Meet Chelsea Patricia Ramirez | Actress, Director, Producer, Entrepreneur

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

Hi Chelsea Patricia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Corny as it sounds, I was always ‘creative’ (and ‘extra’, might I add); my beautiful parents were always very supportive of my wild little artistic endeavors (painting, writing, performing, comedic sass) but it never occurred to me that those activities would lay the groundwork of becoming an actress/filmmaker. All of my creative and performing experience bubbled up and it became more noticeable in college.

I feel very blessed that God used my college application process to direct me to where I needed to be: UC Riverside. This is where I would be so warmly encouraged to pursue my artistic interests, where I would learn from and meet artists like Bella Merlin, Stu Krieger, Kimberly Guerrero, Kyeun-Pyo Park, Erith Jaffe-Berg, Kerry Jones, Kerby Hinds, Dean Cundey, and Patricia Cardoso (all still very big figures, mentors, and friends in my life) and more, who were living proof that it could be achieved— that life as an artist could be beautiful, fulfilling, and abundantly prosperous.

I was put where I was meant to be and once it clicked, I put all my chips into storytelling and never looked back.

I reiterate for the other children of immigrants, girls and women, people of color, indigenous people, young adults/teenagers, and more who see this and are wondering if it’s possible: it is, abundantly and thrivingly so. For me, it’s still only the beginning!

I pursued storytelling/entertainment because I know it is my purpose to share love, hope, and joy with people around the world. I am fascinated with the future of cinema/media. I not only want to uplift typically marginalized stories, I want to bring up powerful voices, teams, and artists with good hearts and the willingness to enact “good trouble.” I want to build and shape the future of the industry. That’s what excites me about the work and keeps me going. I am a futurist— I truly believe the coming generation and myself are going to revolutionize this industry for the best. Like Spike Lee says, AND DATS DA TRUTH RUTH!

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.
I feel like I’ll be telling a lot of young adult, coming-of-age, dramas/comedies through my twenties. I think about what I would want to share with my own nieces and nephews, my younger self, and adults who had to lose parts of their childhood in the survival process of growing up and I resonate all lot with sharing hope and love in spite of the trials and tribulations. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I like for my work to remind people to look up and keep running the good race because all that comes can build us and the best is yet to come.

I think what sets me apart now is a ‘bounciness’ in my work. I love incorporating movement and vibrancy of color across my projects, not simply in a balanced way but purposeful sense— sometimes that’s a highlight of color, blocking change, and then always a willingness to improv or adapt to direct challenges. Set culture is important to me— without a lateral connection across my crew and set with the heart of a story, we as artists will fall short of actualizing the fullest impact we can infuse into a project. I am also so interested in inventing something, like a shot style or stylistic choice; I think it’ll come with time but like Spike Lee’s double dolly shot or Wes Anderson’s flat shot choices, I guess I want to create something like that of my own. All in due time of course but I like to think of myself as a scientist in this regard until something clicks.

I know God brought me here, to this Earth and this industry, with a mission— already in this I know I simply cannot fail. And that gives me a lot of hope in itself. That is what excites me; life with God is really the most exciting ride. I will ferociously chase my purpose until I reach the finish line.

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.
First— we would wake up and go to the gym. That’s going to happen at Hardcore Fitness or the USC or John Reed gym.

Then, I’d recommend Ben’s Fast Food and Moonbowls— both high protein and delicious, healthy options for food near downtown!

Now, if we’re splurging: I’d say we go to Burger District, Habachihana, Porto’s, or Guisados. Who am I kidding— we’ll go to Guisados anyways. Best tacos EVER! And for a nice view, I’d go to La Cabra and ask for the beef empanadas. These are ridiculously good!

If I want to stroll down memory lane, I’d show someone the best food my family has given me since I was little: La Thai Ocha (central american heaven), La Guatemalteca, and Mario’s Peruvian Food on Melrose. Those are my go-to’s for life!

