Carrie Prun interview with filmmaker, actress, and producer..
Carrie Prun is an actress, filmmaker, and producer known for Inventing, The Client (2024), and Look Back and Laugh (2023). With experience both in front of the camera and in the production department, Carrie brings a well-rounded perspective to storytelling. A Telly Award–recognized creator, she is passionate about the collaborative process that brings films and television from concept to screen.
- You’ve worked both on camera and behind the scenes—how has your experience as a production assistant shaped the way you approach acting roles?
That is a very interesting question, it wasn't until I had to serve as a Casting Director that I started noticing which actors were standing out, and started to do what they would do, like being early to an audition, memorize the lines, pay attention to little directions on the script, you know, things like that. So, in a way, it feels like you're self schooling yourself by looking at what works in real time, because let's be honest, nobody will tell you what you did wrong in an audition room.
- The Client places you in a television series environment. What differences did you notice between working on a series versus short films?
I would say, there's a lot of professionalism involved on Television, however, as an actor, you're expected to learn lines with less time in advance, versus, for a short film, you usually get the script sometimes even months in advance. People usually work at a faster pace on television, and there's usually more budget for television versus a short film, usually..
You’re a Telly Award winner–recognized creator. Which project earned you that award, and how did the experience influence your approach to future work?
Quiet On Set - The Other One was the winner for a Telly and a Viddy award. It definitely switched a lot of goals, because when we were in the process of writing the script revisions, the writing team approached the idea of the production to be just a short film rather than a pilot episode, only because they wanted the production to win 'easy awards' in a local film festival. The vision did change, because when this project was filmed but not exposed as a final product just yet (it was i the process of being edited), I presented it at the Coalition Of Artists in Atlanta (COAA), and the feedback from various writers, and producers was so positive, that they were the ones encouraging me to submit for the Telly Awards under the television categories, (I had no idea that even existed), I really didn't have many expectation because this is my first Production that I produce from scratch, so at the time, I just wanted to have the experience. So I will say, yes it definitely influenced my approach to future projects, because I have gained more experience than I initially thought I would, but I also gained confidence, not just in myself as a creator, but in my team, who are wonderful, and very talented people.
- As a filmmaker and producer, what part of the production process do you find most misunderstood by audiences?
Perhaps the script, which to me is a strong foundation of a whole project, to come up with an idea interesting enough is somewhat easy, but to come up with a script that captures the audiences on every page, that is the real challenge, one of the many things I learned from my team when writing Quiet On set was, that you can be funny but also you have to be very careful with the jokes. So the writing of the script would be the one thing you should always pay attention to the most.
- Inventing is currently in post-production. What excites you most about this project finally reaching viewers?
I did not produce this short film, however, I was acting in it, and I guess the story once just read on a script and to see it on a screen (specially, because as an actress, you're only required to be on set certain days, and not all of them, you may miss some stuff), I think seeing it on screen would be quite exciting!
- You’ve balanced creative work with the logistical side of filmmaking—what advice would you give actors who want to understand production better?
Just do it!, Hahaha, I mean, you can't guess things your whole life, sure, you can take a masterclass course about directing or producing, but the real deal is to do it, ask people around you for help, or at least an advice, always try to do a budget, and work with people who want to work with you.
- Looking ahead, are there particular stories, genres, or roles you feel drawn to exploring next?
Actually yes, I'm currently working with a writer from WB on another series, I can't tell you the name just yet, but hopefully by the end of this year we can start running the production. Acting wise, I am honestly and sincerely hoping I can get more intense roles in movies or television, I always say this, my dream role is to be a mafia boss on a movie about russian gangsters, with a hint of comedy, I'm just a big fan of Salma Hayek, and when I saw the movie "The Hitman's Body guard" I thought to myself, that is a one funny movie, but I wish Salma would have been the actual boss, I mean think about it, wouldn't you love a movie about a russian gang who's boss is a Latina?
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinah_prun/
Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcpaa_official/
photos: https://iracarmichaelphotography.pixieset.com/carolinah-1/
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https://endertalon.blogspot.com/2024/12/interviews-with-clinton-r.html