✨Hi everyone! My website is currently undergoing some exciting changes. I recently got married! Woo! So, I'm in the process of transitioning my brand from
Shelby Turner to my ✨new✨ last name, Shelby Schindler. Thank you so much for your patience during this exciting time! ✌️
about me
who am i?
Hi there!
I'm Shelby Schindler! Formerly Shelby Turner before I married my wonderful husband in June of 2024.
I am a California native actress based out of Los Angeles and San Diego. Acting is not just a passion of mine; and it is my lifeblood. I started acting on stages ever since I can remember, whether I made one in my living room or performed in a 300 person ensemble. I knew from a young age that acting was what I was made for, and I will never stop.
My love for acting grew from theatre to film. Since then, I have studied many types of acting techniques including, Stanislavski, Meisner, Lee Strasberg, Chekov, Stella Adler, Yat Malmgren, Uta Hagen, and others, to develop my process.
I have been professionally acting in LA for more than five years now and am hungry for every opportunity that comes my way. I take pride in my work and "have the chops" to do what it takes to make it in this industry. I have dedicated my life to my craft and pride myself in a strong work ethic.
I have been on many sets, from independent films, commercials, to TV: my most recent work being The Morning Show & Animal Kingdom. I am looking forward to playing your next girl-next-door or startup mastermind. My Type? Think Gal Gadot's younger sister & Hailee Steinfeld, mixed with the spunk and quirk of Sex Lives of College Girls,’ Amrit Kaur.
I am also a singer/songwriter and musician. I play guitar, ukulele, and drums. I tell stories with my songs just as I do with my acting. I also direct actors in my independent films. I also love to dance, specifically swing dance, but I also do ballroom and musical theater. I am great with kids and have over seven years of experience working closely with developmentally disabled children and teens, specifically with Down Syndrome, Autism, Asperger's disease, and various social and speech impediments. I am highly athletic; I play soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field and work out as much as I can. I have done CrossFit and competitive weight lifting and love living a healthy lifestyle. I am great with animals of all kinds and love horseback riding. I am an actor by day and bartender by night and have extensive knowledge of spirits and wine.
A little bit more about me
story. story. story.
Story is so important to me. I am drawn to roles that ask deep and difficult questions. I want to tell stories through my acting. I want people to feel something when they watch my performances and above all show the truth and complexity of the human experience.
I can portray a variety of looks and types from the powerful business boss lady to the sweet teenage dream. I really enjoy versatility in my work so I can portray an array of lives.
my (other) passions
I'm passionate about many facets of filmmaking in addition to acting. I love directing, assistant directing, even production assisting!! As I progress in my career I look forward to directing feature films. I know how to talk to actors on an actor level while also leading the entire team through an overall vision for the film. The director-actor relationship is so important to me. Here are a few things actors have said about my directing style:
"Shelby is the ultimate actor's director." -Alex Donnollo
"She brings out the very best and makes me want to offer everything I have in return." -Jonathan Sperling
I bring that kind of respect and dedication in every aspect of my work. Check out that full video here:
This film is called, Anna. It is a short film based on a true story about a little girl named Anna Schindler, who is battling a rare type of liver cancer and reaches past herself and her pain to touch the heart of her cousin, Gabe Teich, an Army sniper fighting his own battles in Afghanistan.
Like I said, story is so important to me and Anna and Gabe's story touched me so deeply, I had to tell it.
ANNA'S LEGACY: The
Anna Schindler Foundation
In addition to my passion for this story, I am passionate about the legacy this brave little girl left behind. When something terrible happens in life, we have three choices: "we can either let it define us, let it destroy us, or we can let it strengthen us.” And the third option is what this family did. Anna's parents, Joe and Polly Schindler started the Anna Schindler foundation to provide emotional and financial support to families fighting childhood cancer in the Inland Northwest while raising awareness of this disease.
If you are interested in seeing the film or donating to this wonderful foundation as I do, click the image below!
singing. songwriting.
performing.
I am a singer/songwriter and have been a musician since I was 6 years old and have been singing since I came out of the womb. Ok...well that's a little dramatic, but what can I say? I'm an actor? But seriously...Music is one of my biggest passions next to acting and songwriting is truly an extension of my soul. I love the vulnerability and connection my songs create with listeners. Creating a story is a huge part of my songwriting and I love to tell stories of my life and experiences through my songs. One of my favorite parts of being a musician is when I get to relate to and connect with strangers or friends alike on such an emotional level that only music can create.
where am i?
