In conversation w/ Franco Masini

DECEMBER 8, 2023 → WORDS ADRIÁN GOMIS EXPÓSITO
PHOTOGRAPHY, CREATIVE DIRECTION & STYLING JULEN MARTÍN

In the ever-evolving realm of entertainment, certain individuals shine for their versatility and passion for the arts. Franco Masini, a prominent figure in the world of acting and music, graciously shares his journey and experiences. From his early days on Disney Channel to international projects on Netflix, Masini’s career is a testament to his dedication and love for storytelling. Join us as we delve into the mind of this multifaceted artist, exploring his diverse roles, international ventures, and the seamless intersection of music and acting in his life. Masini reflects on his past, present, and future projects, offering valuable insights for aspiring artists looking to navigate the challenges of the industry.

It’s a pleasure to talk to you, Franco. How are you? Where have we caught you?

I’m currently in Argentina after a tour through Madrid and Rome as I’ve just finished filming a project.

I see that your passion for acting has been present from an early age, having studied theatre in Buenos Aires and also getting involved in music. Where does this passion for the arts come from? Is it something that runs in the family, or how did your interest in acting arise?

My passion for the arts comes from my childhood, from the first time I set foot on a stage when I was two years old. I felt an incomparable feeling; it felt amazing. As years went by, every time I got on stage, I felt that again. That’s where my interest in acting began, organically and without any expectations, just being happy on stage.

After your studies, how did you start getting involved in the world of acting professionally? What were your first steps as an actor?

Well, after having those great experiences on stage as a child, my interest only grew bigger. I started to get some projects to work on, beginning with school plays, then upgrading to some kind of professional projects, and finally pursuing a career in television.

I recall that you started quite young, being part of Disney XD, a channel that many of us from Generation Z remember with nostalgia. What is it like being a Disney kid, for example, being part of the cast of Peter Punk?

Actually, my first years in TV were on Disney Channel in the Peter Punk series, as you mentioned. Everything was really organic. A casting director saw me, and I did some tests for trailers, which didn’t work out in the end. They called me one year later, begging me to work with them on this project. I obviously agreed to it for Disney. I spent four years working there. To be a Disney kid gives you so many tools; they train you a lot and give you experience. I got to learn a lot, both as an actor and musician, and it gave me a lot of professional experience at a really young age. I was 17, and I had already been working on TV for more than four years.

You are known for your versatility as an actor. How do you prepare to take on different roles and challenges in each project? Do you have any rituals or special preparations before taking on a new role?

I believe that a premise I have for my career is to always be moving and, with that movement, generate more opportunities, step out of my comfort zone, and take on new roles and challenges that continuously break barriers. That’s the most beautiful part of this job, being able to fluctuate and change, and that’s what we have to hold on to and keep pushing to challenge ourselves to create new things. You also learn and absorb new things with that, which makes you grow. By the time of facing a new role, I begin by experimenting and seeing what it’s about, and then just going through the character: how it thinks, and where it comes from. It’s really gratifying once you start and finish filming.

In your career, you have played a wide range of characters. Is there any character that has been particularly challenging or significant for you?

Well, I’ve landed quite a few roles, but I have some that are meaningful. For example, Guillermo Puccio in the movie El Clan by Pablo Trapero because it was a real case and was really relevant in Argentina, really dramatic. Another big challenge was doing La Naranja Mecánica, playing Alex Mirlas, as it was a play for theatre. I believe that each project taught me something, and that’s why I chose my projects. I just love going with the flow and enjoying this beautiful profession.

You have worked in Argentina and Mexico as well as in Spain and other countries. What differences or similarities do you find in the entertainment industry in different places?

The meeting point between Argentina, Mexico, and Spain is just being able to do what I like doing. As you go through them, more than the way of working, which I believe is pretty similar to what we’re talking about in the audiovisual sector, one has to step out of the comfort zone, escaping that place where everyone knows you, where your friends and family are, to break a structure and create another in another country. That’s the real challenge that you face in Argentina, Mexico, or Spain, to build a new life in each place, adapt to their cultures, the new country, and new people, and above all, learn all the way.

