Shownotes
Episode 92 - Acting Insights: Training, Networking and Trusting God’s Plan
In this episode of the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast, Jaclyn continues her conversation with actress Gigi Orsillo. They revisit Gigi's role in 'Family Camp,' discussing the unique challenges and emotional range required for the character. The discussion expands into the importance of versatility in acting, balancing comedy and drama, and the critical role of continuous learning and networking in the industry. Gigi shares insights on the value of taking classes, getting on sets for experience, and maintaining a supportive community among filmmakers. She emphasizes trusting in a higher purpose for casting, and encourages aspiring actors to persist through industry rejections with faith and perseverance.
Highlights Include:
- Gigi’s 'Family Camp' Role
- Training and Classes for Actors
- Fun Working with Comedians
- Perseverance and Trusting God's Plan
- Auditions and Self Tapes
- Callbacks and Rejection
- Networking and Supporting Others
Bio:
Gigi Orsillo has quickly made her mark in faith based films starring in the spy comedy Sleeper Agent with comedians Leland Clausen and Mark Christopher Lawrence, who have also been guests on our podcast, Followed by the theatrically released films, Family Camp, Running the Bases, Pulled from Darkness, and Perfect Christmas, and many other films on streaming platforms.
After 40 years working in the production world as an actress, Gigi has recently felt called into the writing and producing side of family friendly content. She is currently a writer and producer with Cloud9 Films and Kingdom Sight Studios, working on multiple projects and film slates.
She continues to pursue roles in films that portray the truth and beauty of the gospel. And she lives in Colorado Springs with her three awesome daughters.
Gigi is represented by Treasure Coast Talent
Gigi’s Website: Www.gigiorsillo.com
Gigi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigiorsillo/
Gigi on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1515764/?ref_=nmbio_ov
Screenwriting Foundations Class: https://www.faffassociation.com/screenwriting-foundations
VIP Producers Mentorship Program https://www.faffassociation.com/vip-producers-mentorship
The Faith & Family Filmmakers podcast helps filmmakers who share a Christian worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. Releasing new episodes every week, we interview experts from varying fields of filmmaking; from screenwriters, actors, directors, and producers, to film scorers, talent agents, and distributors.
It is produced and hosted by Geoffrey Whitt and Jaclyn Whitt , and is brought to you by the Faith & Family Filmmakers Association
Support Faith & Family Filmmakers Our mission is to help filmmakers who share a Christian Worldview stay in touch, informed, and inspired. If you would like to assist with the costs of producing this podcast, you can help by leaving a tip.
Enter the Faith & Family Screenwriting Awards festival
Faith and Family Screenwriting Academy: https://www.faffassociation.com/
Script Notes and Coaching: https://www.faffassociation.com/script-services
Copyright 2024 Ivan Ann Productions
Transcripts
Welcome to the Faith and Family Filmmakers Podcast.
Jaclyn:My name is Jaclyn, and today I'm here with Gigi, Orsillo, Gigi is an actress, Gigi and we had our conversation, in our last episode about how she got to where she is with acting and all the films that she's been in, and I kind of want to pick up a little bit from last part of our conversation.
Jaclyn:We were talking about family camp and it was a role that you were most proud of.
Jaclyn:And you know, one of the things I'm guessing why you're most proud of it is you had quite a spectrum your character was fun and silly, but at the same time she ended up going through some very serious and real emotions.
Jaclyn:so is that part of why that's your
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: for sure.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:I do think it stretched me in that way.
Jaclyn:And you know, when you're with people like Lee Allen Baker and you're like, okay.
Jaclyn:So she is, you know, queen of
Jaclyn:uh huh.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Um, you kind of, I don't know.
Jaclyn:You're just, you're like, okay, we're leveling
Jaclyn:up here, you know, and it can be intimidating when you're working with people who have done really big projects,
Jaclyn:but also I don't know, I just think it's, so fun to get to go from really funny and then, you know, really emotional and dramatic and it's fun, even in the same scene, that's also really fun when you're not crying at the beginning of the scene and then you cry in the middle and then you're laughing by the end, you know, and that's due to great writing.
