Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: There are actors that say, if there's anything else you can do, do that.
And I disagree.
I disagree. I think that's a way of gatekeeping and I also think that's a way of, like, it's easy for you to say, you know, that's so easy for you to say. Like, like two time Oscar winning act. Like, you, of course you can say that. But like, I think what I'm realizing actively is it's so important to have something else.
Whether that's writing, whether that's art, whether that's ghost hunting, whether that's, you know, pottery. Like, it's so important to have that other thing that fuels your acting.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: I'm Luke Steinfeld.
[00:00:48] Speaker C: And I'm Wyatt Sarkissian.
[00:00:49] Speaker B: We made the 5050 podcast to support you on your filmmaking journey.
[00:00:53] Speaker C: 50% business, 50% creative.
[00:00:55] Speaker B: Every Tuesday, a new this week, we
[00:00:58] Speaker C: talk with the ultra charming Chloe Kerwin. In this episode, Chloe walks us through her consistent growth as an actor. From Fiddler on the roof in church basements to home videos with her cousin Wiley, all the way up to a seven episode arc on Marvelous Ms. Maisel. The world sees no bounds for Chloe as she keeps pushing that rock up the hill with a smile on her face the whole time.
Enjoy the episode. Oh, and wait, before you go, tickets for the 5050 Comedy Festival are on sale now. Link in description. Let's go, let's go. 5-3-5050. May 3rd, 5050 at Brain Dead. Oh, yeah. 5050 at Brain Dead, May 3rd. Get the tickets now. Link in our bio,
[00:01:46] Speaker B: the real intro here. Chloe, I came across your work through graphic design. Funny enough, recently I. Didn't you make the poster for Wiley's festival? Yeah, the whole movie show. But before that, Wiley short film, which is amazing. When did you guys shoot that? Was that 2024?
[00:02:07] Speaker A: 2021.
[00:02:08] Speaker B: 2021. Okay, I'm gonna do that entire intro again, probably later.
[00:02:12] Speaker C: No, no, no. Well, it's, it's funny. Luke and I were like, so we're gonna talk to her about graphic design the whole time, right? Like, that's what she does.
[00:02:20] Speaker A: Yeah, please, let's talk about that because I'.
Yeah, no, I, I honestly just like, between acting jobs, I love doing graphics.
[00:02:32] Speaker C: That's cool.
[00:02:32] Speaker A: I've never done them before. Like, and Wiley was like, I need a poster. Like, do you want to do that? I'm like, sure. I'm like super, like, invested in, like, visual art and.
Yeah. But I'd never tried it before. But now I'm like doing a bunch of posters for her, which is super fun. So that's.
[00:02:50] Speaker C: That's really cool.
You're like, anything for a cousin, you know?
[00:02:54] Speaker A: Yeah, I do anything for her.
[00:02:57] Speaker B: Went to Amazon, so.
So I. I want. I want to. I want to ask about Kansas, because that's. That's pretty interesting. And also, I think just leaning into kind of your.
You know, how you. How you stumbled upon acting, perhaps, or was it always the path?
And to the listeners at home, Chloe is an actress and a graphic designer, but. Graphic designer, second actress.
[00:03:22] Speaker A: Oh, I wouldn't even put that in the. Thank you. But I wouldn't even identify as that. But that's really, really kind of you.
[00:03:30] Speaker B: What do you identify as? What's the.
[00:03:32] Speaker A: Literally just.
I am an artist. I feel like that's kind of pretentious to say, but I very much so identify as being an actor, and that's okay to say that. And I used to have shame in saying that, but I'm an actor.
[00:03:48] Speaker C: Hell yeah.
[00:03:49] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:03:50] Speaker C: Good.
[00:03:50] Speaker A: Yeah. Hell, yeah.
[00:03:51] Speaker C: Good. Say it out loud.
It's a harder. Guys, you know what? It's. It's a hard thing to say because I. I feel that I. I also act, but I. I would say I. I have written a lot more than I've acted. And to say that I'm a writer is still, like, weirdly a. A hard thing, you know, because I feel like I. From my perspective, I'm always like, well, there's. There's real writers and then there's me, you know, but everybody's writing. Everybody's doing it, you know, there's no
[00:04:21] Speaker A: such thing as a real thing. Vers. The thing. Like, everything is the real thing. Whatever you do, you. You are what you do.
[00:04:28] Speaker C: Yeah. Yes, absolutely. So. So what was your way into acting? You're in Kansas. You're in elementary school, high school. Take us back there.
[00:04:37] Speaker A: So I, yes, grew up in Kansas, and I was in this, like, little community theater kind of, like, production of, like, this circus.
And it was kind of like, I think, a parent's way of, like, getting their kids out of school because they're not in school yet. They're like, we just need the kids to, like, get out of the house and, like, do something.
And so I was probably, like, four or five, and I played, like, the ringmaster of the show, and it was so fun. One of my first memories in life is, like, literally sitting in my living room with my mom going over my few lines that I had, and that's how I really started acting.
[00:05:27] Speaker C: And in the circus, the ringmaster is sort of, like, the MC or.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Yes, yeah, okay, the mc.
But I actually found footage of that production, like, a few months ago because my mom got a bunch of, like, videos digitized. So that was pretty awesome. Yeah.
[00:05:47] Speaker C: Linked in the description link in the description below.
[00:05:52] Speaker A: But I didn't really, like, get back into acting until, like, I tried the sports thing because that's what everyone in Kansas did. Everyone, like, played soccer. I was on a swim team.
But I really got into it in, like, middle school. Like, that's when I started, like, dedicating my summers to, like, doing shows in a dark basement of a church.
Yeah.
[00:06:22] Speaker B: Wow.
So that, that was your theater first, it sounds like.
[00:06:28] Speaker A: Yeah. Because I didn't really realize that, like, film and TV was, like, even, like, an option, I guess, because, yeah, I, I didn't really, like, I watched things growing up. I watched Hannah Montana. I watched Disney Channel and whatnot. But I, like, really was pretty much present with being a theater kid on stage with my friends.
[00:06:52] Speaker C: Yeah, love that.
[00:06:54] Speaker B: Would you see Hannah Montana and shows like that and say, I want to be a Disney kid? Or is it like, I'm on stage in this basement and I love, like, Broadway is the dream or there was no dream, which is, you're having fun.
