We were lucky to catch up with Gio Randazzo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gio thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I’ve learned everything I know about filmmaking through a mix of hands-on experience, trial and error, and staying relentlessly curious. With She Follows, my most recent film, I pushed myself to a new level creatively and emotionally. It was deeply personal, inspired by a real ghost encounter, and that made every choice—every scene, every line of dialogue—feel high-stakes. I didn’t go to film school in the traditional sense, but making this film was its own kind of masterclass. I learned by doing. It was the first film I shot outside of LA, we also incorporated a big dance and stunt scene as well. It was an interesting learning curve figuring out how to achieve the ideas I wanted to convey.

Looking back, if I could have sped up my learning process, I would have leaned into collaboration and more research earlier. There’s so much value in surrounding yourself with people who challenge your ideas and bring different strengths to the table. I began to do research on the new aspects I was wanting to work with and the new genre I was filming. I wish I had done a lot more research in the technical aspects of filming earlier on in the shortlisting and story process. Horror films success rely so heavily on not only sound but on camera angels.

The most essential skills for me were storytelling, emotional intuition, adaptability and flexibility. With She Follows, it wasn’t just about scaring people—it was about creating a haunting that meant something, that carried weight. Being able to tap into the emotional truth of the story was key. This is why we added the plot point of the lead character finding a ring of the ghost’s for his girlfriend. Technical skills are important, but if you can’t connect with your audience, it won’t land.

One of the biggest obstacles we faced during She Follows wasn’t just creative—it was logistical, and almost surreal. Our original gaffer wasn’t going to show up the day of shoot. The replacement he found could only do one day. When we were scrambling for a third, we were just trying to keep the shoot from falling apart. Then something strange happened: when we spoke to the third gaffer , he had told us his Mom had the actual ghosts ring—the exact same vintage engagement ring that belonged to the ghost character in our film. The one at the center of the entire story.

That moment hit hard. It was eerie, almost like the film was bleeding into real life. But it also grounded me. We’d been dealing with so much chaos behind the scenes, but that moment reminded me why we were doing this. It wasn’t just about making a movie—it was about honoring a real history, a real emotional truth. That ring was more than a prop at that point. It was a sign we were on the right path.

Dealing with setbacks like that taught me how essential adaptability is. In indie filmmaking, you don’t always have the luxury of perfect conditions. You have to lead with instinct, stay calm under pressure, and turn breakdowns into breakthroughs. That whole situation could’ve derailed us—but instead, it added something mysterious and meaningful to the production. In a strange way, it became part of the mythology of She Follows.

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?

Gio is a Sicilian actor/director/producer/photographer who grew up outside Philadelphia. He began to pursue his acting career in New York City, where he starred in movies and TV shows, such as “The Sopranos.” Throughout his formative years, he thought it was necessary to return to his European roots and travel abroad. He visited and lived in many countries in both Western and Eastern Europe. In 2012, he moved to Los Angeles where he now resides and continues to pursue his passion of storytelling. You can catch him on ABC’s Home Economics, Hacks (Season 2) and on Amazon in the film American Mobster 2: Retribution. In addition to being in front of the camera, Gio has worked behind the scenes creating projects such as Number 14 and A Killer Service and now She Follows as a producer, creator, and director. These projects have been official selections in several long running International Film Festivals, including Dances With Films, Malibu Film Festival and the London Independent Film Festival to name a few.

Most recently you will be able to catch She Follows at The Chinese Theatre on Wednesday June 25th as part of the 2025 Dances With Films Festival.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the moment when something personal connects with someone else in a completely unexpected way. With She Follows, I told a story rooted in my own past—something that felt intimate and even a little risky to share. But then I watch people respond to it, feel something, ask questions, get emotional. That’s the reward: turning something private into something universal.

It’s not about the applause or the credits. It’s about the impact—those quiet moments when someone tells you your work stayed with them, or that it reminded them of something they lost, or helped them see something differently. That’s the magic of storytelling. That’s what makes all the struggle, the late nights, the no-shows on set, and the constant hustling worth it.

At the end of the day, being a creative allows me to take what’s in my head or heart and give it shape—whether that’s on screen, through a character, or in a haunting like the one in She Follows. When it reaches someone else and stirs something real in them—that’s everything.

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

Telling stories and sharing human experiences to connect us all.

I have always felt like a creative person that wanted to express and share my ideas. I started off studying fine arts as a painter and ceramist. When I started modeling and acting in NYC is when I got the bug for the entertainment industry. The collaborative and elaborate nature of making films and television was something I knew I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As my career has grown I not only work in front of the camera as an actor but also behind the scenes as a director and producer. Being able to tell stories that entrain, move people or make them laugh is something that is very fulfilling. And the process to create these projects is something that is so much fun to me. I like to challenge peoples ideas of life and tell stories from interesting points of view that maybe are not always seen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.giorandazzo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gio_randazzo8/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEaAsEj3VXtrx4PJsJXYe6g
• Other: @shefollowsfilm, @gio_imagery, @gioimageryproductions

Image Credits

Cameron Radice Photography, Federico Imperiale