Lisa Cheek, SIT, CINDERELLA, SIT: A Mostly True Memoir
Jan 16, 2025
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Lisa Cheek, a writer and film editor, dives into her transition from editing to penning her memoir, 'Sit, Cinderella, Sit.' She shares her transformative journey following her career in TV commercials, highlighting empowerment through companionship, especially from her dogs. The conversation reflects on her transient upbringing and its impact on identity, alongside her self-discovery during the COVID pandemic, marked by bold hair experiments. Cheek also discusses the joys and connections found in sharing personal stories and offers sage advice for aspiring authors.
Lisa Cheek's experience of transitioning from television editing to filmmaking in China highlights the significance of adaptability and embracing new opportunities in life.
The emotional bond Cheek shares with her dog illustrates the profound impact of pets on personal well-being and the importance of unconditional love in navigating life's challenges.
Deep dives
Navigating Career Transitions
The author, Lisa Cheek, shares her transformative experience after being told she aged out of her career in television commercial editing at the age of 45. Faced with this unexpected transition, Cheek ventured into a new adventure that led her to work on a film project in China. This opportunity allowed her to embrace new challenges, capturing the essence of cultural storytelling while navigating a language barrier with a crew that spoke no English. Through this experience, she not only rediscovered her passion for storytelling but also learned valuable lessons about adaptability and resilience.
The Role of Animals in Life
Dogs play a significant role in Cheek's life, providing companionship and emotional support during her career transitions and travel. She reflects on the special bond she formed with her dog, who accompanied her everywhere, even to work, and emphasizes the deep sense of unconditional love that pets offer. Cheek believes that dogs are essential in every home, as they teach lessons of patience, love, and acceptance, enhancing the quality of human life. Her affection for animals illustrates a broader theme of connection and the joy that they bring to everyday experiences.
Life as an Adventure
Lisa Cheek emphasizes the philosophy that life is an adventure filled with unexpected lessons and opportunities for growth. Through her travels and encounters with diverse cultures, she highlights the importance of kindness as a universal language that transcends barriers. Cheek's profound realization, prompted by a psychic's encouragement, reinforces the idea of embracing unique life experiences and sharing them through storytelling. Ultimately, her journey encourages others to remain open to life's possibilities and to find magic in their own adventures.
Zibby speaks with writer and former film editor Lisa Cheek about her heartfelt and quickwitted memoir, SIT, CINDERELLA, SIT: A Mostly True Memoir. Lisa shares her story, from her groundbreaking career in TV commercial editing to her extraordinary adventure flying to rural China and editing a film about the origins of the Cinderella story on the Tibetan border with a Mandarin-speaking crew—a job she took without knowing the language. She also touches on her nomadic upbringing, her father’s love of books, her pandemic pink hair transformation, her love for dogs, and the profound role kindness has played in her journey.