Jaclyn:You know, like, Brian Cates, who I know you've had on the show, and Rene did such a, Rene Gutteridge is her name, they did such a great job with that script, just making it so that there were so many ups and downs and arcs and characters, and, you know, it's not just a funny scene or an emotional scene, like, it has these waves, to it.
Jaclyn:It makes it so much more interesting to watch, and so much more fun to get to.
Jaclyn:Mm hmm.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: yeah, for sure.
Jaclyn:That is fun.
Jaclyn:It's fun when you look at your demo reel and on your comedy reel, you have something from the movie and on your, you know, dramatic reel, you have something from a movie, which, yeah, that's
Jaclyn:Oh that, yeah, I could imagine that would be fun.
Jaclyn:So I'm curious, for myself as a writer, what one of the things that we need to learn is, you know, where is your fit, right?
Jaclyn:Like, I don't write horror.
Jaclyn:It's not, It's not for me.
Jaclyn:Even, mystery is something that I would have to develop, to write.
Jaclyn:Now, it's not to say that I couldn't do it, but, it would be something new for me.
Jaclyn:Whereas, I know that I gravitate very naturally toward, comedy and drama, especially when I get to combine the two.
Jaclyn:And, so I know like that's my thing where I feel that's my strength and I can easily fit into that.
Jaclyn:and so for acting, I'm thinking because obviously there's all these different genres and characters and stuff.
Jaclyn:how do you know which avenue to pursue?
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: honestly, I think you kind of have to have both.
Jaclyn:You have to have tool belt of being able to do a little bit of improv, a little bit of comedy, and then also the tools of being able to dip into that emotional bank, you know?
Jaclyn:So, think, um, There are probably plenty of character actors that only do, you know, these kind of silly comedic roles, or, you know, super dramatic.
Jaclyn:But when you look at a film that is a drama, there's always a piece to it that there's comedy, because nobody just wants to watch.
Jaclyn:you know, drama for two hours and comedy without the emotional connection of a story is just, you know, it's like a Tommy boy movie, you know?
Jaclyn:So
Jaclyn:Nothing against Tommy
Jaclyn:boy.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: against Tommy boy, it's fine.
Jaclyn:I'm just saying, you know what I mean?
Jaclyn:Like if you really are trying to tell a story and I think the Skit Guys do
Jaclyn:that great
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: and they say, Comedy and laughter is what tears down the
Jaclyn:walls for truth to enter.
Jaclyn:So we get to have all this comedy, but then we get to just, you know, speak truth and have these real characters that have real
Jaclyn:problems.
Jaclyn:and That's why we even do the comedy, you know, like it's to make people laugh, but it's also so that they're ready when the message
Jaclyn:So how, do you develop that?
Jaclyn:are there classes that cover all of that, or is it better to take classes that, you know, really zero in on teaching one or the other?
Jaclyn:how does that work?
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: yeah, definitely took classes on both sides.
Jaclyn:Like I took some improv classes at the Groundling School, which is, you know, where a lot of SNL people are.
Jaclyn:Characters come from and players come out of.
Jaclyn:And then I went and did like Meisner technique, which is method acting, you know, which people get such a bad rap, but it really is just being able to be honest and truthful in a real emotion in a scene and connecting to real emotion within you and not trying to fake
Jaclyn:it, like fake that you're sad, you know, and so I took both of those, but then I also took on camera classes where you're having to.
Jaclyn:you know, dip into both so I think it's great to have classes that do all of it, and even audition technique.
Jaclyn:And there are so many classes, especially after COVID, there are so many
Jaclyn:online classes you can take, Zoom classes.
Jaclyn:I mean, I live in Colorado Springs, so I'm not necessarily, you know, In a world where there are classes in my town that I can take.
Jaclyn:So zoom classes are such a great option, because a lot of people in this faith based world, they don't live in, LA or Chicago or, you know, even Atlanta.
