Cleo Tellier is a French-Canadian actress who recently moved to Toronto to pursue her acting career and to study in the famous program of Film Production at York University. In this interview she talks about her acting and her plans for the future.
You are known for the role of Emilie in the 15 season TV Show Virginie and also the role of Flora in the Emmy Awards nominated show 30 Vies. How much have these roles influenced your acting career?
Both roles highly influenced my career. Virginie was my first set and that’s where I learned everything I know about acting. The show was on for so long and the fan base was big. It really helped me to start my acting career. I also learned how to act on set and how to make my character alive. They were really good working with kids, I have grown so much on this set, both as a person and as an actor. 30 Vies was very helpful too. I met influencial people that I still work with on a frequent basis. I think 30 Vies was the best experience of my life.
You can also be seen in Degrassi as Rheanne on TeenNick and MTV. How did you find acting in this role?
My experience on Degrassi was amazing. I’ve always loved this show so it was such a wonderful experience to be part of the cast and to work with this incredibly talented crew. Rheanne was an interesting character, not too different from me. It was easy to play, I really felt in my comfort zone. I love how they added some French characters since Season 13.
Your work seems to gravitate between TV shows and commercials. Which do you prefer?
They are both very different and each have their qualities. However, I think I prefer working on TV shows. It’s such an amazing feeling to know the crew and to feel at home on set. When you act in a show, you really get to know your character episode after episode. Your character becomes important to you and you know her or him just as much as yourself. That’s something you will never get in commercials.
How about financially?
Commercials are without a doubt the area in terms of acting in which I (and any actor) make the most money. Of course, it’s not as stable as having a lead or supporting role in a TV show. For long term, working in TV is better because you get a constant income.
You’ve recently went back to school… What do you expect to learn and get from York University?
Since Virginie, I discovered a passion in filmmaking and working behind the camera. My first experience as an actor really made me discover the other careers that are possible on a film set. This is the aspect that I hope to learn at school. Film production is a very hands-on experience type of program and I get to learn specific techniques such as cinematography and editing, that I would not be able to know as an actor. I think my experience in acting will make me a stronger director. Hopefully, in the future, I can work as an actor but also as a producer or director. I’m also interested in screenwriting; my most recent short film I Killed My Mother just won an award and I’m hoping for more in the next few months.
What movie projects are you involved in right now?
I just finished my shoot in Blood Red Christmas, an American thriller. I also have some exciting voice over project coming up this summer! It’s something I have been looking to do for over ten years. I was thrilled when I learned that I was accepted into the voice over training in Montreal for UDA actors! This should keep me busy over the summer.
Are there any plans of moving to Hollywood?
Not right now. Obviously, this is a long term goal like most actors. For now, the reality is that most of my work is in French and that requires me to be in Canada. I am planning on taking accent reduction classes and hopefully, I will get more roles in American shows or movies.
