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

Gica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Once the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, I made the bold decision to catch the first plane to Los Angeles to pursue another education in Performing Arts. I found myself having to start my life from zero in another country.

I came to Hollywood with a clear intention, one bag full of clothes and another full of books; to live in a college campus with no idea of what awaited me behind the gates of the City of Angels.

Over the course of 2 years and a half, I’ve learnt how to master my craft and took the first steps into adulthood. I moved 3 times, juggled a total of 3 performing part-time jobs, to budget my rent and expenses, while having the opportunity to perform in multiple award winning titles in the film industry. All of that without a car or artistic representation in the most competitive city for actors in the world.

Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. Along the way, I made friends. Passionate individuals who shared the same ideals and helped me reach where I am today. I knew that this big risk had paid off when I watched myself in a movie theater for the first time. Now I am ready to take the next steps of this incredibly rewarding journey.

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 started to embrace my artistic education during my high school years in an after school program. I have been doing acting for a while by that point, and I came to realize that it was the only thing I knew and wanted to keep doing for the rest of my life. Performance has given me the opportunity to work with what I love and what also scares me the most: people.

After 9 years of constant practice; today I offer what I have to the world, while participating in projects that I am passionate about. Most of my education is infused with Stanislavski, Meisner, Shakespeare, Laban, Yoshi Oida, Peter Brook and Klauss Vianna. My strengths as an artist lay in dramatic pieces, horror films, dance and stage combat, where I am normally wearing the skin of a rebel soul, passionate by their dreams.

I strive to imbue my characters with vulnerability, as it adds significant depth and versatility to the roles I portray. I am currently working with Ivana Chubbuck’s teachings and looking forward to seeing where they lead me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearn… I guess the phrase: “it’s not enough.”

I started this journey as a very insecure kid. Terrified of failing, but extremely curious about the world. Acting has shown me that there is no right way of doing it, you just gotta do it somehow. Acting happens when you put your thoughts into actions, instead of making a bulletproof plan in your head.

“Stop questioning whether you’ve rehearsed enough; seize the present moment because it’s all we have. I’ve given my all, and that’s good enough.” are phrases I try to repeat to myself when I feel overwhelmed while working. And although insecurities may still haunt me from time to time, as an artist, I want to overcome the fear of not being sufficient to do what I love, and to believe that because I love it, I can do it.

Titles that I worked in like “Ascalapha”, “Saudade”, “Project 405: Lost at Sea” and “The Last Encore”, have proven me that wearing your heart on your sleeve with the right people who believe in you, can provide quite an adventure of artistic growth, showing that we are not alone in this journey.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Getting familiar with digital platforms and exploring what is out there as creative tools has become the beacon of creativity for me. There are infinite possibilities for customizing your creative process, and that open doors to explore your technical abilities in the craft. Much like a painter, who selects different brushes for different strokes while painting the canvas. It also aids in developing your own artistic identity; after all, painters are often recognized for their mastery of tools and their choice of colors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gicapucca.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gica.pucca/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gicapucca/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gicapucca
• Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12961660/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits

1- Saudade – view_4rom_awindow
2- Headshot – Rebecca Von Bockern
3- Ascalapha Poster
4- Project 405: Lost at Sea – Vivi Rishe
5- Saudade Poster
6- Project 405: Lost at Sea Still
7- Headshot – Thiago Drummond
8- Macbeth – Jennifer Glass