Jaclyn:I mean, some of them do.
Jaclyn:but.
Jaclyn:a lot of us
Jaclyn:don't.
Jaclyn:And so, it's harder to find those classes.
Jaclyn:But I think even just showing up for like, you know, Bev Holloway does these live videos where she gives great tips, things, you know, finding things like Jean Winger on different podcasts, this podcast, um, and then going to conferences, like just.
Jaclyn:Being hungry to learn about the industry, about, set protocols.
Jaclyn:Like, if you want to learn it, there is information out there.
Jaclyn:You know, whether you're wanting to learn more about just the technical aspects set life, or if you're wanting to really grow your acting skills.
Jaclyn:There's so
Jaclyn:Mm hmm.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:And, you know, it's interesting, like, was thinking, you know, with, wanting to bring out emotions, I was thinking, like, as much as I I do love acting like I did on this stage.
Jaclyn:I would love to act, but I just would so need classes, and the reason is because My emotions are so out front, I would have to learn how to hold them back,
Jaclyn:For example, I don't know how in the world you manage to keep a straight face with some of the things like with Leland and Mark Christopher and like the skit guys.
Jaclyn:Oh my goodness, how in the world do you keep a straight face when you're working with these amazing comedians?
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Leland is hard.
Jaclyn:Like, there are, there was definitely one scene where he like grabs my lips in the diner and like swishes them around.
Jaclyn:and it was so late at night.
Jaclyn:I think it was our last night shooting and we broke so many times.
Jaclyn:It just was because it was so funny.
Jaclyn:Like he's just so funny.
Jaclyn:and I'm like, I am so sorry you guys, it is all his fault.
Jaclyn:Like, but yeah, It's so fun to get to work with funny people.
Jaclyn:I bet.
Jaclyn:Like I can imagine it would just be so, fun, but also like, I know when I have hung out with Leland, he can make anything funny, which like when I did a table read, I had him, read for a role of, uh, it was just a prison guard, right?
Jaclyn:But I wanted the prison guard to have a little like, there's humor behind it.
Jaclyn:Most people, I I didn't think would get the humor that's in it.
Jaclyn:but I thought, okay, even if I didn't write the human in, he'll bring it.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:And he totally did because it was funny.
Jaclyn:So many times, this one particular line that I thought was hilarious, nobody got it.
Jaclyn:until he read it
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Yeah.
Jaclyn:he read it.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:Oh, I know.
Jaclyn:I love that.
Jaclyn:So yeah.
Jaclyn:Writer speaking to an actor right now, like this is so much fun because I love hearing you know, how you guys interact with the scripts, you know, because it
Jaclyn:helps
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: I bet that's so fun when you finally get to have a table read to see it all come to life.
Jaclyn:Like that must be so just fulfilling for
Jaclyn:Oh, absolutely.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:And it's a ton of fun just doing it live, you know, with everyone.
Jaclyn:so, okay, let's talk about some maybe tips or insights or something, because you've been doing this a while and even before you got into, you know, acting to the degree that you are, like you said, you grew up on set.
Jaclyn:probably seen a lot.
Jaclyn:What are some things that you could offer for actors that are maybe just breaking into their career or maybe they've been around for a while and they're thinking like, how do I get beyond this, you know, only get like these characters that have like five lines, how do you break beyond that?
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Yeah.
Jaclyn:And that's so hard because,
Jaclyn:This industry is not easy and it's full of a lot of no's and you have to be okay in the seasons of a lot of no's and the seasons of drought knowing that there will be seasons of plenty in the future, you know, I had one year where I had like three movies come out in the theaters and then a year where it's just like, anybody, anybody want to cast me in anything, you know, but I think, first of all, knowing Is this really something that God wants me to do?
Jaclyn:You know, because I think some people it feels very glamorous.
Jaclyn:Like, Oh, I want to be an actress.
Jaclyn:But if you aren't really called to do it and you don't really feel like I need to do this.
