Eyal Alfandary is a talented actor originally from Israel, now pursuing his dreams in Los Angeles. With a career that began at a young age, Eyal has received international recognition, including awards for his performances in films like Press the Trigger. As a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he continues to hone his craft, blending his Israeli roots with Hollywood aspirations. In this interview, Eyal shares insights into his journey, recent projects, and advice for aspiring actors worldwide.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS EYAL ALFANDARY IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I’m an actor originally from Israel. I live in Los Angeles. I go to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I won an award for Best Actor in the film festival ‘Nitiin International Film Festival’ for the movie ‘Press The Trigger’ that I was in and another award in the ‘Birsamunda International Film Festival’. I was also nominated for best actor in the ‘Sweden Film Festival’.
CAN YOU SHARE THE JOURNEY OF YOUR ACTING CAREER, STARTING FROM YOUR EARLY EXPERIENCES IN ISRAEL TO YOUR RECENT WORK IN LOS ANGELES?
I began acting from a very young age. I have performed on stage in plays and musicals and attended a lot of acting and singing classes. I started auditioning for films and tv when I had an agent in Israel. It was always important for me to study and to go to a lot of acting classes and to learn the craft as much as I could. Two years ago, I moved to Los Angeles for my career and to peruse my dreams and to go to an acting school. I have done here a short film a few months ago and lately another film that I had the chance to work on.
HOW HAS STUDYING AT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH TO ACTING AND YOUR CRAFT OVERALL?
It helped me in so many ways. I developed so much as an actor and as a person. I have learned a lot of different ways to approach acting and how to connect myself more to what I do. I explored how to be my best self on stage and how to study the character. I have read a lot of plays and did a lot of work and research on theatre and acting and I feel that I went through a big journey that gave me so much.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MOVIE YOU JUST FINISHED SHOOTING IN LOS ANGELES? WHAT WAS THE MOST REWARDING OR CHALLENGING PART OF THAT PROJECT?
It was such a pleasure and honor to work with the director of this project. I felt very lucky that I played that part. It was really fascinating for me to play that part. We filmed it here in Los Angeles and it felt like a really collaborative process, and I enjoyed it a lot. It felt great to meet new people on set and to work with them and to experience that movie together.
WINNING TWO AWARDS FOR YOUR PERFORMANCE IS AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT! HOW DID THOSE ROLES SHAPE YOU AS AN ACTOR?
Thank you so much. It was a film that I did in Israel. I really enjoyed filming that project. I felt that I have learned a lot about how to be on set. The role that I played was about someone that went really far from himself and lost important people in his life,so I did a lot of personal work to connect to that character and to get into his shoes. It was interesting experience.
HOW DOES ATTENDING RED CARPET EVENTS AND BEING IN THE PUBLIC EYE IMPACT YOUR CAREER AND PERSONAL GROWTH AS AN ARTIST?
I really like those events where I have the chance to meet new people and to connect with people and to meet people that I can possibly work with in the future. I really like to start new beginnings and to get to know people.
WHAT DIFFERENCES HAVE YOU NOTICED BETWEEN THE ACTING INDUSTRY IN ISRAEL AND LOS ANGELES, AND HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED TO THESE CHANGES?
The biggest difference is that because Israel is a really small country, so you have fewer opportunities than in Los Angeles. I really love Israel, and it will always be my homeland and where my family is. I feel that in Los Angeles you just have more opportunities and more options.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING ACTORS FROM YOUR HOMELAND OR INTERNATIONALLY WHO DREAM OF PURSUING A CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD?
To work hard and to go for it. To never give up. To listen to yourself and to be connected to yourself. To be open and to avoid fear, and just believe in yourself and jump into the water.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
That I was in the army in Israel, and I was a photographer and an actor during my army time. I managed to continue going to auditions while I was in the army.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
My Instagram is @eyalalfandary
