Meet Seri DeYoung | Actress + Director + Writer

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

Hi Seri, how do you think about risk?
At this point, everything feels like a risk.

I’ve worked in my industry for a long time, and now more than ever I feel like everything is upside down. And while I’ve at times felt lost, uncertain, and like really sad, I’m now starting to feel a sense of excitement. No one really knows what’s gong to happen next, and that’s actually sort of thrilling.

During the ups and downs of the last couple years, I’ve been developing several projects. I’ve always found writing and directing to be necessary components to my creative career. Acting is my first and forever love, and I’ve always gotten painfully restless in the time between jobs. Though writing and directing are risky endeavors as well, it’s actually too risky for me to not pursue them.

During the strikes I began a developing a couple new projects with collaborators I met on Good Trouble. I am consistently so grateful to that job for introducing me to some of the kindest and most creative people that I know. I cannot wait to share more!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
This year I directed a short film that I co-wrote and co-produced with my husband Otha Cole, Unfaithful! It’s an early 2000’s neo-western about a self-righteous reality TV host who lets his personal obsessions blind him to warnings about his hapless guest. The short was executive produced by Jack Fleischer, who also plays Mark in the film- said hapless guest. Otha and I had way too much fun creating this story and we cannot wait for people to see it. Unfaithful! has completed post-production and is currently in consideration at several film festivals. We’ll hopefully be able to announce screenings soon.

The production for Unfaithful! was one of the quickest turnarounds I’ve ever accomplished. We wrote the film in May, prepped in June, shot in July, and completed post by early September. Shooting the whole nine page short in one day was pretty intimidating. It’s my intention to be able to direct features and TV with demanding schedules as efficiently as possible- I’m really proud of myself and the team for pulling it off and having a great time doing it!

I like to work with my editor, Andrew Jordan, in prep to refine and reduce my shot list to the essentials- I prefer to give my actors more takes per setup as opposed to shooting coverage that I may or may not need. I also bring my editor on set so that we can review rough cut scenes on the day and pick up additional shots if we realize we need them. This saved us on Unfaithful! when some unanticipated interruptions cut down our time to shoot a scene and I was only able to get three angles instead of four. Andrew cut the scene, we watched it, hoping we could get away with it- and it just wasn’t working. We worked with the AD, Nicole Whelan, and squeezed the pickup later in the schedule, which really beat the alternatives of either picking up on a later date ($$) or having a scene in the film that’s not quite right. Very relieving to have been able to fix our problem on the day.

Working with my editor in prep and production gives me so much strength in my vision, as I can literally see it come together as we shoot. Plus wrapping each project with a rough cut in hand is a fantastic benefit. I’ve worked this way on my last two projects and I am always excited to share my experience with other filmmakers. It’s not a common practice, and it’s my favorite way to work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m going to pretend I’m planning a day with my best childhood friend Desi Giraudo. She’s a costume designer and artist based in New Mexico.
We’d start by getting coffee at my neighborhood spot, Lily’s Laurel Canyon Cafe. I’d definitely take her to a pottery class at my friend Lina’s studio- Good Dirt LA. All the teachers are wonderful and we’d get to make and keep our own ceramic pieces!
If we’re already on the west side, I really love to hang out in Abbot Kinney. I live on the other side of town, so it always feels like a little treat to go there and shop around. Probably drive up the PCH because she needs to see the ocean. Then she’d love the vintage shopping in Topanga- I’ve always found unique and fun things at Hidden Treasures. If we’re feeling magical, we’d do dinner at Inn of the Seventh Ray. I’ve had my birthday there a handful of times it’s so special. Desi and I used to see movies together all the time as kids, so we’d for sure go to my neighborhood theater, the Landmark Sunset – they recently updated the lobby it’s really nice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s hard to think that anyone has had more of an impact on my creativity than my teachers at The Imagined Life. The ethic, approach, and community that Diana built has been my creative home and inspiration for many years. They are an acting class, but because the philosophy is simply rooted in story, I have had the opportunity to grow just as much as a writer and director with them. Their mentorship has deeply shaped and strengthened the creative I am today, I am so grateful to them.

Instagram: @serideyoung, @unfaithful.on.tape

Twitter: @serideyoung

Image Credits
all portraits (denim shirt) by Alex Plank

Behind the scenes of Unfaithful! pictured with Nicole Whelan (First AD) and Carrie Morgan Glassman (Cinematographer)

Andrew Jordan (Editor)

Unfaithful! stars Jack Fleischer + Ronald Auguste + Andrew Joseph Perez

with Otha Cole (Co-Writer / Executive Producer)