Mariah Owen is a Toronto-born, LA-based actor, writer and producer who formed the prolific production company, GTE Productions, when she was just twenty-one years old. She currently serves as Co-Executive Producer with Shin Shimosawa on the feature film M.F.A., which helped her earn the reputation as the youngest EP in Hollywood. M.F.A. makes its film festival debut in 2017.

SDTC: What should we be paying more attention to?

MO: How we treat the people around us; the ones we know and even the ones we don’t. Say please, thank you, make eye contact, hold doors open and pay attention to the world around you.

What was the last Netflix series you binged on?

Grace and Frankie! My fave (other than Gilmore Girls).

What is one new thing you learned this year?

From a professional stance, I’ve honed in on my skills to take my projects to a whole new level, which has been incredibly exciting and challenging. From a personal stance, I’ve learned that it’s okay if your friendship circle gets a little smaller. I used to be so concerned with keeping up with all of these friends…but it’s a two-way street. Invest in those who invest in you.

img_6857

What memory brings a smile to your face?

Any memory with my dog. She is a real sweetheart and goes almost everywhere with me – from running errands all over the city to equipment pick ups at Ontario Camera. Any time I’m down she can cheer me up and when I’m away I really miss her.

How do you recharge your batteries?

Recharging my batteries is something I am really trying to become better at. I am known for going a mile-a-minute, and that way of being definitely catches up with you. Recently, it is just getting outside. Whether I go for a walk or head up north… just to be out in the fresh air is rejuvenating. It not only revitalizes my creativeness but also sparks some new ideas!

Describe the funniest thing you’ve experienced in recent memory.

My friends and our Snapchat conversations. We all are goofballs and test out the new voice-changing filters and create little characters and stories.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?

Work hard and be nice to people.

What is the best part of being your current age?

I’m young enough that it is okay not to know everything. I’m also young enough that when I do know certain things, people are impressed.

What word or phrase should we use more often?

THANK YOU!

What’s on your night table?

Water, phone and two expo markers. I have no idea what those markers are doing there actually. Hmmm.

What item would you be lost without (besides your phone)?

My planner. I have one of those really cute planners from Indigo. It says, “I AM VERY BUSY” and comes with fun stickers. (I am an adult, I promise!)

What’s the weirdest thing in your purse right now?

I don’t have anything too weird; however, I do have four packs of Listerine strips in there, so I guess I’ll be prepared for a zombie apocalypse filled with zombies who have bad breath? Who knows? That’s pretty weird.

What trends are you loving right now?

Turtlenecks! They are so cozy. I also love that rolling your jeans up at the bottom is a trend because who has time to hem things anymore? Also, I don’t know how to hem things.

Who was your celebrity crush when you were a kid?

Clayton Snyder… AKA the one and only Ethan Craft from Lizzie McGuire. I met him auditing an acting class in LA a few years ago and it took everything in me to not freak out right then and there.

What do you miss about Toronto?

I definitely miss my parents, dog and friends. I also miss the Toronto vibe. There is just something about our city where there are SEVERAL successful people making a name for themselves internationally, yet they are cheering for others to rise up too, and I just think that’s awesome.