Christopher Briney
Calvin Klein tank
Nicholas Raefski shirt
Overcoat jacket
Talent’s Own pendant necklace
Christopher Briney, an American actor and filmmaker who is best known for his role as Conrad in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” grew up in Connecticut before going to New York to attend Pace University, from which he received a BFA in Acting for Film, TV, Voiceover and Commercial. In 2019, he wrote, directed, and edited the short film “Paix .“ He next appears in the upcoming film Dalíland in which he plays the role of Dali’s young gallery assistant.
Left:
WILLY CHAVARRIA set
Calvin Klein tank
Talent’s Own pendant necklace
Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
CAMPERLAB loafers
Right:
Calvin Klein tank
Nicholas Raefski shirt
Overcoat jacket
Talent’s Own pendant necklace
When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?
I realized I wanted to be an actor back in high school. I did this really wonderful summer theater program and was so moved by the people I met and the work we all did together. I had this moment where I realized I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. There’s something about the atmosphere around actors and other creatives that fulfilled this part of me I didn’t know was there.
What inspires you as an actor and filmmaker?
Seeing other people do good work is probably the most inspiring thing for me. Like if I see a movie that does something I haven’t seen before, or a performance that surprises me, it just makes me want to jump on my feet and create something. I remember I watched Paul Schrader’s ‘First Reformed’ when it came out a few years ago. I was so mesmerized by the film’s style that I went out and bought his book and did all this research on his style and inspirations. That introduced me to Yasujirō Ozu films and Robert Bresson films. It was a rabbit hole of films and techniques I had never seen before. Moments like that can really broaden your horizons, give you excitement about your own work and the things you want to draw from.
How did you get cast for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’?
I remember self-taping for it February of 2021 with my roommate, and I didn’t hear anything for a few weeks, so I assumed it had passed and gone a different direction. As an actor you can’t give too much of yourself to a job prospect or it can be really toxic and painful when you face the inevitable and continual rejection. But somehow, I got an email for a chemistry read a few weeks later. I hopped on a zoom with Jenny and the wonderful casting team and read with Lola and two other potential ‘Belly’s’ and did the same thing again a few days later. Eventually I found out I got cast! The news came as a wonderful surprise and the rest is history.
Left:
Calvin Klein tank
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY chain necklace
Talent’s Own pendant necklace
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
Moschino coat
Overcoat pants
Right:
A.POTTS top
What was the filming of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty” like?
The summer that we filmed the show was one of the most magical summers of my life. To have the opportunity to make the friends that I did with the entire cast was fulfilling in a way words can’t describe. I mean they come hang at my apartment in New York all the time, I see most of them at least once a week. To have the chance not only to make these friendships but to work with people who I admire and respect—I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Was there a point when you were shooting “The Summer I Turned Pretty” where you realized you it was going to change your career?
I don’t know if, even now, I can qualify the trajectory of my career and how the show has affected it, but I wake up and go to bed incredibly gratefully. I feel so lucky to be a part of something that people seem invested in, that people are looking forward to continuing and that will hopefully give me the opportunity to continue to work as an actor. It’s really fucking hard to find work as an actor and I have been so fortunate. I try and count my blessings every day.
Left:
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY necklaces x2
Calvin Klein tee
Overcoat jacket
Moschino pants
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
TABIO socks
SEBAGO loafers
Right:
Calvin Klein tank
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY chain necklace
Talent’s Own pendant necklace
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
Moschino coat
Which producers and actors do you want to work with?
There are too many people whose work I admire to name them all, but a big part of my creative inspiration is from the world of independent film. When you watch a Claire Denis movie or see what Janicza Bravo or Luca Guadagnino have been doing, you get a feeling that you don’t want to go elsewhere. I really get inspired by what they bring to the screen. It’s part of the reason I feel so grateful to have been able to work with Mary Harron. You feel like you’re working on something special, important, and artful.
Are there any work ethics you abide by?
I think that maybe the most important ethical code I believe in is being kind to the people around you. I’ll never understand somebody who is rude to the people around them. Especially on a film set, I think it’s so important to just be a good person. You’re around dozens of people all just trying to do their job. If you can make any one of their days a little bit easier, you’ve done your job.
Left:
Nicholas Raefski cardigan
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY necklace
Right:
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY necklaces x2
Calvin Klein tee
Overcoat jacket
Moschino pants
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
TABIO socks
SEBAGO loafers
What are you looking forward to the most for season 2?
I’m really excited for people to see the way these characters grow this season. There are a lot of things for fans of the books, of the show. I think Jenny and the team have made some wonderful choices in how this story continues. I can’t say too much at all, but there is a lot to be excited about.
Do you have any other projects you’re currently working on?
I’m currently working on filming the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and that is solidly occupying my time. But, March, April, and May of 2021 I worked on this wonderful film directed by Mary Harron called Dalíland, and it is hopefully coming out soon. I’m so excited to support it and encourage people to see it when it finally does. It was my first professional job and it holds an enormous piece of my heart, so I hope people will be able to share some of my excitement.
Left:
Moschino suit
MILAMORE FINE JEWELRY necklace
LÉLA SOPHIA FINE JEWELRY rings
Right:
KUON knit vest
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Henry Lou at ABTP Agency
Talent: Christopher Briney
Fashion Stylist: Tori Leung
Hair Stylist: Nami Harada
Make up Artist: Emma Ando
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Mariam Balogun, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
