Meet Kelsey Cooke | Co-Founder: thisishardtoread productions

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

Hi Kelsey, what role has risk played in your life or career?
We can’t talk about risks without talking about fear. There is fear in taking risks, because risk by definition is: “possibility of loss or injury…suggests a hazard…to expose to hazard or danger” (Merriam-Webster). But lets be really honest with ourselves and agree that we expose ourselves to hazard as soon as we get out of bed in the morning. Shoot I’ve injured myself getting out of bed in the morning, so isn’t RISK just a part of life? Now “taking risks” – why would I want to take even more risks in my life, if just being alive is risk enough? Because risk is also exciting. I know that if I “go out on a limb” and “take a risk” something good might actually happen too. So if we don’t take risks, we are actually (possibly) withholding more good, more opportunity, even more happiness in our lives.

Examples of this in my own life and career have been: moving from LA to NYC out of college, moving back again for pilot season and staying for film & television, starting a family in the middle of my acting career, switching agents and manager around, starting my own production company, producing a feature film at the height of a global pandemic, investing all our savings into production, following the suggestion that we should take our film to Cannes Film Festival – should I go on? Haha!

Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned with risk: when you are scared to take the risk, think of the WORST possible outcome. It actually helps! What is the absolute worst thing that could happen? How likely would that happen? How do I know this? If it does happen, do I have support? Then: what is the BEST thing that could happen if I take this risk?

Your worst-case scenario is highly unlikely, but even if it happens, its often not as bad as you imagined it. Personally I think its much worse to live with regret and “what if”. That will eat you alive.

It truly breaks my heart when I see people lose opportunities because they let fear overcome their ability to take a risk. Don’t shut down when presented with an opportunity that requires risk. Remember that everything in life requires risk and as yourself those questions above. And then just go for it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My Dad studied film and television in college in Oklahoma and was a director when I was growing up, my mom was an actor for a long time, and so I naturally fell into the industry. We moved to Burbank from Tulsa, Oklahoma when I was six years old because my parents founded a production company. When I got here, I booked an agent at seven years old, started working as an actor, and never looked back.

I met my husband Chris Guerra in college in a production of “Annie” and we eventually were married and moved to New York. We really did the “on a hope and a dream” thing. We waited for hours in line to audition for broadway shows, booked some tours and off-Broadway, and I ended up doing Film and TV out there (Royal Pains, Pan Am), which brought me back to LA.

I had booked three different pilots that never sold, but we decided to stay in LA. I became pregnant, and Chris was on the National Broadway Tour of Sister Act, I was doing commercials and then we had our daughter Kennady. Once she was born, I went back into the grind of auditioning, and Chris took a class at the Groundlings Improv School in Hollywood and loved it. I started taking classes there too, and only stopped to have our second child, a son named Clyde. Once he was born, I was done having kids and began my journey to getting back in the biz.

Chris ended up flying through the Groundlings program, becoming a Main Company Member and we both were frustrated that despite all our hard work and years of the grind, we still hadn’t hit a break. We were tired of waiting for our “moment” and relying on agents and managers to get our foot in the door. There are just too many actors in LA, and the industry was changing.

I always knew that I wanted my own production company, and Chris and I both talked about “one day” writing and producing our own material for TV & film. It turned out the pandemic was the perfect catalyst. We knew when we were locked down it was our chance to finally create something that was ours. We partnered with our good friend from college and talented director of photography, Matt Koppin, and we sat down to storyboard and write an outline for a fully-improvised feature film in the fall of 2020. Even though things stayed locked down, we were focused and began shooting January 3rd, 2021. We started small, shooting one person interviews with no crew – just the three of us following all the safety guidelines. I produced the film and took on basically every crew role except directing (Chris and Matt co-directed) including being an actor in my own film.

We only had 18 shooting days total but it took six months in full to shoot, both here in LA and in Tennessee, which is where the story takes place.

So Chris and I co-founded “This is Hard to Read Productions,” and RE-OPENING is our first feature film. We are now working on our next projects while touring with the film to Film Festivals nationwide, where we have had 20 Official Selections and 14 wins including Best Feature, Best Comedy, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Actor, Best Ensemble and more!

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.
Favorite local spots in Burbank – Magnolia Park – its a great place to support local business! Pinocchios restaurant and Italian deli (the gelato is amazing!), Portos, vintage shops, great places to pamper yourself, I love supporting local!

Favorite tourist attractions in LA are Disneyland (of course!), Universal Studios, CityWalk, LA Zoo, Griffith Observatory and Park, Hollywood Bowl, Walk of Fame / Hollywood Blvd., and the Magic Castle! Best view at a restaurant in Hollywood is Yamashiro, and best view from Burbank is The Castaway (and check out their secret spot The Green Room).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Chris Guerra – my partner in life and co-founder of thisishardtoread productions. He makes me laugh everyday, builds my confidence up, and reminds me how powerful I am as a woman in this industry.

My kids who inspire me to greatness, who make me a better filmmaker and producer because they make me a better person every single day.

My parents- shining examples of entrepenuership and grit. I’ve watched them take risks for better or worse my entire life, and I confidently take risks because of that example.

My life-long friends who have loved and supported me through so many years, even when I had crazy ideas, moved all over like a gypsy, uprooted everything, and probably looked like a fool to everyone else, you didn’t understand what I was doing but you loved me and encouraged me anyway. You know who you are.

My faith – the root of it all, the rock and place where I find my strength. I could not take the rejection of this industry without knowing where my identity comes from and how I measure my worth.

Favorite Leadership Books (of many!) that have helped me make smart decisions: The Power of Your Potential by John Maxwell, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, Dare to Serve by Cheryl Bachelder, and Ideas on a Deadline by Phil Cooke.

Website: www.thisishardtoreadprod.com

Instagram: @kelseycookeofficial

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kelseycookeofficial

Twitter: @thekelseycooke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelseycookeofficial

Other: TikTok: @kelseycookeofficial RE-OPENING Feature Film: www.reopeningmovie.com

Image Credits
Bret Hartman, Bethany Froelich, Beaufort International Film Festival, Others (personal)