Today we’d like to introduce you to KateLynn Newberry.
Hi KateLynn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was growing up, I knew that I wanted to be an artist, but I wasn’t quite sure what medium was going to really click with me. I’ve worked with a few mediums, I was a model for a long time, I spent some time behind the camera for a bit as a photographer, I did some graphic design work for a while, and I did some work as a recording artist. When I was doing work as a recording artist (for a long time this is what I really thought I was going to end up doing) one of the gentlemen, I was working with encouraged me to try acting. I took a few classes here and there, got on a couple of sets as an extra (my very first time on set was for “The Faults in Our Stars” as an extra). After working on a few sets as an extra, I decided to try to audition for some indie films to see if I actually liked acting. I loved it! I loved the psychology behind creating a character and bringing a story to life. I loved being on set for long hours and meeting like-minded people. I was completely enamored by it! I decided to start pursuing it more heavily. I had worked all over the Midwest on indie films until I felt like it was finally time to try to expand my horizons and I moved to Atlanta! So far it’s been really amazing here! I’ve had opportunities here that I could have only dreamed of!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Haha no, I don’t think it’s a smooth road for any artist. Obviously, this industry comes with a lot of rejection. I don’t think it was something I was really prepared for. In the beginning, the rejection used to really get to me and I’d really beat myself up over it. It wasn’t until I started meeting other working actors and hearing them talk about rejection that I started to realize that it was something we all deal with collectively. It helped me stop taking it to heart and realize how impersonal the whole entire casting process really is. Every now and then, I still struggle with it, but not like I did when I first started.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think the two projects that I’m most proud of are “Straitjacket” and “Isolated” (both available on Amazon Prime). “Straitjacket” is a film that was so personal to a lot of people that were involved in the film, me included. It really touched on addiction and how it affects people’s lives, not just the person struggling with addiction. “Isolated” was a whole different beast. I am the only character on screen for about 80 minutes of this film, it was a neat, once in a career challenge. I remember being offered the role and the excitement I had for the challenge. It was a big weight to keep the audience captivated for the duration of the film. Recently, it was reviewed favorably by the LA Times. I was ecstatic. There are a lot of underlying messages in the film that were a lot of fun to play with, and it has a neat thriller/sci-fi vibe to it.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think the most important characteristic about success is to be happy and to love what you do. There are obviously easier ways to make money than to be a creative, so I feel like you need to do it for the love of it. This has never been about money for me. I love being on set, I love working with other creatives, I love creating characters and understanding their psyche. To me, as long as I’m happy doing what I’m doing, I’m successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katelynnenewberry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katelynnenewberry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7TYbNOrC2IXARHozS0rDOg
Image Credits
Headshot with black shirt – Photo by Chase Anderson photo with yellow shirt and knife – BTS Shot from “Things Greater Than Us” Photo with gray sweater – Still from “Reduction in Force” Photo next to irritated looking man – Still from “Resisting Roots” Photo looking down, sad, with gray hoodie – Still from “Straitjacket” Photo with blood on me – Still from “Straitjacket” Photo of me sitting at desk with candles – BTS shot from “Counting Down” Photo with white and pink sweater – Still from “Dormant Evil” Photo with three girls looking sad on stairs – BTS shot from “Pretty Metal”
