When Priscilla Ventura was eleven years old, she was at an audition for a singing role in a Kid’s show called Satellite TV. The audition was in Tijuana, Mexico, and she was there because she had been contacted by the Producer of the Show. He saw her competing in a singing competition that aired on TV Azteca: which is a popular TV Channel in Mexico. As she was auditioning for the Kid’s show, the Producer had asked Priscilla Ventura if she could act, host and, dance. She told him that she had never done any acting or hosting before that time: but she is willing to try, and so he had admitted her into the Show as one of the main hosts, doing comedy shorts. That experience triggered Priscilla Ventura’s interest in acting.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Priscilla Ventura (PV): Yes I did, very little though. The acting classes I took were provided by the television show. Their academy was called El Cast. Which provided the actors with singing, dancing, hosting, and acting lessons. My coach at the time was Nacho S. Fentanes. However, the most effective training or studying I had was the experience of being in front of a live audience and a camera for the show.
What acting technique do you use?
Priscilla Ventura (PV): I prefer to use the Stella Adler method because in my experience I prefer to rely on the combination of imagination and emotional recall to help me be as authentic and real as possible. Many times on set when I am preparing for a character, I will study the character and gain an understanding of it so I can feel like I am truly able to portray who I need to be for the scene. I find this incredibly effective when I can’t connect a character to my own life or experiences.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
PV: As I grew up I took many acting workshops throughout my career, but the one that I value the most, is actually the last one I attended. I took Tom Logan’s workshop, and what stuck with me the most was not so much acting but learning how the industry really works versus how the majority of actors think it works.
What acting books do you read?
PV: The only acting book I’ve read is “The Art of Acting” by Stella Adler.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
PV: I have a personal trainer and I work out 4 days a week. I’m also a hip hop dancer and take 6 classes a month at various studios. While these both keep me fit physically, they both also keep me fit mentally. Connecting to music and expressing it through movement helps me experience a roller coaster of emotions and scenarios depending on the music. Meanwhile working out doubles as a disciplinary exercise for pushing my limits and overcoming things that may seem daunting.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next?
PV: I take the initiative and ask the director about the role and what do they expect from the role. I ask what the role’s personality should be like and what their background story is. From here I often study the role and anything related to it, apply the Stella Adler method and go from there
How do you create a character from a script into a person?
PV: I believe and become that character. I create this character in my head and allow it to overtake my ego, I guess you could say creating an alter ego. While my life and experiences may still be the fuel for the character, the imaginary process of letting one identity go, and allowing another to take control, as well as fully committing to this “thought-reality” is what helps me turn a character from a script into a real person.
How do you stay fresh on a production set?
PV: Between cuts, I don’t “fully” break character, because for me it’s more like putting a call on hold while taking another. One is simply being suspended in time, while the other is actively open and in control. For me, this is less emotionally and mentally taxing. Allowing me to stay fresh for long periods of time.
Describe a memorable character you played?
PV: The most memorable character I played was named Una in “The Onion Boy” in 2017. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to share any pictures.
Explain one creative choice you took on set?
PV: On a project where all the actors had a short amount time of learning about the characters and were being rushed I had to make a creative choice. On a comedy skit I was doing I had to play a Latina mother at 16 years old. The producer didn’t tell me how the character actually speaks or acts, so I created my own dialect/accent and way of carrying myself that I believed was appropriate for the role.
What do you want most from a director?
PV: A detailed explanation and expectation for my character. This helps me tremendously in building a connection with my role.
What actors do you long to work with?
PV: Leonardo Dicaprio.
Why?
PV: I have a lot of respect for his variety of characters and roles that he has played. I feel like every single role he has ever had was played flawlessly and I strive to have that level of execution in my acting. I am also extremely curious to see how he prepares and studies his roles.
What advice would you give to actors?
PV: Patience is key! Nothing happens overnight, and you cannot be discouraged by the negative remarks of others. It is vital to work as hard as you can, but overworking can be destructive.
Briefly write about your career?
PV: My career started when I was 11 years old on a kids’ show called Satellite TV that aired on Sintesis TV and Telemundo33 in Mexico. At 16 years old I did a horror short film, my first drama film as the main role. I played a girl that worked at a movie shop, who has been experiencing paranormal activity. When I turned 18 I stopped working for the kids’ show, due to becoming too old to continue on the show.
I continued to build my career doing short films in the USA, becoming an extra for the movie “Refuge from the Storm” and being on music videos for upcoming artists.
I’ve been getting main roles in short films as “Bat Girl”, an assassin, Una on “The Onion Boy”, a horror short film as Skyler on “The Face Of God” and many more.
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