Jaclyn:I mean, I remember many people will say, if you can do
Jaclyn:anything other than this,
Jaclyn:And be happy with your life, go do it, because this is not an easy
Jaclyn:industry.
Jaclyn:and I mean, especially with writer strikes and actor strikes and, you know, there are definitely seasons where you just start kind of waiting, you know?
Jaclyn:but I would say,
Jaclyn:for me, knowing that I really do feel called to this industry, industry, I really do feel like God has gifted me to be able to be a minister and a vessel for him.
Jaclyn:that it just gives me this like, okay, we're going to just keep on, we're going to keep on doing it.
Jaclyn:We're going to keep on auditioning.
Jaclyn:We're going to keep on, you know, pursuing and taking classes and going to festivals and, conferences.
Jaclyn:And it's a lot of work, you know?
Jaclyn:and so, I mean, just to do an audition, it's like, okay.
Jaclyn:I'm going to set up my self tape stuff, and I'm going to get ready, and I'm going to memorize the lines, and I'm going to record it, and I have to find a reader to do it, and then I'm going to figure out which ones I want, and then I'm going to edit them, and then I'm going to up,
Jaclyn:it's just, people don't know the behind the scenes work that goes into even just one
Jaclyn:audition, you know,
Jaclyn:Right.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: so,
Jaclyn:which you don't get paid
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: All right, yeah, but I have had to learn auditioning is, it's almost like training for me because I'm, I'm at least getting to work through that scene in an audition, you know, so I have to kind of reset my mindset to go, okay, this is actually, this is good for me.
Jaclyn:This is like training for me.
Jaclyn:because when I was in LA, like, I would go from one audition that was back when we drove
Jaclyn:to auditions.
Jaclyn:Right.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: before we had a, location mapper on our
Jaclyn:phone, like, I would call my mom and be like, Can you map quest this to me and tell me how to get from, because sometimes you get an audition in the middle of the day.
Jaclyn:And so my little A to B to C on my handwritten notes and my, you know, giant Thomas guide map, like, they didn't line up.
Jaclyn:Anyways, but, you know, back then, it was like, okay, I had all these auditions that I was going to and I'd have to leave the first one, do my best, and leave it behind, do the second one, leave it behind, because you'll always think of, like, the funnier thing to say.
Jaclyn:You know, the next day, like, oh man, I should have said this thing.
Jaclyn:but just learning, like, okay, I'm gonna do my best and I'm gonna move on.
Jaclyn:But I feel like that's actually harder now with self tapes, because you put so much, it really is so much effort that goes into it, that it's harder to, like, leave that character behind or leave that project behind when you don't hear back, you know, and you get more invested for some reason.
Jaclyn:Like, at least that's my experience.
Jaclyn:So do you leave it behind to the point where when you get a callback, you're like, Oh, yeah, I, I forgot I had auditioned for that one.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Sometimes!
Jaclyn:I mean, I think you have to like, leave it behind emotionally, but it's still somewhere in
Jaclyn:your brain, right.
Jaclyn:Right, right, right.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: But, a callback is always just a blessing.
Jaclyn:Even getting an audition is a blessing.
Jaclyn:So, I feel like it's always a win when I get to audition.
Jaclyn:and my girls will read with me and they're now pursuing musical theater, things like that.
Jaclyn:So, I've been able to say to them, you know, when they don't get the role, when they don't, you know, get a call back, it's like, how many times have you read a script with mommy?
Jaclyn:And I've never heard back from that, you know, like this is how this industry goes and you have to kind of learn that you aren't right for every role, you know, like even if you do a great job, sometimes you aren't the right person for that role.
Jaclyn:And I've had to learn.
Jaclyn:a director once told me any role that's supposed to be yours is going to be yours.
Jaclyn:Any role that God has for you is already yours.
Jaclyn:He already knows.
Jaclyn:So like, you don't have to be anxious.
Jaclyn:You don't have to be, you want to do your best.
Jaclyn:Yes.