[00:07:06] Speaker A: Broadway was the dream for me for sure, as a kid. Like, I did musical theater growing up, but I didn't watch Hannah Montana. And I was like, oh, my God, that could be me.
But I was, like, obsessed with the humor of it all and the idea that kids are having fun together and they're just so happening. They just so happened to be on tv. It was really cool. But it wasn't until I saw Moonrise Kingdom in theaters when I was like, oh, my God, a girl my age, right? Like, doing something cool.
And that was when I was in, like, middle school. So I was. That was like, the first or. And True Grit. I saw the remake of True Grit and I was like, oh, my God, I want to be that cowboy. I want to be that girl.
And I actually dragged all of my friends that didn't really like me in middle school to, like, see that movie for the fifth time.
So that was like, really? When I was like, oh, it's a heavy movie.
Yeah, I, I, I haven't seen it in a really long time. But I, I loved that movie.
Loved that movie.
[00:08:17] Speaker C: I love that very sort of, like, I mean, it. It seems like you resonated with, like, sort of, like, auteur driven. Like, not fancy, fancy movies, but, like, actually good movies at a very young age, which is sort of like, I. I don't think I was.
I think I was just, like, playing soccer at that age, and just, like, that's good.
[00:08:38] Speaker A: That's how kids should be living.
[00:08:41] Speaker C: Well, you know,
[00:08:44] Speaker B: so then you're. You're in middle school. You see Moonrise Kingdom and true grit 10 times. Whatever. Like, are you like, oh, my gosh, tomorrow I'm gonna go.
I'm in Kansas. I want to go to LA and, like, audition to be the next big actor, like, screen actor, or was Broadway still the thing? Like, where was your head at with this?
[00:09:04] Speaker A: I wasn't even thinking, like, in terms of career, because that seems so far away.
[00:09:10] Speaker B: That's so true. It's like, we're in middle school, we're not thinking about it.
[00:09:13] Speaker A: I'm like. I'm thinking about, like, if I can pass the math test. Like, yeah, I. I mean, I grew up with Wiley, so. But she lived in la, and so we'd always, like, make movies together, and she was always, like, the director with a very specific vision. So, like, we do that growing up, but it was never, like.
Like, I don't know. She took it very seriously, and I love that for her. And I was very much like, we're having fun. Like, it's summer. And she's like, no, you. You need to know your objective. And I'm like, but.
So I think that, like, the shift really happened, I think, in high school when I realized, like, college was a potential thing that people do, and I was like, well, I'm not gonna be a doctor.
I'm not going to nursing school. I'm not gonna live. I don't want to live in Kansas anymore.
And, like, Wiley, growing up in la, like, I was always very, like, mesmerized by LA and, like, the movies and, like, actors.
But it seems so far, so I really just wanted to keep making things with my friends, and I wasn't, like, concerned with, like.
Like, doing it immediately. Of course, every, like, kid has, like, that Disney kid dream. Yeah, I remember.
[00:10:42] Speaker C: You're like, I'm gonna be discovered someday, you know?
[00:10:45] Speaker A: Right. I.
I never thought of, like, discovery, I guess.
Though I did have a Disney Channel callback the day of my prom, and it was in St. Louis, which was, like, six hours away. And my dad was so sweet. He drove me on the day of my prom to St. Louis and back so I could, like, have a callback for a Disney Channel show and made my prom. I got ready in the car and went. Which is, like, really sweet.
[00:11:16] Speaker B: So how did that. How did that callback go? How did that audition go?
[00:11:19] Speaker A: Remember, I remember singing and I had my ukulele with me, so I hope that footage is burned.
[00:11:28] Speaker C: Fun.
[00:11:30] Speaker A: Yeah, super fun.
[00:11:32] Speaker C: Linked below as well.
Yeah.
[00:11:36] Speaker A: Hello, Link below. But, yeah, Kansas was like, there was not a lot to do there other than, like, do theater, be in basements. Like, there's this great program called Stage Right Performing Arts. And I was a part of, like, the founding, like, like, summer, and there was only like 20 of us. And, like, we did Fiddler on the Roof in, like, a Christian school. Like, wow, it was really interesting. And there was literally, like, a microphone pointing out of, like, a speaker because you couldn't hear anyone.
So, like, that's how all the music was projected. It was, like, so motley and awesome, and it was, like, truly the best. And, like, I kept going back there every summer after that, and now that company has, like, hundreds of kids. Hundreds of kids are a part of that program.
[00:12:32] Speaker C: That's beautiful.
[00:12:33] Speaker A: Yeah, it's really cool. So just, like, doing that and, like.
Yeah. Fucking around with my. We.
[00:12:39] Speaker C: We talked a lot with Wiley, I remember, about the importance of theater in. In high school and middle school and all that. And she's big on, obviously, theater education and all that.
[00:12:48] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:12:50] Speaker C: And I see. I see your time, your timeline sort of being parallel to that in some ways.
[00:12:55] Speaker A: Yeah, we're the same age. Like, we were born in the same year. We went to college the same time. It was, like, really a blessing to grow up with Wiley and, like, to.
We were so different.
Like, we were surrounding ourselves, like, with different people, but, like, we always came back together, even in college. Like, we had very different friends in college, but she was always, like, my constant. And so, like, it wasn't like we were holding each other back. Like, I feel like we both, like, wanted each other to, like, have our own separate lives and grow and, like, be uncomfortable, but then we'd always, like, come back together.
[00:13:33] Speaker C: It's. It's. I mean, it's family, right? There's, like, this unspoken, like, however far apart we are, like, we'll always come back and we'll always maintain that sort of, like, immediate. Right back where you were, you know,
[00:13:44] Speaker A: it's actually really crazy. Like, that God or whatever the fuck is up there, like, blessed us together because I can't believe that we're doing this together. It's really cool.
[00:13:56] Speaker C: It's beautiful.
[00:13:57] Speaker B: Were you guys able to make shorts together or, you know, theater together? In. At Emerson.
[00:14:04] Speaker A: At Emerson.
We.
