FSU College of Motion Picture Arts 2014-2015 Publication 2014-2015 | Page 10

The successful actress is also a wellrounded filmmaking professional.

W

hen production began on Steve McQueen’s 12
Years a Slave in 2012, few could have predicted
the success it would eventually achieve. This
certainly was the case for one of its lead actresses, Kelsey
Scott (MFA in Production, 1999), who played the role of
Anne Northup in the film.

Kelsey Scott performs
in a high-profile role in
12 Years a Slave
by Nick McKaig

filmmaking,” says Scott. “I still use everything I learned.
I don’t have to hire an editor to edit my reels, I do it
myself; I record voiceovers in my own office.”
“A comprehensive filmmaking education is beneficial
to the independent media,” says Scott. “For example,
editors tend to make good directors because they have
a more rounded knowledge of the process. Actors know
how to write dialogue in a screenplay, what to say and
what doesn’t need to be said but communicated by the
actors.”

After graduating in 1999, she moved to Los Angeles and
Scott originally auditioned for a smaller role on 12 Years, worked as an assistant for studio executives. As time
but was soon called back and cast for a larger role on the passed, she decided to refocus her attention on screenwritproduction, the wife of Solomon Northup, played by ing, took a break, and wrote Motives, a career-changing
Chiwetel Ejiofor. The role allowed her to work with some feature film that starred Vivica A. Fox and Shemar Moore.
of the biggest names in film, including Ejiofor, Michael She also wrote its sequel, Motives 2.
Fassbender, and Quvenzhané Wallis, who played her
daughter in the film.
Scott still has a passion for screenwriting and the production process, but acting is her first love. As a result of
The success of 12 Years is now well known, but the film the success of 12 Years, Scott has a number of projects
is only one of the many productions in which Scott has on the horizon. “My career has always been a gracefully
performed over the course of her career. She started in slow burn,” says Scott, “but 12 Years a Slave has definitely
the industry while in high school on the Robert Guillau- opened doors.”
me Show and has since played characters on primetime
programs such as Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective, House To learn more about Scott’s accomplishments, as well as
M.D., NCIS, and Army Wives.
upcoming projects, visit her website at www.kelseyscott.
com.
In addition to her acting accolades, Scott is well versed
in the process behind the camera. As an actress
on an independent film while she was in college
at Florida A & M University, she found herself
enraptured by the production process. “Why
weren’t the sound and picture running together?
Why is that person writing everything down?
My interest was piqued,” says Scott.
After completing her under ܘYX]HYܙYK