Meet Carlee Soeder | Actress, Director, Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlee Soeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlee, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I risk everything all the time. To me, risk is the willingness to put who you are to the test. For my acting career, it’s using the boldest choice I can think of as the pinnacle of my performance and seeing if it works within the context of the scene, the film, the show, etc. And consistently putting myself up for judgement and rejection, on the chance I book an incredible job. For writing and directing my short films, it’s putting valuable time, effort, money, relationships, and creativity all to the absolute test for other’s entertainment so I may progress further in my career and reach new heights. I think in the entertainment industry, most of your life is risk. It’s just a matter of how much you let it influence your happiness. You can risk everything, and lose so much, but still be happy because you choose to make risk a positive tool in your life. If you don’t risk something, you’ll never gain anything. But do so mindfully. Having a bountiful life full of family, friends, love, and laughter is highly important to me, and I wager risk in regards to how much it will effect those key components of my life. It’s a tool, not an addiction that can ruin your life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In the expedited version of my tale, I started acting in college and when I got out I knew I wanted to pursue that and film making. Speed to, I move to Atlanta and two months later the pandemic starts. I am trapped in an apartment, barely any film contacts or friends, denied unemployment, and just trying to survive like the rest of the world. A year later, a friend gets me out of waiting tables and onto the set of Stranger Things in the Health and Safety Department. And from there, things started to make a little more sense. I found Drama Inc, where I started training in different acting classes and learning more about what it’s like to pursue acting in Atlanta. On set, I would task myself with befriending and learning from as many people in as many different departments as I could. Later that landed me in the world of props of which I still work in today. I had a script from a program through Nova House that unfortunately, did not reach its conclusion due to the pandemic. So, I set myself out on the journey of figuring out how to produce Check-Six (my first short film). Fast forward another year, I find a really fantastic acting agency that is giving me auditions I couldn’t dream of in college. Check-Six is starting to make its way to film festivals as my directorial debut. I’m working on post-production for my second short film, and reaching out to people about my third short and potential feature film. Life is wild. Life is intense. Life is worth every moment of doubt, grief, hopelessness, and anxiety because all those seeds I’ve been planting over the last 3 years is starting to sprout. And life is bountiful, surprising, full, and loving. I’ve learned that being consistent is one of the most powerful abilities on this planet. By consistently telling myself, ” I can do this, I’m capable,” I’ve found so much strength. Be consistent in everything you do and things will change. I consistently train for acting, consistently write and direct, consistently show up for myself, for my friends, and for my family. Consistency has been the biggest key for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well first, we’re going to Fetch because I love it there and of course my dog loves going there too! We’ll take a stroll by the Chattahoochee river, especially the West Palisades trail. Hit up a couple of my favorite coffee spots like Read Shop, Rev Coffee, or Chattahoochee Coffee Company. Definitely will visit the Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont park, High Museum, the Beltline, and the Battery. Maybe we’ll be able to catch a comedy show at Laughing Skull. Of course, we have to get pastries from Little Tart. Victory is a classic spot to stop for a quick eat when going along the Beltline. There are literally so many places to go and I have so many more I want to try out myself!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I want to personally thank and I think for the most part, they all actively know I appreciate all of their support along the years. I want to shout out to my parents for always supporting me along this funny little journey of mine. My squadron of friends near and far away who I can always count on. Like seriously, I can call them from two states away and say my car is broken down and someone will pop their head out of a bush and help me. And specifically, Drama Inc deserves big credit! It’s become a home away from home for me. Equipping me with so much insight for the film/tv industry, gifting me great friends, fostering my growth as an actress, and lots of guidance for the times when I’ve felt lost. If I hadn’t found Drama Inc, I think pursuing a career as an actress, director, and writer would feel 1000 times more exhausting and doubtful. Thank you to everyone who teaches there, and all the students who have become lifelong friends.

Website: carleesoeder.com

Instagram: @carlzoeder

Linkedin: Carlee Soeder

Other: Vimeo link to Check-Six: https://vimeo.com/689900896