Show notes
Actor, activist, and certified intimacy coordinator Julia Belanova joins SKS master teacher Colleen Foy for a candid conversation about building a sustainable acting career, taking creative risks, navigating representation, and creating safer, more empowered film and television sets.
A magna cum laude Harvard graduate and longtime member of the Stan Kirsch Studios community, Julia shares her journey from theater to film and TV and how her pursuit of joy and freedom in her work has pushed her to make bold choices, both in the audition room and in her career. From an iconic punk-rock buzz cut that made it clear she shouldn’t be underestimated to a fearless Mayans M.C. audition choice that resulted in a same-day booking, Julia has learned the value of trusting her instincts and embracing what sets her apart.
She also reflects on working alongside Colin Farrell and how the experience deepened her commitment to presence, freedom, and authenticity as an actor, as well as the challenges of finding representation and why Stan Kirsch Studios became an artistic anchor throughout her career.
Julia and Colleen also dive into her work as an intimacy coordinator and advocate for safer sets, including her advocacy with The Hollywood Commission and training with IDC and IPA. Julia breaks down what intimacy coordination actually looks like behind the scenes, from casting breakdowns and pre-production through filming and post-production, and discusses consent, trauma-informed practices, working with minors, and why intimacy support can be just as important in emotionally intense scenes as it is in scenes involving physical intimacy.
This episode is a conversation about taking risks, trusting your instincts, finding your artistic community, and building an acting career that leaves room for both creative freedom and advocacy.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:48 Moving to LA After Harvard
01:20 Finding Community at Stan Kirsch
02:55 Stage to Screen Transition
03:37 Representation and Daily Progress
05:01 Buzz Cut as Branding
06:43 Reinvention and Creative Risk
09:01 Mayans MC Set Experience
11:14 Essence Versus Casting Type
13:49 Learning Through Ongoing Class
15:02 Breakthrough Booking With Colin Farrell
16:56 Reinventing Acting Path
17:29 Becoming Intimacy Coordinator
18:12 Why Advocacy Matters
20:38 Training Programs Explained
22:00 Joining a Production Team
23:23 Actor Support Surprises
24:44 Trauma Informed Boundaries
27:47 Safety Versus Set Speed
29:18 When the Work Hits Home
30:30 Protecting Child Performers
31:40 How the Role Changed Her
32:51 Closing Gratitude and Community
EPISODE LINKS:
· Julia’s Website
· Julia’s IMDb
· Follow Julia on IG @_juliabelanova
Host: Colleen Foy
Producer: Kristyn Daniel
Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing
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