Within the unpredictable world of appearing, the place each audition seems like a battle and success can appear distant, one query lingers: What units a rising star aside? Is it uncooked expertise that grabs consideration, or is it one thing deeper — the preparation, ardour, and persistence that actually outline an enduring profession?
New Jersey’s personal Erika Longo resides proof that it’s the latter. With unwavering dedication, Longo is carving a path in an business the place success is something however assured. Lately, she spoke with Social Way of life Journal, sharing her journey on display and her deeply private function behind the scenes as a caregiver — an expertise that impressed Lina, a robust brief movie exploring three generations of girls grappling with the influence of their matriarch’s advancing sickness.
“Lina was my means of honoring my grandma’s reminiscence,” Longo shared. “My grandmother, Carmelina D’Agostino, who I known as Nonna or Nonnie, was an enormous a part of my life till she handed away a number of years in the past. She was my maternal grandmother and the one grandparent I had rising up. She was born and raised in Salerno, Italy, however left the nation along with her new husband shortly after WWII, hoping to create a greater life in America.”
Longo continued, “She misplaced two husbands and have become a widow for the second time when my mom was solely seven years previous. She remained single and raised my mother and aunt on her personal. She was a tremendous prepare dinner, and a few of my fondest recollections are of her babysitting me. We’d stroll to the library, the place she’d take a look at one among her favourite romance novels, watch The Value is Proper or As The World Turns, and feed the geese on our option to Corrado’s, an area meals retailer in Clifton, NJ.”
Longo’s profession is on the rise, with a recurring function on Regulation & Order: SVU, the place she performs EMT Donna L., showcasing her versatility and depth as an actress. Extra credit embody: East New York, FBI: Most Wished, and The Endgame.
Recognizing the challenges of appearing, Longo affords candid recommendation to aspiring actors: “It’s a wild and difficult business at instances. There are such a lot of issues which can be out of your management on this enterprise. Keep sharp, do the work for each audition, research the craft, and make robust selections so you’re feeling prepared when a possibility presents itself.”
Her journey additionally highlights the boundaries girls face within the movie business, and he or she encourages others to take the leap into filmmaking. “If it’s your ardour, go for it! Lina was my first brief movie, and it was a really fulfilling but in addition difficult expertise.”
To convey Lina to life, Longo and her staff efficiently crowdfunded for 30 days, masking a lot of the finances and collaborating with a proficient crew led by director Liz Manashil. “Lina is a narrative that focuses on three generations of girls, and having a principally feminine crew felt like a supportive expertise — it simply felt proper.”
Along with her different work, Erika launched Midtown Self Tapes in Manhattan — a go-to spot for actors who want skilled self tape auditions.Erika additionally gives teaching as effectively for actors who need to dive a bit of deeper. She loves assembly and dealing with so many fantastic actors and artists at each stage of their careers. From Broadway actors to collection regulars, folks simply beginning to study the craft, and all the pieces in between, she is really grateful to have the ability to do one thing she enjoys a lot on a regular basis.
Longo’s ardour for storytelling and appreciation for teamwork are clear in all the pieces she does. “Being on set seems like being a child in a sweet retailer—it really takes a village and it by no means fails to fascinate me.”
For aspiring actors, Erika Longo stands as proof that expertise, perseverance, and authenticity can flip goals into actuality. At Social Way of life Journal, we’re proud to share her inspiring story and excited to observe her journey on and off-screen.
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