Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessia Fionda
Hi Alessia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Michigan, growing up north of Detroit to Italian parents. Since I was young and had my dress up box I have loved to perform and make those around me laugh. When I discovered what acting was at an impressionable age (Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean) that was all I have ever wanted to do. Anxiety and teenage years prevented me from really engaging in theater and acting as whole, until I was in college and had a panic attack because I wasn’t fully pursuing my dream. From there, I began to take as many classes as I could while getting my Communications degree from Oakland University. I minored in theater and would audition for as many student films as possible and shoot as many as that were offered to me (a small percentage if I was lucky as auditions go). Both classroom and real life training sharpened my skills, enough to the point where I was able to gain representation. Since graduation, I have had several roles in indie films, booked state-wide commercials and also made my own film, “Give Us A Smile” which premiered in 2023. Making my debut film was such a phenomenal experience as it has added so much to my perspective on filmmaking and also has broadened my capabilities within the industry. Additionally, I have enjoyed meeting and networking with various people in the Michigan film community, bringing them together, and referring others when possible. While we have a smaller community compared to larger markets, the talent and drive here is inspiring. I continue to act and create my own work in the Michigan film industry, while also seeking larger film and television opportunities both inside and outside of Michigan.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has most certainly not been a smooth road! Like most creative industries and pursuits, there is no clear path to take for success, or even just to be able to do what you love full time. For starters, my entire life I have had a strong desire to perform, partnered with an incredible amount of anxiety. While my anxiety has improved as I have gotten older, it prevented me from really engaging with my passions (acting) for a long time. When I first took acting seriously and tried to overcome the anxiety when I was 18, I started going to open calls at MPI in Troy and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. For a while, I didn’t receive any callbacks, but then, I slowly did. I started booking some student projects, which became an excellent opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive environment. I had to force myself to continue to grow and I enrolled in acting classes at Oakland University. That was a challenge in itself, as I had to acquire special permission to join the courses because it was my minor, not my major. Even though I was uncomfortable and didn’t know anyone in the program, I pushed on because this is what I love to do. When I was young the thought of having an agent seemed so unattainable and now I am happy to say that I’ve had one for years, and am grateful to have booked several gigs. Now, I am struggling with wanting to broaden my horizons outside of the Michigan industry and to start booking more film and television work. All of this being said, there are many more obstacles ahead of me. With successes, come long stretches of not working at all and frustrations that things aren’t happening quick enough. If you really love something, keep at it. The universe will test you, place gifts in front of you and won’t give you anything that you’re not ready for. Trust the process!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been acting seriously for seven years now (a lot of unserious acting happened in my youth) and I particularly love film acting. I have participated in some theater, but the realism in film is something that I admire both in movies and in acting technique. I love how controlled of a format that it is and how realistically it mimics daily life. With film being one of my specialties, I specifically thrive with comedies (the darker the better) and off-beat, quirky characters. Overall, anything where I can tap into my dry and sarcastic humor, which is something that has become my niche. Don’t count me out for the more dramatic roles though, I can cry on command and love a challenge! I have been privileged to work on many different indie films in Michigan, which I am most known for and also for being a recurring spokesperson for a Michigan credit union campaign (it’s a jump scare every time I drive past one of the billboards or see an ad pop up on my phone). What I am most proud of is my film, “Give Us A Smile”, which I directed, wrote, produced, and starred in. It was born in a playwriting class and since I love film so much, I converted it into a screenplay and shot my first ever film. It is a humorous retelling of the sitting of the Mona Lisa. Spoiler alert, I play Mona Lisa. I am also grateful as it has had a successful film festival run, placing in several categories, and most importantly being enjoyed by audiences. Most notably, my film showed at the Capital City Film festival on their closing night, before they premiered the clever feature film, “Darla in Space”. It was an utter joy to work with the most talented cast and crew and I loved every moment. As an actor, this experience has opened a lot of doors for me, as it is so important to create your own work. My humor shined in my writing and I am currently workshopping another project. Outside of acting, writing and directing, I have spent many years working in the fashion industry and am a freelance stylist on the side. If I did not love acting as much as I do, I would have continued on the path of fashion. One great thing is how intertwined the entertainment and fashion industry is, I always get to engage with both of my passions!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The most important thing that I learned from the pandemic is how precious time is. Anything can change on the drop of a dime, and time is truly fleeting. It is so vital to try to spend the time that we have pursuing things that truly excite us. It was so frustrating to not be able to work on films for some time during the pandemic and for my acting courses to be moved to an online format (which was a challenge in itself). However, out of that frustration to keep working, my love for writing was born. That extra free time allowed me to sharpen my skills and prepare myself for what was to come once the world opened back up again. Since COVID, I have continued to push forward and to not waste any time when it comes to doing and making the things that I love!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alessiafionda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessiafionda
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRg8tlmm-fyE65wvzYfn0OQ
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10439968/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_alessia%2520fio
