We recently connected with Robert Felsted jr. and have shared our conversation below.
Robert, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I remember the exact moment I knew I would be a performer, Specifically a comedic one. I was a freshman in high school and I had booked the role of Paris in my high school production of Romeo & Juliet. I enjoyed the stage combat and acting in general, but didn’t have the chops to do Shakespeare any justice.
Nevertheless I played the role and during my death scene, I said in a deadpan tone, “I am slain” and heard the whole theater erupt with laughter. My fellow actors were understandable upset with me, but I had stopped acting and, relieved that my role was over, relaxed and finally was present in that moment.
I’ve applied the naturalistic method of acting and filmmaking ever since and have never looked back. It was uniquely mine.
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.
As an actor, I’ve worked in commercials, TV, film and sketch comedy. Although I love learning and absorbing scripts now, improvising has been my forte and I’m often called upon to provide that comedic improvisational energy to a project.
As a filmmaker, I typically imply a documentary handheld style to improvisational comedy, where the subject (usually a comedian) is encouraged to improvise and communicate with me, and essentially the audience.
The best part about all of this is that, whether I’m the one editing, or a filmmaker is editing my performance, I’m always working with that in mind. If it doesn’t exist on camera, you can’t rely on it in the final product.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
When I was growing up, there was no Youtube or social media. I typically find new collaborators via social media or just word of mouth. I would have loved to have that resource early on, rather than just relying on the DIY scene in New Haven.
It would have benefitted me to have that access early on in a small town.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Authenticity is the goal. It’s always the secret ingredient that makes any project successful or relatable. I’m always working to explore and develop my own comedic instincts and awareness of the world.
It informs everything else top-down.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.halifoxproductions.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bfel2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themoonshoots
Image Credits
Headshot by Stephen Shea