Cherzoso The Silent Film is now available on Amazon Prime Video
From First Focus International:
On Feb 17, 2020, at 8:20 AM, Carey Westbrook lanneff@rocketmail.com wrote to Tracy Ann Chapel
Hey, You make me a better King. You teach me to dance. You make me laugh. Your stories and you bring me to tears. You help me build whole worlds out of nothing. My words fall short of how amazing you are. It is an honor to be in your presence. There’s too much to say 🙂 Our masterpiece should be done soon and I hope you will work with me in the future.
“A King stands up straight and doesn’t slouch.” my favorite Tracy Ann Chapel line. 🙂
Best Wishes,
Carey
Carey Westbrook wrote this letter right after we worked on a project together. The first photo is of director and writer Carey Westbrook editing the script, and the second photo, is of Tracy Ann Chapel in character backstage.
DUMBO FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIAL SELECTION
SEMI-FINALIST January 2020
Tracy Ann ChapeL
The Funeral Clown’s Dream
The Funeral Clown’s Dream
Tracy Ann Chapel
December 2019
Special Mention Award Winner in the One-Reeler Film Competition
MASTER’S DEGREE
IN COMMUNICATIONS AND HUMANITIES
17 OCTOBER 2019
THE FUNERAL CLOWN’S DREAM
The Funeral Clown’s Dream became a finalist in The Los Angeles Global Shorts film festival competition and won awards for special Mention and Editing.
Marabou Feathers
The Vegas Film Festival gave Marabou Feathers an Official Selection Narrative Film Award in Los Vegas, Nevada.
https://www.vegasmovieawards.com/selectionsseptember2019
Cherzoso The Silent Film
Won a Finalist Award at the Olympus Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.
Marabou Feathers
Won the One-Reeler Competition Film Festival gave Marabou Feathers a Special Mention Award.
NOIR PILLOW TALK MURDER
L. A. Neo Noir Novel, Film & Script Festival
ACTING AWARD for Tracy Ann Chapel
View their website and see Tracy’s interview with the festival Director Carey Westbrook and a clip of the film:
Marabou Feathers
The Clown character is now up on Vimeo, has a Facebook page, and is on filmfreeway.com.
A pushy clown speaks up at a memorial for her closest friends by urgently pleading and telling newsy stories. Clown Tracy Ann Chapel, Pastor Barry Clayton Bright, Thanks Christopher Nibley, Assistant Editor Joe W. Acton. A film by Tracy Ann Chapel.
Redondo Diary Blog
The Foodie Girls will soon be up and running in Winter (2020).
https://redondodiary.blogspot.com
We Make Movies at Broadwater Theatre
The Los Angeles screening of “Bucky” a short film written by Geoffrey Gould.
The We Make Movies filmmaker’s board of directors with Tracy Ann Chapel seated right.
Cherzoso The Silent Film
First Focus International Distribution is representing Cherzoso the Silent Film as in all media.
Somewhere Poppies Can Grow
Filmed in San Francisco, California and directed by Donald Sandoval.
A film about Ballet dance and a mother and daughter’s complicated relationship.
Somewhere Poppies Can Grow reveals what happens when Poppy eats pie on her birthday after she learns about her mother’s death that same day.
Poppy is played by: Alexandra Fabbri, Rose (her mother) is played by: Tracy Ann Chapel, and the restaurant Manager is played by: Donald Sandoval.
Sophie the Rollerskating Psychic
Sophie is interviewed on Born to Kibitz about her predictions for 2019 and her knowledge of how Elvis Presley is doing today and other celebrities.
Talk Show Interview: Born to Kibitz
Born to Kibitz with host Rick Sandack, guest Michael Kagan (as Bubba Dean) and Tracy Ann Chapel (as Giggles the Clown).
Giggles before the show without her makeup and nose leaning on (clown car) Red Flash.
Mothers and Daughters Connecting in the Kitchen:
A Collection of Stories and Recipes.
