Long Story Long, I decided to pursue Acting in film when I was about 22, I was lucky enough to score my first indie feature pretty swiftly. Then, to gain experience and basically learn on the job since I had no formal training, I did student films and local Theatre. Around 2019 Inspired by the movie ‘Joker’ I decided to finally explore a lifelong interest of mine in Dance and I found a school willing to take me on.
Lucky enough again I was in my first ballet as a character performer. I’ve been studying ballet since alongside my acting studies and pursuit. I’ve been able to blend the two worlds together lately in a Made for TV Feature and a few shorts films I got to act and dance in. Which is a goal of mine.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Julio Alexander (JA): I wouldn’t say I have a singular technique as I’ve basically come up with my own way of doing things by studying the techniques of Sanford Meisner, Stanislavski, Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, Larry Moss, Milton Justice, (just to name a few) and of course actors like Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Cate Blanchet, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Chastain. I take what works for me and apply that to what works for each role individually. No one role is the same. I study psychology pretty heavily so I tend to lead with that to truly understand what is being said by the person I am creating through me.
The Official Trailer for That Night
Because at the end of the day it all comes from me, I don’t have to go crazy deep inside to do so, I like to experience it in the now and get as far away from rehearsed reactions as possible which I tend to see happen when Too much focus on the “character” is applied. Idk I’m just curious, about how I feel, in these moments, why someone would do or say anything in the given circumstances, and I try to explore and express that curiosity as true as I can. I think it’s also important to understand that sometimes a new process has to be formed or what you do now can change. Which is good, its growth.
How did you get connected to the project? Did you have to audition?
Julio Alexander (JA): I was fortunate enough to work on the proof of concept. From that point I knew I wanted to portray ‘Stacey’, because it was almost a section of my own life I didn’t get to fully express at one point and I loved that… So I told Trussell to remember me because I wanted to be his Stacey and when auditions came around I was able to lock it down.
Let’s take this project you did; how did you prepare for such a role: the cast, the physicality the terrain, the climate, weather and the demands of the project?
Julio Alexander (JA): Well the role didn’t require much over the top physicality, or crazy weather situations. I think the challenge was removing all past similar experiences I’ve had in these circumstances and re-experience them and go deeper. We didn’t rehearse too much, some scenes had to be looked at again as my co-stars and I got closer as the shoot went on. The one thing that stays the same I will say is the fact I have to write out the script several times (all of my scenes) to know them front to back and literally backwards. The script is the last thing I want to worry about.
As one of the cast on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Julio Alexander (JA): If it ain’t broke, dont fix it. What was good about this script is, it was easier to memorize because of its familiarity.
How do you create the character from a script into a person?
Julio Alexander (JA): I mean its trial and error, sometimes what naturally flows out doesn’t work and upon further explanation from the director, it gives you a new insight and understanding and then, baddaboom. The big thing is being open and not particularly married to your ideas or interpretation to allow the adjustments. Unless you truly believe otherwise. But with good communication between the; writer, director, actor, taking things from script to the person you’re portraying, becomes smooth and concise. Communication is key.
What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Julio Alexander (JA): A challenge I can say was a new experience, was keeping the open-ness and vulnerability “channels” open to my co-stars. It gets a little difficult to remain open when we’re facing long days and quick turn-arounds. Luckily I had an awesome cast to aid with that and always gave me so much to work off of and experience. And as I kinda stated earlier I saw this as a way to express some unexpressed feelings for lack of better terms. haha
Explain one creative choice you took on set of this production?
Julio Alexander (JA): Zach was awesome at letting us free-roam on this script and develop some pretty organic and fun relationships while staying true to the story he wrote. I think overall improv was the biggest thing and let’s just say growing up with the uncles I did, it was a lifelong masterclass of Improv.
You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Julio Alexander (JA): Indie films pave the way to the new generation of creators. It allows the unique viewpoints of the world to be expressed without an agenda being pushed behind it. This allows beautiful trial and error. It allows beautiful creator relationships that you may see again and again. Overall what keeps me coming back is the audience. And how lucky we all are to keep performing for them no matter what size film or stage. We’re very lucky.
Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Julio Alexander (JA): There’s a scene, I wont say which one or the exact words, but it was in the neighbourhood of “ I need you to sound like a ‘Wimp’ ” to put it nicely. haha.
How did you collaborate with your cast members from scene to scene?
Julio Alexander (JA): What I love about this cast is we developed it pretty organically, whenever we weren’t shooting a scene or getting ready for it we just talked about whatever and made each other laugh. That did wonders when we had to actually shoot a scene as it kept the fun, alive and well.
As main cast on the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Where you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes where difficult to shoot?
Julio Alexander (JA): There are two forms of responsibility I felt; The responsibility to the audience and to my cast mates. As a “main cast” I feel you really just have to be open and responsive to the cast that is supporting this story about your character. They are what’s happening to you, in these environments and your reactions to it tells the story. To have a “Leader”type mentality, I think will disrupt the overall flow of the story. And it completely undermines the reason you have a supporting cast. In this film my castmates probably had more responsibility than I did, and they showed out every single scene. Which gave us the opportunity to show out for the audience. Oh and everyone is nervous or scared, thats where the performance comes from, at least for me if no one else.
What did you take away from the film production?
Julio Alexander (JA): The power of a great cast. (And crew, Love you guys)
What do you like most about the director, and his/her collaboration with his/her team?
Julio Alexander (JA): I kind of answered this already, so apologies for repeating myself but Zach really did a great job assembling a team, both on and off camera to create this incredibly organic world and relationships. Keeping the story grounded while going through these crazy scenarios, which rival some of my own. Probably why I loved it so much.
What is next for you?
Julio Alexander (JA): I’ve got some work to look forward to, to be released, to be shot, and even some ideas for some films I’d like to shoot some proof’s of. Notably a film about a Luchador, set in both the American and Mexican Professional wrestling circuit. I’m still training and performing in Ballet at the studio I call a second home. Which of course means Nutcracker yet again this Holiday season, which may be some of my last ballet performances as I start to transition to more ‘Golden age’ era dancing in movies. I believe it’ll return so, in some form, and when it does, I’ll be there.
What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Julio Alexander (JA): Every scene will not go smoothly even if you think it might, which is okay. Even with the prep beforehand. I will say get rid of most of those expectations and just let it happen. Understanding directions and notes are not critiques, it’s guidance to the intended goal. Ofcourse, have fun but take the job seriously because it is a job at the end of the day.
A job we are lucky to even be doing, especially if you have that love and the passion to go through all the shitty years to make this a lifelong career, hoping that people like what we do on that screen, that means something to someone. That’s the point of it all isn’t it? The opportunity to tell a story someone can watch and feel and express themselves through just watching it, experiencing it. You’re not always going to love it, but if this is what God or the universe or whatever you believe in has given you to express yourself, then you’ll keep going back to the Arena. Whatever that is, acting, dancing, painting, writing, delivering packages, working at a doctors office, find it and do it.
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