Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriella Gonzalez Biziou.
Hi Gabriella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’d be happy to! Well, first off, I’m an actress. Why? God knows. I’m originally from Austin, Texas. My Mom is Mexican-American, my Dad’s white (culturally, more Italian), and I’m the middle child of five girls. We all lived in a little blue house in South Austin. Home could definitely be chaotic, but it was also very loving. When I was three, I started acting out The Wizard of Oz in our living room as it played on the TV, and it became one of my favorite games. I would settle on one movie for a while to watch again and again, creating costumes from whatever we had around to play as many of the parts as I could, but I’d have my favorites. I do that over and over, learning every detail of each movie. For years, I was Dorothy Gale, then Princess Leia, and so on. I just loved it.
We moved around a lot when I was a kid, going back and forth between the East Coast and Austin for my dad’s tech job. During that time, I became more reserved and I usually had my head in a book. Every Thanksgiving though, we’d visit my grandparents, who would always be performing in a different play that time of year with their community theater. My grandparents met in a high school play; they loved acting together. And I loved watching them perform. Those have always been some of my favorite memories. As soon as acting became an option in school, I auditioned for every play I could. Admittedly, it took me a while to be any good! I would get nervous, but I got better over time and with encouragement from a good teacher.
In college, I continued to study acting and even sought out an acting class in town for additional training, working extra hours to afford it. Back then, I felt almost constantly insecure of my self and my abilities, but I also knew what I loved, and what I wanted to become capable of. So, I stayed dedicated to that goal. Not long afterwards, I signed with my first agent in Austin and booked a few local indies and a regional commercial.
After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles to continue acting. The beginning was rough—I slept in my car a few nights that first year when I was in-between living situations, worked back-to-back shifts at different restaurants, later on I nannied and drove for Uber and Lyft. Eventually, I got my bearings more and was able to afford acting classes and later on even coached others in acting. I self-submitted for roles, networked with working actors, and gradually started booking. In time, I signed with an agent and a manager here in LA.
Since then, I’ve landed my first guest-star role, a major role in a Lifetime movie, several commercials, co-starred in streaming series, done some print work, and returned to theater in leading roles locally. I’ve also had leading and supporting roles in a handful of award-winning independent films, winning Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Beyond acting, I associate-produced an award-winning short and wrote & directed the short play, To the Moon and Back, that premiered at ShuffleFest Play Festival in Los Angeles this past April.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh no—it hasn’t been a smooth road, not usually, especially at the start. During my first year in LA, as I said, I came close to homelessness and slept in my car while in between places. And, for about a year afterwards, I was not food-secure. I still hadn’t developed good self-esteem at that point, either, which made a lot of things harder—but they still could have been much worse than they were. I’ll always be grateful that there are so many genuinely good people in this city and in the film industry. I’ve been very fortunate to have had the friends, teachers and experiences who’ve all ultimately had a positive impact on my life. My husband of six years is without a doubt among them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my heart, I’m an artist, and my main career is working as an actress. I’ve also associate-produced on a multiple award-winning short film, and this is the first year I feel confident calling myself a writer and director. And, sidebar here—I really enjoy connecting other creatives together, whether or not I’m directly involved, because after all, the more art the better.
As an actor, I’ve got a versatile/ambiguous look so I get to be a chameleon and a time-traveler. There’s a wide range of characters, genres, and time periods I’ve been placed in.
Character types that I tend to play are layered, heart-centered, strong, intelligent, sometimes a bit contentious, and they usually have an aura of loss. It wouldn’t be unusual to see me playing a detective, a lawyer, or some form of innovative upstart with a past. In comedies, I’ll tend to play the character that somehow brings the chaos/trouble or the one desperately trying to wrangle it. I’ve also played a prostitute/call girl, a femme fatale, and a vampire all more than once (I’ll blame the cheekbones).
I’m probably more widely known as Vasquez’s fiery lover, Modesta, on the T.V. series Wild West Chronicles, (S4, Ep 8, directed by Jim Orr), or clever Detective Ramirez on the Lifetime Original Movie Road Trip Hostage, (directed by Kaila York), or possibly Jules’ random party-crashing friend, Jane, on the streaming series Sorry for Your Loss, (S1, Ep 6, directed by Jamie Babbit). You’ve probably spotted me in a few commercials as well.
I loved acting in all of the projects above, and I’m grateful for all the work I’ve gotten to do. I’m always learning, and so I admit I’m most proud of my latest work, especially those projects that have given me more creative control. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with a good handful of talented filmmakers who’ve made quality independent films telling original stories that are significant to them. Those films, and the characters I had the gift of playing in them, have been the most creatively fulfilling in my career so far.
I crave originality, artistry with a soul, a well-written script, a capable and collaborative production & director with a clear, actionable vision, and generous, skilled actors to work with. I want to work on films, shows and plays that resonate with me and also mean something to the rest of the people working on them. That meaning can be profound and delicate, or it could be to create something that gives us all a great laugh. I want to work with genuinely good people who are exceptional at what they do. Ha, the dream, always —but, hey, it does happen…
Two of those most recent independent films mentioned have newly completed their film festival circuits and are available to the public.