I don't think we did any shows together. No. But. But we actually did a couple plays in LA as kids together, which I'm totally forgetting about until now. We did like, two shows. It was awesome because the. The theater company never bought the rights to the shows and so they'd have to change the titles of the shows to like, legally put it on. So like, we did an all girls production of Oliver, but it was changed to Jennifer, so it was like, Jennifer, Jennifer. And Wylie was Jennifer. It was awesome. And then we did Carnival, which was actually Lily at the carnival, which was super fun too. So, like, we did shows and stuff together, but at Emerson, like, we were pretty separate.
Like, she was very much so, like, involved in like, the comedy world. And I like. And she didn't really make short films. Like, she really was like, more involved in like, like the student plays and whatnot. And I was the one, like, making short films with, like, the. I made friends with like, the filmmakers and, and stuff at school.
[00:15:25] Speaker B: So it sounds like your.
Your goals kind of shifted at school, as in the Broadway thing kind of shifted more to. Whoa. Cameras. Working with directors or filmmakers.
Was that. Was that just because it was very exciting? Was that just because it was who you're surrounded by at Emerson? Why was that the case?
[00:15:44] Speaker A: I mean, I feel like I.
I did a short film in Kansas City and that was my first time around cameras and doing all that kind of stuff. So I was, like, interested after doing that when I was like, 17 years old. And so when I went to Emerson, I knew that I wanted to make friends with the filmmakers and stuff and make my own stuff, because I was thinking, I was thinking ahead. Then I was like, I want to leave school with a real.
And I.
My parents sold our house so I could go to Emerson. I'm. I'm going to make sure I leave with the correct materials. So that's kind of how I was thinking of school. Like, is. Is like this big tool to, like, gather all the things I need to then flourish in life.
[00:16:33] Speaker C: And how was it. How was that process sort of making friends with people who could, like, provide that reel for you, essentially, who could put you in their stuff, like all these filmmakers, because obviously it's a. An art school where there's multiple sort of positions on set that people are studying for. So what was it like, sort of like going out of your way to make friends with people so that you could, you know, be in their stuff?
[00:16:56] Speaker A: It was very natural. Like, there was like this thing called the 48 Hour Film Fest, and you had to like, make a film in 48 hours and you had to like get a group together and you like draw from like a hat, like your theme. And then you had to include like a special weird word, like squash or something. And you had to like incorporate all those things into the movie. And it had to be less than three minutes long. And so I started doing that my freshman year and that's really how I got into doing shorts with people.
And it was super fun and it was super cool because like after the weekend our movies were screened at AMC on campus. So it was like cool to like see your thing on the big screen, which I'd never seen before. So just like getting involved in like, just like the student things.
[00:17:51] Speaker C: Did you. When I, I remember when I toured Emerson, they have like one of the most beautiful college theaters that I've ever seen. I. I forget.
Yeah, it's like, it's. Yeah, it's one of those. But there was like they used to pride themselves on some sort of like student awards show or like variety show or something that happened. Did you participate in that? And what was that?
[00:18:15] Speaker A: Wiley. Wiley hosted the Evies.
[00:18:17] Speaker C: Of course she did.
[00:18:18] Speaker A: And she hosted that. Of course she did. Like, I would, I would. I never say never, but I like, I would never do that. Like, she had so much enthusiasm and like charisma. It was like insane that they put this on and. Oh, that was the Majestic Theater.
So that's the thing you're probably talking about where they have that. It's like the largest like school awards show and it's so impressive multi cam things like they wrote songs like, yeah, it was insane. I was.
[00:18:51] Speaker C: I can very much imagine Wiley posting that.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: She's like, yeah, so perfect for that kind of thing. Like it's really weird like growing up and why there's like pretty. Pretty shy and like very.
But not around me. But she was like very shy and like always very smart and like intuitive and I was always the loud one who was crazy. And then like in college it kind of shifted where like she really came into herself as we know it, as we know her.
And I kind of was like, I'm gonna take a little step back. I.
So it's really funny how that happened.
I love that maybe in the past I would want to do that, but that does not interest me.
[00:19:40] Speaker B: Right.
When. When did like professional gigs start coming into the picture?
[00:19:50] Speaker A: So I mean, I moved to New York during COVID So this was.
[00:19:57] Speaker B: You graduated school and then.
[00:19:58] Speaker A: Yeah, okay. I had. I guess. Sorry, I'm like going all over the place. There's like different timelines that I could start from, I guess. But, like, in Boston, there was, like, this great casting company called Boston Casting, and, like, they cast the local casting, like, for the movies that would come shoot in Massachusetts. And I remember Little Women was auditioning, and my favorite professor was like, chloe, you have to audition for Little Women.
And I was like, okay. And so I did. And then I got a call back, and I got to meet Greta Gerwig for that.
And that was a crazy experience.
And I totally was fucking weird in that room. And I was like, I didn't get that, but I had so much fun. And I was like, wow, it's, like, a possibility.
So that gave me, like, confidence.
[00:21:00] Speaker B: Did you have representation at the time or at that? Okay, you did not. Yeah.
And so those.
Those opportunities came through school. That's amazing.
[00:21:09] Speaker A: Yeah. And school is, like, very much so. Like, not.
They don't want you to seek work while you're in school.
They want you to, like, stay in school and, like, learn, which I'm totally an advocate for. Like, then I was like, that's such bullshit. Like, I want to work. That's why I'm here.
But I'm like, I'm so grateful I didn't, because I look back five years ago, and I'm like, my work was trash.
Like, I'm so glad to. But I thought it was good.
It's so interesting.
[00:21:47] Speaker C: I very much get that.
[00:21:48] Speaker A: Oh, my God. There's this thing called, like, the Dunning Kruger effect that My partner is a professor, and he told me about this, and it's literally like this curve, this, like, studied thing where kids think they are so good starting or not. Even kids, like, people starting a new endeavor or craft or, like, activity.
The beginners think they're really good at it. And, like, getting really good at it gives you the confidence to keep trying and keep going. Because if you think you're bad starting out, you're not gonna get anywhere. But then you start to actually make progress, and you think you're bad. Then you start to think you're bad because you realize how much work you have, how much you have to learn.
So that's where I'm at right now.
So I thought it was, like, really great. Coming out of college, I had all this confidence. I was like, greta Gerwig. I got to meet her and, like, do this.
