Anna Akana

I've always wanted to be in comedy... growing up with Asian parents and not seeing yourself represented in media - it was always just a daydream. ”

The more you create, the more ambitious you become with your projects. Short films were a direct result of over 200 web series sketches and vlogs. After you create enough 2-minute videos, you start to wonder what else there is. Deadlines and discipline and quantity with a focus on quality have always been what keeps me going. ”

Loose Ends' was an all-female crew and one of the greatest on-set experiences I've ever had. We were ahead of schedule every day, and there was a laid-back, calm, supportive vibe that was entirely new to all of us. ”

I attribute the black tones in my films to Stephen King, Tim Burton, Joe Hill and Richard Matheson. However, most of my writing is influenced by mental health. I'm incredibly passionate about shedding light on the stigmas associated with mental illnesses. ”

One thing that I really like to do is, I'll look in the mirror, and I'll imagine that I'm rapidly aging, until I'm just a skull. ”

I do believe I was put here to tell stories and be creative in that way. It's given my life so much purpose and meaning, and it's ultimately what I live for. ”

I still get very emotional when a girl - 13 or 14 - comes up to me and says, 'Your videos really helped me.' ”

I started doing stand up when I was 19. Because I was underage at the time, at certain clubs I would be forced to wait outside until it was my time to go on stage. Then I would do my set, walk off, and be kicked out again. ”

Being a filmmaker in the digital platform has given me complete creative control. I can make what I want, when I want. I don't have to wait to book an audition. ”

My YouTube channel is kind of a library of all my issues I've lived with. To process it emotionally, it's been good and bad. ”