We were lucky to catch up with Chase Michael Torrence recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chase Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I remember when I first started my journey in storytelling, whether that be digital marketing, script writing, content creation, or acting, I wanted to do it for the notoriety. I struggled with low self-esteem growing up as a gay Black kid of mixed race so I equated fame with being accepted. However, it wasn’t long until the drive for fame quickly dissipated and I realized that this field I wanted to get into could change the world. It was at that moment that my passion and motivation for art and storytelling became bigger than me and my own selfish ambitions. In addition to my art, I am a devoted social activist whose number one value in life is equality. With that being my north star, and my hunger to create, I realized that I was uniquely equipped to not just make art for myself, but that I had the ingredients to make a positive impact on the world, and more importantly, those most marginalized. For me, that change can come in many different ways. It could be educational to where I am informing my viewers of something they were not aware of. It could challenge the status quo and present different perspectives that can alter one’s preconceived beliefs and evolve their thinking to be more inclusive. Or, it could just be making people who look like me and love like me just smile and feel joy and be seen – something this world needs more of. So I like to say I’ve had different moments in my life that have inspired me to pursue this journey and I am eager to see what other moments could possibly spark new inspiration for my artistic development.

Chase Michael, 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?

Living in Los Angeles for the last 14 years I have been blessed with a handful of experiences that have enriched my life, and art, for the better. For the last 10 years, I have worked in the entertainment industry running, launching, and developing robust global social media campaigns for companies like Amazon, Apple, Hulu, Lionsgate, and The Walt Disney Company – just to name a few. I have had the joy of working with some of the world’s greatest directors, showrunners, actors, and producers to help bring their projects to life and connecting their work to audiences around the world.

In addition to my professional career, I am also an independent scriptwriter, content creator, and actor. I have written 2 half-hour comedy pilots that have gone on to be a semi-finalist in BET Project CRE8 as well as Sundance Episodic Labs.
I am best known for my award-winning web series, MIXED BOY JOY, a two-season and 15-episode coming-of-age comedy about the struggles of being biracial. I also wrote and starred in a short film titled BOX: A DIGITAL LOVE STORY which has gone on to be recognized as an official selection in the Urban Media Makers Festival and QueerX Fest, hosted by LGBTQ streaming platform Revry of which the film can be streamed. The decorated short film also has gone on to be a semi-finalist at the JellyFilm Festival and a finalist at the Independent Short Fest. Most recently, I am about to premiere a new short film that I wrote titled FAULT, in which I will be making my directing debut in the Fall of 2023

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

Getting it right the first time. I tend to have perfectionist tendencies and always want to put my best work out there. However, I quickly learned that in order for that to happen you have to stumble a few times in the beginning. I remember beating myself up over mistakes I would make which resulted in me questioning if this is something I am even good at, or let alone, want to do. I still struggle with that, but I am learning to extend grace and know that every mistake I make now is a lesson and that lesson will turn into a skill for the next time I try.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It would have to be hearing people share with me what my work means to them or has done for them. I remember I was running a social campaign for a hit TV show and fans quickly found out that it was me behind the accounts and found my personal page. The amount of kind words that came pouring in was overwhelming at first. It wasn’t the fact I was being praised, but knowing that they felt like my work brought them joy and happiness just filled my heart with so many emotions. I was speechless that something that I was doing was making complete strangers happy and was a light in their lives. No amount of likes or awards can beat that. That is why I do what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: achasemproject.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/xchasemichaelx
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chasetorrence/
• Twitter: twitter.com/xchasemichaelx
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF-yL8LJcaFVLe4lerDidlw