And now it's just so funny to, like, be like, wow.
[00:22:58] Speaker C: Yeah. I think that's also, like, part of being that. That's a piece of being part of, like, a supportive educational environment. You know, like, part. Half of. Half of education is like, instilling confidence in someone to believe that they're able to do it and sort of, like, irrationally believe that they're able to do it to some extent. Like, that's. That's a very important part, because I feel like when you're in that state, you're able to really, like, find your identity as an artist, you know, even. Even if the work you're putting out is, like, objectively not, you know, what you'll be able to do in five years. Like, that. That learning part is really, really important because you do happen to have this, like, irrational confidence, you know?
[00:23:42] Speaker A: Yeah. You have to be delusional even still. Like, even when you learn, oh, fuck, I'm not as. I'm not as great as I want to be. Like, you still have to be delusional enough to keep going.
[00:23:54] Speaker C: We. We talk, you know, we talk a lot to a lot of people on the business side on this podcast as well. And you have that same sort of like, to. To get that job that you're not ready for, you have to have that irrational confidence. You know, we. We've talked with a lot of people who are, you know, entrepreneurial leaning or even within the. The mainstream system who, you know, it's very competitive, and you do have to have that sort of confidence. It. It's interesting. It's an interesting comparison.
[00:24:25] Speaker A: It's. It's really.
It's really important to have that at Emerson.
[00:24:31] Speaker B: I mean, of course, you were and have been acting basically your entire life, and we talk about, like, artistic voice on the pod a lot, but, like, for you as an actor and I guess, you know, playing a lot of different roles with a lot of different characters, different archetypes, whatever. Like, did you find yourself leaning one way or the other with, like, oh, I love this genre, I love that genre, or this type of character more than that. Like, did you find kind of, like a home base for yourself? Are you still discovering that? Or are you an actor that's like, I can do anything, play anyone.
[00:25:10] Speaker A: I really genuinely like everything.
But I think starting off my career, I really wanted to be taken seriously, as I think most young people do.
And so I really wanted to do, like, the gritty things that I saw growing up that were, like, so crazy and moving, like, true grit, you know, I'm like, I want to be taken seriously as a girl and do that.
And so I feel like as I've gotten older, I've really gravitated towards comedy. And how comedy is actually so much more challenging and fun.
And that's. That's where I found, like, recently where I've really flourished.
[00:26:00] Speaker C: So that's awesome.
[00:26:01] Speaker B: Can you talk about that? Like, and I guess we are probably jumping here, but, like, what does that actually look like? Like, in flourishing? Because, of course, you were on Marla Smith, Maisel, which is incredible, and I obviously love to dig into that. But, like, does that mean there's a point where you talk to representation? You're like, hey, I want to start going out for these more comedic roles rather than the more Trigrit type roles.
Was there a conversation?
[00:26:27] Speaker A: So when I first got my manager, I basically was super upfront about what I could see myself doing. So I think I said something like, I love the boys. I was watching the boys at the time. And I love Saoirse Ronan, and I love Odessa Young and all these, like, actors that I really see myself in and, like, see what I can do in. So I think they had an idea of, like, my taste when we had that initial conversation.
And so I.
I've been working with my manager, Julian, since, like, for five years.
And I truly trust him, like, to bring me projects. I bring projects too, but mostly, like, him and my agent, like, send me out for everything.
And, like, through auditioning so much, I have found, like, my voice, I guess, and, like, I found my style through auditioning.
And I think just, like, I am not. I mean, every now and then I'll be like, hey, I see that they're making this show. I'd love to audition for it if possible, but, like, developing shows that are gonna be so high profile, like, they usually will go with someone, like, who has a name.
So I usually haven't gotten those auditions, like, the Shards. I'm thinking of the Shards. I loved that book. And I was like, hey, I hear they're adapting that into a show. It's like, Kaia Gerber, you know, obviously, like, she's also a producer on that show.
So I feel like I was, like, early on, I was like, okay, I.
Maisel is such a great show. It's a New York show, and they were casting, like, a guest star part for the third or fourth season, and I auditioned for that, and I got a call back, and I was really nervous because she was like a.
She was like a burlesque dancer. And I was like, oh, no, I don't want to be Vegas.
And I was kind of nervous about that, but I didn't get it, and that was okay. And then the next Year I had an audition for the character Trudy in the last season and they just booked me. I didn't even have a callback because I already did call back the year before.
And so I feel like it was just like a small enough part to get in the door there. But I was in seven episodes, so, like, I got to watch for like, the better part of a year. Rachel Brosnahan, like, all these incredible actors, like, up close work, amazing and like, sustain this like, insane energy and talk so fast.
And I feel like I really, like, learned what pacing was in that watching them and like, how to like, it was just. It was like a crazy way to learn. It was insane. And it was like super nerve wracking for me and. But like, I felt so comfortable with them too.
But it was like, that was like the greatest education for.
[00:30:04] Speaker C: Yeah, that's fantastic.
[00:30:05] Speaker A: And like being on a show and like how to be a series regular,
[00:30:11] Speaker C: like, maybe in the future, you know, it's almost. It's almost what I'm getting from you is that it's almost like the pacing of the set matches the pacing of the actual show, you know? And like, that. That whole world.
I know Amy Sherman Palladino a little bit, and she's just such a genius. And she. She definitely carries that energy with her into other projects. And she's. How was it working with her and like, being on set for that?
[00:30:36] Speaker A: She was so cool. And Amy and Dan, they're married and they like, run the show and they write everything together and they're like, so funny and kind and they were just like. I remember like the first time because I worked with Dan for the first couple of episodes I did. And then when she came onto the set, I was like, hi, Amy, I'm Chloe. And she's like, I know who you are. We love you. I was like, oh, my God. Okay. Like, she really knows everybody. Even if you're like the smallest little part and like, everyone is a huge part of the show, even the background. Like, it's. It's really, really cool working with them. And like, they are so detail oriented. Like, every word they write in the script is the word said. You can't even add a word. You can't add an or a. But, like, everything is intentional.
[00:31:35] Speaker C: I remember very well when I was at nyu, they would close down the whole Washington Square park for Maisel. Like, everybody was wearing period attire. It was crazy.
