Interview with Greek-American actor George Zouvelos
Welcome George we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.
First off, Who is George Zouvelos and how did the passion for writing start ?
George Zouvelos is a native New Yorker, of Hellenic Greek ancestry, primarily of Arcadian, and Spartan origins. He is a man that is 6’4 that was raised in a traditional lower middleclass Greek American family that maintained a rich oral storytelling tradition which was in addition to his encouraged study of Greek historical and theatrical texts. George is a father of three daughters and a son that caused him to have an epiphany and awakened for his passion for storytelling and converting same to film.
These early passions of storytelling commenced at a young age and through his years as New York City Paramedic and later in Law Enforcement. During that time, George was inspired by the things he was witnessing working the streets of New York City, and also by the various and diverse personas from all walks of life. During this time, and while working night and overnights, he wrote ideas on scraps of paper, menus, receipts, napkins, and whatever he could find when a story or event came to mind.
This included his early character, arcs, and story creation works.
Can you tell us about your previous work ?
From an early age I worked for those who totally disregarded child labor laws that permitted me because of my height to work in restaurants rapidly graduating from being a dishwasher, delivery-boy, busboy, waiter and counterman working overnights all over New York City. After high school I was a New York City Paramedic and later went into law enforcement. Now I am a multi award-winning professional actor, screenwriter, director and producer of independent television and films.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: Ashes to Ashes
Talk to us about your connection with Greece. Does it have a cultural impact on your work ?
My connection as a Hellenic American has had an extreme impact on my work besides my parents who used to travel taking my brothers and I to Greece as often as they could afford. Otherwise, I did not have to go far on a daily basis to experience the cultural Greek/Hellenic dynamics and experiences because it was everywhere I turned in New York City where I was born and raised. Luckily for me, and besides having experienced the richest and purest forms of ethnic pride and ethnocentrism it was far from being a blind one that was seeped in ego, intolerance, and disrespect towards other races, cultures, creeds, beliefs, and preferences, but to the contrary.
During my upbringing, I was seeped and fully enthralled by the rich and diverse community that was my hometown that contained the cornucopia of people, languages, faiths, food, dances, and customs that differed from my very own.
Talk to us about your films ? How were they created ? Any inspirations ?
‘‘Ashes to ashes’’ starring George Zouvelos is an award-winning short film of a television proof of concept from the pilot called ‘Pushing up Daisy’ created and written by George Zouvelos. In the short, John (starring George Zouvelos) tragically lost his loving wife at the same time Lauren ( Deanna Doyle) dreadfully lost her husband when he was arguing on his cellphone with his talent manager when he walked in front of oncoming bus. The deceased were taken to the same funeral home at the same time, and later to the crematorium. However, the funeral home later placed the wrong names on the funeral urns. Fate is the only explanation for the mix-up as Lauren was given an urn bigger than her head, and John received one that fit in the palm of his hand. They both finally found the time to meet and to exchange the urns at Laurens apartment.
Are your short films part of something bigger? Talk to us about your series.
All of my short films are parts of proof of television and feature film concepts that are authored by me and later shorts that are directed by me that I case and film in order to provide some perspective or what I call the screen white being behind the black typed words on a page but for the screen.
What is the target audience of your project ?
As in all my filmmaking and storytelling my stories hopefully attract worldwide working class and a strong female audience who can relate to the content of my works.
What is the message the audience should convey leaving the screening of your film ?
‘‘‘My storytelling is primarily based in New York City which is in itself a character in all my films. I offer stories that takes place in the communities of New York City and feature the stories of ordinary people that comprise the very fabric of our society. My characters, as are the people of any city, are the crucial lifeblood of our basic societal existence that demonstrate everyday our humanity, human frailties, loves, tragedies, and our hopes . My storytelling attempts to highlight the fact that we are all simply human, and that it is our humanity that binds all of us into one big human family.”
Did you and your team face any difficulties while shooting your project ?
As in every one of my stories the writing, casting, filming, placing and or selling are each separate and distinct jobs in the process of having the public globally view my content. You are not done once the writing is done as it is as casting is as crucial to directing and filming.
Any future projects incoming ? Along with personal aspirations.
Presently we are in post-production for Once a week for life’ (OWFL) film series that I am the screenwriter, lead actor, director, and executive producer. OWFL features outstanding talent some of which have acted in Oscar winning feature films such as “ The Shape of Water”, and “ CODA”, and also acted in television and films such as Goodfellas, The Departed, The Irishman, The Sopranos, Green book, Mickey Blue Eyes, Breakfast Club, Weird Science, Umbrella Academy and so many others.
That was the interview with our beloved creator George Zouvelos. Our community is rising everyday, new talented filmakers and screenwriters get onboard. Be sure to check the rest of our interviews and why not schedule one for yourself to promote your work.
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