Calvin Ross Barnes (born January 14, 1988) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, novelist, and playwright. Barnes moved to Los Angeles in 2009, where he began his career by starring in short films, appearing in television commercials, and writing screenplays.[1] His stage play, Rise, won Best World Premiere at the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival.[2][3] In 2014, Barnes appeared in the Universal Studios horror film, Unfriended, which was executive produced by Jason Blum.[4][5] He has two published novels, True Grandeur (2017),[6][7] and the recently released Peter Pan sequel, Son of Neverland (2021), which he is also attached to star in.[8][9][10] He stars in the recently released feature film, The Astrid Experience, which marks his feature film directorial debut.[11]
Cal Barnes | |
|---|---|
 Cal Barnes attends the red carpet world premiere of "The Astrid Experience" on March 23, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | |
| Born | Calvin Ross Barnes January 14, 1988 Salem, Oregon, U.S. |
| Education | Portland State University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | calbarnes |
Early life and education
editCal Barnes was born in Salem, Oregon.[12] He studied creative writing, journalism, and theatre at Portland State University before moving to Los Angeles.[13][1] He is the great nephew of New York Mets baseball player, Lute Barnes.[citation needed]
Career
editBarnes started his acting career in 2010 when he began booking numerous short films he self-submitted for that filmed in and around Los Angeles.[1] He began acting professionally in 2011 when he landed his first agent and began booking theatrical and commercial work.[14] In late 2011, he moved to the Franklin Village neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills, where he began penning feature screenplays.[15][16]
During his time in the village, Barnes penned his first play, Rise[17][18][19] (2012), which went on to win Best World Premiere[20] at the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival.[21][14] He also wrote his first novel, True Grandeur,[22][23] which chronicles the tale of Conrad Arlington, a young Hollywood hopeful that moves to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a great artist, all while managing his affections for Gracie Garrison, a young Hollywood it girl who takes an interest in him.[24] In an interview regarding the novel, Barnes stated, "I was inspired by some experiences I had in my early twenties when I first moved to Los Angeles."[25][26] He also had a role in the successful horror film franchise, Unfriended (2014), which was produced by Timur Bekmambetov and Jason Blum, and released by Universal Studios.[27][28]
Barnes recently starred in the upcoming feature film, The Astrid Experience (2023).[29][30][16][31][14] It marks Barnes's second collaboration with musician John That, the first being the music video Hippy Girl(2014), which Barnes directed.[32][26] The Astrid Experience is Barnes's feature film debut as director.[33][1]
The Astrid Experience had its world premiere at the Laemmle Royal Theatre in Santa Monica, CA on March 23, 2023. On March 25, 2023, Barnes and That released the film on the Official Noblehooks Productions Youtube channel to 2.5 thousand subscribers.[34] The film has subsequently been released by Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.[35][36][37]
On October 27, 2021, Barnes published his second novel, Son of Neverland, a Peter Pan sequel that takes place one hundred years into the future. The novel hit the #1 new release for mythology and folklore fantasy fiction on Amazon for the month of November, 2021.[9] In honor of J.M. Barrie's legacy and support of children's hospitals, Barnes and the publisher set up a charitable fund to continue the endowment. On the official website and in the recitals of the novel Barnes and publisher state that "10% of the net proceeds from this book will go directly towards supporting children’s hospitals, charities, organizations, institutions, and causes worldwide that are designed to keep children safe, healthy, creative, imaginative, and ultimately make their lives better."[38]
In an Interview with Revamp Magazine in March, 2023, Barnes confirmed that he's attached to play Peter Pan in the franchise. "I am the character," Barnes says. "I'm attached to play Peter, and the novel art has already been created in my likeness, so it's well on its way." He also announced that the second installment of the series is in active development, with the title to be announced in late 2023 to early 2024.[8]
Between acting and filmmaking Barnes currently serves as the head of creative and CEO of Nineteen Films, a production and sales company in Los Angeles.[26]
Appearances in other media
editIn 2011, Barnes portrayed the teenage version of Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan in the music video for the Avenged Sevenfold song "So Far Away", which served as a tribute video to the band's late drummer who passed in 2009. It is the band's first number one single. As of October 2024, the video has over 370 million views on youtube.[39]
In October 2024, Barnes briefly appeared in Tyler, the Creator's "Noid" music video.[40]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Plunge | Wendell | Also Writer, Producer. First short film with his production company. Soundtrack includes 'If Work Permits' by The Format |
| 2012 | Faith and Other Weapons | Josh | Thesis film by Cooper Hefner |
| 2014 | Unfriended | Chatroulette Stoner | Released by Universal Studios |
| 2018 | Adolescence | NA | Writer, Associate Producer |
| 2023 | Krispr | Matthew Shepp | |
