Her Story
About Upasana
Upasana Beharee is an actress and the owner of Select Soft Tapes, a self-tape studio located in Glendale, California. She founded the business in 2019 after a successful stage career in South Africa and 17 years in the United States entertainment industry. Beharee holds an associate's degree in performing arts, dramatic arts, and dance from Technikon in South AfricaAs a member of SAG, she provides video production, coaching, reel editing, and self-tape direction services to actors. Her studio evolved from basic video production into a full-service offering that includes business-side guidance for performers. Beharee briefly worked with troubled teens in Glendale, using art and drama to support them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Upasana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my resilience, especially through Hollywood strikes where I adjusted by taking other jobs like teaching and brought that experience into my business. My empathy as an actor helps me understand clients deeply, and I always offer something extra like an additional intention in coaching that others don't. I keep going no matter what, treating every audition with respect and listening well, which builds my reputation over time.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from a teacher in college: you have to have a real deep-seated hunger and love for this entertainment business because it will beat you around with rejections, but if you are hungry for it and love it, you adjust and it all comes together.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Women entering the entertainment business need a real strong sense of confidence and belief in themselves because it is a male-dominated field. Believe in yourself, know that you can do it, never stop learning, maintain humility, and always stay at the top of your game so you have no competition.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include scaling the business in a highly competitive LA market with many self-tape services, and initially not being taken seriously as a woman behind the camera. Opportunities arise organically from doing the work well, like clients requesting reel editing, and exploring AI to create apps that help actors with smaller auditions affordably.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication and being a good listener are most important. I communicate immediately with clients to make them feel their audition matters and is not just another job. In personal life, I speak to my parents in South Africa every day. Listening helps me understand clients' aspirations so their success is my success, and it builds strong relationships.
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