26 July 2024
Begin the Triennio Accademico of acting training it requires passion, a desire to learn, get involved and question yourself. Francesco Mansueto, Lara Cardone and Sara Martino have studied with commitment and perseverance in recent years. They honed their skills by taking them on stage and in front of the camera, demonstrating how dreams can guide the reality we live in, helping us face its challenges.
In this interview Francesco, Lara and Sara shared with us some steps of their journey in acting, from the beginning of their academic career up to their diploma at SRC.
How would you describe your academic journey at SRC?
Francis
I would define my academic path at SRC as tortuous and stimulating at the same time. The pandemic has certainly made everything more complex, but it has also forced us students to work harder and harder, so as not to be overwhelmed. We received all the support possible from the teaching staff and all the SRC staff, without which we would not be here talking about this experience.
Lara
I joined the SRC by chance, auditioning out of pure adventurous spirit and then finding myself as a running student of the three-year course. I started a little late and the School put a lot of trust in me. I worked hard, recovered and continued the journey to the end together with my colleagues.
Will be
It was an intense journey both physically and mentally, which allowed me to actually study acting. Thanks to the professionalism of the teachers I worked on myself, I managed to be myself on stage and at the same time play someone totally different. When they ask me why I chose to act I answer "to learn not to act" and I believe that the key is to be natural and true especially when playing a character.
What were the most significant moments during the Triennio?
Francis
Identifying some of the significant moments in the Triennio is not easy, because the experiences were hundreds and all very impactful. The shows, especially their preparation, and the tougher stages certainly left a particular mark on me. The events that have remained with me the most, however, are the long discussions on training, work and life that were naturally created with the members of the teaching staff, and which, I believe, led me to grow not only in the academic field, but also and above all as a person.
Lara
There were many significant moments. I think the most important were those spent with my colleagues. I will carry every moment in my heart: the complicity, the harmony and the love for each other, emotions that are always present between us. And then the rehearsals for the show "Zero" and "The Life Syndrom", here the teachers put us to the test, bringing out the best in us and our team spirit.
Will be
The most significant moments that I carry with me are certainly those with my colleagues during lessons and behind the scenes because there we are all working together to achieve the same goal. I must say that there was complicity with everyone right from the start and I learned a lot from talking to them. I believe that by acting you can understand a lot about the people around you and that's important. I also really appreciated all the outdoor experiences such as horse riding lessons because they allowed me to come into contact with nature and reflect on what surrounds us.
How has the Calabria Acting School contributed to making you grow and improve?
Francis
The dilemma of every actor, or aspiring actor, is that of not knowing when and how he will actually be able to define himself as an "actor". The growth that inevitably comes to those who follow an academic path in an acting school is the understanding of the fact that you never know enough, especially in the areas in which you are more expert or versed. In these three years I have learned a lot from each teacher.
Lara
I must say a sincere thank you to the SRC for believing in me, giving me trust and the possibility of being part of a reality like this. It was a journey of passion in which I constantly tested myself. All this did nothing but push me to improve and made me understand that chasing your dreams is never a waste of time.
Will be
The SRC taught me first of all that to pursue a dream it is not always necessary to leave one's homeland, on the contrary, valorising Calabria with the art of acting was a good start for me. Inevitably I grew both from a personal point of view because traveling every day I had to organize my days with greater responsibility and professionally because it provided me with all the necessary elements so that all of this could become a job and not just a passion. I thank the SRC again because from the first audition they perceived something beautiful in me and gave me the opportunity to learn to recognize it and put it to good use.
What do you take away from the experiences of short films and theater shows of the last two years?
Francis
From the short films and shows of the last two years I bring with me a greater awareness of the world of work in the acting field: the preparation times, the costs of each element and the sacrifices that are made before staging a show are enormous and unknown to those who have never taken part in an initiative of this kind. On set, as on stage, the attention to detail is rightly obsessive, and despite this, there is always something that doesn't go as planned, which is why collaboration is the key.
Lara
These projects were a succession of emotions. The experience of working with Giorgio Colangeli is something that I will definitely carry with me forever and I am honored to have had this opportunity. Another magical part was the behind the scenes. Behind the scenes of every show there was a world: the excitement, the "shit, shit, shit" together with the companions, the adrenaline and then finally entering the scene and knowing that you had to give 100% and have fun. During the two-day set for the short film "The Life Syndrome" we were lucky enough to work in harmony with the entire crew, from the sound engineer to the director and all the other people who contributed to making everything unique and special.
Will be
The theater shows and the short film were a great motivating challenge because I put into practice all the disciplines studied. I have always experienced performances with a lot of confidence and awareness because the audience always gives me the right adrenaline. This was the case for example with “Zero”, an unforgettable experience. With the graduation short film “The Life Syndrome” in which I was in front of the camera for the first time with Giorgio Colangeli. It couldn't have gone better than this! Between takes I watched him and I must say that he helped me a lot to understand how to prepare scenes and how to manage concentration. Filming the short was a mix of emotions because it was the conclusion of my entire journey.
Why should a young person like you take part in the auditions to enter the SRC?
Francis
Attending the SRC means learning, opening up to the world and gaining a lot of experience. An acting school is useful for anyone, because it leads you to observe the world and the people who live in it in an acute way, as well as greatly improving your knowledge of yourself. The SRC is an opportunity for those like me who find themselves in Calabria and think they cannot achieve their dreams because they were born in the wrong place. Calabria is first and foremost a place full of history and culture, and the SRC valorises its artists in many fields and disciplines, without having anything to envy to the courses of other Italian schools. Finally, the Calabria Acting School is a place where you can find a second family, people who, with the professionalism of a lesson, demonstrate the care and concern of a close relative.
Lara
It is certainly an experience not to be missed. The SRC gives you the opportunity to come into contact with a world that is difficult to approach in our area.
You have the opportunity to experience the world of work first-hand and are able to establish relationships beyond just the professional and work core. We are all united by the love of art and this wonderful world.
Will be
I advise any young theater and cinema enthusiast, or otherwise, to get in touch with the SRC and try the audition because it is a way to get on your own and develop creativity and empathy. The course in the School can help both those who feel close to the world of acting and those who "simply" want to work on themselves, for example to overcome shyness. The SRC is certainly a great opportunity for training and growth for everyone.
Registrations are open for the Triennio Accademico 2024/2027, take part in the auditions to enter the SRC. Study with us!