The following was graciously provided by the fine folks at Project Publicity, and interviewer, Paul Hutnick.
Fernando Shines in Exteriors, the captivating LGBTQ film by director Mark Schwab
Originally from Costa Rica and raised close to the Ontario border in Niagara Falls, NY, Fernando grew up with dreams of making a difference. While he first aspired to become the U.S. president, his realization that this dream wasn’t possible due to his birthplace led him to pursue a different path of influence: acting. After graduating high school, Fernando made his way to Los Angeles, where he quickly landed a role on Disney Channel’s Disney 365. It was a “dream come true” that shaped his career and life. Now, Fernando takes center stage in Exteriors, an LGBTQ film by director Mark Schwab that weaves together three interconnected stories of modern gay relationships. The film premieres this month on GayBingeTV. Fernando explains more from his Los Angeles home.
You’re best known from your time on Disney Channel’s Disney 365. Is it true it almost didn’t happen?
Fernando: Yes! The morning of my big audition, the power went out in my building and the gate of my garage wouldn’t open! I was panicking: sweating bullets, crying. This was the biggest audition of my life, and I couldn’t get out of my building! Thankfully the casting director was so patient and understanding. I finally got to the audition, an hour late. I left thinking I would never hear from them but I got a callback that I completely flubbed because I was a ball of nerves. I left the callback thinking, not a chance in hell, but three days later I got the call telling me I booked it!
Did Disney 365 help shape your journey as an actor?
The lessons I learned from that time have shaped everything I do in and out of acting.
What does a typical day in your life look like now?
I don’t think there’s such a thing as a typical day for an artist. For that reason, I strive to stick to my self-care regimens religiously. First thing every morning, I stretch for thirty minutes to an hour and then hit the gym. Whatever happens from that point on in
the day is that day’s adventure.
What initially attracted you to the role of Kenny, and in what ways do you relate to him personally?
Kenny and I are similar in that we care about our friendships and relationships more than anything else.
You previously portrayed Kenny in Brotherly Lies. How did it feel to revisit this character in a new context with Exteriors?
Amazing! It’s rare to be given the chance to step back into a role, and I felt lucky to do so. Especially with Mark (Schwab, the film’s director) and his crew.
Exteriors delves into the idea of whether coincidences are random or part of a greater plan. What are your personal thoughts?
There have been countless times where I’m thinking of someone so I reach out or bump into them and they say, “I was just thinking of you.” How is it that we both were thinking of each other? That, to me, proves we’re all interconnected in ways we don’t yet understand. I believe there’s something bigger at play.
What do you hope audiences—both LGBTQ+ and beyond—take away from Exteriors?
I hope audiences leave the experience more open to whatever “randomness” life throws at us. We can all learn something meaningful from seemingly insignificant moments. You never know what that moment might mean eight years from now.
Would you suggest that viewers watch Brotherly Lies before diving into Exteriors?
I definitely think it’s an added bonus, but both films stand on their own.
In your opinion, how has the representation of LGBTQ+ characters and stories in film evolved over time?
How much time do you have? Long answer short; it’s come a long way but still has a long way to go.
How does working on a gay film compare to other projects you’ve been involved in?
Brotherly Lies was my first time working on a queer project and I found it to be pure magic. It’s what little me never knew I wanted to do. It gave me a chance to speak from my actual lived experiences and forced me to be honest with myself in the storytelling in ways I had never been challenged to do before.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals, who want to break into the film industry?
This is a hard one as after eleven years doing this professionally, I’m trying to figure it out myself. However, there are things that still remain true. Train. Learn. Study the craft, but also equip yourself with knowledge of how to navigate being your own business.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
My new film CUTAWAYS will be coming out soon which I’m really excited for. I got to have blue hair which is something I always wanted to try! Aside from that, I am working towards a law degree and will be doing a pre law fellowship in Europe this summer. I’ve never been, and it’s wildly expensive so I’ve started a crowdfunding campaign on my social media @spacemoneky.
Exteriors is streaming now on GayBingeTV. Visit ditrfilms.com. All pix by ditrfilms.com.
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