[00:31:44] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:31:45] Speaker C: Insane.
[00:31:45] Speaker A: Yeah, it's. It was really cool. Yeah.
[00:31:48] Speaker B: On. On a set like that of that size, and the pacing and Everything too. And being a young actor like yourself, did you have moments or like, questions of like, I have no idea where I'm supposed to be or what I'm supposed to do or how I'm supposed to be feeling in this moment? Like, did you feel the confidence to ask those questions or would that be something where, like, you'd go off to the side and like, text your manager really quick or something? Or like text Wiley, you know, but like, what should I do in this case?
[00:32:17] Speaker A: I really felt comfortable enough to ask them.
I didn't really go to my manager or like outside sources to like, get that validation like the other guest star actors, like recurring guests in that show. We were all in the same boat. So, like, I felt so comfortable even asking them questions.
And they were like, they've all been working so much. They're like in their 40s and like, they're all great. And so it was cool. Like, like they had confidence and they had like experience.
So I would just ask them or, you know, I felt comfortable enough to ask the directors. But like, I'm like, but that's like, for Rachel, that's like, she has so much more to do.
I did. But like, I will say, like, starting like that was the most nerve wracking job I've ever had. Not the way that they had the set. Like, the set was so warm and fun and whatnot. But like the amount of oners they did was crazy. And they were not just like any old oners. Like, there was one where it was like 10 minutes long and it was like they used a crane and they had to like pass it off to people, like multiple levels.
And I would like start the oners and I would end the oners with my one. Or it was.
And it was really like, it was when my anxiety actually like came out.
[00:33:49] Speaker C: Yeah, every, every extra is, is cast and specifically knows how to dance and do choreography. Like, it's crazy with those shots.
[00:34:01] Speaker A: Yeah, it's crazy. And so like, if I had like a little simple line, that's no problem. Right? But it is if you mess up the oner.
And I messed it up once.
And I was really glad it happened because I was like, your worst fear is like the one like the messing it up. It happened and you're like, great, now I don't have to worry about that anymore.
[00:34:28] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:34:29] Speaker A: So messing up is fine. No one's going to kill you.
But it's part of it. Yeah, it is part of it.
[00:34:36] Speaker B: What, what will? Like, what learnings or perhaps like notes on Your own process will you take with you going into the next series or project in general?
[00:34:51] Speaker A: Well, I.
I feel like my process really changed when I moved in with my boyfriend, because I didn't really have one until he asked me, like, what's your process?
And I was like, that's a great question. I don't really know.
And so I had to find it.
I did the Artist's way, and I loved it. I had it on my shelf for five years.
[00:35:23] Speaker C: Yeah, that's a vibe.
[00:35:25] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a vibe. Everyone has the artistry on their shelf.
This is your sign to open it.
I still write two pages every morning, and I, like, stream of consciousness, like.
Like, what I'm thinking, what dreams I had. Like, and it will, like, help me get in the mode of, like, if I have a call back later that day, like, I will hype myself up. I'll, like, write affirmations to myself.
I do meditation.
Meditation is very important. Like, the older I've gotten, the more I've been like, oh, my God, like, yoga and stretching and, like, breath work is so important.
And I will, like, meditate and, like, do breath work.
And, like, I'll spend, like, a couple hours doing that because it's important.
But sometimes. I'm sorry, I'm, like, all over the place. But, like, it really depends what the genre is. It all goes back to the genre. So, like, if it's a comedy, I'm cool kind of just going in it and, like, not even really knowing my lines and just, like, having fun.
Like, that's when I kind of thrive with a comedy. But if it's a drama, there's a there. And there's, like, there's more time to just breathe. And, like, if I'm feeling nervous, like, or anxious, like, that will fuel it. Even if it's a comedy, like, I usually play nervous characters.
So, like, I will just add that to it.
And usually it will help.
Sitcoms are, like, super fast and, like, you can't miss a beat with that too. So, like, just, like, I don't even know.
[00:37:14] Speaker C: But it's about, like, matching your prep process to the actual role that you're playing, right?
[00:37:20] Speaker A: Yes. Yes.
Like, it's. It's really interesting, like, learning tone genre.
[00:37:29] Speaker B: It sounds like Emerson was almost like a playground then of, like, you. You're able to.
Because, like, you said, you know that. That, you know, as a beginner, you think you're so good, and then you learn you're not. And it's like, I got to learn so much, but Emerson seems to have been for you, kind of like a safe space is why I put it to kind of explore and maybe fail and try things and go big. And then as you said too, you learn so much about your style and you know, tone and voice is you as an individual through auditioning after school.
[00:38:03] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:38:03] Speaker B: So it's interesting to hear about the process as well and how that has developed and shifted as a professional. I, I would like to hear a bit about like the day to day and like what the conversations are with representation and.
[00:38:16] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:38:17] Speaker B: How, how you keep the, the car moving forward, you know?
[00:38:22] Speaker A: Yeah, it's. It really feels like that Sisyphus, like pushing the boulder up the hill and it falls and then I forget who said it, but it was like, you must imagine that he's happy.
[00:38:36] Speaker C: Sisyphus.
[00:38:37] Speaker A: Yeah, you must imagine that he's happy doing it.
[00:38:41] Speaker B: With a name like that. I don't know anyone that would be happy.
[00:38:44] Speaker A: I know I'd be pissed, but that's how I feel a lot of the times of just like pushing the boulder up. You're about to screen test and then you don't get the thing or you spend so much time on an audition and it's a three page monologue and you work every day on it and you don't get a callback and it's just like this constant single. But I have to imagine myself being happy doing it because you could be doing this the rest of your life and if you're not having fun doing it, what is the point?
There is no point.
Like it's.
[00:39:28] Speaker C: Yeah, it's too hard to, you know, it's like go do something else, you know.
[00:39:32] Speaker A: Yeah. But I will say something to that point too. Like there are actors that say if there's anything else you can do, do that.
And I disagree.
I disagree. I think that's a way of gatekeeping and I also think that's a way of like it's easy for you to say, you know, that's so easy for you to say like, you know, as like two time Oscar winning act. Like you. Of course you can say that. But like I think what I'm realizing actively is it's so important to have something else.
