Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Pudlo.
Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It’s been an interesting journey of having lived in L.A. for almost 22 years (Longer than my time spent growing up in Michigan). I can honestly say that I am at a point in my life of just “trust the river”. Instead of having a desperate grip on things that I think I want… I spend time doing things I love and I don’t worry about where money will come from or making goals for myself.
Yes, you need money and yes, it’s important to have goals but being free of any restrictions opens the universe up for yourself and things just flow effortlessly. That’s what I believe. I truly consider myself an artist because every day for me is art… the places I eat, the photos I take, the hikes I do, the acting and editing I do… It’s all a joy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road is smooth and that is the beauty. When I was younger I had a black-and-white way of thinking but as I have gotten older I try harder to live in the grey. I feel a lot of my struggles are similar to others which is “trying to find your own identity through your insecurities and being confident”. The good news is when you allow yourself to be yourself, you don’t have to work that hard. People will either like you or not and if they don’t like you, it’s none of your business anyway.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most proud of the place I’m at in my life. My “day job” is bartending at the upscale vegan restaurant CROSSROADS KITCHEN. This job gives me what I value most which is time. I love hiking and road-tripping and do both as much as possible. I blog about my hikes on my Instagram @califukinroadtrippin where I showcase my photography.
Creatively, my friend Blake and I are writing a musical called AEROBICIDE: A KILLER WORKOUT based on an 80’s slasher film that will be premiering in 2023. My friend Caitlin and I have started a VLOG called COFFEE & CRYPTIDS where we hit trendy coffee shops and then talk about California Cryptids and travel to locations where these beings have been reported. We do it documentary-style and add humor to it. We will release videos monthly on Instagram and YouTube.
I also have recurring acting gigs in local shows and I love editing videos together of pop culture and movie clips as well as re-creating movie clips in drag with friends.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The entertainment industry, to me, is almost a self-fulfilling job at this point. You have to create everything yourself and then you put it out there and the internet responds. It’s a blessing and a curse but I feel it’s an amazing opportunity to create art and put it out and see how people respond. You can’t wait for the phone to ring. You have to create it all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jacktorrance81, @califukinroadtrippin, @coffeencryptids
