Daily Inspiration: Meet Lee Ross

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Ross.

Hi Lee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began my career while attending the Original High School of the Performing Arts in New York City (the movie and TV series “Fame”) – at that time I was a street performer and mime. From Central Park to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and down to South Street Seaport, and Washington Square Park… My life was that of a busker (old English for street performer)… Also, at the time I was doing stand-up comedy (back in the mid-80s) in NYC —

Then I began working full-time as a comic on the road across Canada, the USA, and even Australia.  And after a number of years on tour with Cirque (as the lead clown in their hit show Saltimbanco) I moved to Los Angeles and began screenwriting —  by 2007 my first movie was made with Maria Bello and Jason Patric. My film Downloading Nancy went to the Sundance Film Festival and I followed that up with my 2nd full-length thriller Benjamin Troubles.  As a writer, producer, and former comic – somehow, all of these various skills lead me towards interaction design, human design, and community design.

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 not been an easy road and of course, there have been struggles… One thing leads to the next – one door closes another one opens. I tend to find that I am my own worst enemy,  and I often cannot follow my own advice (even though I offer it in coaching to others-:)

The entertainment industry, whether it is film, literature, music, etc. all has its own speed bumps, roadblocks, and detours. It’s a double-edged, sword, trying to maintain “being an artist”,  make a living wage, and actually succeed in your chosen industry.  Reinventing my own career (after leaving the performing medium and stage) & finding a new canvas on the written page, telling stories for film and streaming, has been daunting indeed. These days, with the world in such chaos, with systems breaking down, with corruption on all levels… I tend to find that I ruminate more on new systems, reinventing how humans can remain grounded, find community, and keep the vibration of Love in the air.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Over many years writing movies and telling stories on stage has led to my interest in developing human ecosystems that work on a planetary level. As one humanity, as one Earth, there are unseen forces at work that try to control and manipulate us. A new operating system is needed and I tend to focus my energies and storytelling around breaking free of the current constraints that are forced upon us.

Yes, I have clients and still attend conferences and events but life is short – & before you know it much of life has already been lived, and the road up ahead is short and sweet. We are not consumers. We are not destined to destroy our lovely Earth Mother – and so I must always keep myself open and listen to the small voice inside.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Mentorship, advocates, personal coaches, etc. have always played an important part in my journey. One of my biggest teachers was “The Street” – and growing up in my youth, and teen years into my 20s in New York City, well, I was very lucky… And to have artist parents who both were independent producers in the interior design and illustration fields.

Along the way it has been my community of comics, troubadours, and gypsies around me through the years, as well as the corporate founders of institutions that have helped shape where I would like to go, and what choices I would like to make. There also comes a time when you must let go of the coaches, therapists, and workshops listen to your own voice, and trust your own inner guidance. With the emergence of artificial intelligence and other forces it is sometimes hard to listen through all the noise.

Thank you for taking some time to connect here in this interview – please reach out via my links and listen to that small still Voice inside when you can!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.mimebox.net
• Other: https://www.shortverse.com/person/mimebox-studios