My story “Let Me Show You” was published 7 July 2018
“Let Me Show You”
Written by Tracy Ann Chapel
EAT, DARLING, EAT “Eat, Darling, Eat”
From: “Eat, Darling, Eat”
Date: July 7, 2018 at 3:59:26 AM PDT
To: Tracy Ann Chapel
Subject: Your Turn At Bat on Eat, Darling, Eat
Hi Tracy Ann,
Your moving story is posted at Eat, Darling, Eat. You’ll be featured on the Home page for several weeks. After that, your story and recipes will always be part of our Indexes, and later will make a return visit to the “Redux” spot on our Home Page.
We’ll also post links across our platform on Instagram and Facebook, where your story can be seen by our followers in 80 countries.
Short Film: My Story Sucks Released 4 June 2018
Tracy Ann Chapel as supporting cast member Mother.
3 December 2019 Anouncement
Roper: Feature FILM
Scheduled to begin filming in 2021
Now in script with Producer Irving Schulman. Script is in re-write, budget is being set in motion and planning meeting scheduled for February 2020. Cast and crew soon will be assembled and interviewed. We are on our way.
Television Academy Event : The Sinner
Emmy screening of Jessica Biel’s The Sinner with actors Jessica Biel and Bill Pullman.
Photos include: Bill Pullman, Tracy Lynch Britton, Mary Anne, and Tracy Ann Chapel after the screening. Camera and editing by Tracy Lynch Britton.
Noir Pillow Talk Murder Poster Completed
Now edited with new titles.
World of Dance: Screening Photo Fun!
I couldn’t resist adding this green screen mash up publicity shot for the TV show produced by Jennifer Lopez called “World of Dance.” The screening was at the TV Academy and a great time – wonderful show. That’s me looking a little bigger than everyone else in the back row.
GIG DESIGN The Creative Process of Invention: Filmmaking Short
Written by Tracy Ann Chapel
Effusion Africa: The Women 2.1 Summit Introduction Film
My friend, former co-worker the creator of “Women Now,” Benjamin Gregory Aggrey honored me with an invitation to attend his initial summit. Benjamin’s idea for the conference revealed the purpose of transformation and change for women in Africa and became the “WOMAN 2.1 Summit.” He wanted to change Africa one women at a time by helping them to thrive into adulthood. My response to his invitation was to introduce the summit on film and Benjamin said “Yes.” The film was made and Benjamin edited the clip used for the introduction.Ultimately, I was there in Kumasi supporting Benjamin to inspire the lives of women in Africa and consequently the world.
Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
Woman 2.1 Summit Teaser YouTube
Woman 2.1 Summit Introduction (Uncut Version with music)
WOMAN 2.1 Summit Introduction
A Facebook message from Benjamin:
Filmmaker: Tracy Ann Chapel
This video I made in my apartment on my computer carried great power;
That’s me checking the room light.
Cherzoso Short Film
Cherzoso is a film starring Tracy Ann Chapel and was used for her directing class final project. The voiced film was submitted to the Cannes Film Festival (as “Ludicra”) for 2016. The silent film version is in post production.
https://m.facebook.com/cherzoso
https://pro-labs.imdb.com/title/tt4107974/
Black Martini
Black Martini was directed by Justin Younesi
and I was cast as “movie star” Janet Mayberry.
Janked Feature Film
Janked Feature Film
You can see me in the film as Crying Bitch 1
Watch the trailer
Janked was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. The day of the screening the theatre was jammed packed and they were turning people away.
The anouncement letter:
From: Yvonne Montoya Subject: Janked will be screening at Cannes
Hey Everyone, in case you didn’t see the Facebook updates Janked will be screening at Cannes next month on May 23 at 3:30pm (CET) Palais Theatre Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes. We want to thank you all for your hard work and support for the film. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Yvonne
Four Winds
Director Nick Brokaw at The Cannes Film Festival
Four Winds, screened opening day, 15 May 2013
Four Winds was filmed at The Paramount Ranch Studios in Malibu. The camera used to make the film was originally used for the Italian “Spaghetti Westerns” and borrowed from Clint Eastwood.
View the Official Trailer
The Four Winds western takes place in the late 1870’s.
The Independent film was produced by Kelvin Crumplin.
Poster by Kevin Crumplin
Bridesmaid #3
Bridesmaid #3 was screened at The 2012 New York City International Film Festival.
I was cast as the mother of the bride and even got to dance a little in the film. Good luck! Mazel tov!
