Catching Up With Actor Charlie Spencer Clark
We recently caught up with actor Charlie Spencer Clark to talk about life during and after the pandemic and what other projects he has coming up. In between his busy schedule, this is what he had to share with the readers:
Its great catching up with you! Since we last spoke to you, what have you been up to?
Bloody Nora. Far, far, far too much to even fathom. Although I’m not counting the caged up pandemic years, but if I must, then countless hours have been spent traversing the uncharted corners of YouTube.
How has everything been going for you with the pandemic and how have you had to change things?
I don’t even like to talk about it to be honest. It’s an ugly stain on my timeline I’d prefer to forget. This is where I’m supposed to say something positive and uplifting, isn’t it? But nah, the pandemic can go shove itself!
Do you feel like you have grown a lot more as an artist over the years, through your experiences?
Of course. Even a slug learns through life experiences. I ain’t going to list events from my private life, but I will say all those plays we studied in acting school suddenly make a lot more sense.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on so far?
This last movie I did, ‘Match Me If You Can’, has to be up there. Got to spend a couple weeks in Austin, TX playing a supporting role in a feature comedy with a wonderful cast and crew. Twas right up my alley and you must recognize, that opportunities like this don’t present themselves every day. Our director, Marian Yeager, pretty much gave me free rein to do whatever I felt which is also a huge bonus and rarity! I mean, occasionally she had to guide me off the Charlie Wacky Trail and back to the correct path, but that’s always been an unwritten hazard in my contracts. For example, she rejected my penis pump idea for the sanity and innocence of home audiences and to remain in the MPA’s good books. And that’s all I’ll say on that. No more questions. I plead the fifth, Your Honor.
What has been one of the biggest highlights/achievements of your career?
Hmm, perhaps the fact that I’m still here doing it? Nearly everyone I know — and I seriously don’t blame them — have dropped off and pursued other avenues. So I guess I’ll give oneself a gentle pat on the back for remaining in the trenches. That’s what therapists recommend you do, right? Pat yourself on the back? Which reminds me; “Siri, Google CHEAP THERAPISTS NEAR ME”.
Who has been one of your favorite actors/filmmakers you have worked with so far and why?
I know it’s not one, but Noah Baumbach, Kathryn Bigelow, Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Ari Aster, Toni Collette, Viola Davis, Safdie brothers, Nancy Meyers, Jeff Bridges, Martin McDonagh, Cate Blanchett, Trey Edward Shults, Chris Rock and the outrageously hilarious double act film I did with Anthony Hopkins. I haven’t actually worked with any of these folks yet, but this is my shameless attempt at that manifest your future thing Jim Carrey used to do up on Mulholland Drive. Oh and I’ll be working with Jim too!
What other projects do you have coming up?
Getting my financial freak show intact. Biggest project of my career thus far! And movie wise, a sweet and funny little picture with a chap who is quite literally going to be one of the most sought-after directors, Cameron Thrower. Give his short film ‘Beauty Mark’ a watch. The one with Maggie Gyllenhaal.
What is your best piece of advice for aspiring artists?
Stop listening to business people tell you how to market yourself. Sure, they’re good and essential at what they’re supposed to be doing, but YOU’RE the artist. So just do your thing and keep seeking to improve in every way. I’ve never heard a successful actor say, “you know how I made it to the top!? I had my approachable professor looking headshot attached to my 1.5 minute dramatic sizzle tape and my comedy reel assigned to the friendly hipster headshot, ya know, the one where I had the lenses popped out off my horn-rimmed glasses because the photographer was too lazy to adjust lighting even though you can clearly tell the lenses are popped out!
Ohhh boy do I look like sitcom meets Stranger Things in that pic! I hope this helps me get signed to an agency that only looks on Actors Access even though I already have my own subscription to the site! That’s the ddrreeeaammmm bbaaabbbbyyyyy.” This isn’t even advice anymore… it’s a god damn rant!! In fact, if you are reading this, please don’t take my advice. Also please know I’ve done all the bollocks I’m complaining about. But! In all seriousness, JUST FOCUS ON GETTING REALLY, REALLY, UNDENIABLY GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE WE WILL ALL BENEFIT FROM IT. Cheers.
