Nina Franoszek, was already an established film and TV-actor in Germany when she made a fresh start in the USA
I quickly felt comfortable in Los Angeles. The people’s inviting approach to life attracted me, their positive attitude. On the other hand: Who ever has a bad attitude, nags too much or criticizes, is left out pretty quickly, especially at a film set. My outspoken, direct Berlin attitude wasn’t in demand.
In Germany it’s the other way around: If you want to be accepted as an artist you need to be critical and question everything and everyone. Most people find too much optimism suspicious and a pessimistic attitude towards your own career saves you preemptively from disappointment – the so called calculated pessimism.
Here in California nobody dwells on negative aspects, not even for a second. To the contrary: If there is a conflict or a problem, you focus on the potential of the situation and foster that.
You act solution-oriented – and in my experience that applies to almost every situation in life. German actors who try to make it in Hollywood receive usually mocking from German media and colleagues: You think you’re a cut above now; we aren’t enough for you anymore. Often envy and malice resonate.
And yet I didn’t come to Hollywood 16 years ago to lead a glamorous life. That is another German idea – either you become a “star” or you have “failed.” I am here – as I am in Germany – a working actress, sometimes with more, sometimes with less success.
Besides, I know the inner voices that want to undermine my confidence all too well: “You can’t do that! Who do you think you are! Cobbler, stick to your trade!” By now I listen to those voices like I listen to an annoying radio station I cannot switch off. Instead of following them I trust my intuition.
And that one often tells me: Nina, go for it!