Most exciting people and places will be anywhere with my family, friends, and filmmakers— anywhere on set, stage, or in production/development. I love what I get to do, what can I say! Finally, we’d go to the Griffith Observatory and watch one of their universe shows, then the Grove to watch movies, and then home to sleep because I’m all about trying to get some healthy sleep nowadays.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh Lord… so many people. I want to give honor and glory to God, through which all things are possible. To my mommy and daddy (Brenda and Estuardo Ramirez) for fueling my hopes, dreams, love, and inspiration. They are my heroes. My siblings– Kenny, Brandon, and Sharon Ramirez. They are my best friends, my mentors, the best comedians, and if I have seen and gone further in life it has been by standing side by side and on the shoulders of these giants.

I’d love to thank UC Riverside for giving me a space to discover my passion. To Bella Merlin and Keun-Pyo Park (who were my first acting and filmmaking professors EVER)— thank you for seeing past my disgruntled front and giving me knowledge, books, and opportunities so generously. Thank you to Stu Krieger, Robin Russin, Kim Guerrero, Erith Jaffe-Berg, Rickerby Hinds, the Performing Arts Administration, and the whole TFDP department at UCR. They fueled my hopes and gave me every chance to explore my interest and understand my voice. And to all my fellow Highlanders— the hustlers and healers, the dreamers and believers, the doers: you all are my tribe. Dream big and don’t let anything get in your way. We’ll help each other reach the mountain top until the end— that’s how we get it done in the Riv! Also thank you to the Groundlings School in LA for all the support and for giving me the opportunity to practice being funny and be surrounded by the most wonderful group of weirdos I know, I love them!

I’m endlessly grateful to Patricia Cardoso, a legendary filmmaker and just a superhero of a person, for breaking open the doors for me and being so kind to guide me through this journey since my days at Riverside. And I say the same for Aurora Guerrero (for giving me a chance at my first acting job about an immigrant story), Ava Duvernay for reinventing the crew/set pipeline, and Scott Kroopf and Tom Jacobson for opening my eyes to the possibilities in producing. These are just some wonderful, ground-breaking people— I’m in awe of you and always looking to pass forward the light and hope you have shared with me.

Thank you to my USC family. We go hard for each other, there’s nothing like it. Getting my MFA has been the most challenging journey but I am so grateful for the process and how it has molded my values and character. Thank you to George Lucas and the Foundation for supporting me financially through my program and believing in me by investing in me and the future of Latinx directors. I won’t let you down Papi Lucas! And to my professors— Barnet Kellman (the best comedy directing mentor and teacher I could ever ask for), Susan Cartsonis, John Watson (best producing guide through the thick-and-thin of physical production and for life), Rebekah McKendry, Simon Coke, Tom Jacobson (my producing Obi-wan! I’m so grateful for you and your transparency, generosity, and leadership with grace), Susan Arnold, Amy Reed, Angelo Pacifici, Laura James, Katy Garretson, Diego Parada, and so many more. And my friends!! Jared Mayerson, Matty Beavs, Julia Quiceno, David Willner, Jenniffer Gonzalez, Trey Sutton, Justine Beed, Avo Kambourian, Vincent Essid, Bobbie Green, Joon Cho, Christian Kamaal, John Malone, Caileigh Gold, Willa Cuthrell-Tuttleman, Aniket Solanki, my whole GDG crew, and all my people— y’all know who you are! I wouldn’t have made it this far without you and I can’t imagine this journey without each of you; we got us!

And to my community and supporters who have joined me on this journey, who root for me, cry with me, and cheer me on as I go forward. I am so grateful for you all, I am inspired by you, and I hope to keep honoring your love and making you proud.

This list is long and it would be much longer if it were all encompassing, but I’ll leave the rest to be written as my journey goes on.

Website: Www.chelsearamirez.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-patricia-ramirez

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chelsea_rami_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.ramirez.77770/

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chelsea_rami

Image Credits
Headshot provided by Cristian Lopez Set Photography provided by Sharon Ramirez ADR Photography provided by GDG Crew