The Rodebjer Pre Fall 2017 collection is based on a profound fascination for wilderness and a tribute to the uncompromising passion and curiosity of primatologist Jane Goodall.

In honor of Goodall's unbeatable fight for her beliefs, we portrayed a number of Scandinavian women with the same drive, who reflected over their own calling, passion and curiosity with reference to Goodall's famous quote:

"If you really want something, you have to be prepared to work very hard. Take advantage of opportunity, and above all, never give up.”

 

Amanda Collin
My name is Amanda Collin, and my age is 31. My job is to bring stories to life.

What is your ambition with your work life?
To keep learning, exploring and staying curious. Sometimes it's easier to stick with what you know, but those thoughts are often ruled by insecurity and the fear of failing. I go through the same process every time; the fear of doing it "wrong" before reminding myself that there is no "right" and that if I stay curious, instead of being so self-centered, I might learn something. "Dare to suck" is a good mantra, my teacher used to yell it before a scene.

In what parts of your work do you find value?
So many parts of my work are rewarding, but a good play or movie can make you reflect and create different thoughts and conversations. It can release, relieve and sometimes heal. If I bring life to a story that does one of those things to just one audience, it's definitely of great value. It's a beautiful form of communication. I'm so grateful for all the movies, plays and great actors telling me stories that make me laugh, cry, talk to my neighbor, change the way I look at my mom, fall in love or act. One time, a lady told me after a show that she hadn't laughed so much in many years, I felt very lucky and humbled to be a part of the story that gave her that.

What drives you?
Like Jane Goodall felt an attraction for Africa and animals, I have always felt an attraction towards the stage. It's not that I wouldn't be able to do something else, it's just that every time that thought crosses my mind, I start crying and quickly make up a plan on how to pursue my work as an actress. I guess my drive is to constantly work hard and try my best, and then hopefully, I can keep doing this for the rest of my life.

Are there any sacrifices, if so are they worth it?
I think that depends on your perspective. There are definitely sacrifices, like long work hours, being away from home for weeks or months, and times with your head up your own ass. Then I also have the opposite, no work and lots of time for the people I love. The balance is very important and something that I focus on a lot - to stay balanced in order to stay grateful. When I'm too caught up in work, I tend to lose gratitude. And inspiration. That's when I forget why I do what I do, so I start worrying and it just continuous down in a messy spiral.

Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere really; conversations, people, countries, books, art, plays, movies, animals, music. But mostly from people. I'm very fascinated by the difference in personalities and how we can never truly know how other people see the world, only imagine...

What are your sources of energy?
Food I guess? And juices with spinach! But, on a holistic level, my source of energy is my boyfriend. He fuels me with love and laughter. I recently gave birth to a daughter, now she takes all of my energy... Luckily, I get love and laughter from her too.

Amanda Collin

How do you take advantage of opportunity along your life and career?
In my work, I believe it's important to practice as much as you can in order to learn and develop. If you keep filling that big toolbox with tools, you will be ready to grab opportunity when it shows. "Ready" can be many things though. Graduating from acting school definitely made me feel more "ready" than ever to take on the world of acting, but it took me three years before it really settled and I was actually "ready" to start working. That was three years ago, so I'm really just a baby in this business. I have so much to learn and so much left to experience, that excites me.

Have your ever passed on an opportunity? Did you regret it?
I believe in destiny, like our paths are predestined in a way. At least the thought makes me calm and it also makes me never to regret things. It's very smart actually, I always feel that whatever happens, happens for a reason.

Has it always been important for you to have a career?
I actually started having a career the moment I stopped focusing on it. It's easy to get confused in this business. What is "good for my career" and what do I really love doing? Sometimes the answers match, sometimes they don't. If I have butterflies tickling my stomach and sweaty armpits after a phone call, that usually means I really want the job. Sometimes I even start shaking when reading a good script, that's a physical sign that would be stupid to ignore. Whether it's good for my career or not isn't that important, most of the time you don't even know. You could get a dream job in a movie with all the "right" people, but then the movie turns out shit and they cut you out so that you're only shown from the behind and given another voice, then I guess it wasn't so good for your career after all. Follow your guts and the journey will become meaningful. All the people I admire never focused on having a career, they just couldn't keep themselves from doing what they love.

Do you feel like you have been the person driving your decision to have a career?
As an actor, you need a script, a director and/or somebody to shoot the damn movie. There was a time when I wanted to do everything myself, but it doesn't really work that way, so it's been crucial to have people in the industry that believed in me enough to hire me, even though my resume was blank. We all start at the bottom, so you just need that one person to give you the first real job, with real pay and real respect. I remember all of the people who believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself, and for them I am forever grateful.

Amanda is wearing Dress Manda, Dress Junebug Twill and Heels Moray in the image above.

Photo: Märta Thisner/ Bad Land