I don’t remember when I first came across the actress Courtney Gonzalez, but I seem to remember seeing a random Instagram post by her that mentioned Hallmark and/or maybe other shows as well. All I know is that when I reached out to her, she was very willing to do an interview with me, and I was happy to highlight her. She had the opportunity this year to make her first Hallmark film (Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane), and it sounds like 2019 may be an even better year for her. Without any further ado, I present my recent chat with this lovely young lady.
Photo by Steve Edriff
RH: Why did you decide to pursue a career as an actress?
CG: Being an actress has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I recently reminded my mother of a time when I was in third or fourth grade when I told my uncle that I wanted to be an actress someday. God gave me a passion for the arts, both visual and performing, at a very early age and I am so grateful for it. Over the years I have had several opportunities to perform as a singer and as a dancer, so when the opportunity to try film acting came up, I thought, “Hey, why not go for it?”. I had no idea how much my life would change, for the better. When I moved to New York in July of 2016, I knew that it was now or never, and it has truly been and continues to be, a dream come true.
What kind of training have you had to prepare you for this career?
Honestly, the only formal training I have, as an actress, is a one-semester theater class in tenth grade and then an online Acting for Camera class offered through Grand Canyon University. I grew up performing, mostly as a singer, but also as a dancer, and because of that, most of what I know was taught to me through rehearsals, performance preparation, experience, and by observing and soaking in as much as I possibly can, both on and off set. I am a visual learner so I watch and observe and in that way I have learned more than I could have ever anticipated.
I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Screenwriting at Grand Canyon University, or GCU. This degree focuses on the writing and directing side of the film industry, which has always fascinated me. I was a writer, editor, and photographer for my high school newspaper for three years, and an editor for the academic journal at my community college for one semester. I have always loved to write and was not sure how to combine all of my passions. But God put this degree on my heart and I am loving every minute of every class.
What was your first professional role, and what are your memories of it?
My first professional role was in a 2016 short film titled Enough, and I have nothing but great memories. It was an unpaid role for a two-day shoot in Dallas, Texas, but I knew the moment I read the script that I wanted to be Crystal. I had sent in a video audition for one of the supporting roles, but the director, Presley Impson, asked me to audition for Crystal instead, and I was so humbled to accept the role. Every cast and crew member was friendly and welcoming and made my first experience film acting unforgettable.
At the Dallas International Film Festival red carpet event for Enough with (from left to right) Jen Grey, Bec Donoghue, Courtney Gonzalez, Presley Impson
The film was chosen to be in the 2017 Dallas International Film Festival, and four cast or crew members were invited to walk the red carpet and present their film. I had the honor to be on the red carpet with the director, Presley Impson, the writer, Jen Grey, and one of my character’s friends, Bec Donoghue. I still cannot describe how it felt watching our film on the big screen in the movie theater auditorium; it was a dream coming true.
While much of your career has been as a background performer, what are some of your most favorite memories about being a part of these shows/films?
I don’t know where to start with this, I have so many favorite memories…
Bull
Bull will always be one of my favorite shows because Michael Weatherly and Freddy Rodriguez are so down-to-earth and genuinely fun people to talk to and be on set with.
Madam Secretary
Madam Secretary is always a great show to work on because it’s a great show to watch and because the crew is very professional.
Blue Bloods is always fun because Donnie Wahlberg is funny and incredibly talented.
Kevin Can Wait was a great show to work on because the crew and the cast were very respectful to one another and that made for very good and short days; this is one of the only sets where disrespect was not tolerated at all.
The Last O.G. was a fun set to be on because Tracy Morgan is someone who truly understands life and genuinely wants to share that with others.
Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is The New Black is the first show I had the honor to be core on and it was an experience unlike any other because day after day you get to work with the same women you worked with before and you form bonds and friendships quicker than on any other set. There were so many times we spent hours playing Uno between scenes, and these are memories I will always cherish.
Law & Order: SVU is another favorite of mine because I have binge watched this show for years, so being on set with such great actors as Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T, to name a couple, is always an honor.
Paterno was a great film to work on because I met a lot of great people and although it was over 100 degrees outside every day and we were wearing winter coats and boots, being on set with Al Pacino and Kathy Baker made it worth it.
Eve is another film which I will never forget working on. The first time I worked on it, I got to talk with Ioan Gruffudd between takes. The second time I worked on Eve, I had the honor to meet and briefly interact with Jessica Chastain, who is a big inspiration to me. I will never forget the moment I walked onto set and the P.A. came over to me and said I would be approaching the principal in the scene and briefly interacting with her. Jessica looked up at me with a big smile, put out her hand, and introduced herself and asked my name. It was a truly unforgettable moment.
Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane
My favorite film to work on by far was Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane because I have dreamed of being in a Hallmark movie since I was a kid, and it was everything I had hoped it would be and more. A lot of the people I met on this set are people who are actually from the town where we filmed, so it was fun working with “real” people who are new to the industry, and of course, meeting actors I had not worked with until then. I still can’t believe I got to do background in a Hallmark Christmas movie.
What do you think are the positives of being a background performer? What are the potential challenges?
With Colin Ferguson
Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane
One positive about being a background performer is that you can often work the same shows over and over because no one really pays that much attention to the background actors. If you get a featured role, then that is even better, but it does limit how much you work on the project in the future. One game that we background actors like to play is our own version of “Where’s Waldo” because we all search for each other, and for ourselves, once the show airs or the film releases.
Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane
One main challenge of being a background performer is that you have to be extremely careful of what you put on social media because several productions have their background talent sign NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreements) before we are even allowed to get into our wardrobe. I recently worked on a project that keeps everything so top secret that even the sides aren’t allowed to be taken off set. The principles often post on social media for the publicity, but they sign different agreements than we do. We have all posted pictures in certain wardrobe “looks” on social media, but the important things are to make sure that nothing gives away the set, location, or production details, and that you never tag the location or production.
Anything upcoming you would like to mention?
Revolt
This summer I was part of two indie feature films, and one finished filming right before I joined SAG-AFTRA in October. Revolt is a smaller production with a direct and political plotline and it should be released at the end of 2019. The second film, unfortunately, did not work out for several reasons, but I did meet my boyfriend on that set so it was well worth everything we went through during filming. Throughout the filming process, I have learned more than I had ever expected to learn about myself and about being a principle actress.
Do your aspirations include writing/directing/producing in the near future?
My aspirations include screenwriting and directing, both of which I have wanted to do for a long time. I have always loved to write, and although I wrote and edited newspaper articles for my high school newspaper, I knew that writing articles on a daily basis was not for me. The K-12 charter school I attended encouraged creative writing and those were always my favorite assignments because I could get lost in a story I was creating. When I started in the film industry, in the fall of 2016, I discovered that I could use that creativity and my passion for writing to create stories that I can bring to life, on camera, as a director. Looking back, I realize just how much of what I had done growing up has directly affected my future; that is something that only God could have planned and worked out.
It would appear that you are potentially making the switch from background performer to credited actor. Is the process difficult if someone chooses to go that path in this business?
I am trying to get more credited roles, as either a supporting or principal character, but in New York, it can be very difficult. I recently started working in the Boston market and I have had the honor of getting a couple of featured background roles and a day as a photo double, which I got right after I joined SAG-AFTRA. It took me two years to get three union vouchers, then after I got my third one I got eight more in two weeks, so it really just depends on the person and what is filming. A friend of mine got 23 union vouchers in 12 months, but then I worked with another background actor who had not gotten one union voucher in the four years he has been acting. Each acting career is unique because we all have different talents, strengths, weaknesses, connections, and physical attributes, and all of those heavily affect the roles which an actor can get.
The process of getting auditions and roles varies from actor to actor because there are so many factors that go into getting cast. My advice is to just go for it, wholeheartedly, because living with the regret of “what if” is far worse than being rejected several times before finally landing the biggest role of your career. If God gave you the passion and the heart for acting, then He will be in charge of what roles are right for you, despite what the world says. So, do your part by going for each opportunity that comes up and then trust God to guide you and your path.
If you could shadow one or two people in the business for one day, whom would you choose and why?
Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane
I would love to have shadowed Doris Day for a day, which I’m sure sounds strange for someone my age, but I grew up watching her films and I have always really looked up to her. She is an amazing and talented woman and I would honored to have even a minute to talk to her face to face and meet the woman I grew up admiring.
Another actress I would be honored to shadow for a day would be Lori Laughlin, because I grew up watching her as Becky on Full House, and I wanted to be just as feisty and spunky as she is. Lori is one of few women who has had a very successful career as an actress without compromising her morals or doing any roles that she doesn’t agree with, just as Candace Cameron Bure has done. These two women are great role models for any young actress.
I understand one of the challenges of being on set (especially for background performers) is the waiting around. What do you do to pass the time?
Uno on set
“Hurry up and wait” is a frequently used saying in the film industry, because it is so true. As a principal, there is a lot of downtime, but we use that time to go over the lines, the emotions of the scene, the blocking and movements, and the list goes on. As a background actor, there is usually more downtime than time spent on set; this always depends on the production, the scene, the location, the weather, and the set. When I go to work, as a background actor and as a principle, the backpack I bring with me is often called the “Mary Poppins bag” because I bring so much stuff. I always bring homework, a book, Uno (which we end up playing almost every time we have downtime), and lots of snacks and iced coffee drinks. The most important thing is to make the most of it and have a good attitude about it. Something that people quickly learn about me is that I take life seriously, but I also like to have good, clean fun, which brings people together.
Photo by Steve Edriff
Because of interviews I have conducted with other industry professionals, I know full well that making the transition from uncredited to credited actor can be a complicated process at times, but in most cases, I would say the benefits considerably outweigh any potential challenges. Furthermore, Courtney possesses the determination and perseverance to continue to pursue her dreams, and for that, I applaud her heartily. Also, the fact that Courtney has a substantial support system amongst her friends and family in addition to a strong faith in the Lord, I tend to believe that in time, she will begin to see her dreams coming true. She’s willing to invest the work no matter the obstacles, and here’s hoping that a few years from now we can sit back and smile while watching Courtney in her first significant role in a major production. Until that time, be sure that you visit her links below and keep a sharp eye out for her upcoming and recent roles. (I know that Christmas On Honeysuckle Lane is still replaying in both the U.S. {Hallmark Movies & Mysteries} and Canada {W Network}.) I wish Courtney all my best, and I truly have a sense that her positivity, skill, work ethic, and faith will eventually afford her unmitigated success as she pursues what she knows is the calling on her life. In truth, I can hardly wait to see what is on the horizon for this up and coming talented artist!
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