Conversations with Sera Milavetz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sera Milavetz.

Hi Sera, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a dancer. My mom says I would dance constantly and she would catch me moving in grocery store isles, in the car, at festivals and museums, anywhere there was music, I was moving. At three years old she put me into dance classes and at nine I had decided that it was going to be my career of choice. I had also always had a love of movies. My dad and I always watched movies together and still do today. My mom went to Ringling School of Arts and Design to be a scenic artist for Film and Television, and I loved hearing her stories. By middle school, I joined the ITV, or Video Production program major at my K-8 arts school and I fell in love.

Going into college, I knew I had to have both in my life. I leaned more into my dance program, but the more film courses I took the more I loved it. I attended Florida Southern College and after four years, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with two degrees. As I look back, I tend to think I was crazy squeezing it all in. The degrees officially are listed as a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography and a BA in Communications with a Film Studies focus. A lot to manage during my four years. However, if juggling my grades, social life and becoming a young adult wasn’t enough, (and before attending and in preparation for college) the majority of my off time was spent in and out of the hospital, taking care of my mom, and helping my family.

My mom, when she was 20, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She had a tumor the size of a deflated basketball in her chest, and underwent serious chemotherapy and radiation in order to survive. Incredibly she did and was told she would never be able to have children due to the treatments used to save her life. Obviously and thankfully that was false in her case, and by a miracle, both my older brother Alec, and myself were born healthy and well. Unfortunately, what saved her life and led to the creation of two more, has sadly damaged and will continue to risk her life, for the rest of her life. In the middle of my junior year of high school, February 2015, she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and Breast Cancer within 24 hours of each other. Not long after in March, she was undergoing open heart surgery and later 13 more surgeries, including a double mastectomy, within the next 3 years.

Needless to say, I don’t really know how myself, or my family got through it. One day at a time really. Seeing her strength and perseverance pushed and continuously inspired me to strive for my dreams. To never give up on what I had wanted my whole life, and what she had supported me in since I was just three years old.

After I believed the worst was over, I was finally about to graduate in 2020, and Covid hit. I was sent home, finished my degrees with my parents by my side, and graduated in my living room. It was certainly an unexpected twist that no one saw coming. I was devastated. I had so many plans and dreams, as a 23-year-old, going back home for more than 6 months maximum was not a part of that plan. With Covid locking all of us in, and especially those with compromised immune systems, like my mom, it was that much more pressure and terrifying to even leave the house. This led to such a severe and intense amount of anxiety and depression that settled in on me. It hung over me for months and lagged on. I knew I wasn’t the only one going through it but it didn’t make it feel any easier to reach out to those around me. It wasn’t until I was mindlessly scrolling on Instagram one day and saw what Central Florida Choreographers Collaboration was doing. They had posted about hosting virtual auditions, a simple video upload of yourself moving and including some basic requirements for their upcoming project: a dance film. I was floored. It was exactly what I had graduated wanting to do. It was my dream coming true. I jumped on it and I have never been more grateful that I have.

I was casted into Amanda’s, (the company director’s) piece, and was honored to be chosen. I was so excited and although it wasn’t a paid opportunity, it was a chance to finally be moving again and get to do what I love. That exposure and chance was what I needed to try and break free of my mental health struggles, and enjoy what I love to do. And it definitely did help me. Between that, and reaching out more to my friends, dating again, and seeing family and friends even more after becoming vaccinated, I began to feel the weight lift a little more each day. The anxiety and depression wasn’t gone but it was definitely easier to live each day, and with a smile. So much so, that I signed up again with CFCC the following season, and this time as a choreographer myself!

This time, I wanted the chance to tell my recent story. As an artist, and as a choreographer, my wish is to always create work that has an impact. Art is subjective in my opinion, and I believe that it is alright if most audiences leave from viewing my work and don’t fully understand or “get” the message, but if they leave feeling a particular mood or tone I’ve set, and it impacts them or creates discussion-I’ve accomplished my goal. In this case, I wanted to share my story with how Covid impacted me directly. I knew that it was a popular topic on the news, and within the art world, but at the same token, I didn’t want it to have a negative tone. I wanted to make sure the film finished with the audience seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as I had, because it is possible. Mental health struggles are so real and raw. I wanted to do such a real and heavy topic justice and with respect. I reached out to my best friend, Emily Gabriel, a local musical artist, who had recently finished her first EP. One of her songs was perfect for this and I could see the movement in my head every time I heard the song. She was glad to be a part of the project and I was so excited to have one of my best friends from childhood be a part of something so impactful and important to me.

