Today we’d like to introduce you to Katharin Mraz.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve been working in the industry since I was 10 years old, starting as a background actress and booking my first gig through Darlene Hunt of Extraordinary Casting in 1994. Sadly, as a child actress, there were no roles for Asian Females. As I got older, I found that the only characters I was given to play were victims, prostitutes, and foreigners- none of which I am. I started to notice the lack of Asian Americans in Media, which branched out to People of Color not being equally represented. This lead to me recognizing that GLBT and women were also off the list just like elderly and people with disabilities.
Also, being adopted, I’ve lived my life in a Caucasian family, but without any of the benefits. I had racism splurred at me in front of my white family, I’ve had to discover life as a woman of color on my own, which was a very long and lonely journey. I discovered writing first. I used it to create first person views and create a mindset for myself that I could be anything I wanted to be. I could be a wizard, or a Disney Princess.
Then came modeling, where I started creating all these characters through conceptual modeling. I would build my own set, do my hair, my makeup, find my own clothes through thrift shops and costume shops, and get photographers to help me make art out of myself. I didn’t feel restricted by being Asian, or a person of color, or even a woman. I felt in total control.
And to be honest, because we’re being honest, the first time I started writing and producing my own stuff I failed. I fell on my ass. I crumbled under the pressure. Therefore I started working other supportive positions in film such as Production Designer, Art Director, Costumer, Assistant Director, Gripping, in order to fully understand and respect what it took to be a great storyteller with viable goals to create amazing content and original characters so little Katie Mraz doesn’t have to play a prostitute in order to pay her bills as an actress. I’ve worked my ass off, off to the side,
taking secondary positions because I feel that this moment, right now, this year, is when I breakthrough and start directing my own pieces!
It’s back to square A, but with 24 years’ experience trying to create a platform I can work off of. Because in the end, I’m still that 10 year old little girl hoping for a brighter future in media.
And now I’m ranting a little, but I’m really passionate about changing the way people view others in media. I think if you can adjust those perspectives, you can literally CHANGE THE WORLD!
Please tell us about your art.
I do it all, and coined myself “The Original Self-Expressionist” as a young adult. Currently, I’m a three time business owner. Each of my companies helps me cover all the services I’m able to provide, but am not limited to. For example, Ladie K Productions, Inc. was my first business that umbrella’s both my other companies. It is your general everyday production company that can do everything from private events, fashion shows, films, videos, weddings, live events, and media marketing campaigns. Smart Pretty Designs, Inc. was originally created to be a costume design company, but evolved eventually to everything production art and design. Through that company I do all my production design, art design, art direction, graphic art, properties construction, set design, set decorating, set styling, prop styling, food styling, set building, art installments, window displays, interior design, costume design, hair styling, and makeup artistry. Finally, Creative Works Media, Inc. is my passion project currently. I brought it to life to help small businesses, women, minorities, POC, LBGT, immigrants, and other under-represented individuals reach the media resources they need. Majority of that work is photography and videography.
Outside of that I’m also a full-time actress, model, and mother!
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Oh, I could write a book. My main piece of advice is to take advice from those who have been where you want to be, and smile. Smile a lot. Make other people smile. It’s hard sometimes, but everyone likes the person who is smiling.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can google me! My stage name, Ladie K, is the easiest way to find me online! In person, you usually have to catch me on set, since that’s where I usually am. Occasionally I will do a modeling event or a fashion show, and you can see all that stuff on my social media!
I’m also on all the social media avenues, and have films that frequently show at local, national, and international film festivals!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ladiek.com
- Email: info@ladiek.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ladie_k
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladiekproductions
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ladie_k
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3284397/?ref_=rvi_nm
Image Credit:
Creative Works Media, Steven Ledell Photography, Ian Short Photography
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