Whether that's writing, whether that's art, whether that's ghost hunting, whether that's, you know, pottery. Like it's so important to have that other thing that fuels your acting or fuels your directing. They work in tandem with each other. So if I'm just focused on my acting, I will be depressed.
I will Be depressed because you're just waiting around all the time, and, like, it doesn't matter. Like, it gives me so much joy. But if I'm just waiting for my phone to ring, like, it's just this constant, like, anticipatory feeling of good news or bad news, and it, like, will kill you. It will kill me. So I. What is, like, other thing?
[00:40:57] Speaker C: What. Yeah, what is your other thing? And how does it fuel your acting?
[00:41:03] Speaker A: I do.
[00:41:03] Speaker C: Or it could be a.
Okay, there we go. But it. It's also what I. I assume it would be a combination of things. Like, realistically, that. That's at least how I feel with my.
To sort of build up my day job, my main career. I. I have to be doing these other things because they provide a release and. And added energy that I can put into my day job, you know?
[00:41:27] Speaker A: Totally. I feel like it's. It. It's so many different things. I.
I ghost hunt with my friends, and we make videos sometimes doing it, and it's so fun. It's so fun.
[00:41:42] Speaker C: Yeah. I feel like you want to talk about ghost hunting, so I'm. I'm down to get into that.
[00:41:48] Speaker A: It's. It's just a blast. Like, we all met at Emerson and we all.
Well, we all started as actors. One of us is a baker now, and two of us are actors, and we just go. We did. Did an overnight at the Conjuring house. We've done three overnights at the Lizzie Borden house. We went to this place called the Hinsdale. Like, it's so fun, like, being scared with your friends, and it almost gives you that feeling of like.
Like when you're on stage, like, it's so toxic, but it's, like, so fun to me.
[00:42:27] Speaker C: Why. To me, why that's appealing ghost hunting is because it's really using your imagination and being very present and in the moment. And I don't mean to, like, psychoanalyze it and, you know, try to say something that's not there, perhaps. But I do think, for me, at least, that's. That's why I resonate with that, I think.
[00:42:46] Speaker A: Yeah, totally. It's like, you're so present.
It's so fun to like, be just so present. And, like, I'm really not thinking about anything else. And it almost feels like a flow state. And, like, when you're acting and, like, you're not thinking about anything else, like, that is the best feeling.
So that gives me that, like, drawing gives me that, like, graphic design is fun.
[00:43:10] Speaker C: Oh, yeah.
[00:43:12] Speaker A: It's just like what we're doing is you're building a life. And I think like your life.
My life is acting, but my life is also like being a dog mom and being a girlfriend and being a daughter and like being a neighbor. Like just learning more about your life and living. Because I felt so, I felt so like in the passenger seat of my own life so many times and it's. I'm so tired of that feeling. Like I want to be driving the car of my own life.
[00:43:50] Speaker B: So there's a very real.
I'm not sure if there's like a term for it or a theory or something, but like, it's a feeling that a lot of entrepreneurs have that a lot of artists have in like those establishing years when in your head you know what you're capable of, but the public is unaware of it yet.
[00:44:11] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:44:11] Speaker B: You know, and, and in that time, like as you're kind of talking about, if like you feel like you're in the passenger seat and it's like, let me drive, I'm ready. Like I'm. I know how to drive. Trust me. I'm gonna go crazy. Like, I know how to drive.
[00:44:25] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:44:25] Speaker B: Like, how do you, how do you. I guess you kind of answer that of like you have these other things, but like, is it writing? Is it like I'm gonna put myself on stage and do a one, a one woman show? Like, am I gonna go make a short film? I'd make an Instagram series. Like, what are you doing to drive?
[00:44:42] Speaker A: You know, for me, my little motto that I got from Finn, his, his, like the head teacher at his school told him was, have a scary day.
And he told me that and I'm like, yes, have a scary day. Say yes to things that scare you.
And so I will say yes to things that I don't want to do because I know I actually want to do them, but I'm afraid of doing them because I'll have to overcome a hurdle.
So it's kind of annoying because I know I have to do it.
[00:45:21] Speaker C: Yeah. Is there like a non ghost hunting example of that?
[00:45:24] Speaker A: Yeah. So I did this, like this director I worked with a couple years ago, Ari Sellinger, he asked me to do this like micro play and there was only like a week of prep to do it and we only had one rehearsal and then a rehearsal the day of. And it was like so low stakes, but I was so nervous about it. Like I haven't done a play.
It was literally just like a 20 page scene. But I was so nervous to do It. Because I haven't been up there in so long and, like, I knew I had to, like, overcome my anxiety, and it's so easy to say no and just, like, not overcome that. But I said yes, of course. And I'm so glad I did because I got to work with so many great actors and show myself that, like, I have nothing to worry about. Like, I can do something last minute and do well at it and have fun and meet new people.
And now that's, like, evidence in my brain that I don't have to be anxious for that next thing.
It's just like a.
A building of a lifelong house of confidence. Like, you're just, like, feeding yourself confidence. Like, even if you're, like, doing a callback there that you're really nervous about, like, doing well, doing it just feels so good. And, like, to get good feedback is like fuel to keep me going.
[00:47:06] Speaker C: Absolutely.
[00:47:07] Speaker A: Like, the people you surround yourself with, too.
[00:47:10] Speaker B: It.
[00:47:10] Speaker C: Yeah, it. It reminds me of when. When you're talking about the oner on Maisel. Like, you know, you.
[00:47:16] Speaker B: You.
[00:47:17] Speaker C: You're doing something that scares you. You mess up, and then how much confidence do you have after you've messed up? You're like, oh, that was it. Now we're doing another take. And now I'm over that hurdle. Like, there we go.
[00:47:29] Speaker A: You know, it's incredible. Yeah. And I have to. I have to shout him out. But Tim Blake Nelson has been my greatest ally and mentor through all of this.
Like, he gave me him and Henry gave me his, like, my start and my first movie, and I got to watch him be Tim Blake Nelson, like, five inches away from my face. Like, it's so important to have someone that you look up to, and you're like, you are an artist and I can do what you do because you believe in me. So I need to believe in myself, too.
Yeah.
