Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Kapcia.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Detroit, and I grew up in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Sports were an integral part of my childhood, and it’s hard to recall a time when ice hockey, baseball, and golf weren’t hugely important to me. My family has always been supportive of anything that I’ve wanted to do. When I told my parents and sister that I was quitting sports to try out for the school play, they were quite surprised to say the least! I became consumed by the possibility of having an acting career. Since I felt a little behind everybody else who had been acting for years, I worked on nine plays in a row. I knew that the harder I worked, the better I’d become. After a few years, I felt confident enough to audition for an acting conservatory called The American Academy of Dramatic Arts where I was accepted!
At the age of 19, I moved to NYC to train professionally at AADA. I studied a variety of acting techniques with a concentration in Meisner. Upon graduation, I was offered a position in AADA’s Academy Company for an additional year of advanced training that I accepted. Within a year of graduating, I had to take a day job in order to start paying back my student loans. Working during the day meant that I needed to make the most of my nights and weekends to be creative. This inspired me to begin producing my own films with my buddy, Justin. Together, we co-produced and directed six short films in roughly three years. We even picked up a couple of awards for our work too! I look back on this time fondly because I learned that I was so much more than an actor. I realized that I had the ability to teach myself how to edit our films, produce, and direct as well.
One of the highlights of my acting career was being invited to study with the legendary Wynn Handman. What an incredible teacher, artist, and deeply kind human being! While studying with Wynn, I often juggled three or more jobs at a time. I was a bartender, server, and event manager. I was simultaneously a filmmaker and networker who was tirelessly practicing and teaching myself new creative skills.
After ten years of NYC life, I decided to move West. I needed the change of pace and was hungry for new adventures…and to be honest, better weather! Eventually, I wrote, produced, edited, directed, and acted in my first solo short film called Plunder (award-winning!). Around the same time, I booked another short film where I played a German soldier in the 1940s called Weltschmerz. That was an incredible experience because I cared enormously about doing justice to the story, but it was definitely intimidating to play a Nazi! It was one of those roles that truly showed off my range as an artist.
At one point, I was promoting Plunder and Weltschmerz at the same time. The festival circuits gave me the chance to share my artistic experience with the world, and I can’t wait to have that opportunity again.
Aside from acting, I have also developed a great love of photography over the last decade. This past year has inspired me to turn my passion into a photography business. COVID-19 has gifted me with a great deal of time to educate myself about building a business, learn new photography techniques, and fall in love with the process it takes just to be able to hit the shutter release on my camera. I take a lot of pride in delivering excellent headshots, portraits, or even delicious food photos to my clients. I am the happiest I have ever been in my life right now because I am able to exercise my creativity through ongoing acting opportunities while also offering a service where I know I am helping clients to achieve their artistic dreams. My family, friends, and girlfriend, Kristi, have given me a lot of love and support on this journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I always think of the saying, “if it were easy, everyone would be doing it.” I’m very lucky because my family taught me the value of good, old-fashioned hard work. That mentality and work ethic has gotten me to where I am today. Despite all of the struggles, hardships, and not-so-great moments in my life, I believe that everything has happened for a reason. Every lesson I’ve learned (both acting and photography related) has been a building block. All of my past experiences have given me the wisdom and strength to know that I have the fortitude to push through the tough times. I’ve also learned that discomfort is temporary, and the ability to cultivate a positive attitude is a game-changer.
Maintaining a positive attitude and finding gratitude have not always come naturally, but I am constantly working to exercise these new muscles. Rejection is par for the course when it comes to auditioning. The more that I’m able to shift my focus to the joy of creating solid work, I know that I’ve accomplished something great whether I land the role or not. Of course, when I do book, I’m filled with elation and the motivation to keep going! With my photography, it’s been a lot more about trial and error. Lighting is imperative, and it can be frustrating when things don’t look the way I’m visualizing right away. However, my parents can attest to the fact that I have always loved to practice! The bumps in the road, along the way, have built up my character. The “no’s” have fueled my passion for creating meaningful art even more. The insatiable hunger to learn something new coupled with the knowledge that I will continue to grow and improve by showing up for myself on a daily basis is exciting. It’s why I wake up every day.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about you and your career so far?
As an actor, I believe that I am extremely versatile (I know – something you’ve never heard another actor say…ha!). I know my casting straight-away, but my skill level runs a lot deeper than playing a cop, friendly neighbor, or all-around nice guy. The fun roles are the ones that allow me to go in the opposite direction of my personality. I love the experience of watching and playing a “good bad guy” who is loathed by everyone. Sometimes, an audience relishes the bad guy screen time more than the scenes with the hero! That said, I also love a good comedy! Some would say *clears throat*, I am the King of Dad jokes. I have also studied quite a few dialects over the years, and I really enjoy having the opportunity to utilize that training. Overall, I am most proud of nurturing my love of creating while continuing to pursue my art.
In terms of my photography business, my specialty comes down to making sure that the final image is The Real You. As an actor, I understand how to be in front of the lens, which has given me tremendous perspective so that I can do my job behind the lens as well. What sets me apart from others? I have a few techniques that I use in every session with my clients. I am able to work freely with anyone who sits down with me. I am not just a photographer who takes an excellent photo. I am an artist and an actor who truly understands the value of a good headshot. At the end of a session, I want clients to feel empowered. I also love when people say, “That’s it? That was easy!” It shouldn’t be rocket science. I am simply capturing the best, most authentic version of each client and reflecting that image back to them.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family has always been my number one support system since day one. Acting has been an arduous journey, and for me to claim that I did everything on my own would be an outright lie. My instructors at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC were phenomenal. Jackie Bartone, Susan Pilar, Jim Demonic, Dino Scopas, Jonathan Bolt, the late John Baylis and Barry Snider were all involved in my artistic expansion at the conservatory. I cannot thank them enough for seeing the potential in me. I also need to thank the late Wynn Handman of The Wynn Handman Studio for pushing me to work harder and go even further with my art.
Cinema and live theatre continue to inspire me every day. I have to give a special shoutout to my friend and actor, Dan Lauria. Over the past couple of years, Dan has been extremely generous with his knowledge about classic movies. He’s been kind enough to share some amazing entertainment industry secrets and stories, and I’m always eager to listen. He is a wonderfully talented, kind-hearted man whom I admire a great deal.
In regards to my photography, I am in awe of so many professional photographers. Annie Leibovitz, Paul Strand, Peter Hurley, Joel Grimes, and Joanna DeGeneres are just a few who have continually inspired me with their ingenuity and technique.
My girlfriend, Kristi, has also been so supportive of both my acting and photography endeavors. She has patiently sat through countless lighting tests and has been my cheerleader the entire way. It means the world to me that she believes in me the way she does, and I love her dearly for it. She keeps my creative fire burning.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.capturingkapcia.com (photo) & www.chriskapcia.com (acting)
- Phone: 586-863-8313
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/chris_kapcia (personal/acting) & www.instagram.com/capturing_kapcia (photography)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisKapciaActor
Image Credit:
Capturing Kapcia Photography
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