Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giovannie Espiritu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Giovannie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I had a really weird start to this industry. Long story short: I was in a Biblical doomsday cult, living in a cabin next to the national forest, and I would try to keep telemarketers on the phone because they were the only people I really talked to on the outside world, and one of them mentioned that I had an interesting voice and suggested that I get into voice-over. I didn’t know what that was, and so I looked it up on the nascent internet that we had. Around this time, my “husband” quit his job because he believed that Jesus was coming soon, and we had a one year old. I went to the agency that came up first near our area – Stars, in San Francisco – which was 4 hours away, and I sent in a really dumb recording. They ended up calling me in, signing me to their agency, sending me out on my first audition, and I ended up booking it and recording it that very same day. We took it as a “sign from God,” and my ex “allowed” me to continue… especially since it was more money per hour than I had ever made in my life at that point. I didn’t have any education, so I just kept going in the business.
Looking back, I wish I was able to go to school… but I don’t know if I would be where I was at if I had a back-up plan.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I kind of do everything at this point: I’m a filmmaker, acting coach, producer, director, and actor. Most of theses things I’ve had to learn along the way as a means of survival. I started as an actor, and for the first few years I was able to make ends meet alone on that – I was a recurring role on ER, and I booked 4 national commercials. Then it started dwindling down and the writers strike hit, so I made a hard pivot into teaching on my own (I was already teaching at a few different acting schools)… and because I generally look youthful (especially back then), my market became specialized in the kids market. My students were booking everything left and right. Pixar ended up calling me in because 4 out of 5 of the kids they booked for one of their projects were all my students, even though they were represented by different agencies. Then they just kept me working with their talent, and I was Rosalie Chiang’s (Mei) on-call coach for Turning Red. My students are Emmy nominees and several have won Young Artist Awards, but I teach newer actors as well – both kids through adults.
As an actor, I’ve built a fairly strong body of work – I was nominated Best Supporting Actress alongside Academy Award nominees Alfre Woodard and Amy Irving for my work in the indie movie, “Fiona’s Script,” a series regular as genderqueer lothario Gin on “DykeCentral” on Amazon Prime, and I was in the fun, campy horror “Titanic 666” as superfan Nancy. It played theatrically in South America, and is currently on Tubi and playing in the UK as “Titanic Rises.” I was also just on 911: Lone Star as Joni – I get trapped in a burnign building and go back to get my neighbor amidst explosions.
I got frustrated with the lack of roles and representation for Asians and women in general. (I’m so glad that things are changing though! Go Michelle Yeoh and EEAAO!!!) I started with my short film, “Ultra-Feminist,” and it won Honorable mention at Outfest: Fusion. My second film. “Ally 3000,” won over 12 awards on the film festival circuit and my third film, “Legacy,” is on the film festival circuit and was the recipient of the Hyundai Evolve Innovation Award. I’m currently in pre-production of a feature that I was commissioned to write called, “Love & Karma,” about an older woman who goes back to the Philippines for her 40 year school reunion and rekindles a romance with her childhood sweetheart and they have a whirlwind romance and get stuck in Bali for the pandemic. The love story is based on real events.
I’m currently seeking funding for my personal documentary called, “Motherland,” that I’m making about my early childhood and experiences in the cult.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
As kooky as this business is, I still love the fact that acting as an art makes people more empathetic towards one another and can be a tool for tolerance and acceptance.
Film/TV has such a powerful reach… and it can be used as a weapon and propaganda in the wrong hands. No art is neutral.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I’m a newish member of the Producers Guild Of America and I have been so thankful for all the educational meetings that they provide for our organization – particularly the leadership of Alan Chu, Sybil Santiago, Quentin Lee, and Jonathan Wang, who spearheaded the AAPI committee.
They have been wonderful examples of creating community and creating a welcoming set and work environment that people want to be in. We were fortunate to have a meeting with Jonathan Wang and the Daniels when Everything Everywhere All At Once had just started it’s limited theatrical release, before all the nominations… and one thing Jonathan said is that every week he would give out a “POOP” award – Producers Outstanding Overachieving Person award. and recognize the efforts of someone who has been went over and beyond (as voted by the department heads) and how they really created a culture of respect and kindness for both the above the line, and below the line talent. I think it’s part of the reason that movie had so much magic…. I mean, the rocks!!!!
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