Avital Ash - ‘Garden State’ Was The First Time I Saw Someone Write, Direct And Star Which Was A Huge Shift For Me (Actor)

 

Avital has made female-driven content for over a decade and has amassed over 30 million views for her web content. Her series, '7p/10e' went on to inspire two CBS pilots, executive produced by the creators of ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ She created a series for Maker (RIP), penned a script for Super Deluxe (RIP again), and now plays Marie, a recurring guest star on FX's series, 'Cake.' She lives with her dog, Luke, and does standup in LA, NY, & Chicago  

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I grew up an Orthodox Jew in Miami, and the first time I took an interest in entertainment was in middle school, seeing Sarah Michelle Gellar play Buffy.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I was writing short stories and poems for youth fairs in middle school. ‘Garden State’ was the first time I saw someone write, direct, and star, which was a huge shift for me. After that I got into Woody Allen and later Elaine May and I sort of just wanted to do it all.

3. Who is your favorite writer and why?

Leonard Cohen is my favorite poet and songwriter. As far as standup, maybe Mitch Hedberg and Ali Wong? Hard to say… I also love when a standup uses their hour to tell a story. Hassan Minhaj’s ‘Homecoming King’ and Mike Birbiglia’s ‘The New One’ are some of my favorites. Emo Phillips kills me on Twitter.  

4. Where does your inspiration lie?

Wherever I can find it! Sometimes it’s in a song lyric, a bike ride, a novel, a movie. Donna Tartt’s prose stir is something that is in my soul. There are moments in Miranda July’s new movie that beamed directly into my being. Sometimes it’s a dream or a painting. 

5. Which is your favorite book and why?

East of Eden. I’m due for a reread, but it just sticks in my craw. An excerpt: “Tom got into a book, crawled and groveled between the covers, tunneled like a mole among the thoughts, and came up with the book all over his face and hands.” Whenever I read him, I come up with Steinbeck all over my face.  

6. Tell us about your working experience in cakefx?

Cake was great! It was a really fun, supportive atmosphere and I’d love to work with any and all of the filmmakers, cast, and crew again. What a dream!  

  

Avital Ash

Actor | Writer | Director | Stand up 

Instagram id - @avitalash

Website - avitalash

Twitter id - @avitalash

Interviewed by - Ananie Borgia