Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Bellarose.
Hi Charlie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My story is a bit unusual. I am originally from Paris, France. I grew up watching American cinema. My parents had a library’s worth of films that I would binge on as a kid. I would get lost in the characters and their stories; living vicariously through them. I’ve always had a wild imagination, a knack for storytelling, and a need for artistic expression. I would often perform skits for my family, making up elaborate scenarios. I loved entertaining others and making them laugh. However, as a teenager, the concept of being an actor and a filmmaker seemed more like a fantasy rather than something rooted in reality. So instead, I studied creative writing and graphic design.
After I graduated college, I had an inexplicable pull to move to Los Angeles and try my hand at acting and filmmaking. I figured, “What the hell, it’s now or never.” My first year in Tinseltown, I ended up joining a writing group whose members were young professionals working in the film industry. Every week, we would read a screenplay that one of us had written and give each other feedback on how we could improve it. I had written several screenplays over the years. When my turn came, I chose a pilot that I had written for a web series called “Hollywounded”. Everyone loved it. “We have to make this,” they said. And just like that, I had a whole production team at my disposal. I ended up creating a small production company (Hollywounded Productions) and began submitting the series to various film festivals. This was in 2019, right before Covid. In the last 2 years, “Hollywounded” (which I wrote, directed, produced, and star in) has won 8 awards for best comedy series and I couldn’t be happier.
This year, I just completed another film called “Jacques” that I am incredibly proud of; a comedy about a stray dog that is rescued by a French Cam Girl who lives in the desert. “Jacques” will also be making its rounds in the festival circuit so be on the lookout for that. All I can say is that I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am today, and I look forward to creating more content in the future.
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?
Nothing about the process of making a movie is easy. Challenges arise at every stage of filmmaking from development, to production, to post-production and distribution. One of the biggest challenges is funding. Film is an oversaturated market with limited funding channels. It’s incredibly difficult to get access to public funding and the application process is grueling and requires prior experience, which is impossible for emerging filmmakers. This is why I have self-funded all of my content. Most people don’t know how much effort it takes and how expensive it is to make a film. Even a 1 to 15-minute short can end up costing between $30,000 to $50,000. Sure, I could shoot something cheap on an iPhone, but I’m not interested in cheap. I’m interested in quality and quality doesn’t come cheap. Filmmaking is an art. For me, it’s not just about the story; it’s also about the visual aesthetic. Everything that I do has a very specific look. I love bright, bold colors and eccentric sets that pop off the screen. It’s about using the right lenses, the lighting, the right framing and angles, the right music, and sound.
Also, when you have limited funds, you end up doing the job of a dozen people — not only am I the writer, but I’m also the director, the producer, the actor, the hair and makeup artist, the production designer, the location scout, the editor, and the casting director. Is it easy? No. But I love every bit of the filmmaking process, so it doesn’t matter.
Another challenge is finding the right people to collaborate with. Yes, I wear a lot of hats, but I can’t do everything on my own and having a solid crew makes all the difference in the world. You have to find people who are not only talented but also believe in your vision. When I was looking to hire crew members for my latest film “Jacques”, people thought I was crazy. “The main character is a dog? That’s insane!” They didn’t think I could pull it off. But one thing about me is; I love to prove people wrong, especially those who doubt what I’m capable of. Eventually, I found people who believed in me and the project just as much as I did, and together, we created something beautiful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a creative, I do a few different things, because why limit yourself to just one thing? As a whole, I am an artist…I act. I write; comedy mostly, but also drama, horror, and romance. I own a small production company where I direct and produce short films and in the near future, I hope to have enough funds to make a full-length feature film.
As a freelance graphic designer, I specialize in designing websites, marketing materials (such as logos, flyers, posters, etc.), social media content, pitch decks, and video editing. I’ve worked for local celebrities, marketing agencies, and companies within the entertainment industry.
Currently, I am most known for my award-winning web series “Hollywounded,” and I am most proud of my most recent film “Jacques,” which I put my heart and soul into. Of course, I put my heart and soul into everything that I do, but this film is very special to me because it has inspired me to keep reaching new heights when it comes to my creative endeavors.
What sets me apart is my diversified skill set, wide range of talent, my ability to rise to any challenge and think outside the box. I am what is known as a “one-stop shop.”
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always looking for cinematographers, actors, makeup artists, fashion designers, writers, musicians, producers, editors, and other talented individuals to collaborate with for my projects, as well as potential investors and distribution. So, if you’re someone looking for production services for your film, or you’re a fellow artist wanting to create content together, or a producer wanting to help fund one of my projects, by all means, feel free to reach out. I’m also happy to offer my services as a graphic designer, creating pitch decks, websites, movie posters, and marketing materials for filmmakers and other creatives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollywounded.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywounded/
- Other: https://www.charliesgraphics.com/
Image Credits
Frances Iacuzzi
Charlie Bellarose
