Britt Rentschler is an indie filmmaker and actress to keep your eye on. When she isn’t creating fun masterpieces, she is dedicated to encouraging young creative minds at Young Storytellers, and passionate about our democracy, volunteering at the LA LGBT center and Vote Forward. Read on to discover more about Britt’s creative process, her secret to writing compelling comedies, and the inspiring ways she gives back.

Where are you based?
I feel very fortunate to be bi-coastal, and I love getting the best of both worlds.

What inspired you to get into acting and writing? Did one come before the other?
Being encouraged to be imaginative as a child allowed me to find both at the same time — creating and embodying a story gives me so much joy.

You have done both film and theater. Do you have a preference?
Oh no! That’s like making me choose a parent! I love them both, equally and differently.

Congrats! Your debut film, PRETTY PROBLEMS, was recently released. What inspired this story? How does it feel for it to come to life?
Like all good indie filmmaking, this story was inspired by… access to an incredible (free) location. My producing partner, Michael Tennant, came to me with the seeds for everything, and it was a privilege to be able to help it grow.

The trailer for PRETTY PROBLEMS leaves the viewer discombobulated. Can you tell us a little bit about the film? What do you want your audience to get from it?
Discombobulated is exactly how Lindsay and Jack feel — it’s like they have been living in black and white, and then are invited into the “Land of Oz”. We hope the audience can feel that they are scooped up with our lead characters, and are along for the ride.

When you were writing it did you already see yourself in the role of Lindsay Simpson? What is it about Lindsay that you connect with?
I really didn’t see myself as Lindsay, but as the creative process went on, it became clear that I knew her very, very well, after spending so much time with her. So it was the natural fit, as a creator, to take on a character that needed to be a backbone in the story.

Was writing a comedy difficult? How do you manage a balance between humor and depth while storytelling?
To me, there are two questions you need to regularly ask yourself: 1. Did it get a laugh? If yes, then keep it. 2. Are you telling the truth, and is it personal? If yes, then keep it. That’s how you get both. It’s trial and error. And it can be painful, but it’s worth it.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon? Do you want to focus on film or would you like to write for theater as well?
I am working on a few film ideas right now. I have this really romantic idea that I’ll write a play one day, far in the future, when I’m more of a grizzled Hemingway type. I want to earn those stripes.

We love that you volunteer with the Resistance Squad of Los Angeles LGBT Center. What inspired you to get involved with them?
The LA LGBT Center has a lot of amazing volunteer opportunities, and once you take their training, they give you so many ways to show up and help. I got involved with them during phone banking for the last midterm elections, and I am still doing that work, now. We are hoping for a great runoff in GA!

Can you tell us about your work with Young Storytellers? Why is this important to you?
My whole life was shaped by the encouragement and exposure to the arts that I received as a child. When children get the opportunity to explore the story, they are offered the chance to engage with themselves, and the world, in a whole new way. That will stay with them forever.

Midterm Election season just ended. Can you tell us a bit about your time writing for Vote Forward? Why is empowering reluctant voters important to you?
If we don’t have citizens who understand the power of their own unique voice, then we don’t have a democracy. It’s that simple to me.

Any thoughts on the midterm results?
Relief. Pride. There’s still so much work to be done, but it was encouraging to see the efforts that were made bearing positive fruit.

It has been a crazy past few years. How have you been staying positive?
My partner once said to me, “Guess what? You get to start over again tomorrow.” That really helped me. The simple power of choice, and a clean slate. Sometimes you just need to rest and start again on the other side.

What is your motto in life?
“Everything is working out perfectly.” That’s the phrase I repeat to myself. Even if I can’t understand why or how just yet, it’s all perfect, and all needs are met. It brings me back to center and allows me to release worry and the need to control.

To learn more about Britt, please follow her via the links below:
Instagram @opheliagrownup and @prettyproblemsfilm

Team Credits:
Photo credit: Tiziano Lugli
Styling: Adrien Rabego
Makeup: Sasha Borax

Britt Rentschler - Inspiring Through Stories