Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Torretto.
Hi Christopher, 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?
I grew up in Northern Ireland in a very rough and war-torn city. As a child, I had to survive a broken home full of violence and poverty. When I was fourteen I ran away from home and couch-surfed for many years. Life at home was harder than being alone. The only happiness I had was the escape of films and inspirational characters. I was a huge football fan as a child and absolutely idolized David Beckham. But I soon knew I wasn’t going to have a career in football with the life I was dealt. Each of us are given a path and sometimes we have absolutely no idea where it will lead. But as a teen sleeping on park benches and carrying around pictures of people like David Beckham and The Rock, which I looked at every night and swore I wouldn’t stay on this path that would only end with poverty and, honestly death at a young age. I knew where this path would end it was more like a rail line and I had to do whatever it took to get off before the oncoming train and I collided. Well that train came and the collision was that in the form of a head injury that almost killed me.
So I left Northern Ireland and moved to the U.K. I found acting. A chance to escape my reality. A chance to live a thousand lives in one. I fell in love with the art. The emotions and expressions. Soon after being told I’d never make it as I had no education and was tattooed. I found myself completing twenty-nine films in twenty months, all which were lead roles from short films, feature films, and television series. This led to me coming to America here I was offered a role on a major television series that would air on no other than Netflix.
I worked endlessly and saved every penny I could. Sold everything I owned and had built with my wife and family. Only to find out after being in LA for three to four months that the whole thing was fake. The director and writer of the show who we were living with at the time (as we were waiting the show to start) nobody in SAG or WGA had heard of. When stories kept changing I challenged him and he threw me and my family to the streets. We slept in a car in a country we didn’t know for months. But it didn’t stop me. I would go all over to get auditions. Passing headshots and resumes to everyone that would look or listen. Soon I was getting work and met a hero of mine Chuck Liddell. I remember when I had the head Injury I’d watch his DVD and fights on repeat for inspiration.
Soon though I knew I had more to offer. I came back to the U.K. to open an acting school and help others to make their dreams come true. But soon after arriving back, my daughter got so ill we almost lost her nine times in twelve months. It terrified me more than anything I’ve ever experienced. I stopped acting and instead took up writing. When my daughter began to get better, my writing took off like a storm. Little did I know I’d have a very rare talent and ability to write full scripts of extremely high quality in a matter of days.
Soon I was writing scripts in four days and selling to known producers on the fifth. Usually, it would take months to write a script. So people couldn’t believe I was able to do it so quickly and I started getting producers and known actors approaching me for scripts. The fastest I have written was a script that I completed in less than three days and sold the same day, which is making offers on some of Hollywood’s biggest names. These weren’t quick-written scripts for small projects. These were in the hands of major-known producers and directors.
So now, my goal is to write more scripts. Perhaps a film to share the screen David Beckham. Or Jason Mamoa, who’s been a major influence to myself also: I just want to create amazing films and television series with talented people. Shows for the audience to help them escape like I did
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest struggle was being seen. Trying to be heard. As I explained my story in the previous question. My life wasn’t easy. I had already jumped many hurdles before even starting in the industry.
But now I had to find a way to shine so bright it was blinding. Scream so loud it was deafening.
I had to bring a talent that nobody else had. So I think I’ve done that with my writing and still waiting to show it with my acting:
I’ve written a script based on my life and also a television series which is a dark crime thriller perhaps these will be my chance to show my skills.
Recently I filmed my first major feature with a team I’ve put together in the U.K. RELENTLESS which should be releasing by Christmas. It was my chance to show some truly amazing but unseen talent. Which is a major goal of mine and hopefully it may show a little of what I can do without a budget. So imagine what I could do with one.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actor, writer, and director.
I’ve spent my time trying to break into the industry and get my voice heard all while trying to inspire, motivate, and help others do the same.
It’s not easy if you don’t have friends or family in the industry or come from a large school of university.
But with my past I have experience, and emotions I can use on set to create truly believable and amazing characters. But also in my writing. My writing is real. Relatable. It grips the audience.
Honestly, I don’t think anyone is writing as fast as I can with the high quality that I reach. I feel once seen on a bigger scale. This will set me apart from the others. I think it’s the fact it can speed up the process by months for a production if they have a writer like myself on board.
My proudest moment ….. Making it to LA. Just being able to set foot somewhere I dreamt of as a kid. Remember. Where I grew up. LA was a dream. It was almost a myth. Nobody ever believed you could make it there. It was for the rich and famous. The fact I was standing on red carpets next to my heroes. That was my proudest moment in my career.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Never give up. Knowing what you want and going for it. Be motivating, be inspiring. But most of all be real, truthful, loyal, and kind.
Always ask how and why in every situation. Learn as much as you can and take every opportunity as educational. No matter how good or bad.
Every failure is just a learning step. Learn from it and succeed.
Be you …..
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Official_chris_t
- Facebook: Just find me as Christopher Torretto
Image Credits
Photographers David Sjorup and Nick Hardy
