C.J. Stussi
ACTRESS
What do you do in the Vertical Drama industry?
I'm a vertical actress (I shot 40 vertical last year) and just wrote 13 vertical series myself which we're trying to get off the ground
How did you come across Vertical Dramas?
I saw them on casting breakdowns continuously - everybody around me was making fun of them - but I go curious and wanted to see for myself - so I submitted and booked the first audition. On set, I loved how fast everything goes, the camaraderie, asian food - I just fell in love with every aspect of it and have been doing it since.
What is your favourite project you have worked on so far?
So many, but I loved "Love and Bloodlust at Vampire Academy", "Sorority Heiress Takes Her Throne"
Any funny stories you can share with us?
I often play a doctor - and on the hospital sets there are these swinging doors which are quite hard to handle because if you push them too hard, they back onto the wall and make noise - so it's always a thing to "handle" them. Or the medical jargon can get in the way - or you're placed in front of some medical equipment and supposed to portray doing a surgery - not even knowing what that machine is for. There are always a lot of asian snacks on verticals because they're from china. These snacks are written in Chinese, so you never know what you're eating (and sometimes it's better they only tell you after you swallowed it)
Who is your unsung hero? Someone in the industry who should get more credit?
Anna DeRusso - she is my favorite lead I've worked with. So grounded, professional, and kind.
What do you wish more people knew about verticals?
That it's a legitimate art form. Many of the - especially female actresses - are quite good
What developments would you like to see in the industry in the year ahead?
Academy Awards for Verticals
What are you most proud of?
My Acting career. I came to the US from Switzerland - by myself, never been in the country before, didn't even speak English properly. I was starving in the beginning and worked myself through. Now, I'm also an entertainment attorney - it's been quite the journey. From being a good earning employee in Switzerland to leaving everything behind - job, family, friends, everything you own - and just get that one-way ticket "into the blue" - starting from scratch as an immigrant on a different continent and then sticking with it through thick and thin so to speak. Yeah, i would never have done it had I known HOW hard it is but I am so glad I did do it.
3 Random Facts:
⭐ I’m korky
⭐ I’ve shy
⭐ I love to eat herring
Current earworm:
I see it coming - The Weeknd
Last movie you saw at the cinema / play on stage:
King Lear
Currently reading:
US Weekly - I'm so tired from reading and learning scripts that I want low-key picture-infused lecture at night
Favourite snacks:
Herring
Thank you CJ 🙏🏼
Please do check out:
🎞️Love and Bloodlust at Vampire Academy - Dramabox
🎞️Sorority Heiress Takes Her Throne - Flareflow
📸 CJ’s Instagram
