Meet Christopher & Carissa Dalton | Writers, Actor, Directors, Producers

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher & Carissa Dalton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher & Carissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
From the beginning, we wanted to create our own stories. We set out to traverse the traditional path and even spent eight and a half years living in L.A. and working in Hollywood.

After learning from the best and working with other companies and writers, helping them tell their stories, we realized that we had a unique voice and needed an outlet to produce our own films. We launched Huck&Dorothy to give our stories the freedom to go out into the world, and along the way, we developed a passion for helping others turn their vision into a reality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Carissa: I started out as an actress, singer, and dancer and am excited to add to that list: director and coach. Like many others, my journey has been filled with ups and downs. We’ve all been told that the entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart. It almost always guarantees an overload of rejection that takes many out of the race. For me, navigating motherhood and professional acting was a juggle, and it took many years for me to gain confidence in my voice and my own way of creating a role. I found that learning as much as I could, studying and rehearsing, auditioning, and performing in other’s projects, was incredibly valuable. The most fulfilling work for me would come when I gave myself the freedom to decide what kind of projects I wanted to create with my husband and how we could shape a story from concept to production.

Chris: My path was also filled with obstacles: looking for an agent, trying to get scripts from working producers, and writing for very little money. I have worked in advertising, non-profit, and small businesses for over twenty years. While in Hollywood, I worked with family-centered production companies, read and consulted on scripts and story ideas, and mentored hundreds of writers working in the industry.

Over the years, having studied with high-caliber, seasoned professionals in film and T.V., we spent our time in Hollywood working with and being trained by the creator of Home Improvement, USC Film school professors, members of the Producers Guild and Writers Guild, and artists from Dexter, That’s 70s Show, Fairly Odd Parents, and more. Launching an entertainment company has not been easy—but it is the most fulfilling thing we have ever done.

What sets us apart is that everything we do is a story we have birthed. We’ve done some of everything in front of the camera and behind it. We’ve worked with beginners and experienced artists and have proven that it’s possible to launch our own ideas and others quickly by collaborating and allowing organic moments to occur.

It has taken a lot of dependence on prayer, a strong support system from family and friends, and a willingness to go for it. We have learned to get up when we fall and keep going when opposition and obstacles tell us to stop.

And most of all, we strongly believe in keeping a positive atmosphere amongst our creative talent. We never want to tear down in hopes of achieving the desired result. We want to give room for grace so that people are inclined to give their best and feel the freedom to explore the level of creativity that comes with trust.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Cave Creek is a beautiful hidden gem. We enjoy the Mexican food at El Encanto, the ice cream at The City Creamery, and the many coffee shops: The Village Creperie, with its delicious gluten-free desserts and crepes, Carefree Coffee, Black Mountain Coffee Co., which also has tasty breakfast, and the fun little shops at Frontier Town, along with the incredible hiking trails at Spur Cross Ranch.

Marguerite Lake is also a favorite of ours in Scottsdale. There are paths around the lake for walking and cycling and many places to eat, shop, and enjoy coffee in the shopping center. The Village Coffee Roastery has been a long-time love of ours for decades!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Carissa: My biggest champion in life is definitely my husband, which is why he makes such a great business partner! He builds my confidence, affirms my ideas, and is always in my corner. Almost 20 years ago, the husband and wife team, Peter Stelzer and Marla Finn of Phoenix Film Institute, became my initial mentors in film acting. Their classes challenged me to dive deep into my emotional work; they prepared me for the industry and spoke encouraging words that stayed with me through the tough times.

Chris: My greatest inspiration is my wife. She is the one I write for and with on many projects. Ron Austin, his book, In A New Light, and his mentorship helped shape some of the ideas for Huck&Dorothy: working with actors at all levels, collaborating across all disciplines in the art form, and finding the story by working outward from the character.

We would also like to recognize Church for the Nations in Phoenix, AZ, who allowed us to produce our first film, All the Dragons, by raising funds and giving us access to their entire campus, which we transformed into many locations for our film set.

Website: https://www.huckanddorothy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huckanddorothystories/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089849258812