Katie Cassidy. Photo Courtesy of Heroes & Villains.
Actress and filmmaker Katie Cassidy (“Arrow”) chatted about her acting career and being a part of the digital age.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” This quote applies to Katie Cassidy.
‘America’s Next Best President’ short film
Katie Cassidy wrote, directed and produced the short movie “America’s Next Best President.” It is a poof on American politics told as a game show. America’s votes are in and we’re down to the final five contestants. Watch to find out who The Next Best President of the U.S. is gonna be…
“This was early in 2020,” she recalled. “We were in lockdown and I had written the short. I love directing and I really wanted to direct.”
“I figured out how to make the short and I ended up casting people who were isolated in my little pod, and shot it in the building that I live in. Even though we shot it for no budget, it was really fun and very organic,” she elaborated.
“I thought it was very timely for this upcoming election, and that’s when I released it,” she noted.
“The short is still making its rounds in the festival circuit so it has been really fun. It really was the gift that keeps on giving,” she added.
Daily motivations as an actress and filmmaker
“I love being creative and collaborative, and working with other creative types and telling stories for the world we live in these days. That is what really drives me. I like to learn and delve into the psychology of different characters and playing different roles. That is always really interesting to me.”
‘A Royal Christmas Crush’
Cassidy recalled doing the Hallmark rom-com “A Royal Christmas Crush.” “That movie was fun,” she admitted. “That’s where Stephen [Huszar] and I met, and I’ve been doing a couple of films ever since.”
Cassidy on Stephen Huszar
Cassidy had great words about actor Stephen Huszar, who is also her real-life partner.
“Stephen is my favorite human,” she said. “It was really fun and great to work with him. Stephen is my partner, and I get to enjoy him every single day, which is something I am so blessed and grateful for. Stephen is amazing!”
Upcoming movies
“I just finished a movie called ‘Speed Demon’ with William H. Macy, and I just finished ‘Nanny Cam’ with Myles Clohessy, who was great,” she said.
“Myles played my husband in ‘Nanny Cam,’ and Jenni Farley (JWoww) directed it, and she was so great,” she said.
“It was a psychological thriller and a tough role for sure since I play somebody who has post-partum psychosis. I am excited to see how that turns out. It is going to be really cool,” she explained.
‘Arrow’
On her experience in the hit series “Arrow,” Cassidy exclaimed, “It was great. That show was amazing. I was on it for eight years. I had such a great time. I loved turning into a superhero. Since then, it has been good doing a lot of features and taking on new projects.”
“I love working with other people, creating, and make good movies,” she added.
Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards
On working with Stephen Amell and Emily Bett Rickards in “Arrow,” Cassidy said, “Emily is a doll; I love her! She is such a great actor. Stephen is great too; I worked with him for eight years, so he became family. Stephen [Amell] is like a brother to me.”
The digital age
On being an actor and filmmaker in the digital age, Cassidy stated, “I think it’s great. I think it’s interesting because things are definitely changing in the industry but there will always be that heart of Hollywood in filmmaking and features. You need to evolve with the times.”
Advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “Never stop learning. Continue to hone your craft. I still go to acting class and I’m still learning. Be brave; don’t take it personally.”
Dream acting partner: Sir Daniel Day-Lewis
Cassidy listed Daniel Day-Lewis as her dream acting partner to someday work with, and she would love to have Quentin Tarantino direct her someday.
Career-defining moments
Regarding her career-defining moments, she shared, “I think ‘Arrow’ was a big defining moment for me. I loved that show! The writers really wrote for me and they did a great job. I also did ‘Melrose Place’ for one season, where the character was really splashy, so that was fun.”
“Also, early on, I did ‘Taken’ with Liam Neeson,” she added.
Best advice she has ever been given
Cassidy revealed that the best advice that she has ever been given came from her late father David Cassidy (“The Partridge Family”).
“My father, David, told me to never stop learning, and hone my craft. Continue to go to class and just keep going. Also, never give up,” she said.
When asked if her father was an influence on her growing up, she responded, “Yes, he was a dear friend of mine. We had a wonderful relationship, and at some point, it had its space, and sadly, he passed away. My father will forever live on inside me and I appreciate him always.”
“My uncle, Shaun Cassidy, is also in the industry and he is a writer and showrunner, and he is very influential over me. Shaun has become like a father-figure to me,” she acknowledged.
Favorite motto to live by
Her favorite motto to live by is the following: “Happy to be here, easy to work with.”
Superpower of choice
Her superpower of choice would be “teleportation,” especially since that would help her avoid taking airplanes.
Success
Cassidy defined the word success as “happiness” and the “peace of mind” that comes with it.
Message for her fans and supporters
For her dedicated “Arrow” fans and supporters, Cassidy said, “Thank you for everything and for supporting me! I hope they continue to watch, and check out the content that I am creating.”
To learn more about Katie Cassidy, follow her on Instagram.
Content shared from www.digitaljournal.com.