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Chauntice Green always knew she was destined for the arts. From the early age of six, she found herself drawn to different forms of storytelling—photography and acting especially. The experience of seeing a movie in theaters seemed grand to her. Fully immersed in the characters and the creative ways that they were captured, a young Green decided that she wanted to be a part of that world. Captivated by the drama and magic of it all, “I can do it,” were the words she uttered to herself. A declaration that catalyzed the creation of a world of her own—one that married her affinity for acting and photography.
“I didn’t really do anything art related until I attended [AMDA] performing arts school,” said Green, who flirted with theater in high school as an extracurricular activity, but was mostly involved in sports such as basketball and track growing up. Unsure of the direction to go in after graduating, she decided to take a pause instead of attending college right away. She later found her interest piqued after talking with a friend who had gotten into AMDA. “I researched the school, set up an audition, and told my mom,‘I have an audition in a month. You’ve got to drive me down to Los Angeles.’” One road trip and two monologues later, the decision on which path to take became clear. “I didn’t even know what a monologue was,” Green laughed, recalling having to choose a classical and contemporary piece to perform. “I had a limited perspective and was unsure of what I was looking for, but chose what made the most sense to me. I was nervous when I presented them, but must’ve done good enough because I got in.”
Green jumped into this new chapter, courageously uprooting her life from her hometown in Sacramento, California, and moved to LA. But, as exciting as pursuing a dream in a new place may sound, it did not come without its challenges. “Many of my peers had a head start attending performing arts high school, so I was surrounded by a lot of people who had more knowledge than me. I did a lot of sitting back, observing, and listening,” she says. Green gave herself permission to learn at her own pace. But as time went on, she couldn’t ignore the pressure she felt. The accumulation of stress that came from being sad and alone in a new environment, missing her tight-knit family, and experiencing a heavy dose of imposter syndrome had manifested physically, showing itself on her body and in her routine. “It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I realized I needed to change something. I got kicked out of a class or two and knew I was better than that. I knew I was good and had to work really hard to feel like I deserved to be in this space—I had to believe in it.” Green shifted her focus to showing up fully for her college experience in spite of the adversity she faced. By honoring the commitment she made to her love of acting, she was introduced to a new one.
“The camera was the first thing I picked up artistically that allowed me to create things on my own. Acting is a lot more collaborative—it’s so much about speaking other people’s words and being directed. But this [photography] was mine.”
After Green’s best friend bought her what turned out to be a pretty good film camera at the flea market for just twenty dollars, she began discovering what she wanted to shoot, which proved to reflect the more personal aspects of herself.
“Hands stood out to me. Hands are intimate, sensual, and romantic. I wanted my photos to feel that way,” said Green. To achieve this, she sought authentic moments—capturing her subjects in vulnerable spaces like their homes or in public places—and documenting their relationship to the world around them. “It’s grounding. You have to truly be present to capture the perfect moment, otherwise you’ll miss it.”
This tool that first helped her navigate the changes of moving to LA became more than just an outlet; it became a necessary part of her life. When she took a hiatus from acting upon graduating, exploring her creativity through photography helped her recenter. “It’s something I have to do—a release. I feel so dramatic saying this, but if I don’t do it I’ll die,” she laughs.
With her camera in tow, Green began carving out space for herself and finding her voice as an artist—a healing and sacred experience she was most protective of. “This was my love letter. I was able to do whatever I wanted with it, and I thought if I tried to monetize it then I would ruin that relationship,” she said. But, working through what felt like would be her selling out took her to another level. Green began sharing her work and collaborating with others more. And in utilizing her unique perspective, she became a part of the storytelling process in a multitude of ways.
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“Acting gave me an understanding of words and physicality. Photography helped me see and think in pictures—to see moments as a whole. I can visualize a whole room and how people should be placed to make a moment and the stage or screen feel full.”
Green’s vision can be seen throughout the works of madebyJAMES and BASEWOOD productions—who credit her for their signature style. The creative skillset she’s offered from the brands’ early conceptions live in their foundation and breathe life into each project—from commercials, music videos, short films, and more. The application of her understanding of acting and photography then inspired her to take on a larger role. Following her first co-direction with Kevin Tsai in 2022 for Noah Guy’s “STOP BANGIN MY LINE,” Green went on to make her official directorial debut for Mikhala Jene’s “Black Love''—a full circle moment that stamped the merging of her early affinities.
“My favorite part about this video was being able to incorporate my love of theater into these visuals. The stage is and will forever be one of the most magical places.”
Those four words that Green declared to herself as a young girl have since echoed throughout her journey—helping her face the adversity one experiences once they’ve decided they have a dream to realize. Being intentional about who she wanted to build a life with in the new place she calls home has made all the difference in both her personal and professional life—to not face that adversity alone. “I knew what it was like to be lonely and feel like I didn’t belong, so it was important for me to surround myself with good people who share the same morals and core values.” Being in the company of friends that support one another in every aspect of their lives has empowered Green to push the boundaries of what is possible with confidence. She is comforted without worry that she is lacking in any area, she is supported with every resource she needs, and she is inspired by the achievements of those around her.
“All of this has humbled me into understanding…to look at myself when I question things or doubt myself. When I look at my community, I am reminded that I belong here.”
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