While I make it a priority to watch Hallmark network Christmas movies, I do my best to watch the Christmas movies on other channels as well. Sometimes I find a gem that for which I was not searching, and in the case of Christmas Catch (which I saw on UP TV), I was pleasantly surprised with the actor who played the lead, Franco Lo Presti. Since he was new to me, I reached out to request an interview, and he happily accepted my invitation. Before Christmas officially arrives, I am pleased to feature Franco today on my site.
RH: How/why did you decide to become an actor? What kind of training did you have to prepare you for this career?
FLP: There is such a long backstory to this question, I could write a novel on it…I really believe that haha! I’ll try to keep it short and sweet.
At the age of twenty-six, I career-ending injury in my pursuit as a professional soccer player. That was my dream. I was adamant since my days as a child that I would be a professional athlete, and I pursued that religiously throughout my years.
I always had a passion for the performing arts as a kid also. I loved to act, play, and perform in front of family, friends, and people in general. My mother is a big inspiration for that. She put me into acting classes at the age of twelve, but I, unfortunately, could not commit. I remember my acting coach at the time telling my parents, “It’s either soccer or acting; he can’t put 50% into both. He needs to be all in.” Therefore, I chose soccer because I was already at a very high level and making strides. I took a theatre course every semester in University as an elective and always felt the most excited going into that class than any other. I instinctually felt like I belonged in it. I took it for granted at the time because I had “tunnel vision” with my view on life as a soccer player.
When I had received the news from the doctor that I would not be able to continue playing at a high level, I was devastated. I spent months soul-searching. One day, in my desolate mind, my mother had asked me, “Why don’t you try acting again?” After all, I had never really committed myself 100% to the art. So I thought I’d give it a shot this time, and I entered a class at Pro Actor’s Lab in Toronto. I’ll never forget it. I entered, feeling bitter and angry. I didn’t really want to be there, but I forced myself. I felt worthless up until the moment I got to act and when I did, I felt like I was playing soccer again. It became my therapy, my escape, my purpose. I found it and I have only taken it as a blessing in disguise. I love people; they are my education. I love to tell stories, and I love to perform. Whether it be on the field, with music, or now on the stage or through film.
Becoming an actor was a decision I made for myself and own well-being. There are lots of things I’m not aware of or can’t figure out and acting allows me to explore myself and figure out my life and the personal journey I’m on through living vicariously in these characters I get to play and reading these scripts. This is what I know, and I’ve dedicated my life to it now. I tend to relate back to my soccer-playing days when I look at my training. Those experiences have shaped me and definitely has been a big help in my training as an actor. I also give big thanks through studying diligently with my coaches David Rotenberg and Bruce Clayton; they have helped me grow immensely in the past two years and polish my technique within the craft. I continue to work with them.
What was your first professional job in the industry? What are your memories of it?
My first professional job in the industry was working on Letterkenny. I have fantastic memories from that shoot. I booked a recurring role on the first three episodes in season three. First and foremost, I had been a fan of the show since they had first grown attention from their YouTube clips. I had already watched the first two seasons, so when I got the audition for the character of Shep, I couldn’t believe it. I laughed so freaking hard reading those sides. It affiliated with me because I had some experience modeling throughout my early twenties in Milan and knew guys who actually felt the way my character did. So, I channeled it!
It was so much fun to play a comedic character for my first gig. Shooting our scenes was so memorable. The laughs were coming left, right, and centre. The cast couldn’t even look at us without bursting into laughter once we fed our lines and embraced the character’s physicality. I worked alongside Craig Henry, who played Kingsley, and he was such a great guy and actor. We would be walking the streets of Sudbury discussing ways to work with our characters and finding our chemistry so we could really bring it to set. We were both excited to get to work. On the day, I remember watching Jared, Nate and K. Trev doing their thing before getting to camera. Running “Italians” (speed-throughs) and getting ready. It was fascinating to me and I admired it.
