NYWIFT Blog

By Ana Juanola

Welcome to NYWIFT, Simone Butler!

Simone Butler is a New York–based actor and producer originally from California’s Bay Area, and a graduate of the College of Santa Fe and Royal Holloway University of London.

She appeared as a recurring day player on the long-running daytime drama All My Children and has worked across mainstream and independent film, with her work screening at festivals including the LA Film Festival, Queens Film Festival, and Coney Island Film Festival.

Simone trained with renowned acting coach Larry Moss and studied improv at The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade.

As the creator, co-producer, and co-star of the web series Below the Line, alongside writer-producer and fellow NYWIFT Member Erika Yeomans, Simone continues to develop bold, original stories that center complex characters and collaborative storytelling.

NYWIFT Member Simone Butler

What brought you to NYWIFT?

As a mom of two boys, ages 7 and 10, I took a bit of a hiatus from the industry to focus on raising my kids. During that time, I still wrote short scripts and collaborated occasionally, but I also devoted myself to “the mom thing,” while working in real estate and property management.

Now that my children are a bit older, I deeply crave the creative energy of the film industry in my life again. Being surrounded by women in the industry who encourage and uplift each other is something I deeply value.

Recently, I attended the Mom Film Fest [created by NYWIFT Member and NYWIFT Moms Network Founder Tonya Mollineau] and was truly impressed, inspired, and moved by the film shorts. The event was fantastic, and the women there were so inclusive, open, and encouraging.

NYWIFT feels like the kind of inclusive, collaborative community where ideas are shared freely and women genuinely support one another, exactly the kind of environment I hope to contribute to and grow within.

You’ve worked across television series and digital platforms like All My Children and Funny or Die. How have these different spaces shaped your work as a performer?

I’ve always loved exploring different mediums and genres as an actor. Working as a police officer on All My Children was a surreal and incredible experience. The talent and efficiency of both the cast and crew were truly impressive. It felt like a real New York moment for me, heading to set and being part of such an iconic show.

The production moved at a fast pace with a lot of material to cover, so you always had to stay on your toes, which made the experience exhilarating. It taught me how to remain focused and sharp as an actor, and I’ve carried those same qualities forward into my work as a producer on future projects.

Funny or Die was an incredible platform to showcase our tragically comedic web series, Below the Line. The show dives into true horror stories that happen on set, moments that are often shameful, frightening, or humiliating, but in retrospect become hilarious, bizarre, and utterly ridiculous.

I co-produced the series with writer Erika Yeomans and also play an amplified version of my character. Working on Below the Line, everyone on set had their own tragically comedic tales and stories to share. It was like every actor and crew member carried a goldmine of absurd, unforgettable moments.

With a tight budget and just one day to shoot each episode, collaboration was everything. I was incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a talented cast and crew, each of whom brought so much creativity and energy to the table. Being noticed and recognized by Funny or Die, and having one of our episodes featured on their platform, was an absolute honor. Below the Line proved that sometimes the worst days on set make the best stories.

As both an actress and producer, how does working behind the scenes influence the way you approach a role?

It’s definitely a balancing act. First and foremost, I aim to create a safe and supportive space for the cast and crew, a mix of focus and play. I’ve been fortunate to work with some fantastic writers, directors, producers, and actors, and that collaborative environment shapes everything I do on set.

When it comes to getting into character, it really depends on the role. For example, in The Dinner Guest, a comedic film noir horror short co-produced and directed by Christine Giorgio, my character Dominique was vulnerable and deeply hurt due to an affair, leading to some impulsive and extreme behavior. To inhabit that emotional space, I needed quiet time on my own to prepare, stepping aside and centering myself before entering the scene.

On the other hand, with Below the Line, I could easily shift between producer and actor. The character felt very natural to me, which allowed me to jump into scenes more freely. I could dive into the role without overthinking, which made the scenes feel alive and spontaneous. I loved improvising with the cast beforehand, improvisation can loosen inhibitions and lead to incredible discoveries as an actor.

Above all, having a strong director is key. I’ve been honored to work with filmmakers who not only lead with clarity and vision but also foster the kind of environment where phenomenal work can happen.

Can you share a moment in your career that reaffirmed why you chose to work in this industry?

From a young age, I caught the acting bug, even though I was incredibly shy as a child. Acting gave me a sense of freedom; stepping into character allowed me to find my voice in a way I couldn’t before. After graduating with a theater degree, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Like many actors, I went to countless cattle-call auditions and sometimes felt lost in the mix. Still, I had the opportunity to meet incredible directors, and my time working with The Groundlings was priceless. I gained invaluable experience performing characters, including an evil magician in a music video directed by Michael Medalia, which went on to win an award at the Coney Island Film Festival. I was having a good time in LA, but still longed for more.

I came to New York for what was supposed to be just a few months, but immediately fell in love with the city. Moving to New York as an actress was exhilarating. I began taking more classes to hone my craft, and working with Larry Moss and Upright Citizens Brigade pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to be more daring.

During that time, I booked several independent and mainstream projects and eventually became part of SAG-AFTRA, all while supporting myself through bartending and other side hustles.

Working alongside talented collaborators, I found that some of the most inspiring moments happened between projects, sharing ideas, dreaming, and building together. Those conversations often turned into films, shows, or web series.

Over time, I realized my passion was evolving toward producing and collaborating. I love building projects from the ground up and working with people who bring something unique to the table. When everything comes together and a story truly lands, it feels magical. That moment of collective creation is what continues to reaffirm why I chose this industry.

Comedy can be a powerful storytelling tool. What draws you to comedic work, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I always saw myself as a serious, dramatic actress, but sometimes performing a dramatic monologue would unexpectedly turn goofy, or downright funny. Comedy seemed intimidating at first, but the more seriously I invested in it, the funnier it became. There’s something thrilling about hitting the comedic beat just right and letting the story unfold naturally. When you get it right, it feels effortless, and there’s nothing better than that. It’s a delicate line, and you really have to be fully committed and let down your inhibitions.

Dark comedies are my favorite. The most vulnerable, tragic, and scary moments can flip upside down and suddenly become hilarious. I’ve found that even after a really bad audition or experience that might bring you to tears, it can eventually turn into the ridiculousness of the situation, and with the right audience, it transforms into a hysterically tragic comedy. I think I get that from my mom: we could be crying about something and then, after a lot of tears, somehow end up laughing hysterically at the absurdity of it all. 

Life can be messy and unpredictable, and laughter is sometimes the best medicine. I hope to create and be a part of more “dramaties,” bringing laughter and lightness into the darker moments of life.

Looking ahead, what kinds of projects or collaborations are you most excited to explore next?

Looking ahead, I’m really excited to explore a variety of mediums and genres. One project especially close to my heart is a short film I’ve been creating with my kids called Cattachino, a blend of animation and live action, which I’m hoping to bring to life this summer.

I’m also looking forward to collaborating more, sharing ideas, listening to other women’s creative perspectives, and connecting with passionate voices. There’s something powerful about that exchange, and I’m excited to channel it into future projects.

Connect with Simone on her website at simonebutler.com and explore her latest work, including Below the Line.

(All images courtesy of  Simone Butler)