Actor Luca Della Valle Talks About Working with Francis Ford Coppola and Other Projects in the Works
I recently caught up with Italian actor Luca Della Valle to talk to him about his humble beginnings, working with Francis Ford Coppola and putting his life's experiences into his work and roles. Here is what he had to share:
Hi Luca, its great meeting you and thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule. I would love to dive more into your background and when you first got into the entertainment industry/acting world. Tell us about that:
Coming from a troubled childhood in Italy, and raised in a dangerous city, (without going into details), at the age of 24, I escaped my hometown, a little town south of Naples, moved to Milan and got signed to the modeling agency Major, as a full-time model. At first when I was in front of the camera and I had to speak for commercial auditions, I was very shy and insecure, so I decided to join a theater school called Teatri Possibili. I studied there for 2 years, and it literally saved my life!
However, I was not happy with how things were going bureaucratically, and with a lot of nepotism in Italy, I was debating whether I should move to Rome and dive deep into acting and wait for things to maybe change or move to London and start over. Well, I took the challenge! I was 30.
It took me 5 years of learning fluent English to feel comfortable with the language, while at the same time, paying my dues and washing dishes, then eventually becoming a waiter. Because of my 7 years of martial arts experience, I then started a security/bodyguard business with a couple of friends, and I was making a decent living. I then joined The Actor Center and started studying acting in English.
I was lucky enough to sign with an agent and started auditioning. Life in London was tough, but it was after almost 8 years that things started to change — well maybe I changed in terms of experience, confidence and performance value, and I booked 3 commercials, 10 shorts films and a show. Then came my role in the huge studio film “The Man from U.N.C.L.E” next to Henry Cavill and Elizabeth Debicki, which was one of the greatest experiences of my life. This was also my first time on a real set with some A-listers. After that experience I said to myself, I can do it! Then decided to move to Los Angeles.
Do you feel like you have grown a lot more as an artist over the years, through your experiences?
I feel acting literally translates as life, if you don’t really live your life, you can’t “act” you have to put your life into words, and create human beings, that’s what great actors do! So, I figured that out and I love doing that, a real artist never stops growing because his mind is open to new experiences and ways to create. So yes, I think I am a better person for it than I was before, and it resonates through my work.
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on so far?
When I moved to LA, I was blessed and lucky to audition for Francis Ford Coppola and get the role for one of his projects, called “Distant Vision”, a live cinema experience. The filming for the show took place for 2 months and was broadcast from UCLA to a private audience. Too much to explain here, but you can google it. Working with Mr. Coppola every day and hearing him say to me multiple times “Bravo” which means “very good work” literally changed my life and made me cry tears of happiness. This took all of my years of acting and performing to a whole different level. The project is still in development.
What has been one of the biggest highlights/achievements of your career?
The above-mentioned Coppola project, and a trilogy where I was cast as the lead (my first leading role) in “SEBASTIAN” a horror/thriller movie where I play the title role. You can watch it on Amazon, Tubi, the CW, Apple TV. I also have 2 more films I’m shooting over the next year.
Who has been one of your favorite actors/filmmakers you have worked with so far and why?
Working with Francis Ford Coppola of course! It was like watching Brando, Pacino and Caan, in the same way he was coaching and directing them in the Godfather, which he was doing with us. That was pure gold injected into my veins : )
What other projects do you have coming up?
I have SEBASTIAN, 2 other films, and a Vampire TV series pilot. Unfortunately, I can’t say too much about that at the moment.
What is your best piece of advice for aspiring artists?
Live your life fully, take risks, the harder and scarier it looks and feels, that’s the way to go! Your fear is your best friend because on the other side, is the real you, and the life you want. And if 100 people are doing it one way, you have to find a different way!
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