| 2023 | The Astrid Experience | Chase Abbott | Directorial Debut. Also Writer, Producer. |
| 2024 | Infinite Limits | Collin Whitney | Pre-Production. |
| 2024 | The Influencer House Massacre | Josh Carter | Pre-Production. |
| TBD | Son of Neverland | Peter Pan | Attached. Based on the Novel |
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Rise | Playwright | Zenith Ensemble / Hollywood Fringe Festival, Won 'Best World Premiere' |
| 2013 | The Absence of Sound | Dane, Playwright | Award-Winning Playwright Competition |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "So Far Away" | Avenged Sevenfold | Teenage Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan |
| 2011 | "Who's in Control" / Valhalla Dancehall | British Sea Power | Rebel Leader |
| 2014 | "Hippy Girl" | John That | Director, Producer |
| 2024 | "Noid" | Tyler, the Creator | Robber |
Books & Publications
edit- True Grandeur: A Hollywood Novel (Magic Hour Press 2017) ISBN 978-0999161029[41]
- Son of Neverland (Magic Hour Press 2021) ISBN 978-0999161074
- Rise (Prodigy Play Group 2022) ISBN 978-0999161098
References
edit- ^ a b c d Myers, Ashley Scott. Script Magazine Cal Barnes. Script Magazine. Retrieved August 7, 2019
- ^ Holder, Travis Michael. "Rise is a Roller Coaster of Emotional Impact" Backstage. November 11, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Rise 'Best World Premiere' at the Hollywood Fringe Festival Hollywood Fringe Official Site. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "Unfriended Review" Roger Ebert. April 17, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Hall, Sacha. "The Blair Witch Project's Skype Revenge" The Hollywood News. January 17, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Los Angeles Public Library, True Grandeur LAPL Official Site. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Mason, Todd. True Grandeur is a Hollywood Novel for the 21st Century. The California Literary Review. Retrieved May 8th, 2020
- ^ a b Vincent, Owen James. Cal Barnes x Revamp Magazine. Revamp Magazine. Retrieved March 24th, 2023.
- ^ a b 'The Astrid Experience' Star and Director Publishes New Peter Pan Fantasy Series to Star In. EIN Newsdesk. Retrieved November 29th, 2021.
- ^ 'Son of Neverland' Press Release. PR. Retrieved November 11th, 2021.
- ^ Cal Barnes IMDB. Retrieved September 8, 2019
- ^ Lynn, Capi. Statesman Journal Speaks with Actor and Filmmaker Cal Barnes. The Statesman Journal. Retrieved August 17th, 2020.
- ^ About Cal Barnes. Cal Barnes Official Site. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c Myers, Ashley Scott. SYS Interview with Writer/Director Cal Barnes. SYS with Ashley Scott Myers. Retrieved August 5, 2019
- ^ Myers, Ashley Scott. LA Screenwriter, Cal Barnes Interview. LA Screenwriter. Retrieved August 7, 2019
- ^ a b Belnick, Jake. Radio Interview with Cal Barnes and Mickey River. Do Me A Solid Show. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Stanley, Steven. "24 Year-Old Barnes Shows Considerable Promise in His Debut Play." Stage Scene LA. November 20, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Birchall, Paul. "Rise. GO!" LA Weekly. June 13, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Manus, Willard. "Barnes Keeps Going Deeper Into Character" Total Theatre. June 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Theatre in LA The Los Angeles Examiner. June 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Johnson, Reed. "Hollywood Fringe Festival Performs its Own Way" LA Times. June 20, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ "A Young Writer is Seduced by Hollywood Life".Kirkus. December 12, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Carlson, Mari. Debut Novelist Cal R. Barnes Takes Us Into the Soul of a Young and Rising Star. The Midwest Book Review. September 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ True Grandeur on Audible. Audible. Retrieved September 8, 2019
- ^ Barnes, Cal. Cal Barnes Writer Interview. Awesome Gang News. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c Meet Cal Barnes of Nineteen Films. Voyage LA. Retrieved November 9th, 2020.
- ^ GoodyKoontz, Bill. "Unfriended Takes a Clever Stab at Social Media Horror" Statesman Journal. April 20, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Sachs, Ben. "Unfriended Review" Chicago Reader. 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2019
- ^ Patta, Gig.The Astrid Experience Shows an Unforgettable Night in LA. LRM Online. Retrieved February 25th, 2020
- ^ The Astrid Experience. Cal Barnes Official Site. Retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ Flores, Nica. Interview with Cal Barnes. Radio Public. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Hippy Girl Official Music Video. Noblehoooks Music. Retrieved December 28th, 2019
- ^ Moyer, Catie. Interview with 'The Astrid Experience' Triple Threat Cal Barnes. Screen Fervor. Retrieved May 16th, 2020
- ^ Noblehooks & Nineteen Films. THE ASTRID EXPERIENCE (FULL MOVIE). The Astrid Experience in 4K. Retrieved March 26th, 2023.
- ^ The Astrid Experience on Tubi. Tubi TV. Retrieved August 23rd, 2023.
- ^ The Astrid Experience on Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved August 8th, 2023.
- ^ The Astrid Experience on Apple TV. Apple TV. Retrieved September 15th, 2023
- ^ Son of Neverland Charitable Fund. Son of Neverland Official Website. Retrieved October 27th, 2021
- ^ AX7, 'So Far Away'. 'So Far Away' Official Music Video. Retrieved May 22, 2019
- ^ 'Noid'. Tyler, the Creator 'Noid' Official Music Video. Retrieved October, 21st, 2024
- ^ "True Gradeur by Cal R. Barnes". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
