Spotlight On Stardom: An Actor's Journey

The

NETWORKING SPECIAL FEATURE

Magazine

Bel Alarcón A journey spanning from the South-East of Spain to Canada. We catch up with the actress for candid conversation about her career.

Portfolio Insight A look into the competitive world of acting and what you can do to stay ahead of the game.

An accredited collective of work. An interactive page with video players and links.

Upcoming Projects A detailed look about some of the exciting projects coming up in 2023.

Facts Vs Fiction The truth about being an actor. Separating the facts from ction with Bel.

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Spotlight on Stardom: An Actor’s Journey

SPOTLIGHT O N S TA R D O M : AN ACTOR’S JOURNEY

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E B e l

A l a r c ó n

Front cover photography by: Marina Rodes Magazine Editor: Sanj Saigal Written & produced by: Sanj Saigal

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ome individuals have a passion for acting. They enjoy the process of embodying di erent characters, exploring emotions and telling a story through performance.

Contrary to the belief, there is more than just a pursuit for money and the limelight.

Storytelling, whether on stage, in lms, or on television, can often be the catalyst for entering this challenging and, dare I say, competitive industry.

Many actors are drawn to the power of storytelling and the ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level.

of performing in front of an audience, or the opportunity to work with talented and creative individuals.

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Theatre is often referred to as good grounding since there is more of an empathetic connection and reaction with an audience. Acting o ers a Sacri ce is a word that is a unique platform to inspire and common denominator with the Although these are the main in uence others. Through their actors I have met. Often their criteria for an acting career, performances, actors can craft means that nothing will there are a few more evoke emotions, raise stand in their way of reasons why awareness about important achieving a goal that most of people pursue issues, and spark us think is unattainable. this path. conversations. Many actors are Acting can be driven by the desire to make a That said, there are plenty of a transformative positive impact on society. rewards for those few that experience, allowing individuals manage to break away from the to explore di erent facets of pack and develop an acting their own personality and career. discover new depths within themselves. It can also provide There is an ability to express a platform for personal growth, creativity and showcase unique boosting self-con dence, and perspectives and talents. It developing communication and provides a platform for aspiring empathy skills. actors and the established to bring their own interpretations Some individuals are drawn to and ideas to a character or a the allure and excitement of the script. entertainment industry. They may enjoy the collaborative nature of lmmaking, the thrill

Bel Alarcón “When you do something that people respond to, and then you start altering the blueprint for what worked, it’s pretty fear-inducing. But sometimes, you have to do that, in order to push the boundaries.”

- Rami Malek

M g n i k r o w Net

ne i z a ag

Photography by Marina Rodes

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SPOTLIGHT O N S TA R D O M : AN ACTOR’S JOURNEY Spaniard and the only one performing in Spanish.

begged her to enrol me in acting classes. I wanted to do that. I wanted to be part of that el Alarcón is a Spanish Aside from acting, Bel has dream. At rst, my family was actor who divides her received training in voice and not sure about it, but as time between Spain and dancing.

She is a native someone "classi ed" as having Canada. She began her acting Spanish and Valenciano some di culties at school, journey at age 6, participating speaker uent in English and mainly because I could not in the Theatre club at her French.

In addition to her acting speak properly, one of the school. From there, she skills, Bel has diverse talents teachers encouraged my enrolled in an acting school and and interests, including mother to do it. Two months debuted in a showcase where swimming, painting, tness, later, I was starting my rst-ever she portrayed the character photography, and art.

She acting class.

Ether in "The Creation Myth". pursued studies in Art Curation Bel has also honed her skills at and Archaeology during her My rst role was as a shepherd the Identity School of Acting time in college. in a school play, and I even and continues to train and forgot my lines. But despite the develop her technique and nerves, the panic and How did you get accents. everything else, I wouldn't have started in acting? changed it for anything in the Throughout her career, she has world. taken on several memorable The rst time acting caught my roles, including Harold Zilder in attention was when I was ve What has been your "Moulin Rouge" and Luisa in years old. It was the rst time "Four Hearts with Brake and favourite role to play the school took us to see a Reverse". While working with play: "A Midsummer Night's and why? the Oscar Martin Company, the Dream". I just fell in love. company received two Buero Maybe it was the costume or My favourite role would National Awards for Young the lights, or perhaps it was a probably be Joan in "Aci no Theatre. Her most recent credit child's imagination, but I was Paga ni Deu". It was my rst includes a leading role in a mesmerised by it: the beauty, role speaking in Valenciano, short lm. the illusion. One of the things and it was a tiny and quite that really shocked me the newly formed company. Just most was when I found out that earning enough money to go to Milestone one of the male leading roles the theatres and pay for the was a woman. As soon as we petrol was all it o ered at that In 2022, Bel achieved a were backstage and had the time. It was a very humbling signi cant milestone by opportunity to meet the cast, experience, but the cast was reaching the Regional Finals of my words just abandoned me. amazing. the World Monologue Games in The trick, the magic of theatre, the Sprint Category. She ranked really captivated me that day.

