Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giovanni Cristoff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Giovanni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 12 I started filming, directing, writing and editing with my friends. We would make action movies. We had a blast making them and uploading them on You Tube. What started out as fun, became my passion. When I was 14, I called my Uncle Gino Montesinos and told him I wanted to be an Actor. He saw my potential, talent and drive, then tried to talk me out of it. He said the acting profession consists of a lot of rejection. It is hard work in terms of studying my craft ; Canceling my plans because an audition can come up. I probably would not book the role ,after working many hours trying to book it. He expressed that a few thousand people would be auditioning for that role. I told him I was in!

Gino helped set up all my acting websites, and IMDB. All this was during the pandemic. He tried to get me in Acting School, which were all closed. He then help me get my agents and manager. They started sending me on auditions right away. My Mother and I did it ourselves, and my work was not good as neither of us knew what we were doing. That is when my loving Uncle Gino jumped in and started coaching me for my auditions. It was rough. Sometimes he would coach me for 25 hours for one audition. Normally an experienced actor would need about an hour or 2 of coaching because they already knew how to do the homework. I had no clue. When my Uncle had his auditions, I became his reader so I could watch him in the rehearsal process, and learned a great deal. Thanks to his thousands of hours of training in the last couple of years, I have booked two jobs on my own with his techniques, in less than an hour. I have labeled his acting techniques as ,”The Gino Montesinos Method”.

After several auditions, that I did not get, I was about to just throw in the towel. I thought being an Actor would be glamorous. It is once you book a job, and get to promote all over the world on different red carpets. But then you are unemployed all over again, Then start the process all over again. I never knew about the work behind the scenes, the necessary discipline. I was done. Not knowing how I felt, my Uncle assigned me to watch the top 100 films from the list of the American Film Institution. After watching many Films on the AFI, I changed my mind.
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Dinero and Francis Ford Coppola showed me what true art was.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m interested in reviving cinema as a future filmmaker. I believe the 1970’s were the best decade for film, because cinema went through drastic changes. Young crazy filmmakers cared so much about their work, expressing a naked bold truth that wasn’t being shown before. I want to bring back these stories no on has the guts to tell. (Due to the Sag Strike, I cannot mention all the great films of the 70’s that I am referring to). I want to educate mankind, be a priest, an ambassador, a light to the world. “The world is getting darker, we need your light,” as my Uncle Gino Montesinos has told me. I want to inspire others ,the way Marlon Brando,Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro have inspired me with their work; I want to inspire future creative souls who aspire to tell the truth.
To all the kids who have profound taste in passionate storytelling in every aspect of life, I am here with you. Let your imagination flourish!!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For my stories to change lives for the better. My dream is to play the entire slope of emotions in the human spirit, so audiences can study and make cognitions about themselves and life itself. When I portray a character no matter how innocent or evil they may be, its always a version of ourselves. I want to be beacon of hope so my audience can openly self-reflect and walk out of the theater with something truly valuable. If I play a troubled depressed man, I want to convey the message to not succumb to evil and its promised wishes. If I play an innocent man, I want to convey the message to be optimistic and look at life through positive lens, whatever it may communicate. Originally actors were priests, to become anyone and tell the truth of the human spirit. The greatest possible achievement for me is to heal the souls that walk this earth.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I am happy people are going back to the movie theaters. Obviously the pandemic changed that. In the past year, when I have gone to the movie theaters, they were empty. . Recently, I went to a packed movie theater and it made my day. I know money may be tight. Take advantage of Matinees , Discount Tuesdays at your local theater. It is important to go and support movies so creatives could continue to make great movies for us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12364337/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovanni_cristoff/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090350340825
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxuB-kCWLqo

Image Credits
Soi Fabulous