Making A Sound Living: Wendy German — Film & Theatre Actress, Director And Producer

The Pivot To A Dream

By Lori Baldassi

You would have. You should have. You could have . . . Wendy German did! She took the plunge at 47 to pursue her long-held dream to become an actress.

Selling her house here in Windsor and leaving friends/family behind, she bravely forged ahead alone with a BA in English from the University of Windsor that she had earned when she went back to school at age 35.

Before this, she did stints as a medical receptionist in the OR of a hospital.

Her love of the stage and screen was ignited as she immersed herself in local theatre (Windsor Light Music Theatre for example) . . . always wondering “what if”.

German made the decision few are brave enough to do — to pivot her entire life and follow her dream that was waiting in Toronto.

Armed with a portfolio filled with experience on stage in several local theatre productions and a few good roles in professionally paid commercials, German was on her way.

Here’s her plus. She’s a single mom with grown kids gone. She has professional marketing and office experience, and though jobs in Toronto were aplenty, they had to be flexible enough for acting classes and auditions.

German landed at a bridal shop that featured the show Say Yes To The Dress. Although not on camera it fit the schedule she needed.

Once there, and in a downtown apartment, she hit the ground running!

Already signed to Fusion Talent Agency (FusionTalentAgency.com) in Windsor, she took more acting classes in Toronto and auditioned anywhere she could for open casting calls (no agent needed) in order to meet people to find out who is doing what in the industry.

German also volunteered as a runner on sets. Slowly there were call backs and commercials.

While this all sounds lovely and inspiring, remember she left everything that was familiar here for the unknown.

As her good friend (that’s right, yours truly, the author of this column!) I wholeheartedly encouraged her to go.

Telling her: “What’s the worst that could happen — you move back home? Your tribe is there, do you want to live with what if? ”

That was seven years ago.

Fast forward to more recent times, previously only appearing in numerous commercials, German next secured several roles in shows such as Paranormal 911 and Paranormal Nightshift: The Lady In Red.

She also appeared in the Sweet Revenge comedy short that won Kevin Hart’s Just For Laughs film competition. In July 2021 — Clash — her first full-length Netflix movie was released worldwide.

Having just signed on to two more projects, which she couldn’t talk about because when you’ve moved into the circles where you are signing NDAs (a Non-Disclosure Agreement that you can’t tell anyone about what you’re working on or with who), I’m pretty sure your road has started to open up.

I was lucky enough to catch up with this single mother of three living the dream at 50, to ask a few questions.

BIZ X: Did you expect to work this much so quickly?

Wendy German (WG): “When I signed on at Fusion Talent Agency, I figured I’d get called once or twice a year and have a fun few days in Toronto. That is not what happened. I was called a lot — way more than I ever imagined.

BIZ X: Were you nervous, as that’s a big jump?

WG: I figured out that I had to overcome my nerves during auditions. I had to show that what I wanted was to act and it was worth investing in myself. Every role I landed and even land now.

BIZ X: Was this luck or hard work?

WG: I’m so grateful that my confidence has grown through hard work and by surrounding myself with like-minded actors. Not because I was “a natural,” but because this dream dominated my thoughts and I learned to get better. You have to put the work in. I still get coaching.

BIZ X: What advice would you give anyone out there thinking about pursuing his/her dream?

Wendy German, Canadian film and theatre actress and Director/Producer. In early January 2022 her directorial debut of her documentary film, Finding Orleen (in which she also stars), earned the 2021 Award Of Distinction and Official Selection at the CanadaShorts Film Festival in Vancouver. Photo courtesy of Nirvanie Srikishun.

WG: Whatever your dream is, invest in yourself and your dream. Take classes, volunteer in the industry you want to explore. Decide that you believe in yourself. Be kind to yourself first, then kind to others. I cannot accept getting to the end of my life without giving acting my absolute best effort, for the rest of my life. I’ll fail again and again until I succeed. It is what I’m meant to do. What are you meant to do?

Both German and I agree on one thing . . . age is mind over matter, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter! From working backstage production to the radio airwaves, Lori Baldassi has been involved in the music industry on a number of professional levels for many years. Baldassi has spoken in front of the CRTC, holds a certificate in Adjudication from York University Toronto, and is a graduate of St. Clair College’s Media Convergence program.