Art holds no boundaries and artists are everywhere. Filmmakers Bel Delia and Annalea Fiachi demonstrate this notion with their new inspiring docu-series, From Bottom to Top.
The 8-part series pairs recognizable artists with others who live in Los Angeles’s Skid Row district for candid conversations about art and the concept of success. Each takes a supportive dive into the differences and similarities of these creative individuals. One riding a traditional wave of achievement and the other pursuing their passion while struggling with homelessness. What results is a stirring and encouraging reflection of true humanity.
The series isn’t the first time these two filmmakers have embarked on raising awareness for artists. Bel and Annalea previously teamed up for two years to run a charity penny drive raising funds for a local arts program in Los Angeles.
Since the release of From Bottom to Top, Bel Delia and Annalea Fiachi found some time to answer a few questions:
Explain the premise behind From Bottom to Top.
Bel: From Bottom to Top is a ‘bite size’ documentary series that shares words of wisdom from the heart of Skid Row. Artists from Studio 526, a skid row based arts program in Los Angeles, sat down with guest artists, musicians, actors, dancers, comedians, directors, and discussed the lows and highs of being an artist.
Through this docu-series we explored the core passions that drive us all. We paired up 16 artists of differing backgrounds to interview each other, drawing from a list of passion based questions.
Why did you want to create this series?
Bel: I wanted to create a conversation with the core belief that as humans we have more in common than we often give attention to. When we all see each other as members of the human race not divided by different backgrounds, we can focus on what makes us better, what drives us forward. On top of this Art is a powerful connector, it’s something we all communicate through and share experiences through in our daily lives.
Annalea: When Bel brought this idea for a docuseries to me a few years ago, I connected with it immediately on a very deep level. People tend to dehumanize those below them, like our friends living on the streets affected by homelessness, and this was a chance to make a heart-warming documentary series that explored and celebrated our similarities as creatives and as humans. Though we may have our differences in backgrounds, culture, and upbringing, it’s what makes us unique and can only make our society stronger when we work together. It was also important to Bel and I that we redefined what people may view as being successful and what the “Top” or “Bottom” meant for different people at varying stages in their life and career.
At what point did Studio 526 get involved?
Bel: Studio 526 got involved early on. I had come across the studio, which was formally named Lamp Arts Program and a part of the Lamp Community, now known as The People Concern, when I was looking for an organization focused on eradicating homelessness to start a charity drive for.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2012, I was introduced to Annalea through mutual friends and we ran a penny drive in Hollywood two years in a row, raising funds for the Arts Program at Studio 526. As artists ourselves, being Actors and Filmmakers, it was inspiring to discover this Program and we of course feel a very strong connection to how therapeutic it is to be able to practice your own art in whatever form that may be.
Annalea: Studio 526 has been phenomenal and as Bel stated, they were involved very early on. Once we knew we wanted to make this documentary series we could think of no better partners than the amazing folks at Studio 526 to share their stories. Art in whatever form you desire truly is a form of therapy and has such tremendous benefits for the soul. It was so special to see Studio 526 see the importance in that when helping the people who walk through their doors.
How did you determine the artist pairings?
Bel: The pairings for our interview happened somewhat organically. We set dates to film at Studio 526 and worked off the availability of both artists. Every interview, the two artists shared a clear bond, be it from their life’s journey, passions, or beliefs. It was wonderful to watch the discussions unfold with each interview.
Annalea: Yes, we didn’t totally have a rhyme or reason to the pairings. The conversations between artists of the same field were just as interesting as the discussions between artists of different fields. It was great to have that diversity in the conversations combined with similar ones, to again show our point that no matter how different or similar we are, our art and passion is at the core of all of us.
What, if anything, did each artist know about the other one before their conversation?
Bel: On the whole they knew very little. They had a brief moment to meet each other; some knew a little about the particular art the other practiced but they really got to know each other in these interviews.
Annalea: Yes, as Bel put, they only had a few minutes before the cameras started rolling to meet each other. So, the introduction and conversations each artist has with the other was a natural unfolding of them getting to know one another.
Did you have pre-set questions and how did you develop those?
Bel: We came up with 20 passion based questions, really just diving into what would we want to know about a fellow creative’s journey and what might provide inspiration to others. The artist then selected about 5 questions from this list that they personally wanted to ask the other.
Annalea: Some questions from the list included:
Why ‘Acting’, ‘Painting’, ‘Dancing’, ‘Writing’? Why this art?
What was one moment your Art has helped you survive through?
What is success to you?
When you need to pick yourself up, what’s the first thing you do?
What do you think is the biggest misconception about Skid Row artists?
Bel: That their journey has everything to do with Skid Row. Thankfully these artists are sharing their experiences through art and with it you get to learn more about the individual and their personal journey.
Annalea: Yes, Skid Row is not their identity but rather a part of their journey. As you watch these interviews, we know that you will find yourself engaged with what each artist has to say and where they are from will be secondary.
What was the most challenging aspect of this project? And, the most rewarding?
Bel: The most challenging part is the sense of wanting to do more and never feeling like you are doing enough. And also, the overwhelming sense of wanting to protect everyone who is a part of your project.
This series was a way of sharing some of the stories and voices from the Skid Row Arts community and inspiring others; I feel it will do just that. That is the most rewarding thing you could ask for.
Annalea: Wanting to help more is always a challenge. We have worked many years to get this out there in the hopes that we can continue to share more stories in the future, and hopefully one day start a grant or fund that will help artists like those at Studio 526 It has been an uphill battle to get to this point but the reward comes with the interviews we have already captured and get to share with you now, and the hopes that the audience will be inspired by their conversations.
Anything you would do differently if you had the chance?
Bel: I think we just scratched the surface of where these interviews could go. I would have loved to have filmed more. There is always a point in any project that you need to set it free and share it. It’s never finished as they say.
Annalea: We made the best with the equipment and support that we had at the time and there is always room for improvement. Like Bel said, we only just scratched the surface.
Was there anything you discovered about yourself as an artist while working on this series?
Bel: That art is what keeps me sane and sometimes I need to remember the simple act of working on the craft. Being a creative artist, in my case an Actress and Filmmaker, it’s easy to forget that and get caught up with too many distractions. This series is so full of words of wisdom and every time I watch them, I’m reminded how much I need to listen to them and act on upon them!
Annalea: No matter what creative industry you are in, if you started out aiming for fame and fortune, you will never be happy. I always knew this to be true, but listening to these innovative souls coming from all walks of life talk about their passions and redefining what success and happiness meant to them in their life and creative journey is always so heart-warming and touching, no matter how many times I watch these interviews it never ceases to amaze me.
Do you have plans to continue the series or what’s next?
Bel: We have plans not only to continue but to garner support and create a follow up series in a fuller length, so we can dive deeper with the artists and to ultimately have this be a national and global conversation bringing together communities from afar.
Annalea: That is the dream, to expand this conversation to not only other parts of the country but open up the dialog to people all over the world. I would love to be able to show longer interviews and more stories, something that Bel and I will continue to work and strive for in the future.
Watch From Bottom to Top now on Amazon.com at: http://bit.ly/FromBottomToTop
Reading this article about Bel and Annalea has provided me with the most understanding of this project. Now I’m anxiously looking forward to seeing the series! Thank you, Evy
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