Spencer Lofranco

—

“The camera doesn’t lie, so neither can I. So if you know how it feels to be truthful to yourself and your emotions in real life, you will know when you’re doing it right on set.”

What is your favorite memory of a movie experience? What was the film and who were you with?

My favorite memory of a movie experience is when I was having trouble with a scene while filming Jamesy Boy. James, the person who I was portraying, came to me to talk and work out whatever problems I was facing at the time. I couldn’t talk; I had to feel something, so I just hugged him and cried in his arms, and then killed the scene. I had to feel true love that I wasn’t feeling and connect with my heart, which enabled me to act truthfully in the given imaginary circumstances of the scene. The camera doesn’t lie, so neither can I. So if you know how it feels to be truthful to yourself and your emotions in real life, you will know when you’re doing it right on set.

As a fledgling/emerging actor, why is New York City the right place for you to have settled for now?

New York is a breeding ground for the artistic world and so much more. For me, New York provides great schooling for acting and an environment that is much more focused on the artist rather than the perks of being a successful one.

What are your favorite neighborhoods for fashion, food, and culture? What places do you like the feel and style of?

New York is full of diverse neighborhoods that all have unique qualities about them. For me, fashion lies all over New York, food lies in Trader Joe’s, and culture lies in the people you surround yourself with. Personally, I love the feel and style of the Lower East Side and the West Village.

What do you miss about Toronto? What is the vibe of that city to you?

I am originally from Toronto, and what I miss most about where I’m from is being with my family. Other than that, New York is a much better environment for my career. The vibe of the city of Toronto is much like New York in many ways, but on a smaller scale.

What makes you choose and purchase a particular item of clothing? What are the go-to pieces in your wardrobe?

The clothes I like to wear need to be simple but unique. I don’t have places I usually go [to shop]. Whatever I like, wherever it is – if I like how it feels, fits, and looks, it’s coming home with me.

What types of things attract you to certain places, people, fashion, and roles?

I am attracted to beauty, talent, and success. These certain qualities of life bring me to where I need to be to fulfill my destiny.

If you were “jailed” (in a good way, so to speak) for one month anywhere in the world, with unlimited resources for money, time, and space, and with every need met, where would you go?

If I were jailed for one month, I would choose to go somewhere like Fiji. I love tranquility and beautiful scenery. I’ve never been [there] — it’s just what pops into my head.

What talent(s) do you possess that surprise other people when you pull them out?

I have many hidden talents. I freestyle rap, write poetry, sketch and paint, and love to cook. I also give a great buzz cut.

What talents would you like to cultivate?

Talents that I would like to cultivate would be learning another language, playing a musical instrument, and being able to make my own music.

Does acting feel natural to you? Have you ever trained?

Acting feels natural to me when I have prepared fully and am confident with the material in hand. I am currently studying the Meisner technique with Matthew Corrizone.

Jamesy Boy is a really big film to make your debut. Where do you derive your confidence from in order to perform in the same scenes with the likes of Mary-Louise Parker, Ving Rhames, and James Woods?

I derived the confidence to be able to work with such veterans such as James Woods, Mary-Louise Parker, and Ving Rhames [from the fact that] I know I have a voice that the world needs to hear, and I am comfortable enough in my skin to sell my soul to the imaginary world of film. They are people like you and I, and they all have a heart.

What are the first words you say to icons like those? How do you take the ‘icon’ out of them, and make them just people?

The first words I usually say to icons like those are, “Hi, my name is Spencer and I love you tremendously for who you are,”; and if I don’t say that exactly, that would be the subtext. To take the ‘icon’ in them out of the reality when acting with them, I just forget about it and focus on my work.

Notable casting directors Amanda Mackey Johnson and Cathy Sandrich have such discerning eyes for talent. Where did they find you and what do you believe you brought to the table that made you stand out from the pack?

I actually wasn’t noticed by any casting director. I was later found by the director of Jamsey Boy, Trevor White, and James Burns himself, when they requested to see all the tapes for the audition because they didn’t connect with any of the original selections chosen by the casting directors. I was noticed for having a raw talent and truth to my work, and I’m also a cute dude.

Check out Lofranco’s upcoming film, Jamsey Boy, set to be released in 2013.

—

Photographer
Jaesung Lee

Creative Director
Deborah Ferguson

groomer/hair stylist
Sarah Sibia @ See Management

fashion assistant
Jenna Rennert