We all know Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley, the hunky, deep-voiced werewolf pack leader in the Twilight Saga films. Yes, he’s tall, dark and handsome, but there’s also a lot more to this actor than the Twilight world probably knows. In addition to rubbing elbows with Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and the rest of the gang, Chaske’s Ologies are quite broad, from charity work to photography.
Although his role as Sam has catapulted him to fame in a short period of time, Spencer has used the bright hot spotlight in many positive ways: he’s the spokesperson for United Global Shift, a charity designed to create learning programs for people trying to make a difference and co-founder of the Be The Shift Campaign. The campaign aims to promote action and charity work throughout the country. It’s obvious that Spencer is an extremely passionate person; not only about acting, but also about making a lasting difference in the world for the better.
Like his devotion to helping others, Spencer has remained active with photography, and exhibited his work, along with the work of photographer Nadia Itani, at "THE BAR" Dream Hotel on July 12 in New York. It’s hard to believe that Spencer was raised on a remote Indian reservation in Idaho, and it’s obvious he hasn't taken the fame thing for granted. Check out Ology’s chat with the actor below, where he told us about his charity work and awards!
OLOGY: Hi Chaske! Congrats on the Unsung Hero Award you received in New York a few weeks ago.
CHASKE: Thank you so much, thank you.
Obviously people know you from Twilight, but it’s pretty clear there’s a huge charitable side to you too. How did you become involved or even hear about United Global Shift— it seems like a great organization.
Yeah, definitely! My manager is really involved in United Global Shift so when we got together, like years ago, it was always something I wanted to be a part of. When I got the role in Twilight, I decided to use the spotlight from the movie to help bring light to subjects that don’t usually get covered by mainstream media. So yeah, we had meetings and stuff about trying to help bring fresh and clean water to Indian reservations, try to educate people about ocean purification and different technologies available to help recycle your water. That’s been a big project for us.
Has UGS been involved in this effort?
Yeah. Definitely. United Global Shift is something I’ve been a part of for a while, and they are really great with educating people about how to make a sustainable change for a cause they’re passionate about.
Have you taken any of the workshops that they offer? I know the organization offers them to people trying to make changes in different areas like poverty and education, so they have the tools to make it last.
Yeah, what I love about it is that it’s sustainable change; it’s not something that you just pick and just put a Band-Aid on. It’s actually trying to change the system and shift the system to where you don’t need to do that anymore. The system is so closed and it only benefits certain people. What’s sad is that the people that need change the most are the one’s who get left behind, and they don’t really have the opportunity. So, we go in to different projects to provide a voice for these people. What’s great about the organization is that you can help out in any community or cause. We do workshops a lot, which helps us start projects and keep them going.
What kind of ways is the organization involved in getting the word out about different causes?
It’s really the Internet. Media, PSA’s too. Like for the clean water project I’ve been working on we learned about all the different technologies out there. It’s funny that the technology has been out but the US just doesn’t want to use it. And you wonder why. Why aren’t we being told about all of this technology? I know it costs money, but in the end it really helps everybody. And it’s a good way to recycle your water; it’s clean, fresh water.
You’ve also co-founded the Be The Shift Campaign. Is that part of UGS or is that something you came up with separately?
They work together. The Be The Shift Campaign was kind of an offshoot of United Global Shift. It’s a campaign that helps people make an impact in their own community right now. Like there’s this girl Christina, who’s trying to get the money together for the Pine Ridge (Indian) Reservation. She started this village project, and that’s part of Be The Shift. It’s stuff that she read about and wanted to shift the system. She’s doing that right now and I’m going to do a PSA to help her out this week.
I could see how this idea would really catch on to younger people. Are you targeting a specific age group with it?
No, actually it’s just something that came up. And the idea has been around for hundreds of years, just like giving back. But I noticed with the media, especially with the Internet and Twilight, people want to get involved.
I’m sure the fans are all over that!
[Laughs] Yeah totally, they’re really in to trying to shift the system. And it’s pretty cool because that’s the foundation of it. Honestly, without Twilight it wouldn’t have this huge spotlight. It would be a huge struggle. Now, it’s like right there. I’m really impressed with how it’s moving along.
Have any other cast members from Twilight caught on to Be the Shift or UGS at all?
Yeah I’ve had Justin Chon, Alex Meraz, Julia Jones and Tinsel Korey. They’ve been involved in it and have been helping out. They helped do a PSA.
Some fellow werewolves helping out!
Yeah, yeah! They’re just really good guys and really good people. They've all come from backgrounds that were some struggle. What I like about it is that they can relate and really help start like a grassroots campaign. They’re really good people and I’m grateful for them helping Be the Shift out—and Gil Birmingham as well.
Has charity work always been something you’ve been passionate about? Even before your acting career came into play?
I think that giving back is very important. Most people just show up, but you really get your hands dirty. There’s no money that can buy the feeling of getting to help people or a community out. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s actually really true. It just kind of blows you away. And I think for me, I’m just pretty grateful to have been given this opportunity. Let’s be honest—it's because of Twilight the spotlight is on me, and if I can use that to help get the message out I’m more than happy about it. At the end of the day I can sleep well at night if I try to do something good.
It’s awesome that you’re really trying to spread that message. The Barbara Harmon Unsung Hero Award you received in June for your charitable acts: were you expecting that at all? How was the event?
The event was pretty cool, there was a whole modeling thing benefiting Shortstack Charity. They told me in advance I was going to receive the award and I was pretty nervous though. It was the Barbara Harmon award and it was prepared by her. She helped out a lot during 9/11 and no one really knew about her, but she did so much for the cause.
Congrats on your photography exhibition too. When did you first become interested in photography? Has it changed over the years?
I was about 15 and I was really fascinated by National Geographic and war photography. I started looking at a lot of combat war journalism and it struck me and made me want to start taking pictures. I also liked to go to galleries like ICP. Yes, my work has changed, you can see a progression, you can train your eye, the ones in the beginning aren't that impressive but I'm really proud of my recent work.
What type of photographs can viewers expect at your upcoming exhibit? Do you focus on one thing?
It's a bit of everything, I have over 5000 photos so I just picked a couple of my favorites. I don't focus on anything specific at the moment but I want to. I currently have a new project I'm going to start working on that's more specific, so I am excited.
Does your Native American heritage play a role in your photography?
Sometimes, I don't really go about shooting like I'm a Native American photographer but it just depends where I'm shooting. If I'm shooting on a reservation then of course but if I'm shooting in downtown Detroit not so much.
How did the exhibit at the Dream Hotel come about? Is there a certain image you’re most excited about to show those who attend?
I had mentioned the idea to my manager and she put the whole thing together. I'm excited about all the images, they are all special to me.
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