Interview with Guernslye Honorés
Don’t be afraid to take risks. You are not fully ready for most decision making, so act and keep moving and the path will be built along the way. Work your mind. It builds your proprioception and this gives you fundamental confidence for every step you take.
As a part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker”, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Renato Fimene.
Renato Fimene has been living between Los Angeles and São Paulo. Graduated from the School of Dramatic Art in Sao Paulo (EAD/ECA-USP). Studied and worked with several prominent Brazilian directors such as Sandra Corveloni, Kenia Dias, Cristiane Paoli Quito, Celso Frateschi, César Baptista Pinto an Sergio Ferrara in more than 15 plays. Renato is debuting his first Lead role in the short film “SNAIL” (2023). He speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish and recently started seeking representation in the US, Mexico, and Brazil.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I grew up in Sao Paulo Brazil with another sister under the command of a warrior woman, my mother who is largely responsible for our upbringing, education, and livelihood. I was the first male grandchild in the family, and I looked up to my grandparents. In this family nucleus, I had the freedom to grow and develop by playing in the streets with Brazilian games and sports surrounded by a lot of cultural and economic diversity. Most of my days were studying and developing a child’s creativity. And since then, I’ve been developing my artistic sense with stories and realities invented in my head, always dreaming big.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Like most young people, I was encouraged to study and seek a conventional profession, as it was the trajectory and reality that presented itself in my life. My sister was the first member of the family to have a University Degree. When I was a teenager, my mother decided to immigrate to the city of Boston, and it was there that I learned the English language during High School. After almost two years living there, due to the tragic September 11th, we moved back to Brazil and I continued my studies, started Business Management at university, and became the second member of the family to have a University Degree. During the course I went to Orlando to do a work and study program and, upon returning, I decided to take an Acting course to fill a gap in my workload. I fell in love and never let go. However, it was only here in Los Angeles that I had the opportunity to create a film project myself for my debut as an actor, director, and producer.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
The difficulties of the profession create many funny and interesting moments. However, something that really sticks in my mind is the corporate theaters that we did to support training as characters that helped tell the story and a memorable one is when I played an Angel who, through a story, told how each employee should behave with good actions and behaviors. It was very funny because I didn’t believe that much in the traditional model of working in an office and that was funny: not trusting the story I was going through, completely dressed as an angel, with wings and a halo. Specifically in my filmmaking career, I always got support roles: The security guard, The gamer guy, and a lot of background work in soap operas, where I didn’t even appear properly, waiting long hours alongside great actors.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I believe that all the people who have passed through my life and who will still pass through are interesting. I love human beings. They always teach something new and present different perspectives on life from mine and this makes the experience interesting. As my mother worked a lot, I lived with many colleagues and family members without much financial access and this fed me experiences that brought values that I take with me into my life, such as having to share food with my friends’ families, or always giving and receiving clothes and objects belonging to older people or that no longer fit. This all made me aware of access and taught me that we can have more, and can also have less, so always being grateful for all you have.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Without a shadow of a doubt, my mother for always balancing finances, the house, the children, education, and ensuring that we had what was necessary for our development, even if she was left without. My mother taught me to be a better and hard-working human being in everything I do. My admiration not only for being my mother but for being the provider and always looking for the best for everyone around me. I remember one time I really wanted a video game, and it was expensive at the time. She stopped buying many things and surprised me with the video game. As a child, I didn’t understand much, but as I grew up I was able to understand the sacrifices, the real value of things, and, above all, the magic of being able to change people’s lives.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“You are never late for what is yours.” Living on art in general brings you social and personal pressures that do not match reality. Apart from people who reach prestigious positions right at the beginning of their careers, understanding that I am the owner of my opportunities and that I can create the reality I desire, even in small steps, has brought me freedom and taken away the pressure of having to give right. This life lesson quote follows as a mantra that I have my worth and that opportunities will come to me the moment life presents itself. This brings peace to my daily life and gives me more strength to continue.
I am very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
As a self-proclaimed entertainment aficionado, I cannot help but appreciate the value of engaging representation in stories from various cultural backgrounds to engage audiences in a way that drives home the importance of inclusion and representation in the industry. I increasingly believe that diverse content resonates more with audiences, highlighting the need for inclusivity in the entertainment industry. Representation matters for individual viewers who see their own experiences reflected, but also showcase the humanity of marginalized groups.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now, I’m enjoying the moment of taking our SNAIL project to as many people as possible, bringing to discussion the importance of the topic not only in California, but around the world and also visiting the various layers that we explore and that, in itself Just, it’s been one of the most interesting and exciting project I’ve been working on. Furthermore, I am focusing on the treatment of a script for a feature film and a theater work that dialogues with these two projects.
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
Over all these years, the sum of my experiences has brought me to this moment. What I’m most proud of in terms of my work is the transformative power that entertainment has in people’s lives, leading them to reflect on specific themes. For example, bringing into discussion a problem of public calamity such as the situation of people living on the streets leads to reflection on how each of us is the result of a society that does not offer people basic needs such as housing and this affects the human condition as a whole and the ability of an individual to dream. I am proud to create projects in which the history and the topic addressed are at the forefront of discussions.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
1. Work on projects you believe in. If you have this as a mantra, your decision-making will be guided by the strength of autonomy and creative power in telling different stories. Many times we end up being carried away by projects that are not exactly what we want to say, but when you do something that you believe in and that works to your potential, your artistic performance, whatever your area, will translate.
2. Most of the time when people are analyzing you, they don’t know about your trajectory, it’s just a snapshot. Make sure your actions are aligned with the way you want to be recognized.
3. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You are not fully ready for most decision making, so act and keep moving and the path will be built along the way. Work your mind. It builds your proprioception and this gives you fundamental confidence for every step you take.
4. Believe in your creative ideas, execute and keep shaping your brand in the world. Don’t wait for approvals and when you hear feedback about a work, ask yourself who is giving that feedback and understand that people measure work and art by their own rulers, so don’t wait for approvals.
5. Understand the business. This will give you clarity on how you should present your project and will make you understand the way business is done. In the end, business is business.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
It is important to take all stakeholders into account, but above all I seek to be increasingly aligned with the team I am working with. We are in the same boat, discussing the project, focusing on the artistic choices we make and looking for a common result to execute a work and they are the people with whom I exchange artistic vision about the project.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’d love to give back to the LatinX community. I have an audience that is very interested in hearing tips on how to position yourself as a Latino in the entertainment industry, but I also know that the LatinX community is constantly struggling with access to knowledge development programs. The reality of this community changes a lot in political and social context and gets worse when we go into layers of basic needs. I have a desire to talk and create opportunities for marginalized parts of this community to stimulate creativity in projects that translate their realities and increase representation of their realities.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Christopher Nolan. I’m a fan of how he breaks barriers in the innovative projects he is in, as well as being passionate about his films. But also, Joaquin Phoenix and the depth with which he gives himself.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Definitely. I’m on my personal Instagram @renatofimene or on my current project’s Instagram @snailthemovie.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
Renato Fimene: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.