Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Carpenter.
Chrissy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since my earliest memories, I have always had my sights set on the bright lights of Hollywood, I literally have never wanted to do anything else except for act. Whether I was in third grade and single-handedly putting on a play for all the other classes, performing in poetry contests or in every play at the local library, I have always felt most comfortable, and truly myself, when I am performing. In High School, when all of my peers were looking at traditional colleges, I knew that wouldn’t work for me. I started researching acting conservatories, which led me to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, CA. The summer before my senior year of school, I was 17 and took a train trip with my family out to Los Angeles to audition. I remember very clearly feeling as if the audition had gone horribly, but really they were seeing my ability to have growth and take direction, which I excelled at. I was accepted to the two-year conservatory and graduated in 2005.
Of course, as most newly-released actors into the pits of Hollywood, I was feeling pretty darn confident that I’d be a star in no time. What I discovered though, is that life will throw you a lot, and I mean A LOT of curveballs, and it’s up to you to not forget what you want or allow anyone else to dictate it for you. What I can confidently say is that I’ve been focused and back on the right track for the last year, and it has truly been amazing. In fact, shortly after 2020 began a friend of mine from our conservatory days- Dutch Marich, reached out to me and told me about a fantastic indie horror film he was finishing up, but it just needs a little something more, and he thought I would be perfect for that little something.
In February, I shot Reaptown, an Indie horror film, with Dutch and we had the best time! Currently, as we are all under Stay-At-Home orders, I consider that no excuse not to be productive! I encourage all artists to be doing what they can! I’m finding scenes to shoot with friends, I’m writing a pilot and having digital meetings, and I’m challenging myself to perform live stories and post them online. Keep the creativity flowing!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, and I will speak candidly here because I think a lot of people can relate. I know just about every profession has its challenges, but I feel as if the arts really has a set of challenges that are quite unlike any other. Just about everyone in Los Angeles is pursuing something creative, which is fantastic to inspire you, but it also needs to drive you to worker harder than the next guy. The odds of someone “making it” are not great, they’re quite slim. Half the battle is being willing to out-wait those who give up, and the other half is luck and who you know. You have to really, and I mean REALLY believe in yourself, and I’m lucky that I do, which is why I’m still here.
When I graduated from school, I entered into a relationship that I would choose to give the next 13 years of my life to, and truly, I gave it everything. I put my dreams aside to support the man I was with, and to help him raise the children in his life, and I truly have no regrets about that time in my life. I evolved and learned a tremendous amount about myself. I 100% though, would choose to do some things differently if I were in that situation again. I would not sacrifice myself and what I want because what I want, and you want, and we all want is just as important as the next person. I once had a teacher at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts tell me – “you have to want this more than you want to breathe, or you’ll never make it”. What inspires my breath, is equally as important as what inspires yours. Do not give up on your dreams, ever.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
It’s funny, as artists, we are all brands. We have had to become our own little companies in order to hustle and make money in this digital age. What I focus on as an artist, as my own brand; is making people laugh, live storytelling, delivering a message thru photos, as well as writing and performing stories that provide a voice for equality and inclusion in all aspects. I like to bill myself as “a provider of laughs, world-champion cusser & an artivist (artist + activist).
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m lucky enough to have people that have always supported and believed in me and all of my wild endeavors. I am not blind to the fact that there are those who do not have support and have pursued the arts anyways; they are their own category of brave. There are also those who are trapped in careers they do not love, because the only support they could garner, were in careers that were “professional”, and I hope one day they have the courage to pursue what makes their hearts sing. I am grateful to have people such as my father, my good friend Fred Glienna, and a number of other friends who believe in the glow within me, just as much as I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chrissycarpenter.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @chrissycarpenter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialChrissyCarpenter/
- Twitter: @chrissySoCal
Image Credit:
Greenhood Studio & Jones Effects
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