We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Francesco Paladino a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Francesco, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Any project that I’m writing is always meaningful. Each piece stands on its own taking on an individual personality and has something different to say from my other work. There are moments in my writing life when I complete an entire project and just when it is ready to be produced, another project takes over. Both projects are meaningful for different reasons, but one demands to be heard first. Currently, I’m directing a film that I wrote which started as a limited running play. It wasn’t satisfied with being one thing. Being a play is not enough for this one. If I had to choose from my body of work, this is the one that has dominated my attention and insists on being the most meaningful project.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m the poster child of the entertainer, artist, and creator that has been working for decades, without the fame and fortune we would expect. I started as an actor, earning my SAG card and studying at the world famous Actor’s Studio in New York. I went on to touring with comedy shows as a headliner and also opening for major comedians such as the legendary Gilbert Gottfried. I wrote and performed comedy for The Wendy Williams Show. My writing was always a part of my life as a comic and actor, but then the writing evolved into bigger opportunities. I created several opportunities to direct and write original projects. Although I’d consider myself a writer and director; I’m an artist first.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Showing up is more important than talent. Talent is important, but without resilience and determination, your talent goes overlooked. We can work on our craft and perfect our talents, but if we do not show up on time, respond to that email, make that phone call, advocate for yourself, and show persistence, nobody sees the talent we have worked on. Many years ago I had an audition for a commercial. I got there very early and waited until it started. I overheard one of the agents complaining that a comedian had dropped out of a show he was doing and he needed someone immediately. I of course, introduced myself and got the job. All of this was the payoff for showing up.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My passion and love for what I do drives me. That is the one piece of advice I share with anyone creating a business, a creative production, or even cooking a meal. Be passionate about it. Be passionate about everything you do. If you aren’t passionate, it may not make you as rich as you want to be because you may grow bored of it. If it falls apart, you have to love it so much that you will want to save it. I’m at a stage in my life that I only do the things I truly love. This philosophy has kept me sane, happy, and gracious.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thefrancescoshow

Image Credits
(see each photo) Wendy Williams (fp screenshot)