Exclusive Interview by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com
Luis Pedron: How did you go about starting with your acting and modelling career in the Philippines?
Rafael Rosell: Like most balikbayans, I came here (Philippines) for a vacation. Prior to the vacation I searched the internet for auditions, and saw that ABS-CBN was casting for a new batch of artists. I sent them pics and a demo reel and they invited me for an audition.
So when we arrived Manila, we went to ABS-CBN after a few days of just chilling in the city. I passed it and they gave me a 6 months contract for workshops. I signed it, and things started rolling.
Luis Pedron: I heard you had to study Filipino (Tagalog) and it is now paying off with starring roles in Telenovelas and Movies? How was that a challenge in learning another language in your early twenties? BTW, how many languages do you speak?
Rafael Rosell: During the 6 months training they gave Tagalog grammar classes, but it wasn't until I started reading the tabloids out loud to my friends that I learned how to pronounce the words properly. I had conversations with taxi drivers and people who were around me just to learn the conversational skills. I got myself into a Tagalog play for Tanghalang Ateneo to further enhance the language learning, and also to put pressure on myself. On stage, you can't make mistakes, so I really studied the script and "imitated" and learned how Pinoys express themselves on and off stage, and adapted mannerisms and intonations of the voice according to what the regular Pinoy wants to communicate.
It wasn't easy, but growing up I've always been fond of the different languages, but it was really Tagalog that I had my mind set on truly mastering, after all, one of my purposes of coming back here was to study my parents' roots. So by doing this, I really wanted to become "Pinoy" like them.
Learning a new language at that age was more difficult than when you're a kid. It takes more effort and understanding. As a kid you don't have to think about grammar or sentence structure, it just comes along naturally over the years.
There was a time when I spoke four, almost 5 languages (Norwegian, English, German, Tagalog and a little Spanish) but German faded because I never got to use it in a real conversation and Spanish was just a language I managed to speak under the influence of alcohol. Hehe! I can still understand a little bit of Spanish and German, but it's minimal. Norwegian, English and Tagalog are the languages I fluently speak now.
Luis Pedron: How does it feel to be biracial in the Philippines? Are there advantages and disadvantages to this?
Rafael Rosell: Well, I'm not biracial. I'm pure blooded pinoy, but people say I look foreign. Advantages of this is that people are immediately nice to you. They cater to you and welcome you with open arms no matter where you are.
Disadvantages on the other hand, is that everyone immediately assume that you're rich and a playboy. There are more advantages and disadvantages though depending on what aspect you want to elaborate on.
Luis Pedron: Pls tell us what makes you keep on keeping on?
Rafael Rosell: Our country is slowly going down. And when we're about to rise, some nut has to bomb a mall. It's really sad… But what keeps me going is mostly to help the viewers escape their reality and join something that we have created for them. Take them for a ride away from our country's pain and poverty. Aside from that I also believe that there are roles that can teach people something or make them realize or give them an epiphany. Those are the roles I try to choose. Roles that have meaning. Characters that can teach the viewers something useful.
I also do what I do because I'm out to prove to my brother's that you can get anywhere and anything as long as you're ready to bust your ass for it and work hard.
Luis Pedron: Which do you enjoy more and why - Modelling or Acting and why?
Rafael Rosell: Financially, I enjoy (commercial) modeling more. Hehe, but for the mind and spirit, it's acting. I treat it as a form of release. Releasing trapped emotions and being someone else in a different time and place. For me, it's an escape from the norm and it gives me the opportunity to do things I wouldn't normally do as my regular self.
Luis Pedron: How different is it acting on TV as opposed to acting in the Movies?
Rafael Rosell: For me, acting for soaps on TV influences the mind more, because you sustain that character for so long that you end up adapting some of your character's traits and mannerisms. Where as for movies, you keep it for the time you shoot the movie and then release it after the month long shooting. Soaps on the other hand takes several months…
Indie films is a whole different world to itself. You are able to be more free, and typecasting is minimal. Since it's not commercial you have more artistic freedom and the characters you're asked to portray varies from the regular joe to way offbeat roles (which are more fun.)
Luis Pedron: Who is your favorite actress / actor in the Philippines and in the US and why?
Rafael Rosell: In the Philippines it has to be Mark Gil and Chery Gil. They come through with their characters with such great intensity… on stage it's Paolo Fabregas. He just OWNS the stage!
In the States, it has to be Johnny Depp. The roles he has portrayed are so off beat it's amazing. He doesn't go for the stereotypical characters and the way he brings forward the personality of his characters is amazing! Other actors I admire are Kevin Spacey, Ed Norton, Al Pacino, and of course Marlon Brando.
