Actress Carolyn Stotesbery is quickly becoming Hollywood’s newest ‘indie darling’. With three new films coming up and several other projects in the works, Carolyn isn’t waiting around for the phone to ring. She appears in the legal-thriller “The Advocate,” which recently debuted at the Durango Film Festival, adventure-comedy “Treasure of the Black Jaguar” which premieres in Los Angeles this week and in the action-drama “Crosshairs,” set for DVD/VOD release in the U.S. this April.
Previously, the Minnesota girl now living in Hollywood, landed roles on the TBS comedy “Glory Daze” from Van Wilder director Walt Becker and in the pilot episode of “Cracking up” on FOX. Her film performances included the Farrelly Brothers’ comedy “Stuck On You,” Emilio Estevez’s acclaimed “Bobby” and numerous indie projects.
We recently caught up with Carolyn to find out more about her upcoming roles, her work behind the scenes and more.
Legal-thriller “The Advocate” just debuted at the Durango Film Festival; tell us a bit about the film and your role in it.
CAROLYN: The film is about Ray Shekar, a defense attorney who is hired to defend a socialite accused of murdering her husband. Ray has his own tragic past as his wife, Susan, was murdered by a serial killer. As the investigation unfolds, Ray finds himself in the middle of a twisted dangerous who-done-it.
I play Susan, Ray's wife who is strangled to death and whose memory haunts him throughout the film.
You also appear in the upcoming adventure-comedy film, “Treasure of the Black Jaguar,” fill us in on your role in this film as well.
CAROLYN: This is a fun, buddy adventure film about two young guys who set out on a crazy scheme to sell weed but end up hunting for treasure.
I play Gabriella, the lead character Anthony's concerned girlfriend. I am the voice of reason as the boys head down a sordid rabbit hole.
It was a riot to come running out of the house yelling and throwing plastic cups at the boys in the opening scene, but after the cups smashed, we realized we didn't have doubles, so I just pretended for the other takes. That's the great thing about indie films. It can be bare bones, but that sometimes spurs on creativity and inventiveness.
This April, you can be seen in the action-drama “Crosshairs,” releasing on DVD/VOD and directed by Nick Lentz. Can you tell us about this film and your role?
CAROLYN: “Crosshairs” is about a hit man Jack Verlaine who is hired to get revenge on Abe Froman, who savagely beat a beautiful Russian débutant. But when an estranged lover reappears in Verlaine's regimented existence, he soon realizes the new elements in his life may be just a plot to uncover his true identity.
I play a fresh off the boat girl, Christine, who has come to LA to make it big. After Abe tells me Jack Verlaine is a producer, I attempt to capitalize on the situation, but it all goes awry.
What’s it like being referred to as the newest ‘indie darling’ on the scene? And, what do you think is attracting you to projects in the indie world?
CAROLYN: It's exciting to have so many indie projects come out at once, especially because they are all so different in tone and story.
As far as ‘Indie Darling’, a dear friend of mine once said, "Carolyn, you are not the 'Sex' symbol, you are the 'Love' symbol." I always liked that, and I feel I play that role in “The Advocate” and “Treasure of the Black Jaguar.” “Crosshairs” was fun because I got to play the lamb going to slaughter, which was a divergence from the other two roles.
In the past two years, I have played a lot of characters from around the world with diverse accents and languages. People tell me I have a chameleon face, and I think that lends itself well to the indie world of filmmaking. I've always been enchanted by indie films and the great directors who have begun their careers in that arena. I aspire to work with directors Darren Aronofsky, Paul Thomas Anderson and Quentin Taratino.
You’re not just a pretty face either; you’ve been working with Beacon Pictures on a TV project and you’ve also teamed up with "Crosshairs" director Nick Lentz for your own project. Can you share any details?
CAROLYN: I wrote a spec pilot and my manager Brian Ferrantino and I brought it to Beacon. They loved the idea and for the past year and a half we developed the script. It's currently out to studios and is getting an amazing response, so the details are under wraps at the moment.
When I worked with Nick Lentz the first time, I quickly knew he was an amazing talent. We teamed up to produce the short film “Cupcakes,” all in French. I play opposite Eric Monjoin who is a Parisian native. Nick wrote and directed the film, while I produced and sat in for editing. The film is a comedic look at when a couple is fighting about one thing, but they both know it's actually about a much deeper issue.
I loved the entire process and have recently opened my own production company titled Big Rock Entertainment as I grow more behind the camera. I'm fascinated by all aspects of the industry, from development and financing to production, editing and marketing, all the way to transmedia distribution.
It’s an incredible time to be in filmmaking as there are so many opportunities for intermedia collaboration, new cool ways to tell stories, and fans who are more excited than ever to participate in alternative worlds.
Any other projects coming up you’d like to tell us about?
CAROLYN: In December, I wrapped the film “Stranglehold,” in which I play the lead female role Madeline. It's a sci-fi thriller directed by Joshua Gollish. Facing certain death, a group of peaceful aliens try to thwart their violent oppressors, in an attempt to preserve their species and humanity.
I play the woman who gives birth to the next generation of our peaceful alien tribe, but the question remains if we can keep my daughter safe and alive. It's currently in post-production.
Lastly, how can your fans keep updated on your work?
CAROLYN: They can...
'Like' me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarolynMarieStotesbery
Follow me on Twitter: @cstotesbery http://www.twitter.com/cstotesbery
Check out my website: http://www.carolynstotesbery.com
And, there's always IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1497528/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Thanks, Carolyn! From the sound of it…you’ll be going from ‘indie darling’ to Queen of the scene in no time!
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