Meet RJ Lucci: Actor & Producer

Let Go! When I first started the acting journey I found that I was holding on. Holding on to my beliefs, my past, my thoughts and all that had gotten me to where I am. So I would write down the words Let Go in my notebook during class. To this day I find myself asking what can I Let Go of to allow my body, my voice, my soul to be free. And I continue to write down the words Let Go on most scripts, papers or anywhere I can, as a reminder.

By Letting Go I have found it much easier to flow through life. I knew that holding on to memories or experiences that do not serve me for who I am today cannot only affect me as an actor, but as a human and as a man.

The affirmation of Let Go has allowed me to listen much better as well. I have found myself being able to listen with instinct and with love.

When it comes to auditioning, I utilize this affirmation, Let Go, when I am done with an audition. When I lived in NY, I incorporated the elevator rule. By the time I reached the ground floor, I Let Go of all I did in the room, ripped the sides up and tossed them in a corner trash can. Now in LA with self tapes, as soon as I hit that submit button, I take our dog Sonny for a walk to allow the emotional and spiritual influence that audition had on me to be released.

LET GO!

I often think about how I’ve gotten to this point. Who was I? What do I want to say? I have seen a lot, I have witnessed a lot and I have experienced a lot. That experience helped mold me into the actor, producer and man I am today. I wont give it all away since we all know the character always has a secret.

In the mid 2000’s I started working with a company supplying picture vehicles to many productions in NY. One day I was on set for an episodic delivering a black Lincoln town car, when props came up to me and asked if I was interested in being the driver for the scene. I did not have any on screen experience or presence but decided to go for it. After being fitted for my suit, I sat in the driver’s seat as the camera was being set. Just then, the lead actress walked over to the car and introduced herself. She said, “Hey, has anyone every told you that you look good on camera?’ This sparked an interest in acting for me. I then studied at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic arts and found that this is where I belong, in film. During my time studying, I started creating my own work and came to realize that people enjoyed working with me and that I can relate, communicate and lead a group to create a story of which we can all be proud.

The day I graduated from film school I booked a play and fell in love with the theatre. The energy, the rehearsal, the ensemble, all that theatre has to offer to an actor I embodied and wanted more. Experiencing large crowds responses, feeling, being removed from the day to day because of what I was giving during a live performance became the goal. During the same time I started acting in and producing short films and spec commercials.

Having the NY theatre experience and my whole life being a New Yorker we decided to move to LA in 2019. With lots of Theatre, Film, Commercial, Producing, Casting, Picture Car Coordinating experience and my life experience is what makes me stand out. I do my best to surround myself with like-minded individuals, who have the same goals and aspirations. The first film I starred in and produced when I got to LA, Two Out of Work Actors was selected into 21 festivals winning 9 Best Comedy Awards and 1 Best Ensemble during 2020. I now have a production company Blue Station Wagon Productions, inwhich we are developing our first feature film, Confusion.

Ultimately, I have the drive, the persistence, the heart and experience to not only do well for myself,but those who are around me. I always say why go at it alone if you have a team to do it with. The drive, perseverance and determination is what sets me apart from others.

Every week I am in class, reading a script, watching films, watching TV shows, reading the trades, meeting people, talking, listening, writing, creating, learning. Because I know the business of Acting is in my hands.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

The first place I would take someone is the beach. I’m a beach baby and growing up with the Atlantic in my back yard everyone has to experience the Pacific. The chill of the Pacific, the sand, the Santa Monica walkway, The Malibu pier, Point Magu are all spots on the coast they would have to see. I would then take them to Malibu Seafood to grab some fish and chips. We’d cross to PCH, sit on the beach and enjoy the waves.

Later in the week we would have to head on a hike. Preferably The Parker Mesa overlook, a hike that has the best view of the Santa Monica bay, including downtown. It is a 7 mile hike but worth the energy. Plus there are benches at the top so bringa sandwich and snacks.

At some point we would walk to The Grove and the Fairfax Farmers market. The Grove was a safe haven of normalcy over the past year and it will always have a special place in my LA experience, therefore I would love to share it with others.

I will love to shoutout everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. To those who gave, those who received. Those who showed up to the little black box play I performed in right after I graduated to the ones who came to see me Off Broadway. Those I see once in a couple of years and ones I talk to everyday. Life is full of many who come and go and every single person I have come into contact with deserves a shoutout, as each one has helped mold me into who I am today. Family, friends, acquaintances and even those that don’t get along with me. You are all loved and I honor you.

I would also like to shoutout my family and my close circle of friends. Margarita, Ammar, Michel, Nick, Adrian, Greg, Giancarlo and everyone who has been an ear for me express myself, a reader for a self tape, making introductions, and countless other moments you were there to help progress my career and life.

Lastly, I would like to shoutout me. Without me, I wouldn’t be me. Without my thoughts, my aspirations, my giving I wouldn’t be who I am. So I shoutout all previous versions of RJ that have existed. I honor you and I love you for who you were, who you are and who you will become.