We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Argentieri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, how do you think about risk?
Risk plays a big part of my life. I think about it all the time, and I think it is an important part of life. Taking risks helps me go out of my comfort zone and try new things, or overcome fears of mine. I have been on the fence about trying eel sushi for a while, I finally did it and wasn’t crazy about it. However, I feel so much better about myself for having tried it. I find other ways to take risks, such as skating. I skateboard and roller-skate regularly, it’s become a huge part of my life and lifestyle. Six years ago I injured my spine, this hindered me from doing a lot of things I wanted to do. Although it has slowly healed I still have to be conscious of it. I decided that I wasn’t going to let it run my life though. I still had so much I wanted to do! Every time I step on my board or tie my skate laces, I have a pretty big risk to get hurt, but I do it anyways. I recently started dropping into and shredding the Venice Skatepark bowl. I have to say I have become a pretty great skater, maybe not by other’s standards, but for me alone. For me, acting is risk taking. I studied acting for years, with some of the closest people in my life. We became close because you can’t authentically act without letting go of who you are and fully explore a character. As an actor, you have to give yourself the permission to authentically become someone else and take the time to learn who this character is. Acting isn’t just about learning lines, being the funniest or most outrageous character onstage, it is about being truthful. As an acting you should be constantly asking yourself, “Am I doing this character justice? Am I being truthful? Do I believe my circumstances?”. I think in studying acting, I have learned to give myself permission to be me authentically. To be alright with being afraid or excited for the future, and to see where I will end up as an artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I don’t like comparing myself to others, because we are all special and unique in our own ways. What sets me apart from other artists though, is how many creative outlets I have explored. I believe the term “Jack of All Trades” really applies to me. I have been doing art since I was small. I still do, but I keep it solely for a hobby and emotional outlet. I mostly draw and paint these days, but I am familiar with most mediums. One of my favorites I discovered when I studied film photography, learned how to develop my own film, and print my own photos in a dark room. I seriously considered pursing film photography as a career, but I discovered my love of acting instead. For years I had been performing on stages in front of people. I trained in Ballet for eight years, but found that didn’t satisfy me. I was also in a circus. I trained in Ariel arts, such as trapeze, hoop, and tissue, but one specifically stuck out to me known as the Spanish Web. I also learned many other circus acts in my time under the big top. After I graduated High School I was cast in Santa Rosa’s Junior College production of Phantom of the Opera. That was the first time being apart of a large scale production and I was hooked. After that Fall I realized that I wanted to study acting. I attended a small film school in Escondido, CA, and met some of the most talented people I know. Funny enough, I never wanted to attend college, it had no appeal to me. It wasn’t until I began taking acting classes that I was happy being at school. It was during this time that my metal health began to take a toll on me. Navigating college for the first time, as well as adult life, and anxiety and depression was exceedingly difficult. There were so many times that I almost threw in the towel and left college. I was afraid to quit though. It felt like I was giving up too quick, and I knew I had more drive in me. I don’t want to say that people who struggle with mental health should just push through it. Everyone needs to listen to themselves for what they need. Rest is good. I am happy to say that not only did I graduate, but I also made a short film called Rose and Raven, for my senior thesis. This films means a lot to me because I based it off a friendship I had with a girl who was deaf, who really changed my life. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was young, so this was my way of honoring her. It has gone on to win awards and make final selection as film festivals the past two years. You can check out it out at @roseandravenfilm. After graduating I immediately moved to LA along with many others from my school. By no means am I a city person, but I have learned to make it work for me. Finding places where I can go to relax and decompress is so important. Since being in LA I have been an extra on almost every major film lot. My most recent part was an old time-y dancer for the film Mank, which just came out on Netflix. Covid-19 shut down the whole world, including Hollywood, so I have yet together back on sets as an extra. During this past year I was able to set design two films of friend’s of mine though. I enjoy being behind the camera just as much as in front. I came to the conclusion over the past year that I really want to focus on projects that really mean something to me, and be worth my time. Time is definitely something I have learned to value as I’ve gotten older. Now I spend my free time how I want, which is usually skating with friends or drawing!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It would be hard not to have a great time in Los Angeles. One of the things I love about living in one of the biggest cities in the world, is there is every type of food imaginable. If you want to try it, LA probably has it! Some of my favorite foods to eat are ramen, pho, or Tom Kha. I also love sushi and pizza. One of my go to places to shop and eat is Eataly. I am Italian after all, and it reminds me of when I visited Italy some years ago. My favorite places to grab a slice of pizza is Jerry’s Pizzeria, it reminds me of my childhood. My all time favorite spot for a lazy sunny day is Aroma Coffee and Tea. For sight seeing I would have to bring them to the Griffith Observatory, because that is one of the places that I first came to when I visited LA, and I love space and history! Also Venice has captured my heart, but I am a skater so what do you expect? I would also be sure to hit up some rad thrift shops such as Buffalo Exchange to find some unique threads. For a leisurely Sunday stroll I would take them to the Huntington Gardens to decompress.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to acknowledge my acting teacher, Lee Eskey, and acting friends. Truly a group of people that have pushed me like no other, to find the truth of who I am, and also be there for me when I was at my most vulnerable. Also my parents, and brother who have never told me I couldn’t pursue something I wanted to. That any field of interest was acceptable as long as I was happy.

Instagram: @gypsy_florence

Linkedin: Veronica Argentieri

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_qNII7wL2E&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2EfHwz_KakjdRnlhYFJpzDbfE-DJl1v_JtnFw7VzqbvfmomjSF7LXPEgA

Image Credits
Kaitlyn Krikorian

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