Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kasey Elliott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kasey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I had written, produced and acted in a few other short films before I wrote Mantis. They were more for fun, they weren’t personal at all. I never really thought of myself as a writer. I just thought it was a great way to act in things instead of waiting around for auditions or bookings to come in. Nothing really inspired me to write until I had something happen to me and that’s when I sat down and wrote the first draft of Mantis. I wrote it in about an hour, it just flowed out of me. I think because I was triggered and inspired and really angry by what had happened and creating this alter ego/alternative reality was really therapeutic for me. It was like getting my feelings out in a journal but better.

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.

I always wanted to be an actor. I’ve been creative my whole life but never thought I could act because of crooked teeth, or where I came from the list goes on. Same way with my writing, I thought I cant do it I never went to college. But now I realized that if you’re an artist, you’re an artist and it doesn’t matter where you came from, what you look like, your level of education, whatever it is that has you doubting. You can do it. You just have to take the leap. I think if you are truly an artist with that passion, drive and desire I don’t think you could ever be truly fulfilled unless you do the art form that you desire. Acting is my number one passion but I don’t hate writing. It can be hard to sit down and do it but I found that when I write stuff that’s close to my heart it usually flows like a diary. I can get hung up of some logistics but I just skip over those and come back to piece the story together. Mantis is the first film I wrote that means something to me. Its based on my experiences and experiences of women in the world. I created the character I play named Carmen as an alter ego. I’ve wished so many times for someone to stick up for because I’m usually the one sticking up for everyone else, and I just thought to myself, what would life be like if there was this person in the world that made it safe for women. Now since writing something that actually means something to me I feel like I can write more personal things about my life to help people feel less alone with out hiding behind an alter ego. Because at the end of the day I want people to feel like they can relate to someone, a character that they feel like is them with similar experiences and not a masked character. So that’s what I’m working on now that Mantis is finished, don’t get me wrong I’m very proud and happy with what I wrote and the film me and my friends created with that story. However I’m ready to share to a T my real life experiences through my next projects. I’m working on writing my first feature film based on my experiences with panic and anxiety disorder and feelings of loneliness.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I really want authentic connection. I struggle a lot with feeling lonely. Crippling loneliness, lots of days, weeks or months of depression. I’m a very anxious person though you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at me or my social media. But I am I struggle a lot. And I desire so much to connect with people, and have real genuine deep connections and friendships. I want people to know they aren’t alone, or weird or going crazy when they have erratic thoughts or feelings brought on by panic or anxiety or isolation or depression. I want a community of good people. I want to make art people can relate to, I want to make stories about my life and the real people in my life and share our stories. I’ve met so many different kinds of people in the world from growing up poor in a small town, traveling alone, working on a weed farm, being a stripper, traveling with bands, working catering and valet I’ve just met so many people who’s stories don’t get to be shared and that makes me so sad. I feel really passionate about the under dogs and over looked people. There are so many beautiful, funny, tragic stories that most people in the world would relate to, unfortunately when you don’t come from money or have connections it makes it really hard to get theses stories out there. So that’s what I want to do. If you think about how much talent goes wasted because of those things you’d want to fire everyone in Hollywood for not taking a chance on un know actors, writers , directors etc.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

If anyone out there is reading this and is struggling with anxiety, depression, panic attacks or loneliness. I want to say first that I’m sorry and second that you are not alone a lot of people struggle with these things. If any one is reading this who wants to follow their dream but is scared or doesn’t know how or doesn’t have the resources or knowledge I promise you if you just take the first step towards it whatever that may be you will be so glad you did and you will gain everything you need eventually by taking that step. I still got many steps until I have everything I need but I am working towards it. 5 years ago I was stripping and now I’m following my dreams. I’m not happy though and I think that’s where my resilience comes into play. Its continuing on when you do have all the odds stacked against you. Some weeks I don’t do anything to advance my dreams because I’m that messed up with my mental health and want to give up. but then one day or one hour I’ll have a good feeling moment and I’ll act on it, I’ll Write a paragraph, or send out a few emails to agents and manager’s, Ill make my silly little tik tok videos. Sometimes that’s all I got in me. I think just by being alive you are inherently resilient some more than others. Yes some people do give up, on their dreams or their life but I think humans are designed to be resilient. I’ve been through a lot in life, some people would have given up by now and I’ve definitely wanted to more than once and occasionally still do when the fear sets in but then Ill have a moment where the clouds part and I see the light and that keeps me going. A good dream, a good conversation with someone, a fun outfit, a beautiful breeze, a hug. I don’t think people realize the power a hug holds. I just keep looking for those light moments, you can deal with a lot more than you think.         

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/kaseyelliott
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaseylelliott/
• Other: Instagram for my newest film Mantis https://www.instagram.com/mantismovie/

Image Credits
Cameron Rice, Kasey Elliott