We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nestor Vinelli Ii. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Nestor, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Currently I have a few things to be proud of Multiple short films I am attached to are winning awards in the festival circuit. I just finished two tours with the amazing traveling production THE THORN where my cast mates and I would look up to see a standing ovation was a very proud moment, being chosen to play a character in the greatest story told, Jesus life story birth to resurrection what an honor.
But the most recent moment that made me laugh and proud at the same time, I was on set Directing a pitch scene for a feature we are developing.
I AM A HUGE NERD so every set at some point you will hear me sing the Pokemon theme song. Usually it’s by myself as I work on something mundane, the other day I started singing it as we were waiting for camera to set up, the next thing I know the entire crew and cast is singing along with me. I laugh because the universal enjoyment of singing with people you like being around and the pride that I built this community of people I am around that will nerd out with me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I would love to introduce my self, hello wonderful people on the other side of this article. I am Nestor Vinelli, born Hollywood CA, currently and working on my LLC film production company not fully there so keeping specifics hush hush. Recent gradual from Csuns Cinematography BA program.
“I have a special set of skills”on set I usually play 1 of 4 roles, or a combination of Actor, director, stunt coordinator and Mentor.
My special skill set is my degree in Cinematography, now I know a lot of people who did go to school for it and are amazing cinematographers. I am not one!
As an actor I have to play to camera, understanding how the camera moves, lenses, framing, movement, without full direction I already have an idea of how it’s going to go making the process smoother.
As a Director knowing the camera process I have an easier time discussing with my DoP about exactly the shots I want leading to more collaboration which I love!
Stunts, same with the acting and directing, I can talk to the director and cinematographer to build a cohesive plan on execution. I have studied multiple sword techniques my speciality is Fencing and broad sword. 11 years US Army I studied multiple hand to hand techniques through training and my MOS or Military occupation specialty. I learned every fire Arm system and how to handle them.
I use each of these skill sets intangible with each other just matters on what is needed that day.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The year 2005 November , Fort Benning Georgia, my Basic training unit just finished our FTX and now have to do the final ruck march, a long formation march with full tactical gear ours weighting in at around 96lbs. The March is anywhere from 18-24 miles up and down hills through rugged terrain. Somewhere in the middle we stop to change socks very important! However to late I have blisters but I won’t quite. Socks and boots on we continue through the night.
At some point I remember my everything hurt, every step a painful reminder. My pack had shifted now digging into my back. I was ready to call it quits I had enough.
I look up ready to tell a Drill Sergeant I’m done I need medical training. But in the distance a hill light by torches easily still a half mile out. A fire light inside me, and as those torches got bigger so did my drive to finish, the torches showing our path to the finish lead us into a large open field where a Bon fire and the rest of our command at attention saluted us.
At that moment the pain was gone, I was filled with joy, pride, unstoppable courage. Powerful. I knew nothing could stop me no matter how much it hurt.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Was there ever a time I almost gave up, oh goodness yes! Like everybody in the art world these last few years have been difficult. Juggling finishing my degree, getting my acting career going, Networking, battling homelessness the list of unfortunate events goes on. At times it seemed impossible, and I would get the imposter syndrome thoughts of am I good enough? Can I really do this? At points those thoughts would start to gain ground in the battle field of my sub conscious.
And then the dead season comes and nobody is doing anything! So the unworthiness sets in deeper. But my love for this art draws me too look one more time.
He works in mysterious ways in not just a saying. Things would happen, contacts Iv made would reach out, or recommendations come through. Then it’s a flood gates and everyone wants to film on the same freakin weekend.
I learned eventually to just keep going. It’s hard but when it’s good it’s real good. Find other ways to fill your time with your other talents and more things will trickle down the pipeline.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am an avid cannabis user, after my military service and the injuries sustained I was continuously prescribed stronger and stronger narcotic medications. To the point I formed an addiction to opiates. Which almost ended my life.
Through divine intervention, I needed up on a cannabis farm where I learned and begin to study the plant.
I have a cannabis super hero, HEMPMAN, that I dress as and lay down lyrical tracks of cannabis education raps.
Through this character a television series and comic book are in development.
@iamhempman
This project is a passion of mine because I believe we need proper education on the cannabis sativa plant and there are still a lot of misconceptions of the plant.
I hope my character brings laughter and then insight with comedic antics and real world issues brought to life. While still holding true to the cannabis community.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I would love to tell you that If I were immortal I would build a utopia where everyone lives peacefully and I would watch over it like a fatefully Superman. But let’s be real I would end up like earth-50 Superman. Don’t get me wrong I feel I have a high moral code. And I hate injustices the thing that keeps me from doing by things I feel is right is my mortality and possibility of losing my life to a prison sentence. But now I’m immortal I’m going V for Vendetta forever I will rule by fear in the shadows to keep the peace.
I likes a peaceful utopia
I wants a peaceful utopia
we can do this the easy way
or the hard way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.nestorvinelli.com
- Instagram: @nestorvinelli
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nestor-vinelli-a29bba251?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Facebook: @nestorvinelli
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nestorvinelli5509?si=ThLsaYwvZESJFZfG
Image Credits
Darius Saberzadeh
Joshua Cassanova
Joshua Morteson
Sebastien Chiu
Jessalyn Lorrig
