Rising Stars: Meet Jessi Lantz of Nashville, TN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi Lantz

Hi Jessi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey, I’m Jessi. I’m a filmmaker who directs, writes, and has been acting my whole life. I was born in Indiana, grew up in Franklin, TN and moved to Nashville about 3 years ago.

I started my acting journey being in theater for my entire childhood. When I hit 18 I realized I wanted to do serious film acting and that stage acting was something for me maybe in the future. Went to classes for roughly 6 years and still act to this day, whether it’s music videos, commercials, films, or TV. My dream is to make psychological thriller films that make people think and feel things they don’t, usually in an unnervingly beautiful way. That also carries into my sketches and paintings which almost always contain some sort of body parts arranged in a creative way, or spindly bodies in a gloomy atmosphere.
Recently, I moved in with my partner of 4 years, who I met in the film world, and I couldn’t be happier. He is a full time producer for film and helps me a TON with my projects- I’m forever grateful. I also have a sister who lives in Atlanta, GA who works in film so it definitely runs in the family!
As for hobbies on the side, I’m in love with thrifting, going to estate sales, being outside with nature, hanging out with my cat, Raja, and reading!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being in the film industry definitely has its quirks and struggles. The main point that I think the community can agree with is that it’s not consistent. Even when you’ve started and gotten somewhere, it can always completely stop out of nowhere and no jobs come up. Or you can just “go out of style” to the general public. That’s so scary to think about. Especially with the (very needed) strikes these past years, and covid, the business still hasn’t quite picked back up completely. So, being a full time creative is almost impossible these days. Another challenge for acting has been letting go of your ego and not caring about what people think about you. My old acting coach, William Arnold from The 4th Wall Acting Studio used to always say “Your comfort zone will kill you” and “More people get struck by lightning, than succeeding in this industry.” Definitely something I always need to be reminded of.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been acting professionally the past 6 years and enjoy this art form so much. Unlocking new parts of myself with new characters, putting myself in someone’s shoes, and exploring their story is fascinating and sometimes very challenging for me. Also, being an actor has made me fall in love with directing and writing these past few years. My favorite part is making it a challenge for other actors in town, to give them a role that feels important to them, or invigorates that same passion we share. Like I said, I enjoy making narrative psychological thriller films, that make people feel unique feelings and confuse the audience in an artistic way. I like my content to feel like a painting, that it can be interpreted many different ways, maybe start a conversation between viewers, maybe stir up some unresolved trauma, who knows!
The project I’m the most proud of would have to be my recent film, America. It’s the only publicly political opinion i’ve shared. The goal was to keep neutral and not on one side or the other, and just to compare the “idea” of what America could have been, and what it is today.
Overall, I’m beyond excited for the journey ahead of me, to make many more films and get better and learn more each time.

What were you like growing up?
I was honestly either an extremely annoying kid, or very sweet and kind. I had no in between. I remember bullying, and beating up grown men (nothing’s changed), annoying my older sister, of course, but also handing out notes to adults that made their day. I was goofy, obnoxious, dramatic, and LOVED pink, Justin Bieber, Hannah Montana, and BOYS. I used to want to be a ballerina, so I danced all the time, and sang, and did theater, and painted all the time. I did it all!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessilantz_?igsh=dXE1a29xMjd3bHE0&utm_source=qr