Crystal Largen

By Courtney in Actors and Actresses on Oct 19, 2009

Multi-talented actress talks to jitZul about her passion for the film industry

Crystal Largen is a lady of many talents. She has been an actress/model/promoter for over six years and has appeared in over fifteen films. In addition, she is also a skilled Graphic Designer. jitZul was able to sit down with Crystal to get her insight into her multi-faceted career.

For more information on Crystal, you may visit her Website or Contact her!

When did you first get involved with the entertainment industry and how did you first get noticed?

Everything I've ever done in the entertainment industry has seemed to fall into my lap. I took all of the "random coincidences" to be a sign that I was meant to follow the path laid out for me. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding and the photographer gave me a business card of a modeling agency. I met with the agency and signed with them.

I then started doing commercials and decided to take acting lessons. I was in a fashion show and the video editor saw me and said to a co-editor he wanted me as his lead. He then spent as couple months tracking me down. He finally found me and I started shooting the next week. That was my first film. That guy introduced me to Matt Moore who has directed me in half of the films I have done up to date.

Your resume lists Graphic Design. Briefly describe your experience as a Graphic Designer.

I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design as a back up for Acting. I design the basic stuff such as business cards, logos, signs, etc. BUT I have recently started designing for films and commercials. I design generic bottles, boxes (sugar boxes, soda can's etc) and just recently I designed 21 1950's retro style billboards for a feature film. Graphic Design for me is definitely a rad way to express creativity between Acting jobs.

You have a variety of talents in the entertainment industry. Do you have a particular area that you find more enjoyable than others?

I love the industry in all aspects. I am an Actor first and everything else after. Crew work tends to come my way. But out of the crew work, I enjoy working in the Art Department, Makeup/Wardrobe, Graphic Design and Casting. I'm very artistic and have a good eye for natural talent so all of those departments seem to fit me well.

I really enjoy being on the other side of the camera because as an actor you sometimes don't realize how hard the people around you are working. Crew's bust their asses. Not that actors don't but there's alot of hard labor on a crew. This area, North Carolina, isn't LA. There aren't 3 auditions a day and steady work for actors. So most actors have side jobs such as, real estate, bartending, and most any job you have flexibility with.

I've been a bartender, nanny, waitress, and many other things to pay the bills when work's slow. Working crew keeps me on a set and being apart of an industry I can't get enough of. I'd prefer to spend my time on a set instead of getting people drinks. Personal preference. Some actors oppose that because sometimes you are looked at as a "Makeup artist" instead of an actor. But I feel like the more hats you can wear in NC the more money you make. Acting is and always has been my #1.

You have recently wrapped up a couple of films, can you tell us more about them and when they should be released?

I can't say too much about them but I will say I play the bad ass killing machine in "Children of the Hunt" --cutting off heads, shooting people with arrows and all while in a leather loin cloth. That was an AMAZING shoot. Directed by Matthew B. Moore, and co-starring Darren Dalton (The Outsiders, Red Dawn) David Stevens (Punch Drunk Love, Dr. Quinn) JC Guzman (Death Sentence, The Foot Fist Way, One Tree Hill). All some of my favorite people in the world. Amazing Talent. It has just finished post production and is working out a distribution deal.

"Dangerous Curves" has just begun post production and is in the editing phase. It is a comedy and has alot of VERY beautiful women in bikini's that have taken over a small town. These film's and more of my work can be found on IMDb.

Do you have one particular area of the industry that you wish to pursue full time, or do you like to keep your options open in all areas?

I am a full time Actress currently and have been for 8 years. I have an amazing agency, JTA, and I work consistently. I don't really pursue anything other than Acting. The other work I do seems to find me.

Do you have a favorite project that you have worked on? If so, why does it stand out over the others?

My favorite project was "Children of the Hunt." It was my first big role where I am a key role in the movie. The best thing about it was the family the cast and crew became. I found some of my dearest friends and some I call family on that set. It was an amazing shoot. I also enjoyed shooting "National Lampoons Pucked" because I got to meet and hang out with Bon Jovi, David Faustino and Estelle Warren. I also was put on the cover of the DVD so that was also cool.

Who has inspired you in your career?

My Great Aunt Alene who's 93 years old. From the beginning of my thinking about getting into the industry, she has has told me I could do it. "Never let anyone tell you different!" She'd say. Joel Kiser, one of my best friends, when times get hard has always pushed me to stick with it. He's always encouraged me to never let it go and my best friend and fellow actress, LaMyra Kinzer has helped me to better myself as an actress and has kept it real with me. When I suck, she tells me..."Give me something real, this is s&^%."

What is a goal you have set for yourself to achieve over the next year?

My goal is to be working in LA and living in NC by the end of the year. No, I don't want to live in LA.

What do you think are some ways that people can sustain a career in the entertainment industry?

HUSSLE and NEVER EVER EVER give up. A director/producer friend of mine told me "You never fail until you give up. If you fall down 50 times and feel like you've failed, as long as you can get up 51 times, you never failed."

What have you found to be some of the most common mistakes made for actors and entertainers?

Stay in character until they say cut. If someone or if you flub a line dont stop or talk to the director or feel embarrased. Laugh if you need to but stay in it. They can keep rolling and unless you can't, STAY IN IT. DONT EVER LOOK AT THE CAMERA. Let loose. The more you can become your character and give it some life, the better.

What advice would you have for people who are just starting out and hoping to make a go at this industry?

Acting is a HARD lifestyle. To begin with you will be broke alot. You will cry alot. You will think you're no good ALOT. You may be told you're too fat or skinny, too pretty, too ugly, not believable, too 'fidgity.' These are all things I've heard actors say happened in an audition. You have to have thick skin for this business. You will be rejected just like you were in high school by the hottest guy/girl in school. Just more regularly and maybe even harsher than in high school.

Thinking you're going to get every role you audition for is crazy. I have auditioned my ass off and sometimes only book 1 out of 20 roles. Don't let it make you feel like you aren't doing the right thing or that you are terrible. Sometimes it could be as simple as having a mole in the wrong place that doesn't get you a role or that your hair is blonde and they've already booked a blonde.

Never stop watching your surroundings. You may have to pull from a place you don't know for a role, and if you pay attention to and mimick personalities such as children or cat's or old folks or angry people etc, the most random things may come in handy. After all the let down's, know that when you book a job, it makes them all go away. Being on set is the best feeling for an actor and it will revive your spirit.