Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafaela Goncalves.
Hi Rafaela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Brazil. At the age of 17, after having graduated from high school, I moved to the USA to pursue my acting career. So, I went to AMDA in Los Angeles, where I got my BFA with honors in Performing Arts Acting. After graduating from AMDA, I spent a year working as an actress in LA, which has been my dream since I was five years old. During that time, I met and worked with AMAZING people in AMAZING sets. I did commercials, feature films, short films, educational videos, etc., and a lot of background acting, too, because I wanted to be on BIG sets like Universal Studios, Disney, Warner Brothers, etc. The more productions I was a part of, the more another dream grew inside of me: writing, directing, and producing my own stories. So, I started my MFA in Producing at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, where I am currently still studying and graduating in August 2024. I recently wrote, directed, produced, and was the lead actress in my first all-mine short film (I am also currently editing it). On top of my own, I have produced and directed several other short films at NYFA and outside of NYFA. I love what I do! PS: I am not letting go of my acting career, though; I want the best of both worlds!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth road. With acting, you are completely dependent on everyone else. You are the LAST piece of the puzzle, and it’s really not up to you to get cast because SO many other elements are more important than just your talent as an actress, like how you look, how you look beside the other actors, etc. As a producer, finding funding is always a struggle because with movies there is no guarantee that you or your investors will get their money back.
On top of the usual struggles that come with this business, I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree, which takes a LOT of time and energy, and I am also a foreigner. Getting into the industry is already extremely hard for anyone, but it is even harder if you come from a different country.
However, I am SO immensely grateful for all the reasons of my struggles: I LOVE the country I come from, and I am SO blessed for even being able to pursue TWO degrees in the United States while pursuing my career. I understand this is a privilege, and I don’t take it for granted.
More recently, in “If the Shoe Fits: Love is Pain” (my short film), the struggle was to do it all by myself: screenwriting, directing, producing, production designing, acting as the lead character, and editing it. I love doing all of that, but I really don’t recommend doing it all by yourself on the same project (long story short, I ended up HAVING to do all that because, if I could, I would’ve had a bigger crew. I love collaborating). I’m proud of how it’s turning out to be, though, and can’t wait to submit it to festivals and release it to the public! The photos in this interview are some BTS and poster of the film 🙂
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an actress-producer who loves to help bring other people’s stories to life, as well as my own. I came to the US to establish myself in the Entertainment Industry and open doors to other international artists like me. I want to do my part in changing this industry and making it more inclusive, diverse, and real, with the goal of deconstructing stereotypes and telling stories about self-discoveries and transitions from childhood into adulthood. Also, together with my dear friend Leandro Stephan and under the name of “Green Carnation Films,” we tell queer stories in multiple languages in a unique way (we already have a short film out and several productions in the post, check out our website!). I love traveling and can’t wait to work in more and more countries around the world with amazing, talented people from everywhere.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are the little shows I would put up for my family and friends. Either alone or sharing the “stage” with my cousins, we would sing, dance, act… I am very blessed to have such a supportive family. Growing up, my parents always found a way for me to take the multiple classes I wanted to take, from fashion to sports, from performing to fighting, etc. I am only who I am because of them and those little shows.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.halfnrafaproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrafaelagoncalves/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaela-goncalves-162a402b8/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLBwsqL6Bx9wHLuntoLNvsw
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm12747690?ref_=tt_nv_usr_profile
Image Credits
Vyshnav Baburaj
Rafaela Goncalves