Jaclyn:Train and prepare to be the best, but I don't have to be like caught up in, did I get it or didn't I get it?
Jaclyn:Because God already has the roles prepared
Jaclyn:for me, you know, and he's
Jaclyn:Wow.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: me.
Jaclyn:and the reasons people, don't get cast sometimes could be so basic, like,
Jaclyn:not the right height.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: absolutely, and I've helped people cast things before and like sat in, a casting session and you talk amongst yourself and you're like all five of those girls were great.
Jaclyn:which one goes with the guy that we picked, you know, or which mom fits the dad
Jaclyn:right?
Jaclyn:And these are the kids we want to use, and we can't use that red headed mom if these, you know, dark headed kids So it's like, I know that a lot of it comes down to that.
Jaclyn:A lot of it comes down to weren't the right person for the project.
Jaclyn:And I actually believe that it's even beyond did I have dark hair or red hair?
Jaclyn:Like, I really believe there's more purpose behind casting than just I feel like there are purposes that I am on set and God will put me on those sets.
Jaclyn:He wants me to be a part of, and he will keep me from sets that he doesn't want me to part.
Jaclyn:He knows what my kids are going to be going through.
Jaclyn:You know, next November, and if I'm on that set, I don't get to show up for them in that way.
Jaclyn:And so he's gonna keep me off of that.
Jaclyn:So like, I just trust that he knows all of it, and he's gonna keep me from the projects that aren't for me and put me on the projects that
Jaclyn:are.
Jaclyn:That's amazing.
Jaclyn:That is great advice, uh, because it is a lot of work to do all of those auditions, and so to have the right mindset for it, not only for doing the work, but even for, you know, the outcome of it, to be trusting God in it and to be pursuing everything with excellence along the way, like, that's think that's such a, a biblical approach to life in general, right?
Jaclyn:Like just doing your best all the time and just trusting God to to work everything out the rest of it.
Jaclyn:Okay.
Jaclyn:Do you have any other advice that you think you would like to share with our
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Well, I would say, especially for people who are just getting into it, I would say try to get on set.
Jaclyn:Like, if there's an opportunity just to be an extra, to do something for free, to be around it, to just kind of see how it works.
Jaclyn:Like, try to go be on set.
Jaclyn:Be a PA.
Jaclyn:Volunteer your time.
Jaclyn:just get started.
Jaclyn:Try to get started in that way.
Jaclyn:And then also like, I think classes are so important.
Jaclyn:If you aren't prepared when an audition comes then won't get the role, you
Jaclyn:know?
Jaclyn:So I would say right now while you're preparing and you're learning about the industry, take as many classes as you can.
Jaclyn:Like, Be hungry for it.
Jaclyn:And network.
Jaclyn:Follow people.
Jaclyn:Be encouraging.
Jaclyn:Share their projects.
Jaclyn:Like, be a team player.
Jaclyn:just think that we're all on the same team here, you know?
Jaclyn:And so for me, I'll share projects and people will reach out to me and be like, Are you in this one?
Jaclyn:And I'm like, No, I know people
Jaclyn:that are, and I, I see what they're doing and I see the mission behind this and I want it to be out there, you know, like this isn't all about me, you know?
Jaclyn:And so I think if we can have that mindset, especially in the beginning, how can I be a servant to these people?
Jaclyn:How can I support these people?
Jaclyn:How can I, encourage and, you know, push these projects forward, even just, even
Jaclyn:if I'm not on them, I think that's also a great way.
Jaclyn:First of all, it's for people to go, Oh, who's this person?
Jaclyn:And that was nice of her to share this thing or to comment or whatever.
Jaclyn:And I don't think you have to like share everything or go spend your life on social media, commenting and liking things.
Jaclyn:But I think when you see a project that you, value or your friends are in, like be encouraging to them.
Jaclyn:And actually that's one of the things like my friend Jen Gottson, when I left Hollywood, she was just kind of starting and starting to do these bigger roles and I was kind of sad that I wasn't acting anymore, you know, but I would reach out to her and go, I'm so proud of you.
