Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Sadithi De Zilva Of Scrappack Productions Is Helping To Change Our World
Get a hobby that has nothing to do with your career goals. As soon as I started doing things for the sake of sheer joy rather than having any stakes or goals attached to it- that joy flooded into other areas of my life.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sadithi De Zilva. Sadithi is a Sri Lankan-born, Hong-Kong Raised actress, producer and writer. Co-Founder of the New York City-based independent media production company “Scrappack Productions”, she is committed to resourceful storytelling and creating spaces for unique voices in the entertainment world.
Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you share your “backstory” that brought you to this career?
For sure! I grew up in Sri Lanka watching Bollywood movies and became obsessed. I loved the colors, the dramatic storylines, and the happy endings, and I knew I had to somehow be part of that world! My mom was so supportive of me doing community theatre, and when we moved to Hong Kong, I spent weekends in rehearsals and after-school sessions glued to the TV. I was that kid who joined every school club — dance, theatre, choir — anything that gave me the chance to perform.
When I went to college, I studied Theatre at Pace University in New York City. Acting seemed like the obvious path for me… until the pandemic happened. Everything shut down, and I left New York to live in a van with my partner and explore the wilderness. For the first time, I wasn’t on a rigid, one-track path. Around that time, my friend Aris Federman started making his own films. When I returned to the city, I met my (now) co-founder Maddie. We both loved creating things and telling stories, and it all snowballed from there.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
During my final year of college, while I was in LA, I lost my passport — literally on the first day of the semester (we were doing one term on the West Coast). I immediately pushed it to the back of my mind and focused on schoolwork. By the final week, I had to tell my professor, “Hey, could you drive me to the police station to file a lost report?” I stressed about how I’d get back to New York, and I had a mini cry session at Starbucks because I thought I’d have to take days-long train rides home.
Eventually, I told my TA, who was shocked. She spent HOURS on the phone with TSA, convincing them to let me board the plane. I even got a police escort onto the flight! In hindsight, it taught me that asking for help and letting people in is invaluable. Every time I’ve opened up, people have shown up for me, and I’m better for it.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
The most interesting people to me are the people who are constantly searching for knowledge. Hungry to learn.
Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?
Audrey Hepburn. I know that sounds so basic but she was such a force. Resisting the Nazis, becoming a Hollywood icon, and her service with the UN. She always carried herself with such grace and empathy.
Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview, how are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting social impact causes you are working on right now?
Scrappack is all about bringing stories that aren’t necessarily in the market, into the light. Our first short film, Just One More Thing, was written by Maddie and I, and it was centered around two actors in their twenties who needed to finish a ton of self-tapes, while dealing with their own relationship towards each other- and it was based on our own experience with auditioning and the characters were an exaggerated version of us and it was exciting because there hadn’t been a film- at least that we had seen- that focused on a female friendship that wasnt either in high school or in their late twenties and wasnt about transitioning to adulthood but more so just figuring out how to be a good friend to each other while also making fun of the way the acting industry was at the time.
The success of making that short film motivated us to establish Scrappack as an LLC. Since then, we’ve created jobs for ambitious filmmakers, brought female-focused stories to the forefront, and made our mark in the indie film world.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions, but never manifest it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and take action for this cause? What was that final trigger?
It was the people around me. It’s so important to be intentional about the company you keep. I watched as the people I loved started to be brave and delve into their dreams and it gave me the strength to delve into mine.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
My Co-founder Madeline Coronato. She is so insanely driven and smart and we all playfully call her “an energizer bunny” because she is constantly on the go and getting things done. In our toughest moments she pushes me to follow through and I owe so much of this to her!
Are there three things that individuals, society or the government can do to support you in this effort?
- SUPPORT WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
- GO WATCH FILMS DIRECTED BY WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR
- If you can, INVEST in those businesses.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- There is no straight path in entrepreneurship, especially the film business. Laws and taxes are constantly changing and so are trends and what people are willing to watch and invest in. You have to be willing to adapt.
- You are a reflection of the people you keep close to you. Make sure you choose wisely. The only reason I am as I am is the incredible people around me.
- Get a hobby that has nothing to do with your career goals. As soon as I started doing things for the sake of sheer joy rather than having any stakes or goals attached to it- that joy flooded into other areas of my life.
- Losing sleep is not an accurate way to prove you’re working. I’m terrible at getting my sleep and it’s one of my resolutions fo this year to get a minimum of 7 hours each night!
- Don’t follow everything someone says on the internet! 😉
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
I don’t know what our purpose is on this earth but until we figure it out, helping each other and finding joy seems a good goal as any.
We are very blessed that many other Social Impact Heroes read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, whom you would like to collaborate with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Oh there are sooooo many but if I could only pick two it would be Margot Robbie and Matthew Gray Gubler. Both are such multi-hyphenates bosses and I love their artistic vision and would absolutely bawl my eyes out if I could collaborate with them.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Do it miserably,” haha. The idea is that you don’t have to wait until you feel motivated or excited to do the things you need to do to achieve your goals. Absolutely TRY to find joy, but at the very least, just get what you need to get done! Because when you do, it infinitely brings you happiness in achieving your goals!
How can our readers follow you online?
You can follow me on instagram at @sadithidez or follow scrappack at @scrappackproductions!
This was great, thank you so much for sharing your story and doing this with us. We wish you continued success!
Social Impact Heroes: Why and How Sadithi De Zilva Of Scrappack Productions Is Helping To Change… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.