Charlotte Kirk produces films to gain greater control over her acting career

Charlotte Kirk says she began writing and producing films to have more control over her acting career, after a period in Hollywood that left her wary of trusting powerful people. She now makes around two films a year through her production company, building opportunities for herself in an industry where, she says, the hardest part can be not working.

Her latest film, *Christmas & Chaos*, is an improvised Christmas romantic comedy in which she plays a pop star racing to write songs for a musical; Kirk also produced it. She worked with director Jamie Adams to develop the story without a script, and says parts of her own life surfaced in the performance. Kirk, 34, moved to the US at 18 seeking better opportunities, and has also collaborated regularly with filmmaker Neil Marshall.