I am Laura Patalano, I started acting when I was a teenager, my aunt Isabel used to take me to the theatre at a very young age. I guess you would say that marked my life, so when I was in High School I decided to take drama classes and when I stepped on that stage I fell in Love. My drama teacher was Alejandro Bichir (he is a very well-known Director in Mexico City); he was the one who insisted for me to go to school and become a professional Actor. He said I was born with a gift and he pushed me until I did it!
On set @TeyonahParris so excited about this new project directed by @leilasparty @MacyGraysLife #wherechildrenplay pic.twitter.com/Ehj48B5aPZ
— Laura Patalano (@LPatalano) January 31, 2015
Did you study acting
Yes I did. I attended “El Instituto de Arte Escenico” and I received my degree in Dramatic Arts. In my opinion, for you to be a good actor I would consider the theatre as a building structure; you would need to have a good base in which a good foundation would then be developed.
What is your filmmaking process
I was trained by the best in the industry in my country. I learned several acting techniques, but the one that I use the most is called Method Acting which was created by Antonio González Caballero which is based in naturalism, realism, super-naturalism, and super-realism.
How would you describe your writing?
Acting is not representing certain emotions and cues at specific times within the script. Acting is getting to a point where you are feeling what you are supposed to be representing. If you are “acting” an emotion, then you are not successfully acting. The paradox with the art of acting is the word itself. Acting is not what an actor wants to be doing with a role. The true art of acting is getting in the depths where you meet the character and give yourself to the character and feel what the character is feeling. You are fully connected with the story. You are not acting to please an audience.
Tell us about the work you have produced
I do believe that when you are born with the gift or talent and you get yourself trained it will get you very close to perfection. The best acting is the one that comes from inside your soul. Acting is not just reading a script with emotion but becoming the character itself and being able to pass on those feelings to the audience.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
Yes I do. When I go to casting auditions I go prepared, for me going to an audition means I don’t only do it to get a job, it goes beyond that. I am building up a name for myself, a reputation and a career. The coach I go to is James Michael Marshall.
How do you combine acting, producing and writing
My main thing is to be an actor. I just started writing and also will be producing my first short film. I would like to explore that field.
How did you get into the film business
Like most of the actors by going to auditions. I worked in different films in Mexico City, most of them comedies. When I moved to New York I got a gig in an Indie film that opened in Cannes working with a multi award winning director Ramin Bahrani in Chop Shop.
How do you turn an idea into a screenplay
I just started exploring this field. Most of my ideas are about true events that have left a mark in either my life or people who surround me.
Explain your writing process
First it all starts playing in my head as if I am watching the movie. Then I imagine my characters and scenarios. Lastly, I start putting the scenes together.
What writing tips, or ideas can you give young writers
I will tell anyone in any field to go to school, learn, network, be creative , and whatever you do, do it to the level of excellence; so your work will never be forgotten.
Tell us about your directing work
When I was in Mexico, I worked in a high school as a drama teacher for several years so I used to direct all kinds of plays with the students. When I moved to New York I was working in Grover Cleveland High School as a school aide and I helped the English Department with a musical “Tommy the Who’s” in which I was the artistic director. It was a great experience.
What do you want to change about the film business
To be more open about diversity and to have more movies with female leads. I believe that women are the backbone of society and I would love to see more films that project such thing. There are many great stories about women that have been left untold.
What do you want to be remember for
For touching people’s lives in a massive way, our job is no different from a lawyer, a teacher or a doctor. I would like to be remembered for becoming the character rather than just another actor playing the character. Being an actor could be very powerful, I remember after one screening of my movie “Mosquita y Mari” one young fellow approached me and told me: can I hug you because you look a lot like my mom. She left this world 3 years ago without accepting the fact that I was gay” so I hugged him and spoke to him. I came to find out that through my character he was able to have closure about his mom’s rejection. As an actor that really touched my heart.
What do you want from an actor during production
To work as a team player and be professional.
How do you prefer to work with a producer during production
I would like to be involved from the beginning till the end. Make sure we’re both on the same page so the more information I have the better I will work.
What can director do to get into the industry
To direct an outstanding short film and send it to as many film festivals around the world as possible, that will help put his/her name out there and show how talented he/she could be.
Who is your favorite director
It’s so hard to choose just one when there are so many directors making amazing films, but my top 3 favorites are: Alejandro González Inárritu, Guillermo Arriaga and Guillermo del Toro.
Why
Because they are directing stories in a very unique way.
What advice will you give directors around the world
Keep on doing an amazing job and send it to film festivals, make sure your work is being seen by as many audiences around the world as you can.
Briefly write about my career.
Laura Patalano’s journey has been an amazing one. I just love acting and each one of the characters that I s have played has been taking part of my heart. One of my favorites is Andrea, the mom from You’re Dead To Me, a project from Film Independent – Project Involve Directed by Wu Tsang and Produced by Melissa Haizlip. It has been accepted in over Fifty Film Festivals around the world and we received several nominations in which we won several International Awards including The Imagen Award for Best short. I am so proud and grateful to have been working in so many beautiful films; four of them have been accepted at Sundance and one at Cannes. My most recent project is called Gente-fied, I played the part of Ofelia and it’s directed by Marvin Lemus. It is a great project!!! Here are some links to my website, the short film that I just mention and also the links to my social media.