Recently, you have worked on international projects such as “Todas las veces que nos enamoramos” or “Rebelde” on Netflix. What has the experience been like working on international productions, and what is it like working for Netflix?

Working with Netflix is really cool. First, I worked with Netflix Mexico, which was an amazing experience, and then we worked on “Todas las veces que nos enamoramos” in Spain. I learned a lot there. I was the only Argentinian, and I was representing my country in a Spanish production, living in Madrid, which has become my second home. Without a doubt, it was a great experience where I gained so much knowledge.

“Riviera” is another production, in this case British, in which you have been involved. I see a preference for the genres of drama, romance, and romantic comedy in your career. Is there a reason why you prefer these types of roles?

“Riviera” is one of the productions I’ve been involved in, which was amazing. I had the opportunity of traveling to Saint Tropez, Venice, Nice, London, and Argentina too, with great actors from the United Kingdom. It was an experience for me to act in English, think in this language, and adapt to the character to have some things I wasn’t accustomed to. It was the first international door that opened in front of me and it made me want to keep doing more and boosting my international career.

You recently announced the latest cinematic project you’re in, called “Straight” alongside Alejandro Speitzer. Tell us more about this project and your experience.

I did that project with Alejandro Speitzer and Barbara Lopez. It’s a Mexican project based on a theatre play of the same name. It talks about the modernity of today’s relationships. I have a deep connection with my character, Alejandro. It’s a project about life itself; sometimes love isn’t enough, people make choices, sometimes they’re right and others wrong. It was a great experience filming this, which is my first Mexican film.

In your experience, what is the most rewarding thing about being an actor? Is there a moment or project that stands out as a special achievement?

I believe the most rewarding thing about being an actor is being able to move a lot, and getting into a new character each time; each day is different. It’s a job like life itself, uncontrollable and uncertain, so you get to use and enjoy each project as if it were the last. That makes me feel alive and able to enjoy what I do.

At the same time, your work may involve facing challenges and pressures. How do you handle stress and stay motivated in your career?

Well, obviously, it’s a job that, even though it might seem easy for some, has a really stressful part where one has to be emotionally and physically prepared to get through the character, think like him and be able to channel and transmit those emotions the character needs. You also have to be very mentally stable to be able to take in all that, which for me is probably the most stressful part of this job. You have to say your lines and get into the character even if you’re having a bad day.

Are there any projects or collaborations you would like to explore in the future that you have not had the opportunity to do yet?

I would like to have the opportunity to keep learning, having new challenges and having the possibility of doing what I like. Not everyone has that option and I am lucky to enjoy what I do and make a living from it.

Music is an important part of your life. How do you find inspiration to compose songs, and how do you think music and acting complement each other?

Music is really important to me. I’ve always loved singing, performing, and acting. Nowadays, artists are 360, they mingle music with acting and many other things that make an artist. That’s why I believe one thing doesn’t exclude the other, that’s why I will keep singing every time I can. I love singing, which is one of my passions like acting, which is the most relevant passion of mine, but I never dismiss the idea of singing and putting out some songs as I do.

You have a loyal following on social media. How do you use social media to interact with your fans and share your work?

I use social media platforms to share the work I do and to keep in touch with people who follow me. I’m so grateful to the people who have followed me for many years, and who’ve practically grown with me. It’s really cool to have a channel to communicate what I’m doing, and to feel the love from the other side, which I really appreciate. I wouldn’t be here with my followers and my public, and my job wouldn’t be worth it without them either.

In your opinion, how do you think art can impact the world?

Art has to impact; it has to go through you and make you think. I believe all projects should have that effect on people, and it’s really beautiful when you watch a movie or a play and you keep thinking about it.

Do you have any future projects you are working on that you can share with us?

I do have some projects for next year, both in theatre and cinema. I still can’t say anything about them, but I’m still building my 2024 agenda.

For young people looking to follow in your footsteps in acting, what specific advice would you give them to face the challenges of the industry?

Never miss your goals, always keep going forward, and don’t hold back. With the movement and attitude of going forward, one can achieve whatever they set their mind to and more. I always try to transmit that in life. Never give up, and if you fall, just get back again on your feet.