Today we’d like to introduce you to Iván Emilio Albino.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Iván Emilio. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to Orlando, FL from Puerto Rico in October 2013 to go to college at Full Sail University. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do with my career, but I knew for sure that entertainment was the way to go. I’ve always had an interest in hosting and acting, but I wanted to make sure I was skilled in other areas as well, and that’s why I decided to get a bachelor’s degree in Media Communications, where I learned video producing and social media strategy, among other great skills.
Halfway through my degree, I did an internship at a nationally syndicating morning show called The Daily Buzz. That’s when I fell in love with hosting and television. I knew this was the next step I wanted to take. But I also knew that social media was rapidly growing and there was opportunity to grow there as well. So I started my Youtube channel, where I did fun videos with my friends. I always say I used this channel as a playground to practice my video shooting, editing, and hosting skills. It’s funny that I never really thought of how this channel would help me get my foot on the door into Hollywood in the future! I say this because after graduating university, I was figuring out what to do next, while I was working in the admissions department of the university I had just graduated from.
I’ve been wanting to move to Los Angeles, but I was afraid to move without a job. Among many applications I had sent, one of them was a BuzzFeed Video Internship application, where I submitted one of my Youtube videos which had gone semi viral online titled “Americans Say Puerto Rican Slang”. I chose this video because since the beginning, I wanted to work with the latino team at BuzzFeed called “Pero Like”. But getting this internship was not easy. It took me applying three times to this internship until I finally got in. One thing you should know about me is that I’m a persistent man.
So, I moved to Los Angeles in January 2017 and my journey at BuzzFeed began. It was not an easy ride, I gotta admit. It took me two years to get my dream position, which is the one I currently hold. But to get to where I am now, I had to be an intern, a fellow, then moving into freelancing as a production assistant in a scripted show and editing for the social media team all while still growing my relationship with Pero Like and proving that I was capable of making a positive impact in the team. Now two years later, I can happily say that I am a producer and talent for BuzzFeed’s Pero Like and I could not be any happier.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t the worst road, but it surely hasn’t been smooth. It took me a year and a half after graduating college to find an industry-related internship. It allowed me to move to Los Angeles, but I still wasn’t sure how long it was going to last, or if I was going to get a full-time job after. And sure enough, it wasn’t easy. After my fellowship ended, I didn’t get the full-time producer position. It wasn’t the right time then, but I knew that I was meant to do this. So what did I do? Not give up. And continued hustling as much as I could in BuzzFeed by freelancing in different projects, until two years later Pero Like felt it was the right time to bring me on board. If I hadn’t been hustling and just gave up when I didn’t get the job at first, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. I’m glad I didn’t give up.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a host, actor, and producer. I’ve been producing videos for Pero Like, where I come up with the idea, and plan everything from pre-production to post-production. Working with this brand has also helped me get more experience as a host. I’ve had the chance to chat and work with some of the biggest artists of the moment. Now, that I feel like I’m at a good place with my hosting career, I am starting to work on my acting career. I am currently taking acting classes weekly and going to auditions as much as I can. I think it’s important to be multi-talented in today’s industry. There’s a lot of competition, so the more skills you have, the better. Also, as a creative, being a host, actor, and producer allows me to get more creative with my projects and reach the audience in different ways.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
As shocking as it may sound, I didn’t know anyone at BuzzFeed or even Los Angeles before moving here. It took hard work, perseverance, and a little bit of luck to even get my application into the hands of the right people. And to be honest, I feel really proud of that. I can say “My hard work did that”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ivanemilio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theivanemilio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theivanemilio
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theivanemilio
- Other: youtube.com/ivanemilio
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