Interview with Gio Drasconi
Thank you, Gio Drasconi, for the interview. A brief introduction: Born March 31, 1987, in Queens, New York, Gio Drasconi is a talented actor and producer known for Ghosters Phantom Patrol, The Great American Heist, and Mark of the Werewolf. Since beginning his career in 2020, his dedication, resilience, and entrepreneurial drive have made him a rising force in the film industry..
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1. You began acting in 2020 under deeply personal and challenging circumstances. How did your mother’s diagnosis influence your mindset as you launched this new chapter in your life?
When my mother was diagnosed, everything in my world shifted. It was a moment of clarity—an awakening, really. Her strength in facing something so overwhelming made me reevaluate how I was living my own life. I had always been drawn to storytelling, but I hadn’t pursued it fully. Her diagnosis lit a fire in me. I decided I wasn’t going to wait anymore. Every role I’ve taken since is, in some way, a tribute to her courage. She gave me the permission—without saying a word—to live boldly and honestly.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11395875/
2. Booking 67 lead roles in just 24 months is an extraordinary feat. How do you stay energized and focused across such a demanding slate of projects?
Discipline and passion. I treat every project like it could be my last—because that’s the level of commitment I believe this craft deserves. I don’t wait for inspiration to strike; I show up every day prepared to give 100%. I also lean into routines that help me stay sharp—mental and physical wellness, and staying deeply connected to the material. When you’re doing what you love, the energy finds you.
3. What inspired you to pursue acting later in life, and how has that life experience shaped the way you approach your roles?
I think starting later gave me a different kind of emotional toolbox. I’ve lived a life—I’ve experienced loss, love, failure, redemption. That depth informs every character I portray. There’s no guesswork when I’m tapping into grief or joy; I pull from real places. I didn’t go into acting to chase fame—I went in because I had something to say, and this was the most honest way I could say it.
4. Is there a particular role or project that pushed you the most creatively or emotionally? What made it so challenging?
There was a role where I played a grieving father—it hit close to home. The emotional demands of that part were relentless. We shot for days in this raw, unfiltered space, and I had to go somewhere mentally that I don’t usually allow myself to visit. It wasn’t just about performing—it was about letting go of control and letting the pain be seen. That role changed me. It reminded me why storytelling matters.
Gio Drasconi & Peter Greene on set of The Beggarman
5. What inspired the founding of Hudson Valley Film Productions and Glendale Film Productions? What are your broader goals with these ventures?
Both companies were born from a desire to tell stories that aren’t getting told. I wanted to create opportunities—not just for myself, but for other creatives who have something powerful to share. Hudson Valley is rooted in regional pride—we want to spotlight local talent and landscapes. Glendale Film Productions has a broader scope, but the mission is the same: make bold, human-centered films that resonate. My hope is to create platforms where truth, diversity, and raw emotion drive the narrative.
Gio Drasconi on set playing Al Capone STORIES™ AMERICAN MAFIA
6. You’ve trained extensively with acting coach Frank Rossi. In what ways has his guidance changed or refined your approach to the craft?
Frank stripped away everything that wasn’t honest. He taught me that acting isn’t about performing—it’s about being. He challenged me to stop hiding behind technique and to lead with vulnerability. That was a game-changer. Now, whether I’m on set or on stage, I’m present. I’m listening. I’m breathing with the scene. Frank didn’t just make me a better actor—he made me more human in my work.
7. Improvisation plays a significant role in your work. How has embracing improv enriched your on-set performances or helped you connect more deeply with characters?
Improv is freedom. It keeps me in the moment, fully alive and responsive. It’s also where the magic happens—the unscripted glance, the unplanned reaction, the human messiness that makes scenes real. I use improv to explore the edges of a character—to find what’s just beneath the surface. Directors I work with know that when we roll, I’ll honor the script, but I’m also going to bring something spontaneous and true.
8. Outside of acting, you’re known to be passionate about gourmet food and other creative outlets. How do these personal passions influence or inspire your work as an actor?
Cooking is my therapy. There’s a creative rhythm to it, just like acting. Both require intuition, patience, and care. When I’m in the kitchen, I’m experimenting, tasting, adjusting—that’s not so different from building a character. Food also connects people, and so does storytelling. I draw a lot of inspiration from life outside the industry—conversations over dinner, the way people interact when they’re relaxed and unguarded. That fuels my work in ways you wouldn’t expect.
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