Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Derouen
Hi Rachel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m currently living in Austin, but my roots are in Plano. I was born in Plano, grew up there all the way through high school and developed my love for theater there. It started with the drama club in elementary school. I was a shy kid, and my mom encouraged me to try a lot of activities to bring me out of my shell. However, it wasn’t until middle school that I really got bit by the theater bug. Once that happened, I couldn’t stop. I would be in classes, school shows, children’s theater shows, speech and debate etc. At one time, I was in 3 different musicals at 3 different places at once. When I got to high school, I decided that acting was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. For college I earned a BFA in Acting from Texas State University. It was once I was out in the ‘real world’ that I switched my focus to film. I basically had to learn everything about film on the job. I have been an extra, a stand in, leads in feature films and have recently expanded my horizons to writing and producing. At some point I would love to direct as well. Currently my husband and I have a feature film, ‘I Voted’, that we co-wrote and produced (he directed) going through the festival circuit. It is a political thriller about a group of strangers that get locked down at a polling location on election day and they start talking. It is like a political breakfast with a Tarantino-style twist. I do have other more light-hearted scripts in the works though! We also started our own production company, Ruined Man Productions, and are working on building that up.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course it has not been smooth road. There are so many challenges and heartbreaks that come along with trying to be an actor/filmmaker. Most people would say this, but trying to just survive and pay bills can be such a big hindrance. And trying to be an actor is expensive -headshots, breakdown services, classes, even networking. And what it doesn’t cost in dollars, it can cost in other ways – social life, mental health, quality of life. I’ve thought about quitting so many times I don’t think I could count, but that would be like trying to live without air. It’s hard to do it, but it’d be crushing, devasting not to.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I mostly specialize in acting, but I’ve never been one to stick with a single thing. They say a “jack of all trades is a master of none”, but that’s okay because I’d rather be how my parents always referred to me ” not an expert at any one thing, but pretty great at a lot of things”. I love the diversity. You probably wouldn’t recognize me from anything, but I am in several films that are out in the world for viewing, most notably, I am in a Scream fan film, ‘Scream: Legacy’ that currently has nearly 7 Million views on YouTube. Other films are Maybe Shower, The Good Hearts Club, and currently on the festival circuit, Carnage Radio. Still, what I’m most proud of is ‘I Voted’. It is the first film I’ve written, fully produced, and served several behind the scenes roles on. I have never been so stressed or happy in my life than the 15 days we spent filming that movie. I may not be the most talented person in the room, but I have endurance. And I believe endurance, despite all odds, is what it takes to be in this industry.
What are your plans for the future?
I tend to dream pretty big, so finding the path to get there can be tricky. There is no “one way” to make it. So, I will continue to learn new things and enhance my skills in various areas. I really enjoy working behind the camera. While our one film is in festivals, I have started writing a new film, something completely different. In the meantime, I will continue to act. I recently switched agencies and excited to see what working with them has in store.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.derouen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelDeRouenActor
- Other: https://www.ruinedman.com/
Image Credits
Arlen J, Ruben Javier Caballero, Carlo Rodriguez, Ashley Thurow
