Meet Chase Yi | Actor | Writer | Photographer

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

Hi Chase, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
I was getting ready for a meeting with an executive at a major TV network in Burbank, and I was debating changing my outfit before I left the house. That morning, I had already been out for coffee with another friend, and I was so comfortable with what I was wearing, but for some reason, I had this thought in my head that I had to look nicer–I had to be more professional and put together. So I ask my wife what she thinks and what I should do, and she says to me, “Hey, if they want Chase Yi, then you give them Chase Yi, baby.” And I have to say, that was the best damn advice I’ve ever gotten. She was absolutely right. Other than deciding to work for myself, the most important decision I ever made that still contributes to my success as an artist and an entrepreneur is that I’ve decided to always be myself. I stay true to my style and instincts and beliefs, and I’m not going to change who I am or pretend to be someone I’m not just to impress someone else or get them to like me. If someone wants to learn about me and get to know me, then I’m gonna show up and listen, and engage, and share with them to truest expression of who I am.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My biggest problem growing up was that I could never finish anything I started. There’s actually a great poem called “The Men Who Don’t Fit In,” by Robert W. Service, that changed my life once I read it. Also, when I was 22 years old, my mom passed away from colon cancer–this experience broke something inside of me. I think when she died, that old version of me died, too. And stepping into this new world was strange and quiet with a lining of death that always seems to be present. I think that’s what separates me from other artists–I feel this tremendous responsibility to honor those in the afterlife. It follows me around in the photos I take or the poems I write. When I’m lighting a film set or acting in front of the camera, this thought gnaws away at me. I see every moment of creation and inspiration as a way to keep my mother alive, to keep her memory alive, and to bring that sense of awareness and preciousness to others. I got to where I am today by being patient. I used to be in such a hurry before–rushing to some result without ever putting in the work it really takes to achieve something. It certainly wasn’t easy, but I forced myself to slow down. I accepted the fact that I would have to start over and rebuilt who I was with a fresh understanding of who I am now and what I’m searching for. And along the way, I’ve learned that it’s not some prize or material gain or status that dictates my happiness–sitting here now with a warm cup of coffee in the sunlight, having the time to think and write and remember, to leave soon for lunch with my grandfather at his favorite restaurant in MI, to be able to visit my family here and slow things down, that’s the real prize. The freedom to be who you are is the greatest revelation of all. I encourage everyone reading this to connect with that power of your life. I’m the most excited about finding new artwork for my home with Mandy. I’m also restoring an old VW bus that we plan to roadtrip in up the Pacific coast to Big Sur and Monterey.

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.
LA is certainly an enigma. To start, I wouldn’t take them to Hollywood or Universal City or Disneyland or any of that stuff because it’s terrible. I’d have my guest room at my house in El Segundo all decked out for them to rest. We’d wake up early the next morning and grab a coffee and egg sandwich from Two Guns on Main st. Then we’d pack up the VW and drive the coastline to Laguna beach where Mandy’s folks have a beautiful beach house that overlooks the ocean. We’d ride in, unpack the surfboards and hit some easy waves at Aliso, have lunch at the Lost Cove, then go back to the house and have a few drinks and snacks while we watch the sunset from the balcony. For dinner, we’d order tacos from Carmelita’s, sit around and watch some crazy reality show that Mandy has on–that sounds like a perfect night to me. Now, if we stayed in LA, I always think seeing the museums around the city is a wonderful experience. The Broad museum in DTLA is breathtaking. I would take my friend to Little Tokyo to walk around and see the shops. I think Culver City is a great little town to walk around and experience some nightlife. On the weekends, the Melrose Trading Post at Fairfax High School is a fun spot to explore and shop from local artists and vendors. Manhattan Beach pier is my go-to spot for anyone who visits. We’d have a wonderful dinner at The Strand House overlooking the ocean, then walk the pier at night to see the lamps glowing in bright orange against the turquoise railings. And to end the night, we can stop at Rite Aid in El Segundo to grab a Thrifty cone–a scoop of pistachio or chocolate chip cookie dough. That’s heaven. Although, a lot of my friends are vegan, so who knows if anyone of this would work out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have made me into the person I am today. First, my mother, Yun Kyong Yi, will always be my biggest inspiration and support. Her guidance and discipline helped me break out of my shell and gave me the freedom and patience to achieve anything I want in this life–to make a plan and see it through. I owe my father, John Maser, a great deal of love and appreciation for him nurturing my humor and sense of personality. My aunt and uncle, Deb and Bob Higgins helped raise me as a kid and young man, and they are the foundation of my family life. My siblings, Tara, Jennifer, and Caleb have always believed in me and are the ones who remind me of who I truly am and where I’m from. My grandfather, Walt, has taught me to appreciate the idea of fairness and has helped develop my business acumen. My best friend, Josh Wordel, is my lifelong brother and creative partner who always supports me and believes in my ideas. My other business partner and good friend, Sergio Cacciotti, is like an older brother to me and has always encouraged me to trust my instincts and to continue my career as an artist. My close friend Mike Friedman has become a fellow soldier and ally in my life, helping me understand what’s important and to enjoy the pursuit of whatever it is I’m doing. My mentor, Bob Cicchini, and his wife, Jeannine Guido, and their daughter, Gigi, are my family in Los Angeles. They have helped me create a life in LA and have given me a sense of love and community that everyone needs in a big city. I have other mentors that deserve recognition, too: Mario Padilla of Santa Monica College who nurtured my writing talent and career as a poet. Kathy Mulay of Farmer’s Alley Theatre in Kalamazoo, MI, who first discovered my acting talent and gave me an opportunity (and many second chances) to develop it. Karen Kevorkian at UCLA who helped develop my skills as a poet and really taught me to dig deep into emotions and feelings and aesthetics. And most of all, I want to send a huge shoutout to my wife and guardian angel, Amanda Ortiz, who has truly been a light throughout my darkest moments. She has taught me what it means to be alive–to simplify everything down to one purpose of existence, which is to love. Her love has healed me and allowed me to rediscover who I am and what I want. her family, Nicole, Arturo, Sophia, Tony, Raymond, Deanna, Miranda, Randy, Donna, Grandpa Randy, Misty, Guy, Dorothy, Brian, Justin, Fiona, Grimmy, Grimpy, Reesie, Stella, and so many others have opened the walls of my heart. I have learned that I have so much love in my life. I truly am the luckiest man–to be living in this time with so much to do and so many people to share it with.

Website: imdb.me/chaseyi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaseyi_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaseyi/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chaseyi_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yi.Chase/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIAyUfk3Uzo

Other: www.filmpoetics.com

Image Credits
Chase Yi (All Self-Portraits) Palak Nyati (Chase Yi at Vendor Booth) Daniel Caso (Chase Yi Holding Medium Format Camera)