If you are unfamiliar with the 98th in the Main Professional play, it's based on real events.

Category with a classical Acting classes It tells the story of how the Spanish piece from "The prices have increased on basic Language of Flowers" by And as soon as I was home, I products. Some people rioted Federico Garcia Lorca. Bel was went straight to my mother and in the supermarket and stole the second highest-ranking

Bio

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SPOTLIGHT O N S TA R D O M : AN ACTOR’S JOURNEY

Photography by Ana Puhachova

BEL ALARCÓN

products. Antonia, Joan's wife, is one of them, and she is proud to have participated. The only problem was that my character didn't approve of this kind of behaviour. So, she found herself involved in a lot of funny situations.

It would be when I lmed my last short lm. The whole idea behind this project was to be a visual poem of how relationships can heal and hurt you simultaneously. It was with a new director who is now a friend of mine, and she had the idea of using paint to express It was amazing. We took it an ideology. So in the scene, straight into this absurd parody actors had to apply paint to my of what was happening in Spain body.

- we had quite a strong economic crisis between 2008 The idea of three men you just and 2014. So we all had this met painting your body was not energy and could relate to it because almost every one of the cast members was very young then. The only way to describe it was that it was simply magnetic.

Being able to do this play while our society was dealing with the same situation was surreal. how I envisioned my rst day Society has always used art to on set, to be completely express the moment in history honest. I knew it would happen they are living in, so this at some point, but I was experience, for me, was the surprised to nd out it was the same. rst thing on the agenda. But it was so much fun and a memory that I will always Can you describe a cherish. Blue paint still came challenging or out of my hair two weeks after memorable experience recording that.

you've had on set?

How do you prepare for auditions or new roles?

I try not to overthink about auditions. I learnt this the hard way. It's very common to do an audition and to start thinking about it and how much you want the role; personally, doing that was consuming me. One of my friends told me that as soon as you do an audition, you have to think about the next one and just put your energy into that. So that's what I started to do.

Advice on how to prepare.

Drink plenty of water and ensure you have good lighting. Get a nice plain background and a good reader. I normally read the lines a couple of times to try to nd the objectives, feelings and intentions, then record.

One thing that has changed the way I do self-tapes is having a good reader; normally, this person is also an actor and a friend. This creates a really nice work environment and lets them give me growth notes, little tips that can change and improve my game. Having someone correcting things that may not translate as well as you

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SPOTLIGHT O N S TA R D O M : AN ACTOR’S JOURNEY

- Meryl Streep

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Acting is not about being someone di erent. It's nding the similarity in what is apparently di erent, then nding myself in there.

B E L A L A RC Ó N An actor’s journey Networking Magazine 9

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An ounce of behaviour is worth a pound of words.

- Sanford Meisne

think on camera can be extremely valuable. They can be honest with you because there's trust, but at the same time, they love and care for you, so these notes are with love and respect.

When I have to face a new role, doubt and insecurity attack me; having these people around me who want me to succeed and do my best really calms me down.

What do you enjoy most about being an actress?

If I am being completely honest, the opportunity to make people believe that what I am doing, even for a second, is real.

Disconnecting from their thoughts and problems and letting the magic of acting enchant them, the same it did when I was a child. That's what I enjoy the most - creating that illusion at that moment, being part of a team, being another person, being part of the magic.

Have you ever had to portray a character that was very di erent from yourself? If so, how did you approach it?

I have played gods, married unhappy women and even cats, but the most challenging role I have ever faced was being

Harold Zilder in Moulin Rouge. As a 5 feet tall young lady, I didn't resonate a lot with the image that most people would have of this character from the movies. My hair was red then, but that was our only similarity. At rst, I was unsure about this role, and the director had to convince me that I was a great t. She explained that it was normal for men to play women's roles, so why not do it the other way around? I was not convinced about it, but after much research, we found something that really works with that idea: Female Drag Queen or Female Queen. Females embracing the Drag Queen culture.

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And after having a clear idea and a lot of studying, researching and becoming comfortable with this character, it was time for the next step: trying to make me sign. Which, to be honest, scared me the most.

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B E L A L A RC Ó N

What advice would you give to aspiring actors?

I have two pieces of advice I would give anyone in this industry. The rst one is to be nice. It may be a cliche, but it's true. You need to be nice to all the people that surround you and work with you. From the crew, the sound techs, directors, writers, casting directors, fellow actors and even the cleaners. These people are the ones who have your back, making sure everything is perfect and ready to go.

And last but not least, you need to be you. When I started in this industry, I really wanted to t in and for people to like me. So most of my thoughts and opinions needed to be expressed properly, sometimes not being true at all with myself. But this had to change because I was not being true to myself.

