Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Nelson.
Hi Casey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Alpharetta and was a distance runner in high school. A buddy of mine was doing a play my junior year and suggested I audition. I did and got cast. The play was TWIGS by George Furth. Looking back, it was a pretty advanced, and somewhat ridiculous play to be doing as a high school kid. I played an abusive, alcoholic 40-something husband from New York. But I gave it everything I had. I only wish someone had recorded it. I’d always loved movies growing up, but that was my first time actually performing.
After that, I went to the University of Georgia, where I ran Cross Country and Track, and majored in Dramatic Arts. I moved to Los Angeles upon graduation, and spent 17 years pursuing mostly film and television acting. I studied with Meisner teacher David Blanchard in my early 20s, which was honestly the best thing I could have done. We had class six hours a week, and rehearsals three hours a week. I needed that discipline at such a young age. I also went on to train with character actor Brad William Henke, and legendary casting director Risa Bramon Garcia. I am thankful to all of these teachers, as they taught me so much, not only about the craft of acting, but about the industry.
It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I started writing screenplays. I mostly did it to create acting opportunities for myself, but I quickly fell in love with storytelling and the process as a whole. I made a few short films, and then in 2014, raised enough money to write/produce my first feature THE LAST TREASURE HUNT, which is currently on Amazon. Making that film was the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of my life (up to that point). I’d compare it to running or training for a Marathon. The training and race itself are insanely difficult, but actually finishing is insanely fulfilling. I was hooked from that point on.
I’ve now written fifteen features, including my most recent film BLACK WHITE AND THE GREYS, which won 10 awards on the festival circuit in 2022. It will be out on all the streaming platforms this June. I moved back to Atlanta in 2019 and wrote the film in July of 2020 with my friend/classmate Marchelle Thurman, during the height of the pandemic.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road for me. It took me about five years living in L.A. to book my first Network show and Studio film. Naively, I thought my career was about to catch fire at that point, but I was sorely mistaken. I spent the next ten years auditioning like most actors do. I was fortunate enough to discover photography in my late 20s, and have been a working photographer now for about ten years. I consider myself truly blessed, as I love photography and don’t really consider it work. I’d do it even if I wasn’t getting paid, so fortunately my “survival” job is something I actually enjoy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I suppose I’ve somewhat become a “Jack of All Trades” at this point. I love acting, but as I mentioned before, I discovered writing and photography in my late 20s/early 30s. I’ve also directed a number of short films, and most recently directed my first feature with BLACK WHITE AND THE GREYS. It was the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m so so proud of what we accomplished. Directing a film during a pandemic was no easy task, but I wouldn’t change anything about that experience… A few years ago, if someone told me I could never act again, I would have been devastated. But at this point, if someone told me that, and I knew I could write and direct for the rest of my life, I think I’d be okay with that. Some of my heroes are Mark Duplass, Ben Affleck, Brady Corbet, and Clint Eastwood. People who started off as actors, but went on to become incredible filmmakers. That’s what I want to do. At this point in my life, I just want to make movies.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That’s a tough question. I’ve learned so many lessons along the way. I think you just have to stick with it. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true. Harrison Ford once said, “If you stick with it long enough, everyone else will quit.” I probably butchered that quote, but it was something like that… I always took that to heart.
One thing I’ve learned in the last two years of making our film is not always, but most of the time, things happen for a reason. Every time a door got slammed in our faces or something bad happened, it seemed at the time, like the end of the world. But without fail, EVERY SINGLE TIME, a better opportunity arose. And those hiccups along the way, turned out to be blessings in disguise.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackwhiteandthegreys.com
- Instagram: @caseynelson23
- Other: www.caseynelsonphotography.com