[00:48:16] Speaker B: There's, like, you talk about confidence, and I think with confidence, there's also patience.
And patience is a. Is a dangerous word because people can. Can take patience as procrastination, you know, but it. But it really isn't for the most part, you know, or like, I think as an artist in general, like, there is a certain amount of patience you need to be successful and to give the work the proper amount of time and energy it needs to actually become something, you know, rather than, like, forcing something into existence, which I definitely have done in my past, but have found so much growth in patience and in, like, I think just understanding that. Exactly. If, like, sometimes writing a script and then Putting it away for a year and coming back to it is the best thing ever for that piece of work, you know. Completely agreed.
But that was kind of just a thought, I guess. But I, I, I wonder, like, because in New York, it's. That's not a patient place, you know, Like, I, I live there a bit, and, like, I know why it was there for a large amount of time for school and everything, and after that. But, like, I remember waking up there every morning and just being like, I'm not doing enough. I'm not making enough money. I'm not here. I'm not there. I should be there. I should be here. I could be everywhere. Because it's just a train right away or whatever.
How, like, how are you able to thrive in an environment like that and stay grounded? And stay grounded.
[00:49:52] Speaker A: You have to have a home base. Like, you have to, like. For me, stability has always been such. A.
Stability has been my kind of driving force. Like, I've always wanted to feel stable, and I'm in a very peaceful apartment in a very peaceful neighborhood, and I feel like the pressures I feel are mostly just the pressures I put on myself.
And sometimes that can be good, and sometimes it isn't.
But at the end of the day, it does drive me to do, to keep going, and I think you need a little bit of that.
But it gets tricky when the comparison demon enters the chat.
And that, for me, exists online.
And I know so many people that can be online and, like, create stuff and put stuff online and whatnot. It's just never been my place, I guess. And because it's so easy to be, like, who got this part? Oh, let me look at her online. And then you become obsessed with someone you don't know. And you don't.
It's so. You know what I mean? It's like that weird thing of, like, knowing about people before you actually know people.
[00:51:40] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:51:41] Speaker A: And I hate that feeling.
[00:51:42] Speaker C: You, you can draw so many assumptions on people just by.
By seeing one thing they posted or looking at.
[00:51:50] Speaker A: Yeah. And I think that for me, eliminating the pressures of, like, the comparison demon is like a lifelong kind of battle.
But also when you see someone that you admire, it can kind of be a compass for what you want to.
Like, you can kind of turn that jealousy or you can turn that, like.
Yeah, that jealousy into something where you're like, oh, I actually like how she does comedy. Or I like how she seems so calm. Or, like, you can pull these things from all sorts of people that you admire.
I don't know. I don't know if I answered your question.
[00:52:45] Speaker C: No, that, that completely makes sense. And I like that you got into the comparison effect and just. It's. It's a mindset shift. Right.
[00:52:52] Speaker A: It's.
[00:52:52] Speaker C: It's a matter of thinking about instead of being, like, not repulsed by something or. Like, that's so. That's such a strong word.
[00:53:01] Speaker B: But, like,
[00:53:03] Speaker C: but, but, like, you know, something causing you to, like, be very introspective in a negative way rather than that make it, like, make it feel, like, attractive to you. Like, oh, there's that part of it that, oh, wow, I should, I should borrow that.
[00:53:17] Speaker B: Or.
[00:53:18] Speaker C: I love what they've done here. Maybe I will now work harder in a productive way to figure that out. Or I'll, like, just talk to the. Also, like, you could just talk to the person and ask them, like, things and, like, be friendly about, you know, like, say you admire it. Like, I think it's a fine line, and it's probably something. I have a feeling that it's something that never fully goes away, you know, like the comparison effect. Right.
But I think there's a way of taming it. Totally taming it. And that mindset shift. Yeah.
[00:53:50] Speaker B: How much, how much networking do you do?
[00:53:54] Speaker A: Oh, my God, I feel like I, I, man, I, I feel like New York and L. A is so different. Like, I feel like in L. A, there's a lot more, like, networking.
Maybe that's a stereotype, but I feel like, because a lot of people do the same thing in Los Angeles. A lot of people are in the entertainment industry. It's easier to have those, like, networking things.
And for me, I feel like it's just really happened naturally. Like, I, I don't really seek it out, and maybe I should.
I simply enjoy the people that I enjoy, and they just so happen to be talented individuals, and that's a blessing. I think when you surround yourself with people you enjoy, you trust them and you trust their vision and you trust working with them.
Like Wiley, like, I trust her more than I trust myself, and I just want to work with her. Really. Like, that's, that's a goal is to, like, do a feature with Wylie.
Networking, though. Like, if a friend invites me to, like, a party, I will go to it and, like, talk to people. But I don't know. I feel like networking is kind of hard to, like, scope out if you're not, like, either friends with somebody or involved in a short film or a feature or a show.
It's just, like, staying in contact with people that you are inspired by. For me, that's what my networking is. It's just like checking in with the people that you admire and asking them for advice when you need it and make sure to keep those connections alive and well.
[00:56:02] Speaker C: Totally. It feels like a very fluid process to me.
[00:56:05] Speaker A: Yeah, I really, like, don't.
I really just want to be a genuine person and I really just want to connect with people. And there's been people I've worked with where I don't connect with them as much, but I respect them. But there's just like those people where you're like, I connect with you so much, much. And like, let's hang out all the time, you know, to best.
[00:56:30] Speaker B: It's. It's awesome.
[00:56:31] Speaker C: It's.
[00:56:31] Speaker B: It's fun. It's fun to do that when that happens and it's like, oh, my gosh, this is so crazy. You like all the same movies that I do and like, what the heck. Yeah, I want to make this type of stuff.
Yeah, we, we, we ask every guest this at the end of the episode, but it's, it's a broad question.
And that is, what is the dream?
[00:56:59] Speaker A: The dream for me is to be a working actor and to be working with Wiley for my life, for our lives.
And, like, truly just having fun and playing. And I'd love to play a funny, loud, odd character.
Like, I'd love to be a series regular. That's such a, that's such a goal.
And I'd love to play a serial killer. That's always been a goal as well.
I just think, like, having a fruitful life where I don't question my instincts and I just continue to play and learn and have fun, truly is like the dream.
