at first I just couldn’t get there. I asked the director for a moment to compose myself, stepped into character, and the emotion came through genuinely. The director told me to always ask for a moment if I need it – a lesson that has stayed with me ever since. I was nervous, but everything moved so quickly, and I learned the importance of staying present and fully appreciating every moment on set.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

It’s impossible to single out just one project – I’ve been fortunate to have so many rewarding experiences. The really great ones stand out, of course, but even those that weren’t my favourites taught me something valuable. Every experience has shaped how I work and how I see storytelling.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

It’s got to be the unpredictability. You never know when opportunities will come, which makes planning difficult. Keeping momentum during quiet periods and making sure ideas don’t go stale can be tough. I’m lucky, as I can dive into other creative pursuits when things slow down, which helps me stay engaged and inspired. That said, the industry isn’t the most stable professional environment, so maintaining focus and energy requires adaptability and self-motivation.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

For me, excellence in video is about emotional impact. I want to feel something – whether that’s being moved, unsettled, amused, challenged, or completely transported. It doesn’t have to be high budget or technically slick, though of course work that’s visually stunning and artistic – like some of David Lynch’s work – is always a thrill to watch. What matters most is that it makes me feel or think. If it stays with me, then I know it’s something special.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

I work primarily as a screen performer while also developing my own writing and visual art practice. I’m currently writing a psychological thriller that I plan to develop into a script and continue to produce digital and mixed-media work. What I enjoy most is expression – stepping into someone else’s shoes and bringing an imagined character to life, or taking what I feel and see in my mind’s eye and transforming it into something that others can experience too.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

The psychological thriller I’m writing is my main focus at the moment. It allows me to explore character psychology in a more sustained way than screen roles sometimes permit – and I love being able to literally create characters (haha, I hope I get a part if it ever becomes a film!). I’m also continuing to create visual art, which informs how I think about composition, tone, and storytelling in performance. The overlap between mediums keeps me creatively engaged and ready for screen work, especially since you never know when acting opportunities will come. It’s a way of keeping up the energy and staying in the zone.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I know this might sound a bit mad but dancing badly at home sparks creativity for me. I’m no professional, but I really go for it. I kind of zone out, let the music move me, and ideas often come. I also get inspired by reading, seeing art or performance art, and, of course, watching a lot of telly!

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I’ve always been interested in people — drawing them, playing them, creating them, seeing how they interact. And expression! I think that’s my main purpose in life. As a really young kid, I used to draw or perform things I couldn’t say in words, and I think I’m still doing that now. I love being a voice for characters that would otherwise remain stuck on a page. I was also glued to the television — I loved Dynasty, Dallas, and the Bond films.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

The rise of AI and other technologies and the impact they’re having on content is definitely the standout at the moment. I think anything that can be used for good is great – if it’s a tool for more creativity. At the same time, honing your craft and doing things with humanity that no machine can replicate, and keeping that alive, is key, because that’s what people really connect to.