Daily Inspiration: Meet Krista Cooper-Schmidt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Cooper-Schmidt.

Hi Krista, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I don’t think there’s ever been a time I didn’t know I wanted to pursue a creative path. As a kid, I would have so much fun creating stories and getting lost in the characters and imaginary worlds I created for myself. That imagination and love of creation was always there and just never went away. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, some variation of “actor” or “writer” was always the answer.

Now, wanting to do something and actually doing it are two different things. It unfortunately took me longer than I would have liked to get on this path. I struggled a lot in my early adult life, as many of us do. Between managing health and financial issues and working to recover from an abusive home environment, I couldn’t start pursuing this dream until a few years ago. But once I did, once I gave myself the grace to start doing something that I knew I was always meant to do, even if it was just one step at a time – I never looked back.

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?
I certainly can’t say it’s been smooth sailing, but what in life ever is? I think my biggest struggle in pursuing this kind of work just boils down to having the time and energy for it. When I first started dipping my feet into projects, it was in between an already massively busy school and work schedule. Looking back, it’s crazy the number of hours I was putting in every week. Sometimes it still is. But when you love something this much, I guess you just find a way to make it work. Having a solid self-care and stress management routine has been vital to me for this reason.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an actor, writer, and now beginning my journey into modeling and directing. Some of my recent accomplishments include the lead roles in two feature films, supporting roles in various short films, and the completion of my first novel and short film, which I plan to publish/shoot in the near future. It’s definitely been a busy year!

My goal is to create art that truly moves people and has a profound effect on its audience. I love storytelling more than anything and am always willing to go the extra mile to bring the vision of the character and overall story to life. Whether I’m writing or playing them, I always place my focus on the core of my character’s psychology and humanity.

I love playing and writing very complex and often, dark, characters for this reason. They have psychologies I can really sink my teeth into and ask the difficult questions – “What made you this way? How does your perception of your reality shape your actions? How do other people see you? How do you see yourself?” I certainly don’t regret getting my degree in Psychology for this reason.

What does success mean to you?
Fulfillment and happiness with the art I’m creating and the impact I’m having on the world around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kcscreativeworks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krista.c.s/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krista.cooper.s

Image Credits
Corey Carlson, Crossroads del Sol Photography Ben Staples, Projector Imagination Studios Michael Jason Allen, He Said She Said Productions