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GLAM Chat: Chelsea Macleod

Chelsea Macleod is a South African Actress and Producer who’s well on her way to making it big in Los Angeles, USA. At the age of 23, she is one of the youngest South African Actresses/Producers in Hollywood and has recently signed with a Boutique acting agency HRi. Kicking off her life in the lime light, Chelsea did modelling and acting work through BOSS models before moving to London where she studied film at the University of Westminster. With a hunger and passion for film making, she left for the city of Los Angeles where she was rewarded a scholarship at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. BEE Holder Productions, known for their Golden Globe winning Al Pacino film You Don’t Know Jack, recognised Chelsea’s talent and quickly snapped her up.

She has however not forgotten her sunny South African roots and we at GLAMOUR were eager to call her in for a quick word.

GLAMOUR:  How do you think being South African born has influenced your film making considering you studied in England and now live in LA?

Chelsea: Although I left South Africa when I was 16, my childhood there formed me. Most of my schooling took place there as well. I think that for many artists, childhood is such an important time. Where you are born and where you grow up is truly formative. Nothing excites me more than the thought of rusks, rooibos tea and giggles with my best friends. I use all of those memories in my work. My studies in England and L.A. helped me technically but I think in filmmaking and acting, that’s only a small part of what we do. My experiences, first living in Europe and now in the States, throw up such sharp contrasts to my upbringing.I feel privileged to have my roots in the Rainbow Nation, which is so full of diversity and has such a rich and warm culture.

I am proud to say that I am South African. People can’t often tell where I come from, mistaking me for Australian or British, but mostly they don’t know a lot about South Africa and, naturally, this creates a lot of interest.

GLAMOUR: We love that you are trying to search for local up and coming South African filmmakers, storytellers and talent. How has that been working out so far? Do you find that you have a rich pool of talent to choose from?

Chelsea: I have to make a note. Although he isn’t in South Africa presently, I am so excited and happy for South African born Shannon- Kook Chun, who was in CONJURING and most recently DARK PLACES. He’s a really cool, talented guy, totally humble and down to earth… I love that. I have met some really great South Africans out here in L.A. who have really helped me in my career, and I hope to do that for someone else. 

We, Bee Holder Productions, have a number of projects which could be shot in South Africa. PRECIOUS TARGETS is one in development at the moment; it is a smart horror film, set on a canned hunting ranch. Along with the help of the EVP of Bee Holder Productions, Camila Castro, we have foundidentified some really good potential options for it. South Africa has a rich pool of talent and I look forward to seeking out and working with more South African creatives and production houses. 

GLAMOUR: In what areas do you think the South African film industry can be improved?

Chelsea: The film industry has the capacity to contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. The improvement of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI’s) film and TV incentives scheme in 2008 proved to be a great success (from 2004-2008, the scheme supported 49 productions, whereas between 2008-2013 it supported 398 projects). I think there is still room for continuing to improve our incentives. 

For artists, I would love to see more film and acting schools being built, nothing too expensive, but spaces where people have the opportunities and resources to create, to learn and to share. We are very lucky nowadays, with the Internet. It is so easy to share your work and collaborate nationally and internationally. Worldwide, I think people need to start appreciating art and filmmaking earlier on in the schooling system. A powerful video which addresses this issue can be seen on a TED talk by Ken Robinson, “How Schools Kill Creativity”.   

GLAMOUR: So far you have managed to be pretty successful, has it always been smooth sailing?

Chelsea: Smooth sailing… My sailing trip has been more like a mix of Pirates of the Caribbean, Jaws and Shark Attack. Haha! I work very hard. I wake up around 5am every morning and work everyday. In the evenings I am either in class, in meetings, catching up on script reading or watching a movie. I don’t see my family or friends nearly as much as I would like to. I have had to sacrifice a lot. But I wouldn’t change it for the world because I love everything that I do and I have a wonderful group of people in my life, from friends to family to everyone that I work with at Bee Holder and my agencies. I am extremely grateful for that and for all the successes that I have enjoyed. 

GLAMOUR: Can you tell us what it is like working in LA?

Chelsea: Flipping awesome! The creative energy is unparalleled, which is why creatives from all over the world come here.

GLAMOUR: What are some of the Hollywood projects you are currently working on or have coming up in the future?

Chelsea: With Bee Holder Productions, I am working on a number of projects at the moment, including Post Mortem Art by Italian Golden Globe nominee director, David Grieco, and Precious Targets, an elevated thriller. 

 I have also just signed with a new agency and have started auditioning for them. I recently did a video for Grammy winner Daniel Lanois’ new album Flesh and Machine. I booked a short film last week and have a couple more lined up. I also have a burning desire to put up a play and get my teeth into a really juicy role, and am planning to do that sometime next year. 

GLAMOUR: How would South African filmmakers who are interested in working with you get in touch?

Chelsea: Social Media like Facebook and Instagram is always great, but they can also check out the Bee Holder website, which is a great resource for the projects we are working on.

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