We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlie Bellarose. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlie below.

Charlie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

As a filmmaker, I take on multiple roles; I write, I direct, I produce and I act. It seems that most people in the film industry are of the belief that if you want to succeed in this business, then you have to choose a specific role and stick to that. That’s because this industry loves putting people in a box.

I remember that when I was seeking theatrical representation, agents would look at my resume, and with a confused air, they would ask; “Wait, so, what exactly do you do?” They told me that if I wanted to be an actress, then I should focus on that and forget the rest, otherwise, people might get confused. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t asking them to rep me as a screenwriter or a director; they still wanted me to choose. But why should I have to choose? There are plenty of successful people in this business that take on multiple roles. Take Phoebe Waller-Bridge — the creator of the series “Fleabag” — she writes and stars in her how show. Same with Issa Rae and Lena Dunham, who both write, direct, produce and star in their own content. So, despite what people in the industry say, I don’t believe that you have to pigeonhole yourself in order to be successful in this business. Life is short; why limit yourself to just one thing? Especially if it’s something that you are passionate about.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My story is a bit unusual. I am originally from Paris, France, but I grew up watching American cinema. My parents had a library’s worth of films that I would binge on as a kid. I would get lost in the characters and their stories; living vicariously through them. I’ve always had a wild imagination, a knack for storytelling and a need for artistic expression. I would often perform skits for my family, making up elaborate scenarios. I loved entertaining others and making them laugh. However, as a teenager, the concept of being an actor and a filmmaker seemed more like a fantasy rather than something rooted in reality.

After I graduated college, I had an inexplicable pull to move to Los Angeles and try my hand at acting and filmmaking. I figured, what the hell, it’s now or never. My first year in Tinseltown, I ended up joining a writing group whose members were young professionals working in the film industry. Every week, we would read a screenplay that one of us had written and give each other feedback on how we could improve it. I had written several screenplays over the years. When my turn came, I chose a pilot that I had written for a web series called “Hollywounded.” Everyone loved it. “We have to make this,” they said. And just like that, I had a whole production team at my disposal. I ended up creating a small production company (Hollywounded Productions) and began submitting the series to various film festivals. This was in 2019, right before Covid. In the last 2 years, “Hollywounded” (which I wrote, directed, produced and star in) has won 8 awards for best comedy series and I couldn’t be happier.

This year, I just completed another film called “Jacques” that I am incredibly proud of; a quirky and whimsical tale in which a neglected stray dog, finds refuge in the arms of an eccentric young woman who lives in the desert. This film is very special to me because it has inspired me to keep reaching new heights when it comes to my creative endeavors. “Jacques” has been making its rounds in the festival circuit. So far, it’s been showcased at the 2023 Cleveland International Film Festival and it will be featured at the RiverRun International Film Festival this month, so be on the lookout for that. All I can say is that I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am today and I look forward to creating more content in the future.

As a filmmaker, I’m always looking for cinematographers, actors, makeup artists, fashion designers, writers, musicians, producers, editors and other talented individuals to collaborate with for my projects, as well as potential investors and distribution. So, if you’re someone looking for production services for your film, or you’re a fellow artist wanting to create content together or a producer wanting to help fund one of my projects, by all means, feel free to reach out.

I believe that what sets me apart is having a unique and compelling creative vision. Everything that I do has a very specific aesthetic. I love bright, bold colors and eccentric sets that pop off the screen and capture the audience’s attention. I also have a distinctive voice and style. I like to tell stories in a way that feels fresh, innovative, and authentic by infusing my work with personality and originality. My ability to rise to any challenge and think outside the box, as well as a combination of talent, skills, and dedication to the craft, are all things that set me apart.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, it starts with the act of creating itself — the process of bringing an idea to life, whether it’s through writing, film, or another form of art. Creating something from scratch and seeing it come together is such a gratifying experience. There is nothing more satisfying than being in the flow where everything is just pouring out of you with ease and you become completely absorbed in the process of creating. It’s the only time where I feel totally at peace.

I love being a creative because it pushes me to evolve and grow, not only as an artist, but also as a person. It forces me to take risks, to try new things, to step outside of my comfort zone, and to keep reaching for new heights. I’m always striving to make the next project better than the one before.

It also allows me to connect with others, and to share my unique perspective and experiences with the world. I get such a high off of seeing someone laugh at a specific scene or a funny line that I wrote. I don’t believe that artists should seek validation from others, but it’s an amazing feeling anytime someone tells me how much they love one of my short films. It gives me a sense of purpose — like this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing with my life, and it motivates me to keep creating.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As a director, I set the tone for the project. It’s my job to not only carry out the artistic vision of the film, but to also manage the people I work with. So, my first piece of advice is to keep your cool. When you’re on set, everything is moving so quickly and your attention is being pulled in so many directions that it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out. For instance; when we were shooting in the desert, someone forgot to bring a specific camera lens that we needed for one of the scenes. It was frustrating because, since we were on a time crunch, we didn’t have time to go back and get it. This was a MAJOR blunder. But, instead of getting angry and pointing fingers, we took some time as a team to come up with a creative solution to the problem. Getting upset would’ve made things worse and it would’ve killed the vibe on set.

I also think it’s important to remind your team that they are appreciated through small acts of kindness, like springing for gourmet coffee or making sure to buy everyone’s favorite snacks. It’s the little things that count. On set, I like to tell people what a great job they’re doing and how vital their role is to the project. It’s also about keeping an open mind and making sure that everyone feels like they’re being heard. If someone has a suggestion on how to improve the film, I’m all ears. Even of the final decision rests on me, I want them to feel like it’s a collaborative effort and that they also have the freedom to express their own creativity. People are much happier and perform better when they feel appreciated.

Finally, have fun! Shooting a film is hard work and can be overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly fun. On set, I like to keep things lighthearted by joking with the cast and crew. Sometimes we play pranks on each other and other times, something funny will happen on set that makes everyone have a good time. Like when my director of photography accidentally sat on a cactus plant and I had to pull out the spikes from his bare ass using a pair of tweezers while the rest of the crew and cast watched. That’s something none of us will forget.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hollywounded.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywounded/