Today we’d like to introduce you to Panagiotis Margetis.
Hi Panagiotis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Athens Greece. After I finished school I studied Business Management in Athens and for some time in Spain. During high school but also while studying in Uni, I had acting as a hobby. But following acting as a career seemed always like a far-fetched dream that I wouldn’t dare to try.
Gradually, my feeling that I’m in the wrong path became stronger, and my biggest fear – to end up regretting what I’ve done with my life- was constantly growing. What ended up feeling more like a need than a want was what made me change my path. I switched my focus to acting and began chasing my dream, trying different schools until I ended up in UCLA extension where I got my certificate, and after that my US work permit. Today I am being as flexible as I can, working in both Europe and the US!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At times it has been smooth and I have felt very lucky. Other times there have been struggles and it’s been more of a bumpy road. A very big part of this job is rejection and it is vital to learn to accept it and move on. But that’s easier said than done and when rejections come back to back it’s more complicated to keep your head high, not take it personally and remain motivated. Especially with close calls, these are even worse, Definitely need to work on that! That being said, I overall feel lucky with how things have gone for me so far.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a bilingual actor from Greece. I work in both Greece and Los Angeles. I have worked in feature films, short films and commercials. One of our shorts, “Past Lives” by director Maxim Varen, was part of a competition of Outfest festival, one of the most important -if not the most important- LGBTQIA+ festivals in the world. The wonderful Damien Navarro, executive director of the festival approached us after the screening to congratulate us and give us his contact. This led to our film being screened in the Directors Guild of America, before the Los Angeles Premiere of the movie “Firebird”. This was one of my proudest moments! Also I proud myself in being consistent in “putting in the work”. I really love what I do so I work hard for it, constantly trying to improve and to educate myself. As I mentioned before, it can become really frustrating because rejection is a huge part of what I do, but I always try to keep moving forward even when I lack motivation.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Acting, music & my friends. Acting because of these moments when you get lost in it. A meditative state that I find very fulfilling and leaves me content. Music because I use it as a tool, to guide my mood and my imagination -I always listen to music. And my friends because I have a very strong group since high school. They are my companions in life. Also seeing my friends and family happy makes me happy. In fact, it’s necessary for me to be ok.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
For BW photo photographer is Stefanos Papazapraidis