Bridesmaids #3 on IMDb
The Parents of the Bride and Groom
Screening Event Bridesmaids #3
JUNO
Juno was a USC film directors project that I was thrilled to be cast in. I played Juno’s Mom.
We did three completely different takes of the same scene and worked with a different director each time.
Here is one of the takes:
Mom ~ Juno ~ Theatrical ~ the Juno Youtube Link
The Dating Dad Feature Film: The Spy
Russian spy and computer date or sisters Nataza and Natalya are the characters I play in the film.
The Dating Dad directed by Holly Young will be shown at Festivals and is included as part of Holly’s college student work. Other cast members include Troy Filardo as the Dating Dad and David Castro.
The Dating Dad (2017)
The Spy Episode Short Clip on Vimeo
(Whole)
I was cast as the Co-worker in the film directed by Chris Bryant.
View (Whole) on IMDb
(Whole) was screened at the Anaheim International Film Festival www.anaheimfilm.org in Anaheim California.
I attended the black tie gala awards dinner and Colors show where Robbie Coltrane noticed my shoes.
The Shoes
The Colors Show at Disneyland
Anonymous Dreams
I play a recovering alcoholic named Heather in the film directed by Paris Bauldwin.
Gina Cecutti and Dwayne Thomas
Gina wore my Block ballet slippers in the film.
To view the complete film
Anonymous Dreams was first shown on 20 August 2010 inside Warner Brothers Studios, Steven J. Ross Theatre, Burbank, California.
TELEVISION
Talking Food TV: Host
Cop Shows Anonymous Television Show
Laura “The Victim”Quarter Season PromoSeason Finale
Hemingway and Gellhorn
I worked as a stand-in for Nicole Kidman. Hemingway and Gellhorn screened at The Cannes Film Festival Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood
THEATRE
Charming the Musical
Played Lisa; a sister, witch, and stage manager at the Hollywood Fringe.
Love, Lust or Infatuation: Office Hours AKA Friends With Benefits Sharon
Annie Get Your Gun Mrs. Sylvia Potter-PorterMoon Over Buffalo Rosalind “Roz” HayLovers and Other Strangers Bea
The Court of Misrule The FoolThe Windup Puppet Show Snooty
Dark Side of The Moon GoatWild Roots Mrs. Beatrice StonewallMarat Sade Priestess / Mother
The Song of Bernadette
Louise, Bernadette’s mom The play also know as, “The Smallest of All” and based on the French story of Bernadette Soubirous.
CLOWN
Clowns : Giggles, Cici, and Sofia
Directors:
Karen Paul, San Francisco School of Circus Arts C.J. Gross, Clownmobile and Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus Palio Lacy, Make ~ A ~ Circus
Backstage red noses: Clown Tracy Ann Chapel with San Francisco clown-juggler M. Alden.
DANCE
Dancer, Ballet Russe Natalia Borisova, Director The Mark Hopkins Hotel ~ San Francisco , CaliforniaDancer, Russia Leonid Shagaloff, Director The Russian Festival ~ San Francisco, California
Lead Dancer, Almenrausch Schuplattler
James Zimmermann, Director Hoffbrauh House ~ Munich, Germany
Lead Dancer, Almenrausch Schuplattler
James Zimmermann, Director The Garrett ~ Rum, Austria
Lead Dancer, Almenrausch Schuplattler James Zimmermann, Director The Tourist Club, Nature Friends San Francisco, Mill Valley, California
MUSIC
“What I Did For Love”The PetersonsProduction Manager and Performer
McClary Music Productions
ENTERTAINMENT BROKER, San Francisco and Los Angeles, California
Paul Chiten, Nick Milo, and Ed McClary working atThe Venetian Room, Las Vegas
MODEL
Nicklin Models, San Jose and Los Angeles
Variety Magazine
Writer and photo editor:
16 February 2016
News Article, John Sarno, Acting Teacher and Actor, Dies at 75
John Sarno teaching class in the fall of 2015.
The Twisted Hipster collum by Stephan Fife, (published by the Better Lemons Newspaper) included an online article about the film “LA LA Land” and LA actresses.
