Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shannon Corbett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shannon, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
It has truly been a blessing earning a full time living from my creative work as an actor. My first time working on a professional set was for a Twenty One Pilots music video called “Saturday”. A couple of months later, I booked a background role as MGM crew for Damien Chazelle’s movie “Babylon”. From that point on, I booked several roles back to back for television, movies, and music videos!
I’ll never forget the awesome feeling quitting my awful 9 to 5 retail job because FINALLY I was making enough money from all my acting gigs to make a full time living off my dreams!
Being able to make a living as a full time artist has been an absolute blessing I’m super grateful for! It has allowed me to fully dive into my love for performing as an actor and singer in many ways! It’s allowed me to commit full time in my art and have been able to focus full time on my acting and singing journey! I love it!!!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hey! I’m Shannon Corbett! I’m a 23 year old actor and singer born and raised in Los Angeles, CA! I’m a huge vintage fashion lover! The eras I dress in are typically from the 1920’s to 1980’s! Most of my looks are inspired by rock ‘n’ roll legends and classic movie stars! My favorite musicians are Little Richard, Van Halen, Lady Gaga, KISS, Jimi Hendrix, and a 50’s band that deserves more recognition called The Jive Bombers! And as for movie stars, I absolutely adore and admire Vivien Leigh, James Dean, Lauren Bacall, Mae West, Bette Davis, Jean Harlow, and Jimmy Stewart! Oh, my! Already got carried away with the list of legends I’m inspired by! I started my creative journey as a little girl performing at my school’s talent shows. I would act, sing, dance -anything! When I got older, in my teen years, I got involved with a lovely theater company called The Canyon Theatre Guild, which became my home! I performed several dramatic shows, musicals and dark comedies! My two favorite shows I performed there were The Curious Savage, in which I played Florence Williams and Legally Blonde: the musical as Vivienne Kensington!
As much as I loved theater, I went on to pursue my dream to be a movie/tv actor. And I did that by booking roles in short films and starring in my friends’ short films, eventually figuring my way into the film/tv industry!
My first featured role was on Dexter Fletcher’s “The Offer” S1, Ep. 4, in which I played a secretary. I was so excited and happy not only because I was featured, but also because I’ve always wanted to work with Dexter Fletcher!
My first principle role was as Detective Caskey for Hulu’s “Murdered in the Heartland” S4, Ep.6!
My second principle role was for another crime show for “Murdered by Morning”, in which I played Kendra.
My other work I’m extremely proud of was playing Kelsea’s friend for the Kelsea Ballerini music video “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down Too)”!
Another featured role I booked was for “Send Help” on Apple TV/ AllBlk for S1, Ep. 3!
There are so many other roles I’m proud of, but am not allowed to say yet, so let’s talk about one of my favorite roles I’ve done, which was on my favorite show ever… HBO’s BARRY!
I played Sally’s theater student for the finale of BARRY, which is S4, Ep.8! I’m a huge fan of the show and again, it’s my favorite show ever, and when I was cast in BARRY, I jumped up and down, screaming with joy! I admire Bill Hader and other actors on the show so much, so I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with Bill Hader and Sarah Goldberg on set! I was internally fan girling when Bill Hader directed me to hug Sarah Goldberg for the scene! Of course, I kept professional, but WOW! I was so happy! Haha! Best memory ever!
Another goal I fulfilled was my guest appearance on Good Mythical Morning (GMM)! They were one of my favorite YouTubers growing up, so part of me felt like I healed my inner child! Haha! I got to play a game with Rhett & Link, and Dave Franco! Such cool people! I
I’m successful because I worked really hard for it all! Everyone who knows me knows I’m a hustler! A go big or go home kind of gal! I’m constantly putting myself out there making content on social media and going to events to make new connections and support other artists. But most importantly, I’m consistently submitting to roles and gigs and searching for other platforms to get myself out there! It’s definitely a lot of work, but extremely worth it! I love everything that I do!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
There are so many goals that drive my creative journey! My main goal – or really my number one goal – is to tell my story and life experiences through characters I play and reach an audience who have survived the same experiences I have and let that audience know they are not alone and that they’ll make it through! Artists have a lot of influence in society. I want to use my platform to help the world! Playing all of these characters as an artist has helped me heal. Performing is my therapy. And I’m so grateful for every opportunity and job I book!
Another goal in my creative journey is to take on new challenging projects, whether it’s a type of character or a tough song. I enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone to learn and study for my next performance. The amount of effort you put in your craft always shows and I always make sure to do my job correctly!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
100% YES! There are a lot of things non-creatives unfortunately struggle to understand about your journey as a creative. The time, effort, money, and mental health aspect especially. Non-creatives don’t understand how we creatives have to sometimes drop whatever we are doing at any given moment, whether it’s a last minute call for an audition or getting cast for a rush call. Or cancelling plans with friends to book that role!
Non-creatives also don’t understand the creative blocks us artists get every once in a while, or when us creatives want to explore new genres of art to expand our creativity and expertise. Non-creatives criticize and will tell you “that’s weird” or “that’s not your usual aesthetic” or whatever. There is nothing wrong with exploring new genres and creating content/performances outside of your bubble. The best things happen when you go outside of your bubble and explore!
Another BIG ONE was that non-creatives especially didn’t understand what it was like to struggle and survive through the WGA & Actors Strike this year!
Us people in the industry were not allowed to work on so many sets because the companies were struck. Therefore, all of us lost our jobs and had to find other means to live until the strike was over. A lot of us also lost our homes, struggled to find jobs, and our mental health were at an all time low. Truly a devastating few months for us all in the entertainment industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11158545/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/officialshannoncorbett
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-corbett-36bb8a24a
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Lot44hNpilPiWKeTMTEZTojx_GWDHv6&si=vdhMa1DmILphbo17
- Other: • Vintage fashion account: @shannon__corbett • TikTok: @shannonsmind
Image Credits
Image 1: still shot from “Send Help” on Apple TV/AllBlk Image 2: still shot from “The Offer” on Paramount Plus Image 6: still shot from Kelsea Ballerini music video – “If You Go Down (I’m Going Down Too)”