Alejandro Albarracín is a Spanish actor with more than 20 years of experience in the acting world. He has worked in Netflix productions, being the series “Elite” the most recent one. Also, he has worked on theater plays, television series and even an audiobook. The unstoppable actor is a sport passionate person and love to have time to create her characters.
Since you were a child, you approached the world of acting by starting in the theater, but why did you decide to study and dedicate yourself to being an actor?
As a child, what I enjoyed most was choreographing musical numbers and inventing and rehearsing theatrical pieces with my friends and cousins. Later on, during my adolescence, that age when some of us feel misunderstood, different or alone… the cinema was my refuge, my company and my window to the world. I traveled to it every Thursday night. Or from Monday to Friday if there was a special season of Spanish or French cinema. Commercial cinema was reserved for the weekend. I never went there. I went alone most of the time. Cinema meant so much to me that I wanted to be part of it and maybe in that way I could make travel many other people who needed it.
How was your first experience on a film shoot?
I was 15 years old, shooting a short film was the final project of a production course taught in Ronda by two of Carlos Saura’s sons, Carlos and Antonio. I really enjoyed the search as an actor, being in front of the camera. I remember that I had a rather compromising scene for a teenager. Those who knew me could not explain how I was able to get in front of a camera, as introverted as I was in real life.
You have worked in series such as Amar en tiempos revueltos, los hombres de paco, etc. Do you have any tricks to learn the script?
I really enjoy the table work, it is a part of the preparation process where you analyze the character’s objectives, relationships, intentions, where what you are saying comes from, where it is going. This helps a lot to memorize the text. At the end of the process it is good to repeat it infinite times, so you don’t have to think about it. But be careful not to always do it the same way, because you have to let the form emerge freely and spontaneously at the final moment as a result of active listening and living in the present.
In the film Masculino_32 with Jan Cornet, is discussed the topic of dating apps and their possible dangers, have you ever had any problems on a date, with any app or anything like that?
Once I made a profile in an application and I put a picture of a landscape, so that I would not be recognized. Someone wrote me saying that it was said that my profile corresponded to Alejandro Albarracín, that it was true and it was me. I automatically deleted the account and I didn’t want to know anything more about applications.
In times of stress or workload, do you have anything to help you cope?
The moment when I hit rock bottom in times of high stress is that day when I don’t even have time to eat. That’s when I notice that I lack courage and it’s hard for me to move forward. So now I take care to always carry food with me, just in case. I have learned that eating well is fundamental in those times. Not under-eating is almost as important as not over-eating.
You appear in the new season of Élite, had you been following the series before joining the cast?
I have always followed it and enjoyed it. Hangover days are perfect for marathoning series, and watching Élite is like continuing to party.
Of all the characters throughout the series, which one would you like to have played?
Cayetana, played by Georgina Amorós. I found it very funny and sad at the same time to see how she tried to pretend to be rich to fit in, when in fact she came from a humble family. I think it was a very attractive work of character composition.
As for your character, what can you tell us about it?
Well, we could also say that Luis has two faces. (Beware of the mini spoiler) In one of them he is the new head of studies and in the other he is a police inspector, as we discover at the end of the first chapter.
And of all the characters you have played, which one do you feel most identified with? Why?
It may seem curious, but I don’t have many things in common with any of the characters I have played. Maybe it is Álex, from the play “El gol de Álex”, with whom I can share the passion for his work. In his case it was soccer, in my case it is acting.
Do you have any funny anecdotes from a shoot or rehearsal?
In a series, the first day of filming with the leading actress you had to break the ice. She was very imposing to me, I was young (and clumsy) and she was a very well known person. To make a funny comment I noticed some ugly green and red shoes she was wearing. I said to her “What shoes the wardrobe people made you wear, where did they get them from” To which she replied “These are mine, I haven’t worn the ones for the character yet”. I don’t think I need to add anything else….
In addition to acting, you have studied dubbing and have done projects such as voicing an audiobook, in your case “El ETT” with Melani Olivares. How was this experience?
Voice work is fascinating, sometimes the voice can be the beginning of creating a character. Recording ETT was a different experience where I learned a lot about how much can be expressed even without an image. And working with Melani Olivares, another gift. From her I learned to work with more freedom and less fear. She is unique. I hope to meet her again and continue learning from her.
In your more than 20 years of career you have had the chance to work with many different people, more or less known in the world of acting. which person has surprised you the most in your work? Why?
Itziar Miranda, Manu Baqueiro and José Antonio Sayagués. Protagonists of “Amar es para siempre”. With all the years they have been working there, they have always let themselves be infected by the illusion of the new incorporations. Always working with a smile, and the same enthusiasm of those who have just arrived.
You’ve done series, films, short films, theater… What is your favorite format to work with and consume?
Cinema will always be my favorite format, both to enjoy and to work with. Especially since I was a teenager I have enjoyed watching Spanish cinema. As an actor I feel that I need to work in all formats, each of them gives you something different and necessary.
You were born in Jerez, but thanks to this job you have traveled to many places, what would you say is your favorite place in the world?
I was born in Jerez, grew up in Ronda and trained in Madrid. My favorite places are those where I feel at home, and these, in addition to those I have mentioned, are Barcelona, Rome and New York. I still have many more places to visit.
In the world of acting, physique is important to fit the characters, in your case you have said that you like crosfit and hate golf. How would you describe your life as an athlete? Do you dedicate a lot of time to it?
Poor golf, I don’t remember saying I hate it. If I did, I take it back, because I have no experience in that sport to give an opinion. I dedicate a significant amount of time to the sport, but everything I practice is aimed at improving my life, having more energy, withstanding long working days, feeling healthy and agile.
Also, in an interview you mentioned that you like to play classical music for cardio. Do you have any other hobbies or routines?
I organize my workouts depending on the job. For example, if I’m going to have a very physically demanding day of filming, the day before I won’t work on leg strength, because I know I’ll be exhausted the next day. However, I know I could use a cycling class, so the next day I’ll be more active. I do need to give myself a run in the morning whenever I can to get active. Even if it’s just a few minutes.
You appear interpentando a Frank Reyes en “Gavilanes”. How did you face acting in a story as well known in our society as the mythical “Pasión de Gavilanes”?
Well, I faced it as a new challenge, trying not to be influenced by other previous work. The story had similarities, but the way it was told was quite different. At no time did we try to be similar.
CREDITS
Text and interview by Gabriel Sánchez
Photography by Adrian Nucelar