Steve had asked me to write about my experiences as an actress in Hollywood and what I though about the film from my life’s perspective. Steve published my story in his column.
“LA LA Land Part 2b: LA Based Actresses Have a Lot to Say!” by Twisted Hipster, Stephan Fife
Better Lemons: “Tracy Ann Chapel Archives” (14 March 2017)
TRACY ANN CHAPEL I have had auditions where people were on the phone talking the whole time while I was emoting my best work! The role was very realistic. I can also say that lots of us dream of doing our own “one woman show.” The relationship where a musician leaves an actress because they can’t commit and live in different cities is spot on. I was in one just like that for years. We finally had to break -up. He now lives in San Francisco and I in LA. The distance is still to far our lives now are so different. We get together once and a while. And because he was there when I was starting out; he takes a big place in my (heart) life. I will never forget him. In fact, I called him up and told him to see the film. He did, and I asked him did you see us? and he said “Yes.”
Emma Stone in LA LA Land
CREDITS
Web Designers: Jessie Cortez, Jesper Luth and Jim Coe Photographers and Videographers: Paul Gregory, Steve Kauzlarich, Christopher Nibley, Jean Louis Husson, Johnny Pena, Cecelia Schulmann, Karen Paul, Buffy Dakin, Michael Fatum, Kathy Cooley Ballerini, Erynne Elkins, Wilkie Wilkilmage, Karen Oschin, Terri Concannon, Mike McFarlin, Don Wright, Professor Ollis, Nick Brokaw, Ruzelle, Steve Smith, Paul Fredericks, Kingmond Young, Holly Young, Kim Marie Farris, Gayla Johnson, Frank Franco, Unknown, Anonymous, Tracy Lynch Britton, Life magazine cover of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis by photographer Philppe Halsman and Director/Photographer and Project Name unable to list on this site without publishers approval for ‘On Line Art Exhibition’ Film Music Score: “I Remember Clifford” written by: Benny Golson, Flugal horn: Ray Brown, Recorded by: Full Faith & Credit Orchestra, used for “Noir Pillow Talk Murder” short film. Special Thanks: Steve Kauzlarich, Christopher Nibley, John Sarno and my cat Charlie (Chaplin). Inspiration: Ernest Hemingway, Jerry Lewis, Charlie Chaplin, Mike Gray, Viki Sarle, Bill Pullman, Timothy Dalton, Cherif El-Ayoute, Winston Churchill, Paul Gregory, Andre Bocelli , and my Dad.
In Rememberance:
Actor and Acting Coach, John Sarno Cira 1978 (Getty Images)
The Charlotte M. Valentine Interview
Charlotte M. Valentine: Why this choice, this life style?
Tracy Ann Chapel: Sometimes I just want to say; “I don’t know” and just skip it and go on to the next question, but I know the answer. I do. I have to do this. There is no other choice for me. I would find myself doing other things and crying or angry for no reason. Hate that. It feels right for me … kind of a “do or die” thing.
CMV: Who are you really?
TAC: A very shy and little girl who likes to laugh.
CMV: Why the interest in acting?
TAC: Maybe it’s the kid in me, who could never come out. My parents were really strict and not around. I didn’t ever really learn how to play and laugh and have fun.
CMV: So you were a really shy kid?
TAC: Yep, voted the shyest kid in my high school class. I didn’t like that too much so I took a drama class to work it out. Then I though it would be easier saying someone else’s words than my own. And maybe Mom would understand me then.
CMV: Did she?
TAC: No. The theatre thing made things worse. My confidence improved … I got into costuming for approval and was even offered a college scholarship in theatrical costuming. Mom didn’t go for it. Theatre didn’t work so I tried other things. My Mom was an oil painter. I became an oil painter. Another bad choice. My college painting teacher wanted me to go to the second year course and just skip the first year. My teacher liked my painting that much. Mom refused to help things got complicated. So no costuming. No theatre. No art. My parents said they wouldn’t support it and besides, Mom felt I was only capable of becoming a secretary who married the boss. I couldn’t do that. She did that. So I left home when I was eighteen years old.
CMV: What happened next?
TAC: Well, I worked as a makeup artist in a department store … at least the name had “art” in the title. I made no money and had a green apple everynight for dinner. I lost weight and became flat broke. I became a fashion model for my second job. I liked the work and the wardrobe was nice. I had a lot of fun.
CMV: So you liked playing dress up?
TAC: At the time? I wanted more … I think … Now, I still love it and am glad to get the work. I will never forget a runway modeling job where I cut up and got my first laughs … by patting my fake belly modeling maternity clothes ……… I just couldn’t resist. Thank God. My agent was there and he loved it!
CMV: So you were testing the waters then?
TAC: Something was coming out. I really liked it. I wanted to perform so I did costumes for the theatre again. I was looking for something. I got my chance but not in theatre. I was asked to join a dance troop. I liked their costumes so I said “Yes”… I had never danced anything besides a little ballet and modern. I auditioned and the director said, ”Ok, she can dance.” I learned the dances fast and didn’t give up. So I danced. And danced … folk, Russian character, and a little ballroom.
CMV: What happened to the talking?
TAC: Well, I was working on that. I think. I moved to San Francisco and took an acting class. Got some acting work and joined the Screen Actors Guild. I went to clown school at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. Then I broke my leg on the way to a dance gig. Sooo … I couldn’t dance. I couldn’t work. I had to talk. Acting and clowning became first priority and dance last.
(Photo Unknown)
CMV: Okay, …. What’s going on? You dropped out of sight for a few years.
TAC: No time for fun and games I thought … with my leg in a cast, I did everything I could. I cleaned houses for rich people in a cast and all of a sudden, everyone wanted me. I was in demand to clean their stuff. The cast came off and I got a real job. I worked for Vera Wang at Saks and sold wedding gowns to rich people. More rich people. I did some theatre and kept the classes going. My boss at Saks told me I couldn’t work for Vera Wang and do theatre work too. I could not take anymore roles. No rehearsals. No acting classes. I had to be available twenty-four hours a day for seven days a week.
CMV: Wait a minute, you said; “You had to do” performance work?
TAC: Sales is performing isn’t it? I talked myself into it … and then … I had a husband who was working for a start up company that seemed to just keep “starting up” ….. whatever that means …….. and a regular pay check was not happening for him. My Dad quit performing for our family. Maybe, I thought I had to do the same thing. Everyday, I talked myself out of it.
CMV: Is this where the “Do or die” comes in?
TAC: Yep, I wasn’t living and “Doing” that’s for sure. Then one day, I got really sick and almost died in intensive care. They kept me there for 12 days.
CMV: That’s a long time to be in the hospital.
TAC: Yea, you are forced to stop everything in your life. Really made me think about what I was doing. God must of said; “That’s it!” “STOP IT!!” “Hold it!!!” You know, those near death experiences, they really do have an effect. I started changing my life. Changing things for my dreams and me. I started to see myself as a person who sees their dreams through.
(Photo Christopher Nibley)
CMV: So what are you doing now?
TAC: I’m laughing loud and having fun being myself and I dare myself to do things.
CMV: Glad to know you are daring. Okay. What is your favorite color?
TAC: Green like my eyes …. they change colors, green somedays and blue too. Really! I like them … (laughs).
CMV: ….. And your birth sign? …. I have it somewhere in my notes …..
TAC: Leo.
CMV: …. And your favorite person?
TAC: Ever? My Nana. My Grandma.
CMV: Desert Island friend?
TAC: That’s gotta be a guy!
CMV: Okay. I agree. Who?
TAC: An Actor?… that would have to be someone like Liam Neeson, or better yet, Bill Pullman or Mattius Schoenaerts. You could do a lot with one of them or how about one of the 007’s?
CMV: Tracy, Would you like to say or share anything else?
TAC: Like what?… What do you mean?
CMV: Could be anything you want to say.
TAC: How about “This way to the egress.” by P.T. Barnum? Bad Joke? Hum…
CMC: No, not quite; something special to you ….
TAC: Well… I know… I heard a quote on the TV ‘ The Actor’s Studio’ … Anthony Hopkins said it from Shakespeare … “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”
CMV: Works for me…..
CMV: Thank you, Tracy! I enjoyed this time together.
The L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, and Script Festival: Tracy Ann Chapel and photographer Paul Gregory