I was also so excited to be able to dance in it myself, alongside some serious talent. One of my other best friends, Danielle Fudge, and the beautiful Sierra Rusnak. And I believe dancing in it gave me a whole different perspective as the mover, choreographer, and director. I was able to envision and see the angles and incorporate so many creative ideas from the very beginning of the work. For example, my favorite shot is the bird’s eye view shot of us on the floor of the garage. It’s an incredible moment, and I could see the look on my boyfriend and amazing supporter, Sam Steinhouse’s face when creating that moment. He thought it was awe-inspiring that I could envision it all in my head, and when we finally got to see it come to fruition, it was the most satisfying moment.

No matter what, I had no idea when it all finished, and began submitting it to Film Festivals, the way it was going to blow up. From the day it premiered with the incredible full compilation film with CFCC, to the first film festival notification, I have been so proud of it. I had truly no idea that I was going to impact and be able to reach quite so many audiences. I have been so humbled, honored, and grateful for this entire experience. I am truly thankful for my cast and crew, and the opportunities that have come out of my connections with CFCC and with this film. It has so far won the following accolades: Best Experimental Film, Best Short Film, Best Dance Film, and in two others as Best Director and Best First Time Director.

From here, I am just so excited to see where else this film will go. I am also starting graciously on a new project, as a choreographer with CFCC for a second season, overall as a participant for a third season, and this time who knows what will come of it!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has certainly not been a smooth road. As previously mentioned, I’ve been indirectly dealt some interesting cards. Between my mom’s health struggles and covid changing my life’s path and course, I never would have anticipated those things and how they would have changed my life. I see the world very differently now. I appreciate time and family more than most. I love deeply and care passionately. And truly life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. To me, it’s about how you react to those moments that says more about you. If you can learn from the challenges and allow them to become moments that have impacts of positivity for you, no obstacle is really an obstacle but maybe a simple speed bump. It’s maybe just there to slow you down, but ultimately you learned to not drive quite so fast.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With my degrees, I specialize in the creation of Dance Films. Artistic creations that combine the two mediums together. I love the choreographic side of creating the work, but I also love filming them. My ultimate dream is to be either a choreographer or cinematographer for films as well known as The Greatest Showman, La La Land, Dirty Dancing or Flashdance. These films inspire me and are the ideal movie set I dream of being a part of. I am currently also loving working as a union member with IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. I am currently a part of local 631, and recently joined local 477, and most recently I’ve had the honor of working on several touring Broadway shows! I have skills available to the union in stagehand work, wardrobe dressing and camera operations.

My most recent project includes my short film Bound. It perfectly encompasses my love for dance and film. I had the incredible opportunity thanks to CFCC, to be the choreographer, a dancer, the director, a producer, and the editor of the film. It was an amazing experience. I am so beyond proud of this production. It has been accepted into 12 film festivals, been a semi finalist in 5, a quarter finalist in 1, and an official selection in 6 festivals. This is truly what I have always aspired to and I am so honored and humbled by its incredible journey so far.

I feel what sets me apart from others is my vision for what art is. Art does not have to be perfect. It does not have to answer to anyone. It just is. It can tell incredible stories. It can bring people to tears and make people happier than they have ever felt. That is what I feel I am able to do with my art. I want to inspire. I want to bring change. I want to enact conversations and discussions – impact and tell stories. There is so much one can do with art, or not do. Why not use art to its fullest extent and tell a meaningful tale with it. Have a chance to change someone’s life with a simple pan of the camera, or a gesture of an arm in the movement phrase.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I would say never be afraid to connect. It’s so important to connect and talk with people. Every industry is a communication industry. It’s rarely about all that you know about a topic, it is about who you know. Who you know can get you into the room and then what you know can keep you there. If you aren’t the most outgoing person, that is totally ok. You don’t have to be. And you don’t have to fully trust everyone all the time either. Not everyone will be the best person to network with or will get along with you, and that’s ok too. What matters is you showing your passion for what you love, and working hard. Then you will shine anyway. Plus, people love to talk about themselves. Ask lots of questions and never be afraid to stand out in a crowd. Far too often, especially as women, we are told to be smaller or talk less, or be quiet. Be big. Be bold. Be loud. Stand up. Speak for yourself and never be afraid to tell your story. The right person will hear you, know that you matter and be able to help you with the goals you have. They’ll guide you to the next step to your dreams and help you every step of the way. A lot of it takes just saying hello and asking a few questions, and from there, you never know where that simple human connection can take you.

Contact Info:

• Email: seramilavetz@gmail.com
• Website: https://seramilavetz.wixsite.com/dancefilm
• Instagram: @Fireangel14 | @seram_dance | @sunshine_seras_studios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sera.milavetz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCryK5oWzl57cdaPxShDnQBw?view_as=subscriber
• Other: https://filmfreeway.com/BoundDanceFilm2021

Image Credits
Amanda Van Meter Burch
Avy Photography