Seri DeYoung has recently co-starred in the series 'Good Trouble'. We got to chat to Seri about her amazing short films and her documentary about Fibromyalgia.

Hello Seri! Thank you for taking the time to have a chat with us. You've recently co-starred in the show 'Good Trouble'. How was that experience for you?

It’s been such an amazing experience! I feel so fortunate to get to work with incredibly talented and also extremely kind people. It’s such a warm family of artists, I’m very grateful that I get to keep working and creating with them. To get to be on the show for four seasons and over 40 episodes has been a dream. I’m so proud to portray an ambitious woman in tech. My character “Claire” has really had the opportunity to grow and come into her own over the course of these seasons. It’s been such an empowering journey to start out as this rogue group of women in a pretty hostile work environment, to becoming the owners of our own start up. I can’t wait to find out where this journey continues to take us. 

You've also directed a few short films. What got you to go behind the camera? Is there a director you get inspired by?

I’ve always been interested in directing because I just love film. As is typical of the life of an actor just getting started, I had a lot of time in between jobs and found myself yearning to keep creating… so I did. I made a bunch of short films that sort of served as film school for me and a way for me to explore and hone my filmmaking voice and style. Now directing is a huge part of my life and my career, and I can’t imagine a life without it.

A director who always inspires me is Denis Villenueve, I love his beautifully crafted large scale worlds. I’d love to make films like his one day. And Alfonso Cuaron! His movies initially inspired me to become a filmmaker. 

Was there a short film that you really enjoyed filming?

I loved making my newest short film Distance. The creative relationship I’ve built with Daphne Fischer, the writer/star of the film, is so special – I truly felt the most joyful and free while working on this project. Her script was so emotionally textured and brilliant, and we just had the best time on set. 

You’ve recently completed a feature length documentary about the struggle with Fibromyalgia. Can you explain what Fibromyalgia is to readers who don't know what it is?

Of course! Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disease and fatigue illness and as of now it has no cure. There hasn’t been a ton of research done on it, despite the fact that millions of people have it. One of the more challenging things about it is that it’s an invisible illness, so those who have it also have that psychological challenge to deal with as well. That’s a big reason why I wanted to make this film, to make this illness visible. And to give hope! Minor spoiler, but this story does have a happy ending. The subject/star of the film, Lina Alvarez, is a close friend of mine. Helping her tell this story was such a huge responsibility, and I’m so honored that she trusted me with this incredibly intimate and important job.   

Got any plans for the rest of the year?

I’m doing a bit of traveling with family, which I’m really looking forward to! I’ll also be busy working on my script for my narrative feature directorial debut. I’m obsessed with this story. I can’t say much yet, other than it’s about a cult. And of course always auditioning!

Lastly, have you got any messages that you would like to tell your readers?

Enjoy the summer – get outside!!