Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Apicella.
Hi Lina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in South Florida to all doctor family. I was the first and only person in my whole family on all sides to go into the arts. It was intimidating going from all sorts of sports and doing science and math to dancing, film, and performing. But that’s where I felt at home.
I became President of the National Honors Dance Society at my school, I choreographed group dances and solos including my own. I did several film internships with my highschool directing and camera operating the series and features we would do.
I go to SCAD Atlanta, and I am going into my senior year. I discovered casting my sophomore year when I started doing the Casting Office Internship and the casting minor that only SCAD offers. I became student head of the casting office my junior year and continuing in through my senior year. It has been the best decision of my life. I have not only learn so much about myself as a person and leader but as an actor in the industry as well. I have learned so much about the industry through this internship, and I will carry everything I have learned throughout the rest of my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was told that I was doing to be a doctor ever since I was a little girl by my Lolo. I thought that that was my plan. It was terrifying going against the status quo especially growing up part filipino (where a lot of my cousins are engineers or nurses).
But I jumped any way because I discovered that my life is in my own hands, and I get to write my own story.
It was actually when my parents were separating, and my dad would watch a lot of old time movies with me and my three siblings to distract us, where I found my love for film and telling stories. It made me love movie structure and how films make people feel. How it brings you into their world for 2 hours and makes you forget the other stuff in your life.
I love dance, and it has been a great journey of loving myself through dance. I was very insecure because I never had a dancer body, and that was constantly shown in the studio. Espeically when I tore a ligament in my ankle, I thought I was done with dance for good. But without it, I realize that I felt empty without it. I was spastic and antsy. I grew to love myself when I learned to love dance again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an acting major and double minor in casting and film. I am student head of the casting office. SCAD is the one of the only uni to offer acasting minor and casting office internship. There are very few people graduating from college with the knowledge I have.
What makes you happy?
Well … I mean food family faith friends and my dog Bentley.
But what makes me happy is affecting people with my work. One of my most fond memories is when i showed my self choreographed solo to my dad (my hero). This brave, strong, tough man cried at the end. And he had seen me dance before. But when I took the matter of storytelling into my own hands and created something from MY brain, it told a story. He found the piece sad and powerful and distinct. Of course he is my dad, but he is not one to say he likes things. I find happiness in making people laugh from my jokes or bits or drawing people into a story.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina.apicella/
- Other: actors access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/1995972-5608931
Image Credits
For the dance picture, Melina Velleman White
For the Chef ATL picutres, Jenna Rose Weisenbach