I am a TRUE california girl! I was born in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. I have traveled all over the world including, France, Ireland, London and Italy and STILL Santa Barbara is one of my favorite places in the world. I’ve lived in Santa Clara, Sacramento, Napa, San Diego and now La la Land. I LOVE California and yes, I do surf.
i don't always have spare time but when I do...
I'm somewhere gaming!! I am a game fanatic! I love board games, card games, video games, game shows- you name it, and I'm probably somewhere playing it! One thing I would love to do is start a Twitch stream for my video gaming one day - I love it. My favorite game is still Monopoly. There are few things better than the feeling I get when my opponent lands on my Hotel ridden Boardwalk and Park Place! If you dont know what I’m talking about - you gotta try it.
fun facts
women who wear black live colorful lives
Most peope would say I am a very colorful person in many aspects so when I tell someone my favorite color is black they always give me a funny look until I tell them why. I have always loved the color black and love the way I look in it! I mean, it looks good on everyone, amiright?! It makes me feel confident, powerful, and sophisticated. I'm not really sure why! It just does!! Then one day...I read this quote from one of Vancouver’s top fashion stylists, the beautiful, Michelle Addison. So now when I'm asked, in true Buddy the elf fashion, "What's my favorite color?" I will always follow my answer with, "Women who wear black live colorful lives." And they do indeed.
A Cinderella story
The first time I ever auditioned for a theatre production, I was 5 years old. It was for a production of Cinderella. When I went into the audition room, the casting directors said to me, "Ok sweetie, which role will you be auditioning for today." You might expect me to say, "oh I don't know" or "my mom is making me do this" but instead I confidently said, "Cinderella." I could just hear those casting directors trying their best not to laugh right now. They proceeded to ask me, "Is there any other role you would like to audition for?" I precociously replied..."No...I want to be Cinderella." I then proceeded to sing 16 bars of 'My Own Little Corner,' one of Cinderella's songs from the Rogers and Hammerstein version of Cinderella. I had obviously done my research. Oh, and in case if you were wondering... I nailed it.
I share this anecdote because I have never lost that indomitable spirit and when I want something I truly raise the bar. Even though I, in fact, did not get the role of Cinderella, you can bet I was the best damn Bluebird anyone had ever seen.
favorite quotes
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.
We will have our glory days in the hot sun.
A little kindness goes a long way.
Do small things with great love.
Stand for something or fall for everything.
I love you. You’re probably thinking “You dont even know me.” But if people can hate for no reason, I can love.
fave movies? question mark?
When someone asks me what my favorite movie is I always get stumped. I like so many different kinds of movies. From classics to cult classics, from Indie (independent films) to Indy (Indiana Jones) and everything in between. It's hard to have a favorite especially when I practically study movies for a living. But I can tell you overall my favorite genre is psychological thriller. Just like how I enjoy acting in something that makes others think and feel something, when I watch film or tv, I like to think and feel things as well. Hey...but don't get me wrong I can confidently say some of my all-time "favorite" movies include: Nacho Libre, Back to the Future, and Interstellar.
i came. I saw. I contoured.
This paragraph should really be in the passions sections but nonetheless it is a true passion of mine and a part of me that I feel not a lot of people know about. These three things are, MAKEUP. MAKEUP, oh and did I say, MAKEUP? Yep! There is nothing quite like opening up a new eyeshadow palette for me. I love doing makeup, whether it's my own or someone else's. I can do anything from an extremely subtle, natural look to an ultra-glam, every color of the rainbow look. It is so much fun to get lost in the artisty of makeup. I am a firm believer that makeup isn't there to be a mask on your face, to cover any part about you up, it's truly just there to enhance the beauty we already possess. Makeup is an art and I love creating looks whether I'm on set or in my own home.
the best for last
There are three things that mean the most to me more than anything in this world. My faith, my family, and my friends. These three things mean everything to me, and without them, I would not be the person and actor I am today.
thank you!!!
Thanks for getting to know a little more about me!! I look forward to working with you!