THE MANY FACES OF ACTOR ANDRES DELGADO: CRAFTING CHARACTERS AND SHAPING STORIES
Andrés Delgado has worked tirelessly over the years to achieve his dream of being a successful actor and he’s finally reaping the benefits of his hard work. We got the chance to catch up with Andrés and learn all about what we can expect from his newest role.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR NEW SHOW LA MAQUINA.
La Máquina” is an irreverent black comedy, very fun and entertaining, filled with colorful characters. It’s starring Diego Luna and Gael García, with an impressive cast of great actors from all over Latin America, including Jorge Perrugoria, Eiza González, and more! It’s directed by Gabriel Ripstein, with whom I also worked on the series “An Unknown Enemy” a few years ago, and with whom I have a wonderful understanding. This project and character have been a personal challenge.
HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THIS ROLE?
Sometimes I don’t know how to answer this question without sounding pretentious… From the audition, I wasn’t sure how to approach the character to have a shot at it, I started by watching a lot of fights and going to boxing gyms and sparrings, since Saul(my character) grew up in that world but still I thought it wasn’t enough…
I also trained boxing but left it cause it was something surely my character had tried cause of his father but never had talent or the drive for it… still after watching so many characters in the boxing gyms sons of boxers etc, I started to pick up on stuff and ways, also a lot having to do with a child like energy to them, then I experimented with my instinct and creativity, I thought as it was a character that was more in speaking what he thinks without malice it was a little like a boxer moving to a punch without realizing it, and responding to the opponent 2 moves ahead even do sometimes there’s no such moves, so I played with this vocally and in intention.
I stopped every type of physical training for this role, as I wanted to lose any kind of skill or muscle tone to subtly portray someone who isn’t adapted to fight because, where Saul was born, never needed to exert himself until now, when he has to work for Andy (Diego Luna). For me, it was important to make it clear that this was a pure-hearted character who still believes in the good of the world I observed many children’s gazes and animals to see if any of that spark would stick with me… Then I forgot everything!
I memorized the script, set my alarm to warm up in the morning before the call, and showed up on-time to set, I guess this last part is my only real preparation…
WHO ARE YOUR IDOLS?
Def my mom… hehe. But As an actor, to name a few: (the first and absolute) Phillip Seymour Hoffman… also Daniel Day-Lewis, Jessica Chastain, Christian Bale, Amy Adam’s, Michael Fassbender, Noe Hernandez, Tom Hardy…
WHAT QUALITIES DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE THAT YOU LOVE AND WHICH DO YOU HATE
I love his naivety; I think that and his lack of malice are what I like. What I don’t like is that he can be a bit frustrating—he’s a little distracted and speaks very quickly, which would annoy me if I had to live with him…
HOW WAS IT WORKING WITH THE QUEEN ANGELINA JOLIE AND DID SHE GIVE YOU ANY ADVICE
It was an absolutely magical experience. She is an incredible woman in every way. We understood each other very well, and we clicked instantly from the first hug. She made me feel like we had known each other before. She gave me absolute trust and freedom; she is a director who makes you feel heard and valued in every sense. I think this is because she has such a special sensitivity.
Her biggest advice, almost immediately after we met, was to keep doing my work as I had been, not to give up, to fight to work the way I do. Through her example, she showed me that even though it may not seem like it, if you put all your effort and years of work into the details, the world is watching, the world cares and it needs the artist’s work now more than ever.
WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE AND BEAUTY ROUTINE WHEN FILMING?
I really don’t have many tips, just washing my face before going to set and at night before bed, and definitely cleaning my face well with some makeup remover or cream before sleeping.
GAEL AND DIEGO LUNA ARE ICONS. HOW WAS IT WORKING ALONGSIDE THESE PROS?
It was incredible to be able to join that duo! I don’t know if any other young actor has had or will have the opportunity to do scenes like I did with both of them TOGETHER. That’s definitely something I’m very grateful for, to them, to Gabriel, Luis Rosales, and to everyone in charge who gave me this opportunity.
You know, beyond working with one of them, having both of them together is like working with a whole other character. In fact, that made me a bit nervous—I grew up watching “Y Tu Mamá También.” Reading the scenes and knowing I had to get on set and figure out how to fit into the dynamic they have after so many years of knowing each other and with their career history, it was a challenge for me and a huge learning experience.
It pushed me to be more prepared and confident than ever, but also to have fun with them because they do, and it’s very evident on screen (you’ll see). They are both incredibly fun and generous, true professionals with an impressive craft. They’re always suggesting ideas and listening to others’ proposals. It was a real treat to share those scenes with them. I learned so much just from being on set with them.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN ORDER?
I like to go for a run. Sometimes it’s not possible because you’re gaining weight for a character or something like that, but it’s what works best for me—putting on headphones and going for a run. I also find it helpful to start my morning with some calm classical music, lighting a candle, and expressing gratitude—sometimes just for breakfast, other times for being healthy and having my loved ones safe. I feel like that’s what helps me… also go to therapy.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM ROLE?
Travis from Taxi Driver.
Haha, well, I don’t know, there are many. I’m also a romantic, I’d love to do something like “Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind”. This question is very complex.
I like characters that require many hours of research and exploration, dark ones too I love them, I don’t know … a challenge. I would love to work with Paul Thomas Anderson, the Safdie brothers, and so many others that it’s hard to mention someone specific or a type of role. In terms of actors with Tom Hardy or Michael Fassbender, although there are many with whom I dream of sharing a set…
Maybe also big movies like Bladerunner or of villains in superhero movies also attract mainly the possibility of making them more complex or opening up the Latinos more in that world excites me… I think I don’t have a specific role in mind, but those catch my attention.
HOW IS YOUR CREATIVITY DISRUPTING THE TV AND FILM INDUSTRY
I think persistence and my creativity is one of the most important factors so I could have a career. Sometimes it makes you fail or look ridiculous, but without a doubt, to break stereotypes or to get important roles (coming from nowhere) you have to do it. You have to be creatively bold!
Time and again, I’ve had to fight to be considered for a role, having only my creativity to fill the gaps. I think that’s where you become disruptive when someone thought a character wouldn’t look like you, and with sensitivity and creativity, you manage to open up that possibility. I also believe that with creativity and sensitivity, you can make someone say, “I totally didn’t think I’d feel this way about that character…” to me that’s how I strive to be disruptive.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?
I also premiered the movie broken borders in the NY Latino Film Fest and in theatrical release nation wide the movie “City of Dreams” in USA, I have some other projects features and a few shorts set to release in Mexico and the United States. I’m not sure what I can and can’t say… I’m striving to work more in the United States, mainly to open the market and showcase my work on that side of the river and internationally…
TEAM CREDITS:
Interview By Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: José Carlos Martínez (@josecarlosmartinez.studio)
Grooming: Luz González (@luzgonzalezvg)
Public Relations: Armando Bocanegra (@_boknegra)
