Kelly Crean
Class: 1997
Degree: BA
Major: Film & Television Production

Accomplished actress and Chapman University alumna Kelly Crean ’97 landed a starring role in the exciting live action feature film Bratz: The Movie. She plays the character of Mrs. Funk, the home economics teacher who gets transformed by one of the four Bratz girls. Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight will appear as the school principal.

Kelly credits her well-roundness and versatility as an actress to her experience as an undergraduate student
at Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, an intellectual and practical training that gave her a privileged “insider’s” perspective into a side of the entertainment industry normally closed to actors. Dodge College courses in screenwriting, directing, producing and broadcast journalism all helped her gain a deeper understanding of the logistics of filming and editing, as well as the ideal role actors should play in the process of film production: “All the elements that take place behind the camera are so imperative to the work that gets accomplished in front of the camera. The more an actor understands this, the easier it is for everyone on the set.”

Kelly offers a few words of advice to current and potential students looking to break into the entertainment industry: “Learn as much as you can in the industry you choose.” An example of her dedication to academics at Chapman, Kelly decided to add a major in political science to her studies in film and television production: “the reason being I wanted to learn basic legal and contractual facts, and I also wanted to learn every single element that goes into directing, producing, writing, editing and acting in a movie and television show. Everything effects you as an actress,” Kelly reiterates, “and the more you bring into this business with a professional manner, the more you will learn, and the more you learn, the more you’ll succeed.” Additionally, Kelly took an active role of leadership in her education, strategically focused all of her general education and film production classes to aid her dream of becoming a talented, well-rounded, and acclaimed actress.

Kelly’s talent and ambition has lead to appearances in several television shows, in addition to numerous co-starring and featured roles in major films. I always tell people I have a career and a full time job. As with a majority of the people in the entertainment industry, I chose a full time job that was both supportive and flexible to my career as an actor. When not under the lights of a studio, Kelly currently works as a Trafficking Director at Heil Brice Advertising, a firm specializing in the production of TV, radio and print commercials. Her involvement in the “business side” of the entertainment industry showcases the great diversity of experiences available to graduates of Chapman’s Dodge College.

Bratz: The Movie is directed by Sean McNamara (That's So Raven, Cutting Edge 2, Casper Meets Wendy) and produced by Avi Arad (Spiderman, Ghost Rider, X-Men, Blade).  Bratz: The Movie will be coming to a theater near you on August 3rd.