Meet Chelsea Gonzalez | Director, Writer, Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The phrase “take more risks” seems to be thrown around so often, especially in creative careers. I’ve had so many general meetings where the person there to give me advice has said “You just gotta go for it. Take more risks.” Or “You know how so-and-such succeeded? They took risks.” What the heck does that even mean? It’s so general that it makes me feel like I am going to be a complete failure if I don’t take these magical ‘risks’ everyone talks about. In truth, I find that taking a risk just for the sake of taking a risk, doesn’t work. The times in my life that have truly jumped off the ledge into the deep end, it didn’t feel so much of a ‘risk’ but actually just the next logical step in my career. And sometimes that next step can be really scary. Like choosing to say no to jobs that are below you. Or raising your rate. Or rebranding. Or committing to a project that is completely out of your comfort zone. All of those things are risky- but they also tend to be the next logical step in your career. One of my biggest career decisions was moving to Los Angeles from NYC with no career prospects or connections. Sure, I suppose that was risky. But I also knew that it needed to happen. It was the next logical step in my career. In short- I love the idea of taking risks, I just don’t love the way we talk about them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my career as an actor and, over the past 3 years, have shifted my focus towards filmmaking. It’s taken me some time and the completion of various projects to finally hone in on my storytelling and what sets me apart from others. Though I dabble in all different genre’s and modes of storytelling, all of my work has somehow tackled a darker issue in a lighthearted way. I love my projects to have a moral impact, but I also love heart, laughter, and beautiful, simple moments. My work always has a bit of humor, a touch of levity, and maybe a bittersweet moment or two. Storytelling is so important to me. Whether I am in front of or behind the camera, I believe that stories can change the world and I plan on continuing to tell them for the rest of my life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love an escape room. Questroom is my absolute favorite. You’ve gotta check it out. The rooms are so detailed, and the puzzles are challenging but fun. I’m also a huge fan of 70s music and Good Times at Davey Waynes is one of my favorite bars in Los Angeles. Sure, it’s dirty, and divvy, but the whole place is designed to look like the inside of a 70s house and you enter the place from a refrigerator! I mean what’s cooler than that? Plus all they play is 70s music so….enough said.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people deserve credit. Penny and Joe Gonzalez, Francis Corby, Syracuse University, Stable Cable Lab Company, Queens Gambit Films, Alexa Alemanni, Brian Patacca, Risa Bramon Garcia, Shane Monaco, Lindsay Mass. I could go on forever.

Website: https://www.chelseagonzalez.com

Instagram: @ChelseaTheGonzo

Other: IMDb- https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3748393/

Image Credits
Rob Mainord, David Litner, Peter Konerko