Daily Inspiration: Meet Adrienne Acevedo Lovette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Acevedo Lovette

Hi Adrienne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Orlando, Florida. Since the age of 3, I was immersed in drawing, singing, dancing, and acting. Creativity felt like an intrinsic part of who I am. Growing up with my sister, we crafted movies, choreographed dance routines, and staged theatrical performances. Our passion for the arts was nurtured by our single mom, a TV and film enthusiast.

At age 10, I sang in an opera and felt a profound sense of belonging on stage. I later attended Dr. Phillips High School’s theatre magnet program and after I graduated, pursued a musical theatre career and a directing career in theatre, but felt I needed more acting training to get me to the level I wanted to be in, so I attended Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City. There, with teachers who also taught at Juilliard, I became a stronger actor.

I worked in theatre for many years both as a professional actor and director but made a pivot towards TV and film around 2011. It took a while to make that change because the industry was just starting the process of opening its doors to underrepresented actors. More and more of the audience wanted to see themselves on TV, but there was very little true representation at that time. It took many years for me to get a chance to work in TV and Film as an actor, but I was finally given a shot – and I’ve been hustling ever since.

Luckily I found a group of like-minded artists, friends who I went to school with, and people I have met in the industry along the way. I am fortunate to have a filmmaking family. For years we have made many films together, won awards, screened at festivals, and have gotten distribution, all under my indie production company called The Garage Productions which focuses on underrepresented voices and stories. I think it’s important to find your tribe. It’s not possible to do this kind of creative work alone.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know any artists in the industry who haven’t found it challenging. This is not a career path that is for people who don’t have the drive, passion, and need for it. I have always felt like this art form chooses you. You have to be able to handle the rejection, the unpredictable nature of it, and literally living day by day hustling, putting yourself out there, being vulnerable, and for many people, living paycheck to paycheck. There are sacrifices that have to be made in order to fully dive in. Hollywood has a way of making people that are “new” sound like they came from nowhere, and all of a sudden get their shot. But that’s not true. Maybe 1% climb to the top with luck alone, but most of us have been working at it for many many years, and finally, our talent, our look, our take on a character just clicks with a big opportunity.

For me, I had a few more hurdles. Being a plus-size Latina makes me different, and for a long time, the industry did not want to cast someone like me. But I never gave up and was finally given the opportunity by an agent who took me in with only theatre credits. The first official role I got was in 2011, playing a supporting character in a feature film called “Sunlight Jr.” playing opposite Naomi Watts. The director took a chance on me, and I was not what she originally had in mind. I felt like that moment really opened the door for the possibility of pursuing the acting career I really wanted.

I didn’t grow up privileged and have always worked side jobs to pay my bills and live some kind of normalcy while pursuing this type of work. I have worked every kind of job, and still do. It’s a part of the industry that is not talked about so much, and also why one of the reasons the actor’s strike was as important as it was last year. As actors, we work extremely hard on our craft, on our network, on being seen, and on telling stories for entertainment but also for inspiration. We give a lot of ourselves because we feel it’s important to be used as that type of vessel. Being able to make a living off of that type of art form is most of our goals, but the catch is that there is not one way to get there. Unlike other professions, you don’t leave school knowing exactly the road to take. It’s a hustle you have to figure out, and most of the time it takes over 10 years to break through. It’s helpful to know this coming in, because if you don’t see yourself hitting the pavement as an actor or filmmaker for at least that many years, then it might not be the job for you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an award-winning indie filmmaker, specifically a director, producer, writer, and editor, and I am also an award-winning actor who works on indie films as well as mainstream TV and Film.

As a filmmaker, I am an SXSW Audience Award winner and a SUNDANCE collab film challenge winner. I have been named “Women Directing Mentorship Semifinalist” through SeriesFest, which Shonda Rhimes company Shondaland.

