Rising Stars: Meet Sean Koetting

Hi Sean, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all started when I was four years old watching television with my mom. I distinctly remember telling her, “I want to do that.” She took it as me wanting to dress like cowboys in the western we were watching, but she quickly realized I was telling her I wanted to be an actor. Cut to the countless hours spent in acting classes, rehearsals, films, and much more while balancing the act of growing up and taking on the other tasks that come with adolescence. I was also a competitive swimmer which took up just as much time as my pursuit of acting. At that time in high school, I knew acting would be my lasting passion, but swimming was what carried me through. I chased that sport until I was 21 when it was time to leave the competitive aspect behind.

From then on, I threw my efforts into acting. I spent the following years building my resume and perfecting my craft – learning the life lessons necessary to help bolster my perspective. I owe much of, if not all of who I am, to my family. I would be nowhere near where I am today without the endless support I received from them. I am one of the lucky artists who was never told to lay my dreams aside for a different reality. To my family, my pursuit of acting was a reality; it still is a reality they believe in. For that, I am ever grateful. Thankfully, I know this is just the beginning. As for right now, I am in bold pursuit of my career and am loving every moment of this journey. It has been a hard road but a fun one, nonetheless, and I am so thankful for the support of my family, friends, and those who have taken an interest in the films I have been a part of.

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?
There is no journey without struggle. For me, as I eluded to earlier, I was afforded a lot of support from my family and those around me. However, I still faced some bumps along the way, and I know there will still be many obstacles ahead. One struggle that notably comes to mind was in 2018: the year I moved to Los Angeles. Two months into the year, I had a very serious accident with my right hand. In sparing the details, I lacerated a tendon in my pinky. I had emergency surgery and then four months of rehab three times a week. All for a pinky! That was extremely challenging. It was a major perspective and trajectory shift for me. It made me realize how quickly things can change and affirmed my resilience. Eight months after the injury, I decided it was time to move to LA. I had just completed a commercial that would be airing during the Super Bowl as well as completed a small co-star role in a Netflix series. Many people may not understand the significance in an injury of that caliber, but it changes you in a measurable way. Unless you have experienced something similar, it’s hard to explain that shift in mindset. For me, it came with the reminder to never give up: a mantra I used to write in my journal through my grueling high school days in private college preparatory school (that’s a story for another time!). I am proud to say that I didn’t give up.

As mentioned, I worked on two exciting projects and then moved to Los Angeles and threw myself into finding an agent and manager. After the Netflix show came out, I signed with my agents at Sovereign Talent and, throughout the next year, figured out what it meant to be fresh blood in Los Angeles. I spent a lot of time going back and forth between here and Austin to work my “day job” in sales and also maintain my film connections in Austin. This culminated in my need to stay in LA from December through April for “Pilot Season.” During that time, I continued my UCB training. At our final class show, I met my current manager, Gail Tassell at Tassell Talent Group and Pantheon Management Partners. I signed with her one month before covid came about. I feel it is not necessary to belabor the challenges that we all faced at that time. However, now a few years removed, I am thankful that my team has stuck with me, and we can continue navigating this industry together. Onward and upward!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a film and TV actor. I have spent a lot of my time doing independent films in Los Angeles and Austin. I love comedic roles but do spend a lot of time in dramatic ones. To date, I am most proud of a few films that showcase both of these personalities. I have done two with my good friend and director, Keaton Davis. The first is a short film called “To Know You.” It is a beautiful story about a man in search of his birth mother, the person he meets along the way, and the realization that things are often more beautiful as they are than how we envision the alternative to be. The second is another short I did with Keaton called “The Art of the Headshot.” It is a mockumentary about the headshot industry within the acting world. As an actor, we are constantly told to get new headshots, and it is a never-ending cycle. We wanted to lovingly poke fun at the idea of what it means to “exploit” new actors who want to find the perfect headshot in hopes it will land them their breakout role. Both films have received positive accolades. “To Know You” won its category at the Filmaka periodic competition, and “The Art of the Headshot” had a successful run in film festivals. You can find both films on my website!

Recently, I am extremely proud of “Christmas at the Amish Bakery” on UpTV. I play Dean. It is truly a heartwarming and beautiful film, and I am so grateful to have worked alongside such a wonderful and talented cast and crew for my first leading role in a TV movie. I love being able to look back on a role and be proud of the story and the message it conveys. I feel that way about this film, and I look forward to many more!

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As any creative in Hollywood, we always hope for the best. With the recent strike and its subsequent resolve, there is hope that the industry is going in a positive direction. My hope is that our focus as creators remains on pushing for love and light. There is already so much darkness in the world. I mean, I would love to see Hollywood explore the idea of the quintessential early 2000s romcom again! How can those films not be joyous?! I am always rooting for Hollywood and the film industry, and I think there are endless opportunities to spread good, but it is up to us as creators to be at the forefront of that driving force. Personally, I am manifesting a future Oscar but what actor isn’t!