Chelsea Bo is an award-winning writer/director with a background in theater, comedy improv, and producing. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & Television and garnered years of comedy training from Second City and The Groundlings. Right after graduating from LMU, Chelsea co-founded Paxeros, an ethos driven production company, with her husband/producing partner Sean Drummond. Chelsea found success in directing commercials and branded content, being recognized by both the American Advertising Awards and the Telly Awards. Narratively, she wrote, directed, and starred in the 6-part web series THE CAV KID featuring Nick Robinson, Aisha Dee, Jake Austin Walker, and Haley Ramm. Chelsea produced Jennifer Lafleur’s award-winning short film BABY KATE (2020) and Frank Mosley and Hugo de Sousa’s THE EVENT (Slamdance 2022). She has produced four feature films, including Joshua Leonard’s FULLY REALIZED HUMANS (Tribeca 2020), Nate Townsend’s WAKE UP (Tribeca/YouTube’s We Are One Fest 2020), and Sarah Adina Smith’s THE DROP (Tribeca 2022) with Duplass Brothers Productions. Her producing credits also include Lynn Hirschberg’s SCREEN TESTS for W Magazine, featuring Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Jeff Bridges and many more Golden Globe Nominees. Chelsea wrote, edited, and co-starred in her feature directorial debut NO RIGHT WAY alongside co-star Ava Acres (Once Upon a Time, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and supporting cast Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings, Casual, Pivoting), and Sufe Bradshaw (Veep). Chelsea’s passion for bettering the world shines through the stories she tells and the way she leads by example.
What it the title of your film in BIFF 2024?
No Right Way
What was your first experience with film and how did it influence your first project?
I grew up in the film industry – my dad is a 1st AD and my mom was a script-supervisor so being on set felt like home to me. From a very young age I liked putting on plays and performances and I directed my first play in high school. I think that’s when I realized how much I loved directing and wanted to dedicate the rest of my life towards that passion!
Who is (are) your favorite filmmakers?
I don’t think I have a favorite filmmaker… but here are films that inspire me:
“Almost Famous” dir by Cameron Crowe
“Arrival” dir by Denis Villeneuve
“Baby Driver” dir by Edgar Wright
“Boyhood” dir by Richard Linklater
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” dir by Daniel Scheinert & Daniel Kwan
“Florida Project” dir by Sean Baker
“Hanna” dir by Joe Wright
“Harold and Maude” dir by Hal Ashby
“Jo Jo Rabbit” dir by Taika Waititi
“Juno” dir by Jason Reitman
“Lady Bird” dir by Gretta Gerwig
“Little Miss Sunshine” dir by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris
“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” dir by Alfonso Gomex-Rejon
“Mean Girls” dir by Mark Waters
“Moonrise Kingdom” dir by Wes Anderson
“Napoleon Dynamite” dir by Jared Hess
“Parasite” dir by Bong Joon-ho
“School of Rock” dir by Richard Linklater
“Short Term 12” dir by Daniel Cretton
“Superbad” dir by Greg Mottola
What are you working on that no one knows about?
If I told you then no one would no longer know about it…
I have a few features in development and a series that I’m pitching 🙂
Also working on developing a new platform for indie film distribution with my husband & business partner – a platform that will change the system for the better!!
Who would play you in a movie? What’s your go to movie snack? What’s the film title that best describes your life?
I guess I’d play myself?
My go-to movie snack is popcorn & Junior Mints… probably with a chai or matcha latte – gotta stay caffeinated!
“Joy” is the film title that best describes my life! It’s the key to life y’all.