Actresses are Jessica Alba and Kristin Kreuk. They both seem to be so sweet but deep inside they seem to have this naughty side to them, and they both can kick ass.
Luis Pedron: How do you keep fit? What suggestions do you have to people like me in trying to look trim?
Rafael Rosell: I don't believe there's a basic formula that works for everyone, when it comes to working out. I just believe in working hard in the activities that you enjoy doing, and the body will follow the required fitness level for that particular activity depending on your body type. Did you get that? Hehe, basically, my philosophy in fitness is: "Appearance is the consequence of fitness." Thus; the harder you work, the harder you get.
Personally, when I have free time, I train with my capoeira group or go for a swim.
One advice I can give to other people is to just stay active. Join sports, join a gym, or jog for thirty minutes to an hour every other day. If you want to lose weight, it's either you diet or you compensate for the amount you eat by doing cardio ( i.e running, swimming, cycling or skipping) Personally I chose to compensate. I hate dieting and don't believe in restricting yourself from great food. Eating makes me happy, and life is too short to let great food pass by.
Luis Pedron: Wow, thank you I will definitely compensate more... I have a hard time dieting... but now I should know my limitations.....How do you prepare for a role? Do you have any methods that you do? Research etc....?
Rafael Rosell: I research. Study my friends or people I know that have that trait in them that's required for my character's personality. Then I throw myself in the character's situation, mix up the different mannerisms and traits I gained from my study together with my personal issues.
(It's a mixture of "method" (by Stanislavski) and "being" (by Eric Morris)
After the research, I analyze the script. Read through it once, then analyze it by sequence. Then I read through it again. I try different attacks and push through with the one that feels right. If the director wants a different attack, at least I'll be prepared.
There are different ways of doing it depending on the character and how the director wants your character to come through.
Luis Pedron: Do you have any charitable institutions that you help out and support and why?
Rafael Rosell: I always believe in helping out people in need. But I don't believe in doing charity work for publicity. So I have my own way of helping out the children in the street without the media or other people knowing about it. Usually it's by giving out clothes or money anonymously.
Luis Pedron: If you were to produce, direct and act in your own ideal movie what would be the story line? Who will be your ideal cast? What genre would it be and why?
Rafael Rosell: Wow, I've thought about directing before, but never truly pursued it.
If ever it was to be here in the Philippines it would be about how dirty the industry can get, or how the corruption ruins our politicians, thus the country's poverty and suffering.
The story line would revolve on secrets within our industry that would make people realize that showbiz is not pure glitz and glamour. The political story line, the plot would contain truth on how the politicians run the country. The bottom line would be to make people realize that politicians need much more education than just acting for a camera. Get the proper people to run the country. People with education, not people with popularity.
I could go on, but that would already be a story line and a script, and I might get shot or someone might steal my idea. Hehe!
Luis Pedron: I definitely would like to prod you to write and direct. Go for it! By the way congrats on your URIAN win for "Rome and Juliet! " How does it feel to be an award winning actor? Who did you dedicate your award to? (Rafael Rosell is a recent URIAN Awardee)
Rafael Rosell: It feels great! I'm really honored and relieved that people finally saw my hard work in this industry. Of course, the award was dedicated to my family (first and foremost) for always being there for me and believing in me. My friends and fans that were with me since the beginning. And last but not the least, my special someone who pushed me beyond my doubts and fear and supported me throughout the project.
Luis Pedron: Uuuuy!!!! Sino yun special someone? ( Teasing: who is the special someone? LOL! ) Do you have advice to the youth out there who plan to pursue their dreams in acting, modelling and directing?
Rafael Rosell: "Always believe in yourself and don't let anybody bring you down."
Luis Pedron: I will definitely write a part for you in my future film project - will you act in my film?
Rafael Rosell: I definitely would. I've seen how you write, and from impression I know you'd write a great plot. Who knows, our path might cross soon in the near future.
Thanx man, more power to you! Saw your red carpet preimier of Spidey 3 on the net. Awesome bro! Keep up the good job!
Luis Pedron: Thank you for granting me this interview. More power and hope to work with you soon!
Rafael Rosell BIO:
Rafael Rosell's full name is Rafael Quimpo Rosell IV. He was born and raised in a place called Stavanger, Norway. His parents are both from the Philippines. Both have Spanish blood in them, but aside from that, he is pure blooded Filipino.
Born on the 10th of November, 1982,he lives under the traits of a Scorpio. When not working, he spends most of his time catching up with friends, family and loved ones. Usually it's spent by watching a movie, food tripping or just hanging out.
Rafael says he is pretty much a free spirit. "I need my time to do whatever I feel like without people ordering me around. Without the time for myself, things can get really messy. For me, showbiz is a job, there's so much more to me than what the media allows me project. "
