Actor and producer Alejandro De Hoyos chatted about producing and starring in his new film “The Unexpecteds.”
How was your experience in “The Unexpecteds”?
It was a great experience. My approach to produce this movie was the same way I do it with any of my businesses.
There will always be challenges when you’re creating something from scratch, but in general I am very thankful that things went great, with no injuries or problems while shooting.
What did you like most about your character?
I’m a father of four boys and I’m really big on family relationships. Therefore, my relationship with my son in the movie was my favorite.
As the producer, I had the ability to influence the plot of the movie so we could include that element in it.
What did this screenplay teach you about yourself?
We’re always learning something, but in this case it cemented a firm belief that I have when it comes to any endeavor. You have to believe in yourself and your team and really go for it.
There will be obstacles, but that only makes the success more enjoyable when you reminisce about them.
How does it feel to be an actor and filmmaker in the digital age?
I’m having a great time working as an actor and producer. I started acting in my 30s making about 250 commercials and some theatrical work, while I was raising my sons and growing my companies.
Now that the boys are grown up and the companies are more established, I’m focusing more on my acting career, as well as producing.
Fortunately, I am more active than I’ve ever been and I have a few projects in the works.
What was it like working with Matt Walsh and Kevin Smith?
Working with Matt was awesome. From the moment we met I liked his sincere and down to earth demeanor.
After a few days working together, we were able to create a really nice bond that parallels our characters in the movie.
The situation with Kevin Smith was different. “The Unexpecteds” won “Best Comedy” at Smodcastle, his film festival in New Jersey.
As a result, he asked how he could help. Kevin then agreed to put his name on the film, and become an executive producer.
He is a very humble person and during our premiere in Los Angeles, he told the audience that he wanted to pay it forward, the way Robert Redford did many years ago when he received the letter of acceptance for his film “Clerks” to be part of Redford’s Sundance Film Festival, which changed his life.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors and filmmakers?
Keep creating, writing, building, doing things that get you closer to your goal. When you’re starting any task in life things are difficult, but those who are persistent are the ones with the biggest chances of making it.
People know these words very well. They hear them all the time and they could lecture you on what needs to be done to be successful in any field.
Everybody is an expert. The key is to be honest with yourself and ask… Am I really following my own advice and going all out, failing and getting up a few dozen times, or am I just pretending I’m working really hard by just saying it?
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Anything you want to achieve in your life and you’re constantly working on, no matter where you are at the moment.
Being a mom, a teacher, a physical therapist, a writer. If that’s what your goal is and you’re really working on it, then you’re successful.
What would you like to tell our readers about “The Unexpecteds”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
“The “Unexpecteds” is a non-pretentious fun movie that was created with the goal to make you laugh and entertain you for an hour and a half.
It is also an underdog story where the characters lose everything and have to find a way to get up and fight for what is right.
To learn more about actor and producer Alejandro De Hoyos, follow him on Instagram and visit his IMDb page.
