Acting

It’s been about a year and a half since we last touched base. I apologize for the delay!

This is a photo of me from just the other night, on New Year’s Eve. My mom took this photo. She said she wanted to capture my pretentious-ness. I’m currently in the second year of my Meisner training, tackling what are known as “Spoons.” With me being as eager as ever to continue growing as an actor, I couldn’t resist doing some acting homework whilst waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

In addition to studying the Meisner Technique, I’ve also been studying improv. The two complement one another well, and both programs have been immensely rewarding.

I’m headed off to LA in a little over 24 hours to have my headshots taken. I’ve resolved to take some pretty huge steps with my acting in 2018. I’ll have to check back in with you all more regularly, I’d love to keep you posted.

Fun fact: I just finished watching La La Land for the umpteenth time (it is now 3:17am). I was also listening to the soundtrack all day. That’s just how I needed to kick off this most momentous year. I think this tells you a lil bit more about the type of person I am…

Until next time,
Xavier Durante
San Jose, CA

I write to you today with a very exciting update: principal photography for two short films that I am acting in has been completed– all within just the past couple of weeks!

The Every Night Late Show with Dustin Lee (2016)

I recently had the greatest honor of acting as an eccentric talk show host in Adam Clay’s The Every Night Late Show with Dustin Lee. Getting cast in the role of Dustin Lee allowed me to live out two dreams of mine: 1) acting and 2) hosting my very own late night talk show. The production was backed by the most amazing crew filled with some of the most promising artists / filmmakers that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Additionally, I got to act alongside a very close friend of mine: James DeAngelis. James, too, is an actor and filmmaker. We had a blast getting to bounce energy off of one another. Furthermore, the production was blessed with the presence of an unbelievably talented house band. Everything was filmed in front of a live audience, all of whom were incredibly warm and generous. We’re all in for a treat with this one.

Stealing Retro (2016)

As you may recall, I was also cast as the male lead in Henry Roa-Deluca’s upcoming short comedy entitled Stealing Retro. I had a phenomenal experience working on this film. Mr. Deluca is such a promising artist– I was constantly in awe of his resilience, work ethic, and passion for storytelling. And he pulled together such an impressive cast and crew for this production. I am so proud of this film. I am a #ProudRetroThief.

Both of these films will be finished and made available to the general public in the very near future. And both may be circulated through various film festivals based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We’ll see!

Until next time,

Xavier