It was scary at rst, but then people told me how much they liked the way I was. The only di erence was that I was being myself: loud, honest, bubbly, and sometimes annoying, but most of the time transparent. So yes, do not be afraid to present yourself the way you truly are because people will like you; if they don't, they are not your audience. You need to be yourself.

How do you handle rejection in the industry?

I am still struggling with rejection sometimes. For me, the hardest part is waiting to hear if an agent or a casting director likes you. That's de nitely the worst part for me. And when they tell you no, sometimes my heart breaks.

I have relied on yoga, sports and meditation to keep my mind busy. But, sometimes, a bubble bath, ice cream and a good book that helps me disconnect from the world is one of the best options. You need to be able to let that go out of your system, and if crying and wine work for you, do it.

Can you share any funny or interesting behind-thescenes stories from your acting career?

I learnt how to walk in heels for a play. My preference will always be sneakers; I like to be comfortable and not be in pain, which my mind has always associated with heels. But when I was around 14 years old, I had to learn how to walk with heels. And at rst, it was a disaster. A fawn walking would have shown more grace and abilities than whatever I was doing at that moment.

However, on the day of the premier of that play, something happened backstage. Someone left their props on the other side of the stage, and I was the only person that could take it to the other side on time. So I had to run in heels without making any noise. In the end, probably my toes were the only thing touching the oor, but we made it. They got their props, and I learned how to walk on heels.

What do you think is the most important quality for an actor to possess?

An actor must be an excellent listener because most of the acting is reacting. I also like actors with a great sense of humour; they are amazing. When you can laugh it o when things go wrong, we all love a blooper. But, de nitely, being able to listen and react is very important to me.

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B E L A L A RC Ó N SPOTLIGHT O N S TA R D O M : AN ACTOR’S JOURNEY

Are there any speci c actors or actresses who have inspired you in your career?

There's a lot! Of course, Meryl Streep, Julie Andrews, Miriam Margolyes, Anne Hathaway and Maggie Smith. If you think about it, they are all amazing, talented and nice. I can not think about any drama that surrounds them. Their acting, their art, is what makes them memorable and inspiring.

How do you balance your personal life with your acting career?

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One joke that always comes out at family dinners is that I do not have a personal life. I moved so far away from home, but I remain connected with my family and friends as much as possible which is easier now because of technology. One of the rules that my family implemented was that we needed to see each other at least every three months, ying to Europe or coming to Canada. Moving to a di erent country with a di erent language and culture has been hard.

My main focus right now is on my career; I have taken a break from dating. That doesn't mean that if the perfect person appears, I will ignore them. It means that, for now, my attention is on my career.

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Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.

- Maggie Smith

What are some upcoming projects or roles that you're excited about?

I am actually in the middle of auditions for a few projects.

The writer's strike was declared a few days ago, and even though I am an Equity member, we are still trying to see the guidelines the unions will recommend to all actors. Right now, the focus needs to be on the common goals to reassure that writers and actors have the best work environment and try to ght for the best qualities and conditions possible. We are in this situation that has been prolonged for so long, and it's quite scary as a newcomer in North America. So, I am trying to work at as many auditions as possible, on my techniques and accents.

Have you ever had to perform in front of a live audience? If so, how does it compare to acting on camera?

Actually, I am more familiar with live audiences than acting on camera. I am a classical trained actor who has performed on stage from a young age. Live audiences, for me, are amazing. You can instantly tell if your performance is believable. Especially when you can interact with them and see and hear their reactions. On the other hand, acting on camera is really believing in the crew. I always joke with the camera technicians that they need to make me look nice. But, honestly, acting on camera is more intimate.

How do you approach the process of developing a character?

I used to be a rm believer in Stanislavski's method.

But there are so many ways to approach this process, and you have to nd what's best for you. I always do a read-through of the script, ensuring I can understand the context and the story behind the character.

Normally, the process to identify actions, intentions and feelings and write them down is what is next.

Something that I nd useful is to have "Actions: The Actors' Thesaurus" next to me to nd the perfect word for what I am trying to express. One of my teachers taught me this, which has changed my game.

After that, I try to gure out their mannerisms, like walking, speaking, breathing, and even how they dress. Every single detail can help me understand them. One of my friends shared a trick with me a few months ago that works for me, and it's to nd the intention of the scene and say it three times before starting to act. It's magic!

The last tip and I have adopted this after doing a workshop with Nic Knight, is to decide your character preferences. What is their choice of drink? What's their belief? Do they have a favourite colour? Little things can help you connect more with the person you are creating.

I prefer live audiences for comedy and drama to acting on camera. Because on stage, the performances are more physical, and you have to play it bigger, so it can show better and it can translate better. While a single tear, a subtle movement on your lips is better captured on camera.

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