Chase Michael Torrence on being creative despite the restraints of the pandemic
Chase Michael Torrence
In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the LGBTQ+ media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. The questions remain the same but the answers tell their unique story. It’s time to explore and celebrate true representation beyond the limits of Hollywood.
Chase Michael Torrence is an actor, writer, director, and producer known for his film, ‘Box: A Digital Love Story’, and web series, ‘Mixed Boy Joy’. As a gay Black man of mixed race, Chase decided to leave his small conservative town to pursue his dreams of creative storytelling and move to Los Angeles. Chase uses his work as an opportunity to highlight underrepresented communities and states, “I hope that when my time comes to leave this earth that I am remembered as someone who used his story, his traumas, his life experiences, and his point of view to change the world.”
What are you best known for?
I am best known for my award-winning web series Mixed Boy Joy in which I wrote, produced, and starred. After two seasons the show is coming to a close with a short film that wraps the series. The show has gone on to be recognized in numerous festivals and award shows as an official selection and including winning the award for Best Humor at the Indie Shorts Fest.
What is the first film you wrote/directed/produced?
Box: A Digital Love Story is the first film I ever wrote, directed, AND produced. So it is truly an honor for it to be recognized and placed on Revry and QueerFest. This project was special to me because it was all done during quarantine. I never met the actor I cast, shot the whole thing alone by myself on zoom and a mini camera, and edited the final piece myself as well. It provided me a way to tell a story that was real but also gave me the chance to be creative given the restraints the pandemic provided creators.
What are you working on that no one knows about yet?
I am currently working on a short film series where I release one short film a month. I am also in the works of creating a mini-anthology digital series about society and how people interpret stories. I am hoping to start production on these projects soon and release them in 2022.
