We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Casey McDougal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Casey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

It was September 2017 and I had just finished working on a feature film on the east coast, when I decided to take a trip out to Los Angeles. I knew I wanted to live there, but this trip was meant for me to look around and figure out the city a bit. I was planning on moving sometime in the spring. I drove around, met up with friends, and just took it all in.

One day I was standing in Hollywood, after just checking out a studio apartment and my phone rang. A friend of mine in the film industry had called and asked me, “Hey, if I can get you an interview for a job, would you be able to stay for the job?” I said, “For how long?” And he said, “The rest of the year.” I was so excited, I didn’t even take time to talk myself out of it. “Yes!”

As I was walking back to my car, totally pumped, and not sure of my next step, my phone rang again! This time it was someone I had met a couple of days before in the apartment tours. “Hey, it was great meeting you. Would you be able to move in next week?” Again, without thinking, I said, “Sure!” I hung up the phone, totally shocked by the series of events. I called my Mom and told her what happened, and she was equally excited and fully supportive.

I was staying at an airbnb in the Hollywood Hills (which I did not realize until I drove my rental car to the address!) in view of the Hollywood sign, and all I had was a carry-on I had brought with me on the plane. This was the first time I had ever packed so light.

Mind you, I hadn’t actually gotten the job yet, but I felt that the timing of everything was just right, and I knew it would somehow all work out.

I did get the job on set, which led to me getting a role in the film, and through a whole thread of events, leading to more roles and more opportunities. I had my car shipped out to me, and eventually I was able to fly home to get my dog too!

I think the greatest thing anyone can do, especially if you are a creative person, is follow your hunches and take risks if it feels right, even though logically it may make no sense. There’s a saying which I think is 100% true and that is, if the opportunity presents itself, you ARE ready. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be there.

Casey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was 17, I took my bow onstage in my high school production, and I knew in that moment, that I wanted to be an actor. After studying theater in college, with a focus in acting, I was completely sure I would focus on theater.

That all changed when a theater friend I knew told me we had to meet up, so he could explain his experience to me having worked on multiple sets as a set dresser. Through his advice, I ended up working on various sets and getting my SAG card.

I worked on commercials, films, and tv shows in Boston and New York, both behind the camera and in front. I produced some of my own work as well.

During the pandemic, a college friend / entrepreneur approached me about launching a start up together that is focused on screenwriters and producers buying and selling scripts globally through an online platform. With our experience, we have been able to create something unique that we hope will help disrupt the industry and prevent gatekeeping. We also provide classes, free webinars, and personalized feedback on each and every script that gets submitted to our app through our subscription service. We don’t charge by script and we want to help everyone succeed, including ourselves, so that is why we have so much personalized service to cater to screenwriters.

The work I am most proud of is the work I have collaborated on over the years that came about in fun and often surprising ways. I have wonderful memories of films and shows and various productions. I always know I’m on the right track when I follow what feels fun and exciting, and maybe a little scary too. The nerves I used to feel as a teen have not gone away, and I see that as good sign!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to learn that just because someone who is older, has more authority, and more experience than you, tells you something is a fact in your discipline, it does NOT make it true.

I was told I should never do background acting because people wouldn’t take me seriously as an actor. FALSE. I learned SO much about being on set and the rules and etiquette of working in the industry.

I was told I should be prepared to put every single thing on my life on hold for my dream, which is a dangerous and toxic thing to tell a young performer. While it’s important to prioritize your goals and dreams, life and your relationships in life are what make up you who are, and should always be honored and respected.

And most importantly, I have learned that a lot of ideas about what a path should look like for an actor are really not one size fits all. Every single person has their own unique journey.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest mission with performing arts and working in the entertainment industry is to always find ways to uplift people. I want my acting and my compassion as a human being to always be a reminder that our lives are happening right NOW and the best thing any of us can do is get out there and do what makes us most happy.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CaseyMcDougal.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/CaseyMcD
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-mcdougal-09a640234/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/casey_mcdougal