Conversations with Andi René Christensen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andi René Christensen.

Hi Andi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Texas; my family didn’t leave the state often.

So naturally, at nineteen years old and against my father’s wishes, my bold and semi-reckless self took the giant leap from Austin to New York to study Film & Theater Acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) — acting had long ago become my outlet for the undeniable pull I felt to venture out into the great wide world.

The next two years of conservatory study and big-city adventures would build the foundation of not only my craft but my adulthood. I used to joke that all parents should force their new high school graduates to take a “gap year” in New York and wait tables — that experience would motivate anybody to strive for greatness in all other areas of Life, the real hustle. Besides, who doesn’t like a good hustle? Keeps ya frosty.

Once I felt the need for a change of scenery, I bounced around a bit between Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Diego… exploring life, craft, and love… and sticking it all in my back pocket for later use.

After some years of wandering (both physically and creatively), I finally made the decision to “buckle down” and “get serious” about my art — I’ve never been able to separate the passions I have within the filmmaking process, so let’s just go with that — my art is the Art of Filmmaking.

This well-explored choice would eventually lead me to Nashville… and a holiday rom-com, “Merry & Gay”, would be the launchpad for my little love affair with this one-of-a-kind city…

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Sure, I’ve had some struggles, more than I can count on both hands… throw some toes in there and the number will be more on point.

I’ve been told that I have experienced “a lot of loss” for someone my age. Loved ones, homes, my own self. At the time, it felt truly impossible to bounce back from those events, they pulled me away from my path, and dropped me to my knees more than once — but that’s life, no? We can’t choose our emotions, but we can choose our reactions. That is something loss has taught me.

Now I live with clarity and purpose due to a forced perspective, and I am grateful for that. I am grateful for the wisdom and compassion I acquired during those troubling times. Learn from the past, revel in the present, and dream into the future.

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?
Visual storytelling is my jam — television, film, theater — in front of and behind the camera. I’ve been writing, acting, and filming stories since I was nine years old when my father finally bought a videocamera for the family. Currently, most of my work has been on the acting front. I recently wrapped episodes on “Hacks”, “Bel-Air”, and “Promised Land”.

Something that has unexpectedly been of benefit, is my gender. I am non-binary. My pronouns are they/them, and even my given name doesn’t follow binary rules, not my first, nor my middle. In my adolescence, gender-bending self-expression was actively discouraged. My experiences as a child can undoubtedly be echoed by many folks out there like me, of all ages, places, and backgrounds.

Luckily for us, popular media is finally coming around, giving us opportunities for accurate representation and the freedom to express ourselves on a greater scale than ever before. I feel that being a visual storyteller carries great responsibility — to the communities you knew, the communities you know, and the communities you may never know. Truthful, positive representation of overlooked and undervalued groups should be a filmmaker’s priority.

A project I am particularly proud of, an LGBTQIA+ holiday rom-com entitled “Merry & Gay” written and directed by Christin Baker, is a great example of this priority in action. The character I play is non-binary — a non-binary romantic lead in a rom-com… that’s a first. A first of many firsts for a community that I am proud to be a part of.

(PS — check it out this holiday season if you’re looking for some feel-good Christmas vibes!).

What makes you happy?
I am a generally happy person, so it doesn’t take much! But, some of my favorite things that bring me joy are: Being on set — it’s where I’m supposed to be.

Seeing my family — unconditional love can’t be beaten… and it’s a good excuse to visit Austin. Traveling — there is SO MUCH to see out there! Dinner with friends — one, friends. Two, food. Need I say more? Spending time in nature — where my soul is most at ease.

Music — just… yeah. Music. Always music.

And Jack Black. And Jack White’s guitar solos.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm4839017?s=3cc014c6-5d2e-c10a-22ed-6ed61086dc7c&site_preference=normal
• Instagram: @andirenechristensen
• Other: https://kreativartists.com/

Image Credits
Universal Television, Lex Ryan, Gil Riego Jr., Laura Burke, and Nathalie Taylor