Jaclyn:That movie was so great and encourage her, encourage her, encourage her.
Jaclyn:And then when the tables flipped and she became a mommy and I started doing projects, she was like, this is so fun.
Jaclyn:You know, now I get to encourage you and.
Jaclyn:support your projects and help you promote.
Jaclyn:And I think that's how God wants us to be.
Jaclyn:Like, we're all one big family.
Jaclyn:We're all one team.
Jaclyn:We all have the same purpose.
Jaclyn:It's not just about, like, is my movie going to be successful?
Jaclyn:It's we want all of these movies that have this message of the gospel go forward as far as they can go to reach as many people as they can,
Jaclyn:right?
Jaclyn:And I really do think like those encouraging words, you don't know how much those matter,
Jaclyn:especially to like, you know, an actor or a producer or a writer who's, I mean, you know, as a writer, you write something for sometimes years you're working on something and for somebody to reach out and be like, wow, that was, really amazing.
Jaclyn:That touched my heart.
Jaclyn:you know, the characters were so unique.
Jaclyn:Or whatever it is to be able to encourage someone.
Jaclyn:Like, I just think those things really do matter.
Jaclyn:When people do that to me, I'm like, Oh, that really touched my
Jaclyn:heart.
Jaclyn:That gave me
Jaclyn:yeah, All that work came in
Jaclyn:it actually it hit the mark that you were shooting at.
Jaclyn:So that recognition.
Jaclyn:I think part of why it's encouraging is because a lot of the time while we're doing the work were doing it and It's a lot of inside work, right?
Jaclyn:Which nobody sees a lot of that kind of work.
Jaclyn:And so, for example, like as a writer, and you said like, yeah, I'm working on stuff for such a long time.
Jaclyn:And there was a long time where I'm like, well, I think it's good.
Jaclyn:I don't know what anybody else thinks.
Jaclyn:Let's find out, you know?
Jaclyn:And so it is definitely encouraging when someone says, Hey, I see you.
Jaclyn:and you're
Jaclyn:doing great, keep going.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Yeah.
Jaclyn:You know what?
Jaclyn:I've even had producers where I wasn't cast on a project, reach out and say, I just want to encourage you, even though you weren't right for this project, keep going because, you're doing great work.
Jaclyn:Like, that means so much!
Jaclyn:Like, just, those words of encouragement, I mean, spread them around like confetti, you know?
Jaclyn:that's my
Jaclyn:Yes.
Jaclyn:Well, and especially with so many no's, it is so nice to, to have that encouragement.
Jaclyn:because I think it's, it's so easy for the enemy to get in there and say, what are you doing here?
Jaclyn:You know, look at this, like you get no, no, no, all the time.
Jaclyn:No.
Jaclyn:And, so to hold out and have that perseverance, waiting on God for The project that he's calling you to, um, that to keep going, it really means a
Jaclyn:lot.
Jaclyn:Yeah.
Jaclyn:Awesome.
Jaclyn:Well, thank you so much.
Jaclyn:I've really enjoyed this
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Yeah,
Jaclyn:I always love talking to you.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: I know you too.
Jaclyn:, Jaclyn: so thank you so much.
Jaclyn:And, I'm going to have to have you come on again sometime.
Jaclyn:Cause I just, I love talking to you.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Thank you so much for having me.
Jaclyn:This was so fun.
Jaclyn:I love your
Jaclyn:podcast.
Jaclyn:Thank you for what you're doing for our community.
Jaclyn:And, yeah, it's just, it's so fun.
Jaclyn:And I'm excited to work with you more in the future too.
Jaclyn:You're such a great
Jaclyn:writer.
Jaclyn:thank you.
Jaclyn:So we're going to go talk about our next project right now.
Jaclyn:Gigi - Gigi Orsillo Pt2: Yeah.
Jaclyn:All right.
Jaclyn:Thank you for listening.
Jaclyn:We'll talk to you next time.
Jaclyn:Bye bye.
