An Exclusive Interview with Collin Pelton

Introduction:

Collin Pelton hails from Kurtistown, Hawaii, while also claiming Boston as his home. He is the son of Leimana Pelton, world renowned artist and bamboo architect. Collin's mother, Rachelle Vachon, is the Head of the Theater Department at Nashoba Brooks School and a graduate from Emerson College. Collin attended high school at Waiakea High School in Hilo, Hawaii, and Somerville High School in Somerville, Massachusetts.

How did you become interested in art? Tell us about the turning point in your career?

When I set out on the entertainment path, I sought to tell stories through performance. Quickly, the message of my stories became just as important as performing, and I began to write. Rather than waiting for my message to be made, I involved myself in every production in film, television, and new media that I could find (or that found me), to learn the skills I needed to share my stories. I call myself a hybrid actor. I write. I produce. And, occasionally direct. 


What is the latest project you are working on?

I just finished a film called #ConspiracyPrincess. It was a concept dreamed up by Sia Abderazai, my director, for the 48 Hour Film Project (http://www.48hourfilm.com/en/la/). Our genre was Suspense Thriller this year. Last year, we had a similar intensity under the genre Silent Film called Coveting Roses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cppeHEiYs8). Attached is the poster for our film, and me writing our script for the first night of the 48 Hour Film Project. 

How is the response of audience towards Conspiracy Princess?

We screen this film on August 22nd, making me excited to know how the audience will react. If I can make them think about the film after it's over, I've done my job. 


How is this different from past projects?

This project offered new challenges for me as a producer. I had to trust that I had the right people in the right jobs. Some of my team members I've known and worked with for 5 years. Others were joining us for the first time. Everyone had my trust.

What is the best part about working now a days?

Technology makes film-making grand now a days. We were shooting on a Canon 5D mark III. The picture quality produced by this camera allows the learning filmmakers to bridge the gap in production value so that the audience can pick their favorite film, not just the high budgets. Distribution has taken a turn, so more entertainment is being developed everyday, reaching more people than ever before. Streaming, podcast  Netflix, hulu, VOD, these are all a much bigger world with digital entertainment. I love going to huge movie theaters. I equally love watching whatever movie I want on my laptop. 

The zombie photo was taken on the set of Black Ops II: Surprise Commercial directed by Guy Ritchie. I'm with Paul Meixner (currently directing Guardian, a film I'm Co-Producing) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wIZp_E2CxQ and the making of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73AlLOZu62Y which has close ups of both Paul and I. 

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I have a lot of growing to do as a producer, so in the next few years you will see more producing credits as I build up my experience in seeing a production from concept to release and distribution. I'm also developing two books, one original series, and the other based on the disappearance of my family in the Bermuda Triangle in 1964. I'm also attached to two features in development, hopefully going into production next year. I'm slated as a lead actor, playing an eager Bio-engineer trying to save the world. 

Literally staring at CAA in the distance. Photo by NinJ 

What do you believe is the key element to become a good artist?

I believe a key to becoming a good artist is embracing the challenge of never settling, constantly pushing oneself to be the best version of yourself, create the best body of work, art, or love you can in the moments you are given.