Meet Chantal Casutt: Actress & Screenwriter

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

Hi Chantal, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To me, risk-taking is a fundamental part of both personal and professional growth. Without it we cannot really learn or change. Having said that, I think taking risks is simultaneously one of the scariest as well as one of the most important things to do, regardless of the job or industry. You never know if a risk is going to pay off but having the courage to try is at the core of so many peoples’ success. I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t taken some major risks. Growing up I thought I knew what I wanted my life to look like: work in a big corporation, have a high-level, well-paying job, come to work wearing a blazer and sit in a glass office overlooking a big city. And for most of my life, that was what I was striving towards. I moved from Switzerland, where I’m from, to the UK to get a degree in management and marketing. I then went on to move to London where I worked as a marketing intern in a multi-national beauty company for a year. They offered me a full-time job after I completed my studies and so I had everything right there in front of me. Job security and a good salary right out of university in one of the world’s most interesting and diverse cities. The absolute dream. However, during this time I had discovered that my true passion lay with something else: acting and writing. Telling stories. And so, I decided to reject the job offer and instead moved halfway across the world to Los Angeles to go to acting school. I dove headfirst into a world I knew nothing about. It was the scariest thing I have ever done but I do not regret it for a second. The truth is, taking a risk is not an easy thing to do but without it I would have never known where my true passion lies and would have been unable to carve out my own path and pursue what I truly love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up I always loved theatre, movies and TV shows, however, as I lived in Switzerland it never occurred to me that working in entertainment could be an actual job. Switzerland is a country that while valuing the arts, doesn’t necessarily encourage creativity or creative jobs and so becoming a professional actress never even crossed my mind. After high school I moved to the UK to pursue a BSc degree in Management and Marketing. I loved my studies as marketing revolves around storytelling and analysing people (both psychologically and sociologically), which in many ways is exactly what I do now. It also made me realise that telling stories is what I want to do for a living. When I moved to London I found myself living in a large, cosmopolitan city that had everything to offer and so I jumped at the opportunity to take acting classes. Within a couple of weeks I was hooked. I would commute every weekend and sometimes after work to take as many classes as possible as they gave me such creative fulfilment that I couldn’t get from other things in my life. During this year I also started doing lots of research and stumbled across New York Film Academy. I ended up attending their information session and decided to apply to one of their summer acting workshop programs. I figured it would be a great test to see if I liked the school and if I could see myself acting professionally. The workshop was one of the best experiences of my life and so I auditioned for NYFA’s One-Year Acting for Film program. I got in on a scholarship and in late 2019, after completing my undergrad, I flew to L.A. to start my dream. Since graduating NYFA I’ve been constantly auditioning, acting in numerous short films and web series, and building relationships. I love working both in front and behind the camera. I learn so much doing both! I recently completed my first feature film script “Against The Current” that I am now in the midst of producing. I’ve also been lucky enough to get the opportunity to co-produce a music video for a well-known actor and musician. Having said that, it certainly has not been a journey without its obstacles (most of which I am sure are yet to come). One of my biggest personal challenges was transitioning from a life that was so heavily focused on academia and intellect to one more focused on creativity and emotion. Of course, my job absolutely does require intellect, however, when I moved here I realised how difficult it was for me to break out of my little box of right/wrong thinking. I had never been encouraged to use my instincts as a guide and so my friends would often declare me too “rational”. It’s been a learning curve but I certainly feel like I am more self-aware than ever before. Another big challenge is one that I know all actors can relate to and that is the constant rejection. You put yourself out there, show people the most vulnerable side of you and never hear back. That was tough in the beginning for sure, however, it has since become something that I have started to take in stride and do my best not to dwell on. Being rejected is part of the job and it should have no effect on how you feel about yourself or your ability. I remind myself of that daily and am fortunate enough to have incredibly supportive friends around me who always uplift me. The people you surround yourself with are everything! Furthermore, I started my career right when COVID hit and that of course was a big challenge by itself. Starting a career during this time has been difficult, yet it also showed me the importance of constant adaptation and learning in order to succeed. So overall, it’s been a challenging yet incredible journey and I have learned so much from the people around me. I cannot wait to see what the future holds! The best part is the ability to make something I love doing my job. I feel so lucky!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Where to start? Los Angeles is chock-full of interesting places and the diversity of the city is one of the things I love most about living here. To start, I would for sure take them on a day trip to the Getty Villa and Museum. The gorgeous Roman architecture and beautiful views coupled with an endless collection of art is a must-see. For another beautiful night view I would take them to the Griffith Observatory. Seeing all the lights and having a look over the whole city is truly spectacular. Personally, I am a huge fan of Japanese culture and architecture and so I would definitely take them to one of the many Japanese gardens here in the city. They are a place of such calm and beauty and feel like a respite from busy city life. Further, I would of course take my friend to a beach. One of my favourites is Zuma Beach in Malibu. I would start walking on the beach and then do the little hike up to Point Dume. Nothing beats that view and the fresh ocean air. I also wouldn’t be able to let my friend leave without taking them to Dreamscape Immersive, a virtual reality experience that is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Right after Dreamscape I would take them next door to the restaurant Din Tai Fung which makes the best dumplings I have ever tasted. Other restaurants I definitely recommend include Bavel, which serves wonderful Middle Eastern food, and Tao’s, one of my favourite Japanese places in the city. 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?
I love this question! It’s so important to recognise who helped you get where you are and I certainly wouldn’t be here without the support of the people around me. I’m a firm believer in the importance of the people you surround yourself with. First off, I’d like to thank my family and friends who have always supported me in my decisions and been there when I needed them. Their belief in me gives me strength to go on when times are difficult. They are the best! A special shoutout also goes to two of my acting coaches Annie Chang and Tru Collins. These two women are not only talented actresses and great teachers but also incredibly motivational and I love how much they focus on mindset and confidence. They have helped me tremendously in my journey, both personally and professionally.

Website: www.chantalcasutt.com
Instagram: @chantalladina
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-casutt-443190114/
Other: imdb.me/chantalcasutt

Image Credits
Sean Kara Photography