We were lucky to catch up with Kellie Christensen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kellie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
I started my business during the pandemic. I was looking for a way to make money using my talents on my own terms. Trying to find work as a screenwriter is even more insane than trying to find work as an actor. And the truth is that even when you do find work in either realm, it’s not necessarily what you really want to be doing. Because I had experience as an actor, writer, producer, and director, I realized that if I found a cinematographer, I had everything I needed to start a demo reel company. I’ve been an actor for over 15 years and in my experience, it’s extremely difficult (if not impossible) to be taken seriously and get good auditions without the right tools. One of those tools is demo reel footage that’s professional and tailored to the roles you really want. I found that with other demo reel companies, the scenes aren’t written or produced in a way that showcases the unique star quality each actor brings to the table. That’s how I came up with the name YOUnique Reels. I provide my clients with scenes that are written specifically for their dream roles, on-site shoots so each reel looks completely different (vs the same sets for everyone), talented cinematographers with vision, career coaching, and attentive on-set direction so they can deliver their absolute best performances. I feel personally invested in my clients and their success and I don’t think you get that at other demo reel companies.
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’ve been working in the film industry for over 15 years. I started out only pursuing acting. That changed 7 years ago. I was living in Las Vegas and I was involved in the film community there. A friend invited me to a group he’d started where actors and filmmakers get together to teach each other their skill sets. It was the first time I explored other aspects of film besides acting. I learned about shot composition, lighting, sound, and directing. Our group decided to write something together and shoot it and that was the first time I’d ever written anything. I completely fell in love with it. Shortly after we shot a short film which I co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced. I never stopped writing and producing after that, and last year I decided to combine all of my skills and use it to start my business. The problems I solve for my clients vary based on individual needs. I’m helping two of my current clients join SAG by doing a SAG short film for them so they can qualify. Being in the union helps actors get into bigger rooms and get higher level reps, and it’s really difficult to get a job that qualifies you. Getting anywhere in this business in general is like trying to get into Harvard and win the lottery at the same time. But you have to just keep understanding what level you’re at and doing whatever you can to get to the next one. With each client that comes to me, I figure out what their obstacle is that’s stopping them from getting to the next level in their career. And if it has anything to do with their demo reel (it usually does), I produce reel footage for them that blows that obstacle out of the water.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Talent isn’t enough. I used to think it was when I was younger. Essentially I thought, “I have a great product so people will buy it!” But anyone who’s ever run a business or tried to knows that’s ridiculous. You can have a great product and fail, and you can have a terrible product and succeed (at least temporarily). Talent may be enough to get you some work but it will not take you all the way. If you want this to be your career, listen up. Building an acting career is owning a business, and you need to know your business inside and out, be smart about it, and really good at it for people to trust you. Being given a big role in a big project is a massive responsibility, so you need to be trustworthy. You need strong connections in order to even have a chance at succeeding. But by strong connections, I don’t mean go hit up Tom Cruise on insta and strike up a convo. I mean you need to build strong relationships. You need to care about people. You need to be super good at what you do and you need to care about the people you meet and build trust with them. It takes time and patience, but it’s worth it. Because being an actor isn’t about you, it’s about everyone involved, and yes, you are easily replaceable. At the highest levels, it is a tight knit family and they don’t let anyone in who could tear it apart. So you need to be a good person, you need to be not just talented, but SKILLED, and you need to genuinely care about the people you end up working with if you want to make it as an actor.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I naturally end up befriending my clients, or at least being available to them after we work together if they need anything. I think it’s built into my personality that once I have a connection with someone I just end up seeing them as a friend, so in almost every instance we end up staying connected. I’m actually writing a pilot right now with one of my former clients who became a friend and I’m super excited about it! I also have a policy where once you work with me, if a role presents itself that fits your brand or character goals when working with future clients, I call you in so you get bonus footage. I like to give as much as I can, and keep my rates as low as possible while still keeping my crew happy with what they get paid.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youniquereels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younique_reels/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094269752241
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-christensen-948a92b0/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqnTuMeFQJhY0KjCigT9A1g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/younique-reels-los-angeles
Image Credits
Headshot: Matt Stasi BTS photos: Thomas Hastings