One, They’re Coming Tonight, is a short film written and directed by John Bonner. The production design, cinematography, post-production, and sound design were all deliberately crafted to emulate the aesthetic and conventions of a 1930s thriller noir, and the story centers around two circus performers trying to outrun a mysterious threat…with a twist. It’s a great script, a phantasmal film, skillfully made and frankly, my character Ingrid was a delight to bring to life. She’s keenly intelligent, agile, dangerous, and has a lot of heart. It was a part of the official selection in the Burbank Film Festival and the Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival locally (where it won Best Horror Short), has won upwards of 5 awards total internationally and was nominated for another 3. It has just been released on Alter and Omeleto Horror channels on YouTube.
The second is a beautifully made short film I also had the privilege to be an associate producer for, called Foolhardy Love, written, directed, co-starring and executive produced by Richard Eick. In the film, two married artists (Ashley & Benny) confront very different wishes for their future: finally getting that dream gig, or settling down to raise a family. Ashley was a challenging role to take on, and a sincerely rewarding one to play. I connected with the story from the first pitch. The script is pure and moving, and it was filmed with care and precision. It premiered as an official selection at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and went on to be selected for six other festivals, including the Diversity and Inclusion Film Festival in New York City, where it screened at Lincoln Center. The film received six nominations and won three awards overall, including Best Film, and my first Best Actress award at the Austin Under the Stars Film Festival in Austin, TX. It is available now to watch on YouTube.
Outside of traditional narrative filmmaking, I was invited to star in and co-write the story for a music video called Cross a Line, directed, animated, and co-written by Pat Ghelen, for indie singer-songwriter Wolfgang Webb, which’s done very well and gotten its own recognition for innovative filmmaking in its combined use of live action, animation and A.I. visual effects. Being able to work on it reminded me how much I enjoy storytelling, and having more creative control.
And, as far as upcoming work, there’s another short film I can share with y’all that I have the honor to star in called Shelter, written and directed by Victoria Peralto Cruz, that’s currently wrapping up post-production. The narrative drama tackles the issue of student homelessness on college campuses, centering around a talented film student without a home. I very much look forward to sharing more about it soon.
Currently, I’m adapting my short play into a screenplay and revising another script I wrote about mothers and daughters that I’d love to film next year.
I’m happy to also share that I’ve been cast in two more short films that are scheduled to shoot next year. Both are science fiction, but of polar opposite sub-genres: one is a grounded sci-fi, and the other is a campy, vampy, hilarious space romp. I can’t wait.
If you’re interested in hiring me for a project, the easiest way is to reach out to me on Instagram, @Gabsby, and for more references and material, along with links to my other professional pages, please visit my website:
www.gabriellagonzalezbiziou.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Well, I’ve already told you about the most significant risk I’ve taken in my life—pursuing a career as an actor! Fair to say that I’m a risk taker. Honestly though, I realized how significantly I’d limited the arena in which I allow myself to take risks. So, now I’m changing that.
If I were to offer any learned guidance on risks, I’d say this—wait— first off—in case any of my 7 incredible, rambunctious nieces or nephews ever read this, this advice is not intended for any unsupervised physical stunts, GOT IT? Get an adult. Ok:
They should always be done because you’re following your heart. Having a good plan or at least an outline is still generally a good thing, but some risks—especially in the beginning—don’t need an elaborate one to initiate; just a clear goal. It’s also important to recognize and set boundaries around what you don’t want, and why. If you change your mind on any of that, make sure it’s deliberate.
First, try to do no harm.
And your heart is with you, yeah? Just double checking. If you don’t know how to tell if it is or what the difference is, —STOP. Don’t make any major decision until you teach yourself how to recognize it. No one and nothing else can tell you how.
Take your time with it. Feel it out.
Once that’s sorted,—go for it, sunshine.
Now, in case things seem to go horribly, terribly wrong:
I have a strong feeling that, even if that happens for a time, keep listening to your heart. And ignore the fear. Make sure you do. Some things, especially if they’ve been allowed to go on for a while, can feel like a disaster to change.
If your heart stays the same, or even if it changes (for a reason other than fear)— so long as it’s true, keep going. Ultimately, it won’t steer you wrong.*
*Mijos, otra vez—Don’t quote me if you try to fly with this one, I already said I’m not speaking for stunts here! (But, hey, if it works… 😉 )
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabriellagonzalezbiziou.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabsby?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr_epYwMDgTcZAFqTEfdKzTwpNtQu-7Wr&feature=shared
- Other: https://imdb.me/gabriellagonzalezbiziou
Image Credits
Gabriella Gonzalez Biziou: They’re Coming Tonight (Dir: John Bonner), Foolhardy Love (Dir: Richard Eick), Shelter (Dir: Victoria Peralto Cruz), Cross a Line (Dir: Pat Gehlen), Ross Bergen
