Meet the Finalist: Kento Matsunami & Lucía Rodriguez-Nelson, "Another Yesterday"
Tell us about yourself, and about Another Yesterday.
Kento: I’m from Tokyo, Japan, and I’ve been acting for almost six years. I’ve also been studying English for six years. I’ve loved performing since I was kid. I’m passionate about portraying different characters, especially those totally unlike my own personality. It’s sometimes hard to become someone so different from myself, but it’s also really fun. An actor is a person who can be an astronaut one day and a doctor the next, so you can truly be anything. Making people laugh and be happy is something I take pride in. I want everyone to be uplifted and inspired when they watch my work.
Lucía: I’m currently in my sophomore year at The Theater School at DePaul University, studying Acting. This film was shot when I was a junior in high school, long before I started my journey of true self-reflection. Because of this, I was very surprised with the positive responses to my contribution in this film. Although surprised, I am utterly grateful and filled with jubilation to share this with my wonderful partner Kento.
Share a memorable moment you experienced working on this project.
Kento: Another Yesterday was the first film project I auditioned for in my life, so honestly, from the Skype audition in Los Angeles through the last day of shooting, every single moment was memorable.
Lucía: When I first walked in, I was extremely nervous and didn’t know what to expect. One of the producers, who is also the director’s mother, treated me like I was her daughter, making me feel immediately comfortable and myself, giving me the freedom to form beautiful, authentic relationships with everyone who was a part of the production.
3 tips you’d like to share with aspiring artists in your field:
Kento:
1. Never give up.
2. Be ready; stay ready.
3. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow.
Lucía:
1. When you feel like giving up, keep going because that is when you are about to experience a breakthrough.
2. See everything as an opportunity to learn.
3. Acting is emotion, not emoting. Focus on the words of your partner and the emotions will come.
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next 5 years?
Kento: Playing a lead actor for a TV series.
Lucía: I hope to feel confident in my abilities as an actor and who I am as a person. I hope to gain life experience that I can take into my work. I hope to get thrilling opportunities to act that allow me to see the world and influence people’s perspectives on art as well as on moral issues.
Kento Matsunami & Lucía Rodriguez-Nelson are nominated for Best Duo of the Year at the New York Film Awards.