When we filmed, I was just trying new things and ways to work the scene, and each take I kept getting more comfortable on set. Meeting the Letterkenny cast and crew was inspiring. I really got to see what it what like, you know, being on set and actually seeing how it works. These guys are so professional and prepared and just enjoying every single second of it. They were so welcoming and kind. I remember chatting with Jared Keeso about sports, and we shared a similar background as he had previously been a hockey player who now turned to the arts. His story related to my experience and I looked up to this guy, thinking to myself, “Hey, I can do this too.” Overall, it was truly a joyous first experience and perceptive first gig. I learned a lot from it ahead of what was to come for me.
Please tell us about your time on Schitt’s Creek and Bad Blood.
On Schitt’s Creek, I had a quick SOC role as a character who is gazing across the bar at Alexis, played by Annie Murphy. For that shoot, it was a quick day on set for my scene. I had auditioned for the role of Miguel but didn’t get the part. My agent called me a day after the audition and said, “Alright, I got good news and bad news, what do you want to hear first?”, so I said “Gimme the bad news.” He told me I hadn’t gotten the part of Miguel, but the good news was that they wanted me to play the part of the handsome guy at the bar and it was well worth the taking. That day on set, I remember spending some time talking to Eugene Levy and telling him, “You were basically my Dad in high school,” due to the fact that American Pie was my iconic high-school movie. I loved that film and still do. Classic!
My time on Bad Blood was, by far, the most memorable and life-changing in my young career as an actor. A dream job working with an incredible ensemble of actors and working with such great writing created by our showrunner, Michael Konyves. Bad Blood was my first series lead and I played a character that resonated with me from the moment I got the sides. I knew Luca was subconsciously written for me and I was fortunate enough to prove that. I got to really dig into myself and become this character and live his life within me throughout the months of filming. Each episode was enthralling and provided twists and turns to the arc of my character and I got to grow in it. I was challenged day in and day out and learned a whole lot from my cast. Working with Louis Ferreira, Dylan Taylor and Daniel Kash was like a masterclass of acting each day. They are artists who find the truth and don’t create art from a place marvelling how it’s going to be received. It was a great lesson working alongside that. Bad Blood was an exceptional experience and inhabiting the role of Luca is something I’ll never forget. It definitely shaped me and has driven me in my journey as an actor.
This Christmas, you were a part of the film Christmas Catch. Any story about how that role come about? Any special behind-the-scenes moments?
Yes!!! Christmas Catch was my first film and first lead in a film. I really did not expect to get the part. I’ll be very honest here. I was in acting class when I got the audition and thought to myself, “I’ll never get this.” I felt this way because I perceived myself to not be the type of guy that would get cast in this film. I doubted myself. I immediately looked at every potential possibility of not being cast in this film. I thought my ethnic background as an Italian-Canadian would affect my performance and believed I wasn’t the right fit.
After reading the sides a few times, I started to like this “Carson” character and found lines that helped me identify with the heart of who he is and the things he takes “literally” when talking to Mack. I thought I could bring something different to him. So, I asked my buddy David Chinchilla to shoot this self-tape after class and he gladly abided because he’s a champ and great friend with good insights. We shot the tape at midnight and sent it off to my agent. That was it. Didn’t think anything of it afterwards because I “knew” I wouldn’t get it. Lo and behold, I get a call a few days later with good news booking this part. I was shocked and learned a lesson in that moment too. DON’T EVER DOUBT YOURSELF!!!!!! We never know what casting wants, so all we gotta do is just present our best selves and give it 150% in that audition/tape.
Some good behind-the-scenes moments from the film was basically through every single take with my co-star Emily Alatalo. I couldn’t have been any luckier to have worked with such a lovely, funny, daring and compelling actress. I was amazed with her energy and life force. She was easy to work with because she just goes for it. Each take, refreshing me. She enjoys each moment, and that’s where the play comes out. When accidents happen out of joy, something special shows and Emily opened my eyes to that experience in shooting Christmas Catch.
In recent years, Christmas movies like Christmas Catch and other family-friendly Christmas movies have become immensely popular. Why do you think that is?
I think these movies have become immensely popular because it really just brings together the Christmas spirit in anticipation of this holiday season. They are films, whether good or bad, we as people just seem to connect with on a level with our own virtues. There is joy, laughter, romance, and some little heartbreak in there, but at the end of the film, people can feel inspirited.
