We were lucky to catch up with Federico Parra recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Federico, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I don’t know if anyone ever makes the conscious decision to “start” a creative career, and personally I don’t wish I had started one earlier, but I do wish I would have realized my interest in it sooner. I always viewed my life in a cinematic way, whether it was my 12th birthday party, my first date, or the daily commute to work. My mind is and was always filled with ideas of what these events might look like as the intro to a movie or play, and I would imagine what music would make them the most stimulating. Growing up I was an athlete and did my best to get by in school…I never participated in school plays or take dance or singing classes. While my family loved art and would expose me to it, I didn’t have anyone close to me who was an artist, and it wasn’t until my Junior year of college, while I was in the midst of getting my finance degree, that I fully realized I was meant to act. As a business student, I did what they taught me in school. I used my networking skills to find anyone and everyone I knew about acting and figured out what moves I needed to make. After I graduated from college, I made the choice to move to New York and Attend the William Esper Studio, as past of their two year conservatory.

When I arrived to my first class at Esper, I quickly realized that I was the only student who had never actually “acted” or performed a scene before. Most of my classmates had BFAs or MFAs and had been a part of every single school play growing up. Initially, I thought this was a weakness…it ended up being my biggest strength. I had a blank canvas and 24 years worth or experiences to draw from (childhood, high school, college, internships, etc.) non of which as an actor.

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.

Esper’s two year conservatory was live changing, but not in a way I expected. Sure the technical instruction was top tier especially that of my acting teacher Jennifer Monaco, but for the first time in my life I was actually enjoying schooling. Growing up, I never understood why I would get bullied, why my friends act a certain way, or why my parents would give each other the silent treatment. But at Esper, I realized that it was because that as people, we aren’t taught to listen and communicate effectively or very empathetically. My need for this kind communication and understanding was the tool I wanted to harness and use in my art more than anything else.

As an immigrant from Colombia, I never felt seen growing up, and it wasn’t because there was no one like me in movies, I didn’t see it that, way. It was more because the people that did look like me were such a small part of my culture and home country, and not like anyone in my family. My dream is to work on projects that show a different side of Colombia, the side that is beautiful and rich in culture (music, food, art, people). My parent played a huge part in this. Their perseverance in moving to a different country and starting a new life for themselves is beyond inspiring, but the importance they placed on not forgetting where we come from is why I am so proud to be Colombian. I know its a huge privilege to now be a US citizen, but my Colombian roots and family is why I am who I am.

What I am most proud of is my ability to take risks, mixed in with my positive outlook and persevering mentality and commitment to my work. Not many people are willing to take risks and re-invent themselves over and over again, but that is what has always been expected of artist. When I graduated from college, I turned down well paying job opportunities to move to NYC and bartend while attending acting school during the day. When I had built up my resume/reel/materials and got representation, I worked to become an executive assistant to the CEO of a non profit agency, while continuing to audition at night. When the strike began and auditions slowed down, I moved to take a job in sales of financial services, in order to continue to grow professionally and be able to support my art. I know everyones path is different, but I am one that believes that the most important one can do, is to keep moving. I hold myself accountable to make one big move every year (job, relationships, etc.). Complaining doesn’t help anything. If we want things to change, we must be pro-active.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think that curiosity will continue to be the catalyst for a thriving creative ecosystem. As a society it is our duty to question things, be open to different experiences, and lastly be willing to pay for them. I have many friends that ask me for movie recommendations and yet never follow through on watching them because they either “don’t have the time” to watch a 3 hour masterpiece or don’t want to rent it; Yet, they have no problem binging 2 seasons worth of Fboy island and spent over $100 on any given night out. I think that anyone would agree that the amount original work has significantly decreased, and it is probably because we have shown that we are more willing to buy tickets to the 10th installment of any franchise then just about anything else. It’s sad.

I miss the days where theaters were filled with original comedies, period pieces, and dramas. As someone who moved to the states at the age of 7, I learned how to speak English through watching movies. And as someone who never really enjoyed school, movies were my favorite way to learn about new things. Sure, I know that they aren’t always accurate, but they would at least spark the interest in something I knew nothing about. Like when I watched Amadeus for the first time or Blood Diamond.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the fact that I am such a fan myself. Every time I get the opportunity to be on a set or stage is a huge gift, but when I then truly like the final product…its the best feeling in the world. And its different for theater and film. There is no truer acting then being on stage with the audience there, its a feeling unlike anything else. The world is alive. On film however you get a double experience, the actually filming of it, and then when you get to sit back and watch it on screen.

I recently worked on a film called Midas, which is yet to come out, and attending the premiere in the city in which we shot it, Hartford Connecticut, was one of the best experiences in my life. The movie played GREAT and we got to share it with the people who would understand it better than anyone else. No better feeling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: __federicoparra__

Image Credits
Main Picture & Tuxedo smile – Ariana Jurado Additional Picture #1 & #5 – Shelby Antel Additional Picture #3 & #4 – Gianna Izzolo