Jen Lilley’s Heart for Others Might Just Change Hollywood
Movieguide® Contributor
Jen Lilley is known for her roles on Great American Family and DAYS OF OUR LIVES, but she’s also known for having a big heart.
A few of her charitable ventures include donating all proceeds from her “King of Hearts” single to a boy who needed heart surgery and founding the non-profit Christmas is Not Cancelled, which helps foster kids in need.
“My philosophy in charity…I think that we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and one of my favorite quotes is Mother Teresa,” Lilley told Movieguide® in a video interview. “[She] says if you want to change the world you know go home and love your family but also small acts of kindness. Small acts of kindness amount…like there’s a ripple effect.”
“You never know who you’re going to impact, and I just want to encourage anybody that’s watching or listening, or reading; you know, you were born on purpose for a purpose,” she continued. “For this exact moment in time, every single person has a set of talents and gifts, and you should not discredit how small they are because you have no idea the ripple effect that each, you know, act of obedience is having.”
Lilley’s latest mission is for Hollywood. She recently launched a platform that introduces unique ways of crowdfunding called Raise the Reel.
“It really started because I saw that there was a problem in Hollywood right now. You know, we had two strikes, and they kind of backfired. We had a writer strike and an actor strike,” the A LITTLE WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS star said.
READ MORE: JEN LILLEY ANNOUNCES EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR FANS
“Some of them were in the exact same moment, and the aftermath of that was that Hollywood kind of became… like… a Great Depression. Everything kind of scaled back, and I was done sitting around waiting for acting jobs,” she said. “So I started, you know, brushing my producing shoes off, and so as a producer, you know, I’ve seen the challenges that filmmakers are currently facing firsthand, and so Raise the Reel was really born out of a desire to just fix a broken fundraising model.”
Lilley’s model allows filmmakers to have total creative control, offering investors participation in the actual movies and the chance to win a sweepstake. Actors and producers can also purchase their participation in a movie to help launch their careers.
“Raise the Reel isn’t just about making movies with filmmakers,” Lilley said. “It’s also about making memories for the fans who love these movies, and so fans can actually go on to Raise the Reel…and they can actually just secure and guarantee their spot in the movies that they love and adore.”
“This is something that I wish existed when I first started acting…I didn’t know anyone when I moved to Hollywood. Nepotism — not in my favor…” she explained. “So for anyone who’s trying to break into Hollywood who’s an aspiring actor or producer, they can also guarantee themselves in the movies they love. They can get a speaking role they can become a producer.”
Raise the Reel is currently offering purchasable participation in Lilley’s upcoming movie, HOLIDAY HEARTS, ranging from a virtual hangout/Q&A with the lead actors to having a character named after you with other bonuses.
Entertainment Now reported this month: “HOLIDAY HEARTS is set to begin filming in New Mexico on January 22 with an all-star cast Lilley can’t yet reveal. But she gave Heavy a few hints about the cast, describing her co-star as a ‘true movie star’ and ‘worldwide phenomenon.’ She also said that her mom is played by a two-time Golden Globe nominee and that another key player is “a very well known Hallmark leading man.'”
READ MORE: What A LITTLE WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS’ Faith Values Mean for Entertainment Industry