Any other recent/upcoming works?
I just recently filmed a film in Italy called From the Vine Came the Grape. It was an amazing experience shooting in the beautiful town of Acerenza atop of the hills of the Basilicata region. The townspeople were so special. Treated us like family, really. So incredibly hospitable and full of passion and pride. The film is based on the novel, Finding Marco, written by Kenneth Cancellara. A story about a downtrodden corporate executive who suffers a crisis of ethics, retreats to his family’s hometown in southern Italy and discovers a vineyard on its last legs. I play a local from the town of Acerenza. A vagabond musician who is also trying to find himself. This was an intriguing role for me because I got to play an Italian accent and even get to speak Italian in the film. It was close to me. I’m looking forward to seeing all its final pieces come together. Some marvelous actors in this project and the scenery is breathtaking. Super grateful to have had the opportunity to shoot in Italy, where my father was born and raised. Be on the lookout for this film in 2019.
I also shot an episode of a CBC web series, True Dating Stories. It will premiere on Valentine’s Day in 2019. It’s based on real dating stories gone terribly wrong. I get to rap in this so it was a treat for me! Just check it out, and brace yourself for this one.
As a relatively new actor to the business, what is your advice to other aspiring actors?
We are all different, each actor has their own way and process of handling themselves and going about with their work. I’m still figuring that out day by day. My best advice to aspiring actors is this: You have to be in this to be IN this. You have to really care and do the work and be disciplined in your approach. Be rigid with your preparation and loose on the day. Believe in yourself and that you are enough, because you are.
In five or ten years, where do you hopefully see yourself in terms of your career?
Hmmmmm, I just hope to continue working consistently as an actor. I have my goals and personal ambition,s but overall I just see myself working on interesting projects and playing vast types of characters and not being necessarily typecast. Working with great visionaries and artists who will help me in my growth as an actor is something I see in my future, and hopefully starting my own charity of some sort. I really dream of doing that.
How do you like to celebrate the holidays?
There is nothing better than being with my family during the holiday season. I love the family gathering we have on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The food is what I look forward to also. I’m telling you, I’ve been blessed with a family that can cook with the best of ’em. We follow the traditional Italian regimen of a seafood feast on Christmas Eve. My mom is Venezuelan, so her side of the family also hooks up some Venezuelan cuisine infused with their Italian roots. I’m talking all types of seafood, pasta, salad, hallaca (Venezuelan dish), you name it. Christmas Day, we delve into the meats and that’s just heaven for me. Also, my mother makes a ridiculous lasagna and my Nonna makes her famous rustic Sicilian Pasta al Forno (baked pasta dish). I literally enjoy the food coma I’m in afterwards. Ok, I think Christmas needs to come tomorrow because I’m getting crazy hungry writing this right now. Famiglia is the most important source in my life and without them, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
Thank you for reaching out Ruth, I enjoyed your questions and appreciate your support with the film Christmas Catch. Hope you enjoyed it! Merry Christmas and many blessings ahead of you in the New Year. And if any of the fans haven’t had the opportunity to check out the film yet, I hope they do so!
I appreciate the fact that Franco was so willing to share his journey with my readers and me, and while I have only had the opportunity to view him in this Christmas film, I tend to think he has the talent and fortitude to become a fairly successful working actor in this business. Since he is still relatively new to the industry, I am not certain that many fans or networks are aware of his prowess, but I have faith that as he continues to pursue his dreams with humility and authenticity, he is going to advance steadily within his profession. If you have not had the opportunity to watch Christmas Catch, U.S. viewers can catch another airing of the film on UP TV December 24th (check your local listings for times). Candian viewers should be able to watch it on demand on Super Channel Heart & Home as there appears to be no other scheduled showings this season. Additionally, I would invite you to check out Franco’s links below and consider following him on Instagram. Even though Franco has not appeared in an extensive variety of works at this point, I greatly anticipate the next time I have the opportunity to observe him in a fun, entertaining film or show, for I believe he is in an advantageous position to proceed with the promising start the entertainment industry has afforded him.
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