How 'Moana' star Auli'i Cravalho deals with career setbacks: 'When there's a drought, pivot'
Auli'i Cravalho discusses how she navigated the unpredictable nature of entertainment work by pivoting into producing roles during slower periods. She emphasizes the importance of approaching new roles with humility and a willingness to learn.
Summary
Auli'i Cravalho shares her strategic approach to managing the cyclical nature of entertainment careers, where work can be feast or famine. During slower periods, she chose to pivot into behind-the-camera roles, progressively advancing from executive producing to associate producing to full producing. Her transition required adopting a humble, learning-focused mindset - entering rooms without pretense, acknowledging her knowledge gaps, and prioritizing observation over speaking. She references the Hawaiian concept of 'homo' (closing one's mouth) to emphasize the value of listening and watching to gain knowledge. These career pivots have proven personally fulfilling, allowing her to engage with creative projects across multiple formats (films, TV shows, podcasts, scripts, books) for extended periods and giving her influence over the creative tone and intention of productions.
Key Insights
- During career droughts, actively pivot into adjacent roles within your industry rather than waiting for opportunities in your primary field to return
- When entering new professional territory, adopt a 'homo' approach - prioritize listening and observing over speaking to accelerate learning and build credibility
Topics
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