I have directed, co-wrote, produced, and starred in a psychological feature drama called I’M OKAY, WE’RE OKAY, which premiered at CINEQUEST and won ‘BEST FEATURE FILM”, “BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY”, “BEST ACTRESS” and “NY FILMMAKER AWARD”, at the prestigious CHAIN NYC FILM FESTIVAL. The film also received “BEST ACTOR” and “BEST ACTRESS” at the famous Catalina Film Festival. I directed and produced the coming-of-age drama, based on true events called THIS BOY’S VIDA (MADE IN AMERICA), which premiered at the well-known SeriesFest and won “BEST WRITING” and the “CAZ MATTHEWS AWARD” for diversity and inclusion. I directed the psychological horror called HIDDEN DAYLIGHT, which premiered at Dances With Films, and won “Best Film” at Phoenix Comicon, “Best Short Film” at Freak Show Horror Film Festival, and earned me the title of “Women in Horror Honoree” at FEARnyc. I also directed the supernatural horror called THE DARK ROOM, which premiered at the Catalina Film Festival and won “Best Ensemble” at the Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival. I have directed several music videos by indie artists like singer-songwriter (Featured at SXSW) ARMSTRONGLEIGH, New York City native rapper STASH CASH, and Florida native rapper-singer WOMBINO.

I have been invited to speak at several festivals and industry events, including the Geena Davis Institute where I spoke at a panel during the Bentonville Film Festival about body positivity and diversity in front and behind the camera. I have also been invited to speak at schools and universities like NYU, Wesleyan University, and Dr. Phillips High School about being a filmmaker. I continue to encourage underrepresented filmmakers and artists to achieve their dreams in the TV, film, and theatre industry and support them by creating as much opportunity as possible in the indie space.

As an actor, I have played opposite Colin Farrell, Naomi Watts, Aziz Ansari, Joaquin Phoenix, Sam Rockwell, and Michelle Williams just to name a few. My favorite TV credits include THE PENGUIN (MAX), BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC), RAY DONOVAN (Showtime), FOSSE/VERDON (FX), THE DEUCE (HBO), THE SINNER (USA), MASTER OF NONE (NETFLIX), MR. ROBOT (USA), and GOTHAM (FOX). My favorite film credits include SUNLIGHT JR., THICK HEART, WHEN I’M WITH YOU, CAR BATTERY, ABOUT A BOY, and one of the roles I am most proud of is my portrayal of the character Ellie in I’M OKAY, WE’RE OKAY, where I play a person with dissociative identity disorder, once called multiple personality disorder.

Honestly, every opportunity I have had to make a film or to act in one I am proud of because I have learned something new about the way I have made it or acted in it. One of my personal goals is to always learn and do something I have never done before in each film or character. It’s how I grow as an artist and person. I encourage my fellow filmmakers and actors to pursue the same idea.

Everyone in this industry is unique in their own way, and there is always something that sets you apart but also something that people can relate to. I think it’s important to be specific in your actions towards a character or the story of the next film you work on. The specificity is what’s relatable because it is loaded with truth and authenticity. I think what sets me apart as an actor is my appearance, my perspective, and the way I portray a character. No matter the size of the role, I try to make choices that make the characters feel like the audience personally knows them. That someone in your life reminds you of that character. I focused on where the character comes from and what their true objective is in the film. Being clear on that allows you to create strong choices that make you stick out in an audition and ultimately when you fully play the role.

As an underdog filmmaker, who didn’t go to film school, and being an actor who tends to play the “friend” more than the lead character, I like to make films that put a spotlight on the sidekick. Focusing on stories and characters that don’t always have strong representation and deserve to be seen just as much as the typical “lead”. I gravitate towards films and stories that are heady in nature and make you question your reality. Whether it’s horror, suspense, psychological dramas, or even comedies, I love it when life is portrayed like a daydream. Even as a child, I was a huge daydreamer. My mom would constantly check in with me and ask, “What are you thinking about?” I have always created stories within my head, because in there, possibilities are endless, and when a film or show emulates that, I am truly inspired.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Everything I do is a risk. Pursuing this career is a risk. Making your next film is a risk. Putting yourself out there for the world to see is a risk. Risk is a big part of everything I do but can only be a small percentage of thought, and not a driving force, because then nothing would be made. The risk is what’s scary about what we do, but the passion, drive, and need to create is much greater. It sounds so simple, but it’s true. The LOVE I have for this craft and industry, even if it doesn’t always love you back, outweighs the risk. But that’s something you have to decide for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DirectedByAdrienneAcevedoLovette.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrienneacevedolovette/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegarageproductions9897
• Other: https://AdrienneAcevedoLovette.com

Image Credits
Adrienne Acevedo Lovette