By: The Don
Jeanette Pacifico is a freelance actress originally from New Jersey with family roots in Philly. What makes Jeanette different is her background in painting. While she paints, Jeanette has experience turning a blank canvas into a work of art, using only her imagination. She uses that same process when she is in front of the camera to bring her character to life. She’s relatively new to the film industry, and she is improving her craft by taking classes, building her confidence by modeling, and painting in her spare time. Jeanette is dedicated, loves what she does, and is definitely going places in the film industry.
Interview
What is your name?
Jeanette Pacifico.
How long have you been in the Entertainment Industry?
About two years now.
What do you do within the industry?
I am a film actor. I have also done voice-over acting, commercials, and modeling which I enjoy very much as well.
What got you into film?
I have always wanted to be in comedy. As a kid, I loved sketch comedy. I grew up watching Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, MadTV, and Kids in the Hall. I would always love to imitate the characters I saw. I have always wanted to do that. I was just always too nervous to try. Finally, a couple of years ago, I applied to a film casting call and got an audition! I got a role in the film and I have been acting ever since. I absolutely love it!
Was acting what you originally wanted to do?
Yes, I knew I either wanted to be an actor or a painter. Growing up, I loved to paint. It has always been a passion of mine. When your subject in the painting is a person, you can see the expression on their face and you try to convey that emotion the best you can. You can set the scene and the mood with perspective, composition, color choices, and brush strokes. There are a lot of feeling about it. So it has been a good transition for me into acting. It is easy to get really into a painting or really into a script. Your focus becomes that project. And you try your best to make it believable and enjoyable for the viewer. It’s all about the little details.
How many films have you done so far?
I have been in two feature films and several short films.
What was your first ever film?
Hexercise by Matt Cannon. Hexercise is a low budget short horror-comedy set in the 1980s surrounding a fitness center that is built over a once Satanic Church. #hexerciseordie haha.
What were the films that you were in?
Human Hibachi with Cerrito Productions and One Night with Four Olives Productions to name a few.
Have you done any sketch comedies?
I have done a couple of skits with my friends. It was always fun filming those.
You mentioned earlier that painting helped you in acting?
Yes! Before you start a painting, you think about how you are going to physically put down on canvas what you picture in your head. You know what you what to depict, you just have to show it through images. Acting brings that all to life for me. Studying a character, knowing how they would act and react, and making that person visible and real.
Is it the same focus you get when you do painting, when you act in front of the cameras?
Same focus. When I’m in the zone I can feel it. I’m energized and happy. It drives me to keep going. Everything falls into place. Great picture. Great scene. If it’s not working, throw some turpenoid on there and start over or layer on some paint. Just like acting… if it’s not working you have to redirect and reset. Start over til ya got it. Every take counts.
What was it like acting for the first time?
When I acted for the first time, I remember feeling an adrenaline rush. I instantly loved it.
What is your favorite acting style?
Ya know, I think I like method… What I love most about method acting is how you can pull from real things that have happened to you in your life and apply them to your character. It’s easier for me to relate that way. And feel what the character feels.
Did you study acting or did you fall into it?
I did not study acting, but I am taking classes now. I kind of just fell into acting.
Do you believe that taking acting classes makes you a better actress or do you feel it comes naturally?
I think to some people it comes naturally. I think classes make most people better. I think it will definitely help me learn more and grow.
Do you also work with the famous Strange films studio with August and Frank Aguilar?
Yes, I just filmed a scene back in February I believe for the upcoming film Center City 2.
What is your favorite character you have done so far?
My favorite character was Amy Spandoli in Jim Cannatelli’s X Knight. I played an artist! It was a very fun project because Jim started X Knight as a comic strip. Being able to bring to life his comic book character was super fun. Its an awesome thing! I love that his short film was a comic book he created as a teen. That’s fun.
https://www.xknightproductions.com
What was the most challenging character you have done so far?
I had my first lead role in One Night (2019) which wrapped back in December. I played Olivia Lee. It was an unconventional love story. And my first lead role. So that was a new challenge for me.
How did you feel about being in the lead role for the first time, over being a background actress?
It was a good opportunity to grow as an actress. Being in the lead role gave me more dialogue. I had monologues and more lines to practice… which was fun because it gave me a chance to get the character down. I dressed like my character, did my hair like how she would have, and even got my nails done.
Are you originally from Philly?
I am originally from South Jersey, but my Mom’s from South Philly and my Dad’s from North Philly.
Have you shot any of your films in the Philadelphia area?
We shot parts of One Night in South Philly. Which was cool because my mom’s from there.
Has it been hard finding acting gigs in Philly and the surrounding areas?
It hasn’t been too hard to find acting gigs in this area. There have been a lot of work around here lately I feel like. Well, before the pandemic that is. But soon we will film again. There are a lot of creative filmmakers with really good scripts.
Do you have a favorite genre?
Hmm, my favorite genre is hard… Love comedy… Love psychological thrillers. It’s fun to shoot scary scenes. I watch a lot of documentaries.
What is your favorite movie?
Oooh, my favorite movie is hard… The Departed (2006) is up there. I love Jack Nicholson. And Leo of course.
Do you have a favorite Actor/Actress?
Favorite actor/actress is hard too. Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of movies with Toni Collette. She’s great. Hard to pick a favorite though. Philip Seymour Hoffmann is great too I’ve watched a lot of his movies recently. Robin Williams is also a favorite of mine. He could do it all. Stand up comedies, dramas, and really talented.
Do you have an inspiration that you look up to?
My inspiration comes from all over and from lots of things, so its not just from one thing. What inspires me a lot is watching amazing movies, watching beautiful works of art seeing my friends’ artwork, and being proud of them. I like seeing others succeed. It makes me feel good and makes me want to be creative too.
Have you worked in other fields within the entertainment industry?
I am starting to do more commercial work within the industry. Modeling has helped me be more comfortable in front of the camera. And makes me conscious to have better posture haha.
Have you worked in the film giant capital LA?
I have not been to LA yet but I want to go soon.
Do you have any future films in the works?
Yes, I have a bunch of cool stuff coming up just waiting for things to open back up fully to shoot. I am very excited.
Outside of acting, what do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I act and hang out with my family and friends. I work full time as a USPS mail carrier.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Wow in ten years… I’d love to be on a TV show. That’s nice to think about.
What advice do you have for others who are interested in entering the entertainment field?
My advice … well, first off… I would say… it’s never too late to start something new. If you’ve always wanted to act – do it. It’s fun! Take a class… apply for a role… audition… get yourself on set – background work. Just get yourself out there and try. I’m still learning and have a lot to learn. You just have to keep with it. If it’s what you want, you have to go for it.
