INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR AND MODEL CLAUDIO FILIPPO
Claudio Filippo is an actor, and model from Rome, who happens to also be a contributor on this platform and very dear friend.
He began acting at the theatre as a child, and it was at an early age he knew he wanted to do nothing else but act. He continued taking drama classes, but it was in 2012, he was cast in a short film called “ Fratelli” by Portugese Director Gabriel Abrantes. After shooting, he decided to move to NY and attend The School Of Creative And Performing Arts. Eventually he returned to Rome to finish high school but continued acting and doing workshops at School of Prete, until meeting Michael Margotta. He studied with Margotta for a long time and later returned to NY to attend the Susan Batson Studio who has worked with some of today’s top actors. It was there he met his current coach, Cloe Xhauflaire, which has really been an extraordinary experience on many levels. Claudio , now based in Madrid, has since worked on interesting theatre projects, short films, features and works on special projects in Art Advisory globally.
Claudio your greatest inspirations or influences?
James Dean is my greatest inspiration in the film world. His way of acting not only changed the method in the industry but made me understand what it means to be sincere, relaxed and serene in acting. It seems he always has the courage to discover the unknown and let himself be surprised by creativity.
Was there a film or movie role that made you want to study acting?
My brother, Vincenzo Filippo , who also happens to work in the film industry introduced me to the action films like Indiana Jones which he loved, and it was thanks to him I learned a lot about production, he is a great example of someone fully dedicated to film with his professionalism, sense of responsibility and hard work to succeed.
Tell us about your experience with Modelling.
Well it was never my passion but I always felt comfortable in front of a lens, probably because my father, Mario Filippo is a photographer. I worked on campaigns and shows and worked with agencies in Milan and London despite knowing the ugly side of the industry, I was very lucky because I stayed away from it. Nowadays, I have shot some advertising campaigns, worked as a brand ambassador and done some more commercial work in Madrid.
Favourite websites, or social media handles?
IMDB (pro) and Instagram.
As friends, we often speak about living a more holistic healthy life, share with our audience what that means to you on a personal level.
Well, I have been a vegetarian for four years, and I am fully aware its not an easy decision to make but its changed my sense of awareness, to the importance of nutrition and what we put into our bodies, and not to mention how the meat industry affects the planet. I am definitely not imposing this idea on anyone, but since I took this decision, I have never felt better. I also believe as humans, we have to become more sensitive to our surrounding, how small gestures make a difference, how little things we each make, will in turn be a great change collectively.
I quote Jiddu Krishnamurti: "The decisive element to bring peace in the world are our everyday behaviors." But I realize that this awareness needs an interesting inner silence so I recommend everyone to meditate and listen to each other because when you pay attention to everything, you become sensitive, and being sensitive means having an inner perception of beauty, it means having a sense of beauty. I believe that I owe this sensitivity to my mother, who apart from being a civil engineer and an amazing mother, has always had a great interest in introspective research and is also a life coach, the best! (Liliana Dioguardi).
Anything else you would like to share.
At this time of quarantine and external pause, one can seek an internal pause. Be creative, look for your answers, tell yourself the truth and love as much as you can. Be thankful for what you have and try to live with abundance not lack, because as long as you have a bed to sleep on and a roof to cover yourself under and food to eat, you are rich. Let’s not waste time in useless frustrations, and instead use this moment to find peace, which is not outside, but inside each one of us.
Amen bro. I love you Claudio. Thank you for being part of our platform both as guest and contributor.
