Actor & Intimacy Coordinator Julia Belanova on Taking Risks, Auditions & Creating Safer Sets

Actor, activist, and certified intimacy coordinator Julia Belanova joins SKS master teacher Colleen Foy for a candid conversation about building a sustainable acting career, taking creative risks, navigating representation, and creating safer, more empowered film and television sets. A magna cum laude Harvard graduate and longtime member of the Stan Kirsch Studios community, Julia shares her journey from theater to film and TV and how her pursuit of joy and freedom in her work has pushed her to make bold choices, both in the audition room and in her career. From an iconic punk-rock buzz cut that made it clear she shouldn’t be underestimated to a fearless Mayans M.C. audition choice that resulted in a same-day booking, Julia has learned the value of trusting her instincts and embracing what sets her apart. She also reflects on working alongside Colin Farrell and how the experience deepened her commitment to presence, freedom, and authenticity as an actor, as well as the challenges of finding representation and why Stan Kirsch Studios became an artistic anchor throughout her career. Julia and Colleen also dive into her work as an intimacy coordinator and advocate for safer sets, including her advocacy with The Hollywood Commission and training with IDC and IPA. Julia breaks down what intimacy coordination actually looks like behind the scenes, from casting breakdowns and pre-production through filming and post-production, and discusses consent, trauma-informed practices, working with minors, and why intimacy support can be just as important in emotionally intense scenes as it is in scenes involving physical intimacy. This episode is a conversation about taking risks, trusting your instincts, finding your artistic community, and building an acting career that leaves room for both creative freedom and advocacy. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:48 Moving to LA After Harvard 01:20 Finding Community at Stan Kirsch 02:55 Stage to Screen Transition 03:37 Representation and Daily Progress 05:01 Buzz Cut as Branding 06:43 Reinvention and Creative Risk 09:01 Mayans MC Set Experience 11:14 Essence Versus Casting Type 13:49 Learning Through Ongoing Class 15:02 Breakthrough Booking With Colin Farrell 16:56 Reinventing Acting Path 17:29 Becoming Intimacy Coordinator 18:12 Why Advocacy Matters 20:38 Training Programs Explained 22:00 Joining a Production Team 23:23 Actor Support Surprises 24:44 Trauma Informed Boundaries 27:47 Safety Versus Set Speed 29:18 When the Work Hits Home 30:30 Protecting Child Performers 31:40 How the Role Changed Her 32:51 Closing Gratitude and Community EPISODE LINKS: · Julia’s Website · Julia’s IMDb · Follow Julia on IG @_juliabelanova Host: Colleen Foy Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