[00:58:03] Speaker C: Amazing.
Well, Chloe, it's been such a pleasure chatting with you. I feel like we've gone through so, so much having. No, no, seriously, this has been a very, very. Talk about fruitful. It's been a very fruitful interview.
We've talked a lot about identity and influences and collaboration and supplementing your. Your main goal with these little things that provide you energy. That's a big takeaway for me that, that I really, really resonate with. So thank you so much for chatting with us.
And now it's 50, 50 after hours.
[00:58:52] Speaker B: In these ghost houses. Because I've never heard about that.
[00:58:54] Speaker C: Yeah, let's talk about it. That's. That's what I was getting to do.
[00:58:57] Speaker B: They blast the ac. Do people, like, dress up in there, like, or just random people sleep in there? Like a hostel? Like, what is The.
[00:59:03] Speaker C: What do you mean? Do they blast the ac?
[00:59:06] Speaker B: Because it's called ac?
[00:59:07] Speaker A: Sounds like. It sounds like you're a non believer. That's fine.
[00:59:10] Speaker B: Literally.
[00:59:11] Speaker C: Come on.
Oh, so Luke's a non believer.
[00:59:16] Speaker B: Okay.
No, no, trust me. I. I believe.
[00:59:20] Speaker A: I believe it's. It's like, really, house to house. Like, the conjuring house was as legit as it gets. The Hinsdale house was probably the scariest because it was genuinely.
[00:59:32] Speaker B: I got it. I gotta pause you. Is this, like, an Airbnb thing? Is this, like, a public thing? Like, do you just, like, come across these homes and, like, book a bed in there? Like, how do you.
[00:59:42] Speaker A: You book the house? We're booking the house, so we. It's like, through their website. And the Hinsdale house is.
It was so cold. It was in February or March last year, and it. There was like, a snowstorm. And, like, it's like one house in the middle of nowhere, Western New York, and there are ladybugs everywhere. I'm like, why are there ladybugs everywhere inside? There's no heat in the house. There's no heat.
And the craziest thing that happened in this house.
There's. Ugh. Is like, we straight up heard footsteps.
Like, boots. Like, someone was wearing boots upstairs. And we're the only people in the house.
[01:00:28] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure.
[01:00:28] Speaker A: Small house. And it's just like.
No. You know, like, I love it, but I'm also like, ew, I'm scared.
[01:00:35] Speaker B: Could you not go upstairs? Was there. Was there like a.
[01:00:39] Speaker A: No, we could. You could go upstairs. There's no one up there. Yeah, it was totally. Everything's, like, accessible. Yeah. That one was creepy because it feels like you're in a dollhouse and people are actually looking at you from outside in.
[01:00:50] Speaker C: Wow.
[01:00:51] Speaker A: We left midway through. It was horrible.
And then.
[01:00:55] Speaker B: Is there, like, a guide? Like, does a guide come and, like. Hey, guys. So here's the house. And, like, be careful of this. Or it's just. You just show up.
[01:01:03] Speaker A: I just let you in. Here you go. Have fun.
Have fun. Yeah, it's. It's.
[01:01:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[01:01:11] Speaker C: Well, perhaps. Perhaps this is the spookiest episode of the book.
[01:01:17] Speaker B: This is, like. Sounds like Wyatt's dream apartment, you know?
[01:01:20] Speaker A: Yeah. Oh, my God.
[01:01:22] Speaker C: I like that sort of thing. I dig it.
[01:01:23] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, it's. I feel like it's. So. This is my first podcast I've ever been on, and.
[01:01:29] Speaker C: Whoa.
[01:01:30] Speaker A: Thanks for having me. I hope that I answered them in a concise. The questions in a concise way, but it's so Weird, because, like, I want to ask you guys questions, like, I want to know more about your life.
[01:01:44] Speaker B: Nope, not how it works. There's a wall. There's a wall.
[01:01:48] Speaker A: Okay.
[01:01:48] Speaker C: It's funny, but, yeah, it's a. We want to. We.
We're so curious about you, you know, and. And we want to. We. The goal for the podcast is, like, bring people on. What can we learn from them, you know, and what can our audience learn from them? So I feel like we've. We've succeeded in that, and we'll be able to.
[01:02:05] Speaker B: Absolutely. I mean, the. The.
The.
I think the topics we covered were incredibly illuminating for young actors and people interested in acting and just artists in general. I think we. We, like. You did a great job hitting on. On that as well. Like, super, super, like, real grounded stuff. Not like, oh, you know, this and that. Yes. Like, stuff that, like, really hit the core in a very positive way.
[01:02:33] Speaker A: I. I hope that it's, you know, you can edit my mumbling.
[01:02:39] Speaker B: There was no money there.
[01:02:40] Speaker C: Yeah, there will not be much to edit out.
[01:02:42] Speaker B: Honestly, though, we might cut all the wily stuff that. We might cut all the Wiley.
[01:02:45] Speaker C: Yeah, we'll just bleep when we say your name, Luke. Do you think we should just bleep it out whenever we mention?
[01:02:51] Speaker B: I think so.
[01:02:52] Speaker A: Yeah.
[01:02:52] Speaker C: That's kind of funny.
[01:02:53] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that idea. This has been so fun.
[01:02:59] Speaker C: Yeah, Fun, right?
[01:03:01] Speaker A: It's fun.
[01:03:02] Speaker C: And when. When I was referencing those things that supplement the day job, like, this is the main thing for me. Like, I love doing this so much. Much like this is being able to talk to. It just gives me energy. Getting to work with Luke, like, it's all. It's just energizing.
[01:03:17] Speaker A: So cool. How did you guys meet?
[01:03:20] Speaker B: We're, like, basically cousins, like you and Wy. But we went to school. We were not. We're not cousins, but we went to school together since we were, like, five.
[01:03:29] Speaker C: Yeah. Kindergarten through forever. So.
[01:03:39] Speaker B: Did you learn something? I'm like your mom. Did you learn something in this episode? I hope so. Or not. That's okay. Thanks for hanging. Make sure you follow us at the 5050 Fest on Instagram and give us five stars, because. Why not? Why not subscribe? Why not?
Why not? Okay, bye.
