The Actor Director Dynamic 15 Years in Hollywood

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, especially when it comes to a career in Hollywood. Even once it becomes worthwhile, it is still not easy. 

Life is already intense, insane, brutal and beautiful.

When you are in the industry of Hollywood, capitalize those words AND add a magnifying glass. 

Writer/Director Thomas J. Churchill and I began our careers with a few independent films under our belt before Hollywood fate brought us together. 

I, Krista Grotte Saxon was working on a fun splatter film written and Directed by The Godfather of Gore, Herschell Gordon Lewis (RIP). This is where I met a man who would soon become my best friend Brooke McCarter. (RIP Brooke) Brooke McCarter is known for the legendary classic “The Lost Boys” starring Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman. 

Brooke was still very close friends with Corey Haim (RIP). Jeez, many angels in this biography. Corey later became a fixture in the dynamic of our movie and personal relationship concerning areas in which Brooke and I both struggled, prior to his passing. Also prior to Brooke’s passing as well. 

At that time of shooting Herschell Gordon Lewis’ “The Uh-Oh Show”, where Brooke and I wore matching wigs in this silly and fun Scooby Doo of a shocker Gore Film, Thomas J Churchill was in NYC location scouting for his first big film “Emerging Past”.  

Thom loves the talent of the 80s and 90s Horror classics and he signed brooke McCarter to play the role of Dylan in Emerging Past. 

He already had the leading Actress cast for the role of Pamela. The team on Emerging Past ran into issues when the lead Actress wanted the Director to communicate with her through her manager as he directed her through scenes. Yes, you read that right. 

Needless to say, that chick needed to be replaced. Starting off with that diva behavior will cost a production a ton of wasted money as well as the entire crew’s sanity. 

Brooke had then referred me to Thom to play the role of Pamela in “Emerging Past”.  Thom ended up calling me, and our first phone call was a full three hour discussion.

 I soon packed my bags and Brooke and I each headed to NY. 

“Emerging Past” would kick off a lifelong movie relationship between Thomas J. Chruchill and I. 

Many Directors, from Rob Zombie to Quentin Tarantino, are notorious for sticking with the same team. After our roller coaster of a ride through the varying personalities in this industry, we fully understand why. 

Each project introduces new industry professionals, and sometimes newbies as well. Each project also consists of politics behind every team and especially every cast. Someone always calls in favors asking for a “friend” to be cast. Most of the time, these “Friends” have never performed in a feature film. many times, this turns out to be a big mistake.

With so many different personalities, in a very ego driven and money hungry industry, there is a lot on the shoulders of Directors, Producers and Executive Producers. Thus, explains many, many challenges of this industry. 

Oh yes, we have learned a lot over the past 15 years. Much of the dark side of humanity prowl through the glamorous lights of Hollywood. If you don’t watch yourself and your friends, you will soon be over-shadowed by someone evil. That is putting it mildly. 

Then people with zero knowledge jump on the bandwagon. 

However, we learned the hard way, that if you do things right and with great focus, you must and you will persevere. There is no problem and no personality that cannot be overcome. 

I am also the kind of chick that does not take all the high roads. I believe the high road keeps your head in the clouds. Nope, I am going to call the industry scammers, greeders and animals out on their scum. A great example is the Distributors, such as Vision Films. They are notorious for ripping off entire movies once the contract is signed and you put your trust in them. 

You will see it all on my YouTube Channel: Krista Grotte Saxon. Blood Rouge and Pole Moves. I cover various Hollywood topics from True Crime gone Hollywood, take you behind the scenes of movie productions, advice for Actors and industry pros and take you into the jails of crime within Hollywood. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBiddBidPj-pa2kprPeEUWg