Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Gray.
Hi Christina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Thanks to my parents’ love of acting and the theater, I grew up backstage and on stage in my small Texas hometown of Baytown (near Houston). The highlight of my childhood career was getting to play Amy in a production of “Little Women.” Acting wasn’t considered a “real” career option however, so I went to college, got a degree and a high-tech job, and moved to Dallas. Acting was in my blood, however, and that’s when I discovered the world of on-camera acting. My first paid acting job was as a background performer in Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” and even though the hours and conditions were less than ideal, standing on the sidewalk watching a full-blown recreation of the fateful motorcade go by take after take after take…I was hooked. I went on to work in indie short films, commercials, and industrials, plus some TV and movies. Eventually, I learned how to take my craft to the next level in a master’s on-camera class taught by Adam Roarke at the Film Actor Lab.
Marriage and a daughter came along though, and things got more complicated. But despite the chaos, I decided that I was ready for bigger and better things and moved to Los Angeles. I met new people, learned my way around town, set foot on every studio lot, and earned my SAG card. One of the people I was lucky enough to meet was Bonnie Gillespie. Her book “Self-Management for Actors” was a life-changer and taught me everything I needed to know about navigating the business side of being an actor. One of my proudest achievements from my time in LA is an original short film called “Happy Hour” which I wrote, co-produced, and also starred in. It was my first attempt at filmmaking, and it was a crazy ride, but I had an amazing cast and crew who supported me and I learned so much! I am very pleased with how it turned out, and the film even won several awards in its short run in the festival circuit.
Recently, I also had an opportunity to return to my theater roots and perform as one of an eight-woman ensemble cast in a play called “Speak I Will,” based on the unique Fractured Shakespeare concept. The play ran as part of the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival and was very well received, with sold-out performances and an extension.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My road was not what I would call smooth at all…more like twisted and bumpy! There were definitely struggles along the way. After getting a great start moving to LA, I had to take a break from acting for about ten years to focus on being a full-time single mom. It was discouraging after all the progress I had made, but I kept creatively plugged in by diving into screenplay writing. As a member of Ken Rotcop’s Professional Writers Group, I completed nine feature films, four short films, and two TV pilots. Three scripts were work-for-hire and two of the feature scripts were optioned (although unfortunately never produced). It was a great experience, and it broadened my filmmaking network and increased the breadth of my entertainment industry knowledge.
Finally, when my daughter graduated college, I was able to dive back into acting again full-time. This time I faced the new challenges of starting over—finding a new agent, classes, headshots, renewing industry contacts, etc.—plus, I was now a decade older. But I embraced the new age bracket, redefined my brand, capitalized on new opportunities, and moved full steam ahead. I also found an amazing supportive filmmaking “family” with the We Make Movies community of industry professionals.
Do I sometimes wish I had started acting professionally at 18 or 21? Sure! But in my heart, I know that was not my path. It was the bumpy, twisted road and the life lessons that I needed to go through along the way that allowed me to become the full-rounded actor that I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to acting (and a bit of screenwriting here and there), I also work on set as a script supervisor and 1st AD. Leftover from my career start in the tech industry, I am an experienced and skilled project manager too (a position that happens to consist of the exact same tasks and skills that a producer uses in the entertainment industry), so I work as a producer, line producer, and production manager, as well.
Additionally, when I first moved to LA, I started working for a company doing script coverage and analysis for production companies, agents, and writers. They closed that department after a year or so, but it was something I enjoyed and was really good at, so I opened my own freelance script consulting company www.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A lot of things make me happy, but when it comes to career…I don’t know exactly why, but being on set in front of a camera is where I’m the happiest.
In my private life, I’m a passionate animal and nature lover, so any time spent outdoors or with my daughter (or my furry kids) brings me joy.
I am also an avid environmentalist, and I just created a new IG channel @the.greener.way where I plan to post helpful videos and tips to help people live a “greener” life.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.imdb.me/christina-gray and https://thescriptconsultant.com/
- Instagram: christinagray_la
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinagrayLA/
- Other: https://www.lacasting.com/christinagray and https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/christinagray
