We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rafaela Goncalves. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rafaela below.
Rafaela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
So, I just graduated with my MFA in Producing and actually my thesis project so far has been the most meaningful one to me, and I’m so proud to say that other than, of course, being my MFA THESIS project, it also felt like a magical full circle.
When I was 14 years old and still living in Brazil, I wrote my first ever book called “SIM” (“Yes” in English). It was a school assignment but writing a book was always a dream of mine since I always loved reading, and so I took the assignment as finally my “excuse” to do it. Long story short, “SIM” got selected as the “best in the school” that year and a publisher invited me to publish it! Little 14 year old Rafaela had her book published! Huge milestone accomplished.
Cut to: at 17 years old, I moved to the US to follow my dream of being an actress and then years later I started my MFA in Producing because I wanted to not only be a part of the stories, but also produce, create them. I grew and changed SO much during my degree, personally and professionally, and I learned Story Structure in screenwriting class. Suddenly, I realized: Beatriz (the protagonist of my book) deserved a better story.
My thesis was based on “SIM,” but just like I did, the story changed a lot. “Someone In Me” (acronym of SIM), is coming out soon and is actually a proof of concept to a feature. It’s a coming-of-age family drama that tells the story of a middle class, Brazilian-American teenage girl who has two different colored eyes and desperately wants to raise money for a corrective surgery that she thinks will solve all her problems.
This project is so special to me not only because of all of the above, but also because I was able to put together both my passions and act in it as lovely Beatriz.
Rafaela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hey hey! My name is Rafaela Goncalves and I am a Brazilian Actress and Producer with BFA and MFA, currently located in Los Angeles, but I love traveling and want to work all over this beautiful world! Let’s collab!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Honestly everything that has to happen, all the months and YEARS sometimes of hard work, of SO MANY people, in order for them – the audience – to be able to sit at the movies and have a film to watch. And, don’t get me wrong, I also don’t know anything that has to happen before a dentist, for example, gets to operate a patient. But, – okay, maybe because I’m a filmmaker- it’s SO fascinating and interesting the process of making a film!
I actually finally joined TikTok (yes, 4 years late haha) with the goal of talking about exactly that: the filmmaking process, how it is, sharing my experiences on set, tips… I literally JUST started, follow me if that’s something you’re interested in and drop some tips yourself too!
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Not necessarily a resource, but NETWORK!!! Go to Film Festivals (as audience or a volunteer)!!! Go meet as many people (especially filmmakers) as possible, find the ones you want to work with and let them find you! I can’t stress enough the importance of it. We are a community and there are so many artists out there to help you and support you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itsrafaelagoncalve.wixsite.com/rafaelagoncalves
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrafaelagoncalves/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaela-goncalves-162a402b8/
- Other: TikTok: @itsrafaelagoncalves
IMDB: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm12747690?s=3ac8ff02-889f-369e-62b4-977102d7aa5c&site_preference=normal
