Today we’d like to introduce you to Nestor Vinelli.
Nestor, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
“In 2017, I was lost, after serving 11 years in the US Army, I had no clue what I wanted to do. It was a children’s play that opened my eyes to what I wanted to do”. Entertaining people has always been a passion. As a child, I would set up comedy shows in my grandmother’s living room, when reading books to children mine, nieces, nephews I would create different voices for the characters. Getting people to smile makes me happy.
Sadly, I never pursued a career in entertainment when I was younger. In 2016, my service to the US Army ended. I went to college for a communications degree because I was pursuing a path in public speaking. To practice my speeches, I would head over to the arts section of campus. The energy there just gave me the motivation to perform my speech. I walked by an audition poster for a traveling children’s play being put on by my college, Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. I don’t know what came over me. I decided to audition, maybe make some artistic friends. To audition, I used a book I have read a dozens of times, SESAME STREET: THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK using my impression of Grover I bring life to the flat pages. I booked the character Wilson, which funny enough was exactly who little Nestor was he had one best friend who they would create imaginative stories in their own worlds and then were bullied for creating their own happiness. Wilson at the end finally stood up too the bullies and protected his friend, this was a serious healing surreal moment for me. By the end of the show, I caught the acting bug. At this point, I started dual majoring in theater and communication studies. I continued to act in local artist short films and theater and wrote a one-act one person show. While I learned the ropes of the industry and what it takes to be an actor.
Eventually, I met one of my best friends, Tristin French. I auditioned for one of the shows he was producing and wrote himself. We concluded that we liked working with each other and he asked me to come and help him complete the series. We had worked on it for a few weeks and were gearing up for production when COVID hit. Putting a halt to all productions, we were stuck. Not allowed to leave our homes, we were bored and created one of my favorite projects I have ever done. OPPOSITES on YouTube, FRENCH ROYALTY PRODUCTIONS CHANNEL. We went on to write two seasons 24 episodes, 2 specials, 1 adaptation musical and had a great time doing it all growing as a family. Around the same time we ended the second season, I had graduated from my community college with both my degrees and transferred to CSUN Cinema Television Visual Arts program.
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have gotten into the CTVA program when I did. The instructors I have been able to learn from Quinn Saunders, Alessandro Jacchia, Erik Boccio I couldn’t have asked for better. Then my Classmates, “You never know who you’re gonna get” but luckily, every last one of us is passionate about filmmaking. I Graduate Dec 2023 with my BA in cinematography.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a wild ride! The first struggle I would say is I was going into an industry blind, no idea where to start. So not knowing where to take the first step is always scary cause that first one can be a dozy. Then when I started to finally understand the industry the world shut down. Started production on a web series with no background learning Lighting, angles, and rules of filmmaking on the fly while continuously going to school full time. It’s been nothing but struggles but it’s been worth it! If you don’t struggle and fight for it you won’t appreciate it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I bring deep and diverse character builds into each of my roles as an actor. Create the atmosphere and world for my actors as a director, Design beautiful scenes as a Cinematographer, Character and world-building as a writer, Heart pacing action sequences as a fight choreographer and stunts.
I would say I specialize in putting together the best teams. Individuals that have specific skill sets when brought together make a giant mech of filmmaking. Am I the greatest actor, writer, director in the world? No, I’m not but I surround myself with the best which makes me better.
My ability to influence people to follow their dreams while I build mine. of course, I’m proud of my accomplishments the awards, the films, the grades all of it; however, it fails to compare to when I get the random ” I didn’t give up because your story inspired me not to” Text. I love to help others, if I have the knowledge, I’m going to share it, if I can push you forward, I’m going to do it.
What sets me apart is my energy and work ethic. I am a firm believer in actions are more powerful than words. It took me years to understand myself and the effect my energy can have on those around me. So for years I have been cleaning out and restoring that happy part of myself. This with a Hardest worker in the room mentality. I give every opportunity to my fullest self.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Lucky for me Nestor Vinelli is not a common name. You can send me messages through social media Insta, Facebook, and YouTube. Just by searching my name. IMDB has my contact information, including my representation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nestorvinelli/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nestor.vinelli.7/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjkKlEuJssxlZRdDZcaP0HA
Image Credits
Elias Taylor Tristin French Darius Saberzdeh Joshua Thomas
