IN CONVERSATION WITH GIUSEPPE FUTIA
interview by JANA LETONJA
Model and actor Giuseppe Futia has built a solid career in modeling, while at the same time worked on building his acting career. He will be soon starring in two projects, Netflix's ‘La Dolce Villa’ and Rai Cinema Production's ‘U.S. Palmese’.
Giuseppe, tell us more about the beginnings of your modeling career.
I was in LA for the first time in my life. I was fresh out of high school and had only really acted in school theater productions. I was studying acting at Stella Adler when my roommate and now dear friend decided to introduce me to a friend of his who had been running a couple of modeling agencies, and I signed with my Photogenics LA one week later. I got back home to Europe and after a very poor fashion season, I started working non stop.
Pull & Bear was my first ever client in Europe. Round ticket from Calabria to Coruña in Spain, it was so exciting. Then London, then Germany, then the States. Everything started happening pretty quickly.
Having built solid relationships in the fashion world, what is your favorite memory and moment from your modeling work?
A couple years ago, I shot my first job in Cape Town. I spent three days in the middle of wilderness with one other girl and a guy who worked the job as well. Conversations were fun, nature was stunning, food was great. Then after the shoot, we went up a hill and experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. That’s one of the things that make this job so beautiful.
How would you describe your relationship with fashion?
I love good quality and craftsmanship more than any trends or 'ins' of the moment. How much value does that beautiful cotton shirt that you can always rely on to make a good impression have? I see every piece of clothing as an investment in me feeling well in how I look, and quality needs to be part of that. I love Danish brands, I think quality standards over there are just a given. I’m also in the works to develop a completely vegan leather jacket line with a friend of mine. I think that’s where new fashion enterprises need to focus their energies.
full look SANDRO
If you could describe your personal style with only 3 words, which ones would it be?
Athletic, chic, preppy.
While working as a model, you’ve also worked on your acting career. What made you passionate about pursuing a career as an actor?
I’ve always been the theater kid in every school I’ve ever attended. Fashion happened so fast and before I could even realize it, but acting is where I feel at home. Theater school helped me deal with my teen anxiety and facilitated my spiritual growth, so I always revered the craft and dreamed of working full time as an actor.
You actually moved from Italy to US to pursue MFA acting program at Stella Adler Academy of Acting. What is the most important thing this study taught you about the craft?
I would say it taught me to understand the value of our own imagination, and the importance to hold on to our point of view and own it.
How challenging was moving from Italy to Los Angeles to pursue your dream?
At 19, it was pretty rough. Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited, but everything was also very new and so different from what I was used to growing up in a small town in southern Italy. I was definitely lucky I found a great group of friends that were like family and we still keep in touch.
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shirt YYATOMIC
pants FLORIAN WOWRETZKO
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jacket & pants YYATOMIC
shoes SANDRO
necklace & rings VITALY
You spent your teenage years exploring different kinds of sports, from soccer to karate, volleyball and marathon training. How important is sport in your life today, and which sports do you enjoy the most currently?
Sport is my first form of therapy really. I never took my body for granted and I actually worked very hard to get it where it’s at today. Working out always has and keeps on being one of the best ways I have to release frustration and any problem I have. These day,s I’m mostly working out at the gym or practicing hot yoga at Fierce Grace Studio here in NYC. I’m also training for the NYC marathon this November. Come cheer me on.
Tell us one thing about yourself that we don’t know and would surprise us about you.
I only have two kinds of books on my shelf. Very deep spiritual self help books or the best of horror, primarily Stephen King and some Agatha Christie. I think this sums me up well.
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jacket & pants PILLOW PRINCE
shoes DR MARTENS
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pants YYATOMIC
necklace & rings VITALY
We’ll be seeing you in two projects soon, Netflix's ‘La Dolce Villa’ and Rai Cinema Production's ‘U.S. Palmese’. What can you share with us about both?
Shooting ‘U.S. Palmese’ was a little dream come true as I got to work with a national production in a small beach town in my home area. I play a poor family boy who’s a great goalie in his soccer team and gets to drive a Lambo for the first time in his life. The whole experience was just intensely fun and filled with field runs under the August sun. It’s a movie about the love Italians have for soccer and how it brings us together. Imagine the high spirits.
‘La Dolce Villa’ was such a dream to shoot. Being Italian myself, I’d never been to Tuscany and visiting it for the first time while shooting this sort of project was just a stunning and thrilling experience, working with an iconic director like Mark Waters and the cast and troupe that were so funny and affectionate. I have so many beautiful memories from that set, many friends made there. There’s a lot of love that unfolds in this movie and I have to say that it wasn’t hard to fabricate as a feeling at all. Tuscany and Cinecittà were insane locations to shoot at and my cast mates were just the best company I could’ve wished for.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent GIUSEPPE FUTIA
photography JACK ALEXANDER
styling ANASTASIA BUSCH
editor-in-chief TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA