Meet Chelsea Spirito | Writer, Director (& sometimes actor)

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

Hi Chelsea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
We’re not messing around with these quesitons, are we? I kid!

My perspective on risk has really fluctuated and changed over the years, but it’s definitely been a central theme in my life. I was always a creative kid growing up, but the idea of making a career in art and film was consistently tamped down by the question “Can you make money doing that”? I wish I’d felt this pressure more from a societal standpoint, but as the saying goes, “the call was coming from inside the house” and my family played the dominant role in shaping my risk averse career focus. When it came to my personal life however, I was a bit of an adrenaline junkie and a rowdy kid, sneaking out and growing up a little faster than I should have. In hindisght I see the correlation between denying ones self something, only to have it come out in other ways.

Slowly (painfully slowly) those two scales have re-balanced in the opposite direction. After a number of tumultuous events in a the span of a couple years; from the passing of my cousin Melissa to a serious injury I incurred last March and a myriad of things inbetween, I realized how silly it was for me not to pursue those things I loved. It’s so cliche to say “we only get to live this one life”, but it’s true. Over the years, it’s become starkly apparent those things that are important to me, and money has never really been one of them.
I wrote as a kid, winning the Sulfer Springs district wide creative writing awary in 2nd grade (I’m still proud of it– it was with a story about a cat and weiner dog becoming friends), and I’ve thought about that fact time and time again. I knew what I was supposed to do back then, but I was scared to take the risk and do it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Shameless plug, I’m most excted about my current short film, “Brain Spotting”! – Failing writer Julie is suddenly struck with inspiration when her fantasy creations leap off the page and into her life. The price of her creativity comes at a high cost however when she discovers her visions are the result of a brain tumor. A dark comedy about what it means to pursue a dream. /// We’re currently crowdfunding (my first campaign ever!) through Seed & Spark (seedandspark.com/fund/brain-spotting)! The pilot the short is based on just made finalist in the SoCal Screenplay Competition and has won accolades with The Austin Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival and others! (So that’s cool!)

It hasn’t been until the last few years that I’ve really been able to acknowledge how far I’ve come in pursuing writing and creative arts as a career. I’ve worked really hard (albeit in a very non-linear, serpentine manner), through a variety of jobs in the industry (numerous PA gigs, casting, VFX, production coordination, dubbing supervisor, the list goes on and on), and outside the industry (when I had doubt about myself and where I was going), to eventually wind up exactly where I needed to be. I’ve really learned the importance of going after what you want. In college I used to envy and pine over the classmates majoring in theater arts, and I never want to be in a place of denying myself the passion and path that’s right for me, no matter how difficult or daunting it may seem.

My little bio I have for myself is also relatively susinct, if it’s helpful, haha: A native of Los Angeles, she has been working in various positions within the entertainment industry since the age of seventeen, now working primarily as a writer and voice over performer. Based on her own self discovery, she often writes about women’s evolving journeys, characters struggling to uncover hidden truths about themselves, and blends offbeat humor with poignant human reflection. (Because if you’re not laughing, you’re crying). Outside of working in film, Chelsea also volunteers in film, working regularly with the American Cinematheque and on two LA local boards for SAG-AFTRA.

I think what sets me apart from other writers or producers, is the vast experience I’ve had in this industry and the opportunities and privledges I’ve been awarded to get to know and befriend so many people that share similar dreams. With that knowledge, I take the joy and passion of those on my team to heart, and make them the utmost importance (next to safety, and of course being paid a fair wage). I think there are a lot of people out there that forget their struggles and all the steps it takes for them to achieve the success they partake in, only to pull the ladder up behind them. I’m collaboarative and communicative, and I want those that work with me wanting to do so again. I’ve had my own “life is short” moments personally, and those have bled into the idea that life’s too short to work on a shitty set, too. 😉

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, as a native Angeleno (and indecisive person by nature), this one’s tough!

Some of my favorite places to eat out here come first (I’m motivated heavily by food!)
– Calic Bagels – I could inhale, at least two to three stuffed bagels from here in every sitting. Hands down, one of the best bagels you’ll find in LA (fight me).
– Fred 62 – This place has been here forever, and I love it! Everything on the menu is good (and that’s rare, I think for a diner), and they make their own pop tarts (punk tarts)!
– Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada – The menu is simple (no choice fatigue!) and delicious. When you know how to do something, you don’t need filler items. Fish and shrimp. *Perfect*.
– Tartine – I used to think there was only a Tartine in SF. I was wrong. And I realized how much of my life had been wasted, not coming here for breakfast.
– Green Leaves Thai – (Can you tell I live in the Los Feliz area yet??) – My all time favorite vegan Thai restaurant. The green curry is my all time favorite. That and the spring rolls (that peanut sauce though)!
– The Drawing Room or The Tonga Hut for drinks – Two of the best jukeboxes in Los Angeles live in these establishments. Special shout out to Footsies, one of my all time dark and cozy favorites.

Other stuff!
– I’m an American Cinematheque volunteer, so I’m definitely going to recommend checkign out a revivial screening at The Los Feliz 3, The Egyptian Theater, or The Aero. Gorgous, vintage cinemas showing well loved and brand new favorites. Support art house cinema! Special shout out to The Nuart, where I used to perform at The Rocky Horror Picture Show for years! They’re still putting on Saturday midnight screenings *every* week! It’s an institution!
– Downtown LA — Chinatown, Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, Santee Alley — Downtown has so, so much to offer, from shopping and food, to architecture and a diverse, beautiful populus. I grew up coming out here on the weekends, and my dad would give us $20 to spend anywhere we wanted as a treat. Thr fabric district felt extra special when I got older and learned to sew. My prom dress was the most beautiful, golden quinceañera gown I had ever seen. It’s a magical place.
-St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store — The largest thrift store in California! It used to be an airplane hanger!
-Danzig’s house on Franklin Blvd — It’s really not that special, but it’s kind of spooky and Danzig owns it! Weird!

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?
There are so many people I’d like to dedicate this shout out to! Does it have to be just one? I’m hosting a crowdfunding campaign for my proof of concept short film “Brain Spotting” right now (seedandspark.com/fund/brain-spotting) and there are so many people that have pledged or supported me in some way that have allowed me to get this far. I would have a list a mile long if you’d let me post it here.

But with the above said, I’d like to dedicate this one to David Lynch. I was just beginning to explore transcendenal meditation before he passed (based on his high recommendation of it) and that, along with his inspiring and moving body of work have especially hit a nerve (a good nerve) in me over the last few months. I’m keeping my eye on the donut, Mr. Lynch, not on the hole…

Website: https://chelseaspirito.com

Instagram: @chelsisneato

Twitter: @CKspirito

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CkSpirito

Other: Seed and Spark – www/seedandspark.com/fund/brain-spotting