Esther Fwati is a Naarm-based actor, writer and producer with a background in hip-hop and contemporary dance. After studying acting at Film & TV Studio International, Fwati learned the importance of writing and producing to create her own opportunities and representation in a competitive, and often white-washed, industry.
Fwati’s work is heavily inspired by classic rom-coms of the early 2000s and K-drama and explores themes of third cultures, multiculturalism and belonging. Her recent web series No Ordinary Love is a heartwarming romantic tale that not only entertains but explores the complications of clashing cultures and meddling mothers in the dating world.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Fwati discusses her thoughts on the Australian media landscape, her greatest inspirations and her follow-up to season one of No Ordinary Love.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
I’m an actor, writer, producer. I started acting in 2012 and then moved into writing and producing as a way of creating opportunities for myself and likeminded creatives.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
As per above. And in addition to that, I’ve always been a writer since I was young. I developed my writing skills through self-taught practices. Once I started studying acting a lot of the trainers who were working actors themselves, encouraged us to create our own work if we wanted to work consistently. I remember Damian Walsh-Howling was a big advocate of actors being their own creators and it was really his words that stuck with me the most.
Where did you grow up and how has it influenced your practice?
I grew up in South East Melbourne, very multicultural suburbs that had large immigrant populations. It was wonderful growing up in the south east you were surrounded by so much natural diversity you didn’t even notice it. It wasn’t till later in my mid 20s, as I branched out into the world, that I realised what I had growing up was rare.
Our friendship group in High School would be called the UN because there was so much representation among us. Growing up around different cultures and as a third culture kid heavily inspires the work I have and want to continue to create.
Showing what every day Australia is like, the Australia that’s often not included in shows such as Neighbours and Home and Away is important for International Audiences to understand there is such a wider cultural landscape than Australian media shows.
It’s also important and exciting to tell stories through different cultural lenses especially at the points where cultures blend – you get some very interesting experiences.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been your most treasured highlight so far?
A highlight most definitely I’d say the Web Series NO ORDINARY LOVE which I produced with a wonderful team of Sydney based creatives and friends. I think why it’s so special is because the majority of the initial ideas was born sitting on my bed during Covid and just asking myself if I could create and be in anything what would it be.
Now being able to see the purest expression of myself resonate with so many creatives who’ve jumped on board to bring this project to life and audiences from around the world who have laughed and cried because the story hits home for them is very affirming of who I am as a person.
Tell us about your current project?
I’m currently working on a follow up to the first season of No Ordinary Love, there’s so much of the story left to tell and it’s going to be exciting to expand the “universe” we’ve created.
Who or what inspires your practice?
I’m inspired by Nancy Meyers and Norah Ephron movies, the stories, the music, the production design. I’m inspired by classic 2000s rom coms – Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez and I’m so inspired by K-dramas – their elaborate and unapologetic plot lines across romance, drama, sci-fi it’s all amazing!
Where do you feel most creative and why?
Whenever I’m writing. I’m someone who enjoys doing a lot of different things when it comes to creativity but whenever I’m writing that’s the most enjoyable, when everything clicks and I get lost in a story for hours.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
I honestly want to create work that entertains. It would be nice if audiences find a deeper meaning, or connection or healing from my work but I just want there to be media that features African girls, Black girls, Ethnic girls that’s funny, stupid, relatable, quirky, awkward. Something that you can put on and escape.
What gets you through creative challenges or tough industry times?
Just realising that my creative works can exist inside or outside of the industry. I think these days with the resources and platforms that the internet & social media gives us we can create our own industries and continue to create work. If that work is recognised by the masses that’s great, but if that work is only recognised by loved ones and friends that’s equally as good.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I’m hoping to be able to continue to create Romantic Comedy and Drama’s that centre the third culture kid experience.
Where can we find and follow you online?
You can watch our series NO ORDINARY LOVE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NoOrdinaryLoveSeries
You can also find the series on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noordinaryloveseries
And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noordinaryloveseries/
And you can find me on instagram: @estherfwati