Meet Kellie Christensen | Actor, writer, director, producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kellie Christensen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kellie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As an actor, I know how important a great demo reel is, and how difficult it is to get one. It can take years or never happen at all if you’re relying on booking projects. I also found what other reel footage companies charge absurd. I knew I could offer better to aspiring actors because of my knowledge of the industry and why so many actor reels do or don’t work in the actor’s favor. I also wanted to find a way to get paid for my screenwriting and directing. Those careers take as much time to develop as a solid acting career, and I wanted income for my skills now. I also knew I would grow so much as a writer and director by doing it consistently, and challenging my wheelhouse and comfort zone by writing different material than what I normally gravitate to. My clients decided what genres and character types they want and then I write for them, so I’m constantly forced to play with different styles and as an artist, I love that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I consider myself a multi-hyphenate but my art really just boils down to an obsession with making movies. Good movies. I prefer comedy. The energy on a comedy set is the best! I think what sets me apart from most other film artists is my desire to understand and know how to do every aspect of film. I’m a self taught editor and screenwriter. Self taught director and producer. Everything that goes into making a film fascinates me. I’ve even worked in the art department. That’s a department I’d like to know more about. Lighting and shots are areas I’m focused on learning more about right now. I started off as solely an actress, and to be honest I started expanding out of frustration. I wasn’t getting anywhere with my career. I wasn’t getting auditions for projects I cared about or thought were worth doing. I felt like there was a lack of quality roles for me at the time, so I got into screenwriting with a group of film friends. I realized I could have more control over the ever-elusive acting career if I just took control and did more on my own, so I started making the projects I felt were missing from the scene. Basically the challenges of having a strong acting career are what made me the artist I am today. I’m no longer sitting around waiting for my day to come. I’m just making art and meeting other strong artists by doing that, and my career gets to grow that way. I hope to one day be in a place where I can help other artists get to where they want to be on a massive scale. I’m already doing that now and I love it so much I just want to keep doing it with as many artists as I can. What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is don’t buy into the lie that your career is in someone else’s hands. Don’t wait for someone to give you your big break. Do your art and keep doing it and your life will open up in a way you never expected. You are worthy now and you have control now.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first of all, I’d take them to Disneyland! It’s my favorite place in the entire world and it’s impossible to not have fun there. That would be day one and day two (cuz we have to go to California Adventure too). Then, we’d go down to San Diego because it’s not a southern cali vacation without a visit to SD. Plus I grew up there so I know that city like the back of my hand. THEN we’d hang out in LA. Which, I have to admit I am not that familiar with yet because I’m still pretty new to the city and all I do is hustle! I’m trying to break that pattern and enjoy the city more. I just ate at Yamashiro, this gorgeous sushi spot up in the Hollywood Hills overlooking the entire city. It was a stunning view. So we’d absolutely eat there. There’s some awesome hiking here so I’d take them to hike up to the Griffith Park observatory and the Malibu rock pools. We’d have to eat somewhere in Malibu and go hang out at the beach. Also the pier at Redondo Beach is fantastic. Have to do the pier in Santa Monica! We’d go bowling, roller skating, and for sure visit Universal Studios. And of course, we’d catch some movies. My favorite theater is the one at Universal City Walk but I’d also do a rooftop cinema night. Then of course, we can’t forget live standup from the best comedians in the world at The Comedy Story in Hollywood. That is a must! Also a must, cocktails at the Sassafras Saloon. The vibe and drinks there are so much fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes! I want to recognize my family and my boyfriend, Mike Caprarella for supporting me and encouraging me to keep going when I feel like I’m failing or not getting anywhere, Carolyn Carpenter for nominating me for this, and my friend Wendy Wang who introduced me to my AMAZING cinematographer and friend, Josh Ferguson.

Website: https://teamnosleepreels.wixsite.com/team-no-sleep-reels

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamnosleep_reels/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/team-no-sleep-reels-los-angeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqnTuMeFQJhY0KjCigT9A1g

Image Credits
Cinematography: Josh Ferguson Rachael Hastings Headshot: Justin Powell