Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charlie Bellarose. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Charlie , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
Faith. I don’t mean that in a religious sense, although, for some people, religion is a great source of optimism. Personally, it’s about having faith in myself and my abilities, as well as trusting the process of life. Trusting that the universe always has my back and that no matter what, everything is always working out for my highest good. Even when things don’t work out the way that I want them to, I try to focus on the positive. I like to see failure as an opportunity for growth — a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. If something doesn’t work out it’s because it wasn’t meant to, or perhaps, it was to teach me a valuable lesson.
Having faith that there is a greater purpose behind every experience, gives me the confidence and the resilience to keep moving forward despite any obstacles I might be facing. When you trust in the process, you can let go of unnecessary worry and anxiety, and just allow things to unfold naturally as they are meant to, and that’s an amazing feeling.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a French-American actor and filmmaker. I’ve always been passionate about cinema and the power of storytelling, which is why I started a small, independent production company called Hollywounded Productions, where I write, direct, and produce short films. I am best known for my award-winning, Hollywood-centric comedy series, “Hollywounded,” which has garnered recognition for its unique, colorful style and raw comedic tone. My newest film “Jacques” — a comedy about a neglected stray pup who finds refuge in the arms of an eccentric young woman — has been featured in numerous international film festivals, where it has received accolades for its quirkiness and visual aesthetic. I am so pleased to announce that “Jacques” has been selected to be part of this year’s 27th Annual LA Shorts International Film Festival taking place from July 19th-30th, so come check it out! I’d love to see you there.
What do I find exciting about filmmaking? Everything. I love everything about making a film, from crafting the narrative to experimenting with cinematography to directing and editing, every step in the filmmaking process offers a sense of exploration and artistic expression. As a filmmaker, I have the power to move, captivate and transport people to different worlds. I also get to collaborate with other incredibly talented individuals who help bring my vision to life. It’s exhilarating to witness my ideas manifest on the big screen. Anytime I see someone laugh at something I wrote or tell me how much they love my film, it is truly gratifying.
I feel the same way about acting. Being an actor is an extraordinary and exhilarating experience. I love that I get to step into the shoes of different characters, take on diverse personalities, embody their emotions, dreams and struggles. It’s fun to escape my reality and be somebody else for a while. Each role presents a new challenge, pushing me to expand my abilities and discover untapped depths within myself. Acting also encourages me to keep learning and growing. I am constantly adding new skills to my repertoire, like stage combat or tactical weapons training; things I never thought I would do.
That’s not say that acting and filmmaking is all unicorns and rainbows. They both come with their unique set of challenges. Not to mention, the film industry is a tough cookie to crack, but the joy that I feel when I’m performing or shooting a film makes it all worth it.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It’s funny because I didn’t go to film school. Even though I was always passionate about film, it just didn’t seem like an option for me at the time. Instead, I ended up studying creative writing and graphic design. Incidentally, these two subjects have actually helped me tremendously on my “filmmaking journey.”
Graphic design has played an essential role in teaching me the principles of composition, color theory, balance, and visual hierarchy. I use these same principles in filmmaking when deciding what color palette to use, how I want to frame my subjects, or what shots and camera angles I want for a particular scene. My design skills are also extremely useful when it comes to other film-related tasks like creating movie posters, electronic press kits and pitch decks.
As for creative writing, it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of storytelling and story structure, as well as how to build conflict and tension. It also taught me about character development and how to create well-rounded and compelling characters. This is not only helpful for screenwriting, but also when it comes to my acting. Having a better understanding of character development, makes it easier for me relate to the character I’m supposed to be portraying.
The third thing that comes to mind is my attention to detail. Now, some might call me a perfectionist, but I see it as being meticulous. Whether it’s in set design, costumes, props, lighting or other visual elements, my attention to detail ensures that all the creative choices I make align with the story and tone of the film. It’s also extremely important when it comes to continuity and maintaining a cohesive visual experience. Most of the time, when I’m making a film, I’m shooting scenes out of sequence so it’s easy to end up with mismatched props or inconsistent character positions, which can disrupt the narrative flow. Meticulous attention to detail helps me avoid these kinds of mistakes. The same can be said when it comes to my acting. When I’m preparing for a role, I find that details such as mannerisms, speech patterns, body language, and physical appearance all contribute to the authenticity and depth of the character. These nuances are what allow me to make my character more believable and relatable.
Because everyone’s journey is different and not everybody trying to pursue acting or filmmaking is going to have the same experiences as me, my advice is to take the things that you have learned throughout your life that are unique to you and your experience, and try to make them work for you by applying them to whatever it is you’re passionate about.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. That book changed my life. Not only did it teach me how to practice presence and mindfulness, how to remain centered, and to appreciate the beauty of each moment, but it also taught me how to overcome any blockages to creativity. The book emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cultivating awareness of the now by quieting that incessant mental chatter — basically, that voice in your head that just can’t seem to shut up. It’s a great book for people like me who tend to drive themselves crazy with overthinking.
As a creative, I often feel pressure to create. Sometimes, so much so that I’ll get in my head and start to overthink, which then leads to anxiety and that anxiety leads to more overthinking, and suddenly, my creativity is being suffocated under the weight of my overactive mind. Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Trust me, it is. Or at least, it was, before I learned to quiet my mind.
In his book, Eckhart Tolle writes, “stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found” and “creativity arises out of the state of thoughtless presence in which you are much more awake than when you are engrossed in thinking.” What he is essentially saying is that the moment you quiet your mind, you’ll notice the doors to creativity start to open up. It’s so true! Have you ever found yourself sitting there, racking your brain trying to “think” of an idea, only to be met with resistance and frustration, but then, you decide to go for a run and all of a sudden, a brilliant idea just pops into your head? It happens to me all the time, especially when I’m meditating or listening to music. That’s because when you’re engaged in activities like meditation, running, or listening to music, you are focused on the present moment, which means you’ve stopped “thinking.” This allows ideas to naturally flow through you.
A lot of creatives have a tendency to overthink and the problem with overthinking is that is kills the creative process and leads to creative blocks. Although, the book is not directly focused on filmmaking or acting, it can have a positive impact on anyone trying to enhance their creative process while accessing a deeper level of inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hollywounded.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywounded/
