Hi Kellie, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started as an actress in San Diego, where I grew up. I would travel up to LA for auditions, and this was before the days of smart phones, so I had to look up the studio on Mapquest, write the directions down, and pray I didn’t make a wrong turn! Eventually, I was unsatisfied with the work that was available in San Diego and an opportunity presented itself to move to Las Vegas. I needed the change of scenery and at the time I was more focused on finding work as a dancer, so Vegas seemed like a great idea. I lived there for 7 years. I worked as a dancer, a bartender, a PA, and an actress. I met so many amazing artists out there from musicians to filmmakers and other actors. It was there that I began to write screenplays and make films. I learned to do it on no budget and use any and all resources available to execute quality projects. I reached a point where I realized I’d hit the “ceiling” and decided it was time to move to LA and pursue my craft full-time. That’s when the pandemic struck, and everything shut down. During that time all I did was write screenplays. I would wake up, work out, take my parents’ dog for a walk, and then spend 10-12 hours writing. I also read a lot of screenplays and watched series and movies I never had time to enjoy prior to that. I shot a couple of things with friends and that’s when I had the idea to start a demo reel company. I knew I wanted to help actors elevate their careers quickly and do it for a rate that’s fair and affordable. I knew how to shoot quality from my time in Vegas, and after spending all that time writing and studying the craft, I had developed a strong voice. That’s how YOUnique Reels got started.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth. In fact, when I look back at the times in my life, I considered to be an easy ride, I wasn’t advancing toward a big goal or taking big risks. I was comfortable and happy with where I was, but my life was not going anywhere even though I believed I was doing the right things at the time. A lot of my struggles have been money-related. I’ve never been the type of person who understands (or cares much about) how the economy works or how to “make your money make money for you” and so I never seem to have more money than what I need. I’m taking the time now to learn more about money because I want to be educated enough to create my own economy (got that one from Tony Robbins) and have more than enough money to affect the world around me in a positive way like my role models have. One of those role models is the late Tony Hsieh. He literally created an artist haven in downtown Las Vegas. He bought out most of the real estate and built a place for artists to share their art and have a safe place to socialize and create. He fostered people’s small business and created amazing jobs for artists. I want to be at that level and do what he did because it had such a positive impact on my life and the people’s live around me. Other struggles I’ve faced are relationship related. I went through a very dark period for two years dating a narcissist. That pretty much destroyed my self-esteem and self-image, and it took a lot of time to come back to myself. I think in some ways I’m still doing that. I’m now in a very happy, stable, and healthy relationship with a wonderful man who is also a very talented actor, and who I’m crazy about. I feel blessed to have him as my partner in this wild attempt to move mountains and reach the highest peaks of working in the film industry. I’ve wanted to quit many times along the way, and I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression, and feeling alone. Oh, and I’ve struggled with working regular jobs! That’s a special kind of Hell for someone who’s a creative to the core.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a multi-hyphenate when it comes to performance. I can sing and I also dance, but film is my one true love. Every time I go off to try and pursue something else it ends with the realization that I am simply not at home unless I’m on a film set. My main focuses in that industry are acting, writing, and directing. People like to ask, “If you had to choose between those three, which would you choose?” My answer is always, “That’s like telling me I have to choose between sleeping, eating, and breathing.” My demo reel company, YOUnique Reels, helps me expand my wheelhouse, work on my skills consistently, and meet other awesome actors in the industry. Every actor I get to work with becomes family, which is the best part of the gig. But seeing my writing come to life is also so cool and something I can’t wait to see happen on a big budget scale. I’m currently blessed to be working with an incredible manager and producers who are helping me develop some of my bigger-scale projects.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that film is the only thing for me. I’ve explored so many other things that sound interesting and fun in theory to pursue as a career and I always end up miserable. Film is the only thing that fulfills me and makes me feel alive. It took a long time for me to come to that conclusion because it’s a terrifying one. It means there is no backup plan. There is no net for me. I have to make it in this industry, or I will live a life of pain. For a long time, I didn’t want to admit that to myself, and especially out loud because then it’s reality. And part of this reality is that a lot of people or maybe even most people who try to make it in film never do. So that was a tough pill to swallow but it also lit a fire inside me. There’s nothing holding me back now. There’s no questions. This is the only thing I want in life because I love film that much, and because believe it will provide the other things I want out of life. Travel, adventure, artistry, creativity, money, constant change, growth, cool and interesting relationships, and a career that I love so much I want it to last a lifetime, and it can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youniquereels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliedoesfilm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YOUniquereels/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/younique-reels-los-angeles?osq=younique+reels
