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

Hi Eyal, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I think that you should never give up. It is not even an option for me. I knew from a very young age that I was going to be an actor. Since I was 6 years old I always knew and felt that. It started when I performed in front of my family in our house in Israel, and then I went to every acting or drama class when I was really young. I performed on every stage that I could possibly get on. In school and after school. I attended a lot of on-camera classes with casting directors and directors. I always knew that this was why I was here in the world and that was my goal, and I would do anything to accomplish that. No matter how hard it is going to be. I remember the process to get an agent and how hard it was at first. I’ve done a research about agencies and found all the agencies that were relevant and then I sent mail to every agancy in Israel. At first, no one responded. After I sent emails, I also called all the agencies to make sure that they didn’t miss my mail. After one month, still no one responded and I tried again and again for 3 years. Every month I sent mail to every agency and called them, until it worked for me. And after 3 years, finally, an agency answered my mail and asked me to do an audition. I did the audition and got accepted. I didn’t give up for one second because I knew that it was going to happen and it is just a question of when. If I gave up, I would never be in an agency and I never would’ve achieved the work that I’ve done, but I knew that I wouldn’t give up and in the end it will work. This attitude is still with me because I have so many things that I want to accomplish and I know that if I work hard, I won’t stop until I will get what I want.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I was lately working in two short films as the leading role, that was an incredible experience.
Not long after I was in a play as the leading role, and then I was in two commercials.
 Every time I’m getting a role, I’m building a new world for the character. I have a notebook for every character that I’ve played and I write my character’s world. I collect pictures that I choose for my character’s life that helps me to visual his world. I never judge my character. I’m always trying to think of the reason why the character chose to do this and I go with it. My last project that I’m most excited about was a play that I did in Israel. It was about a boy that was going through a mental break down and losing all of his close friends and he fights with all of his loved ones. In every scene, he is making another person hate him and he destroys the friendship with them. It was really hard for me because I really needed to go deep and get emotional, but I really enjoyed it and I still remember after the show was over, many people came to me and told me that it was so impressive and amazing and that I have to do something with my talent and that they believed me so much that I made them hate me because of my character. There is nothing else like being on stage and performing. The excitement before the show is something that I love so much, when your heartbeat becomes so fast. I always went to study acting. I was always doing a lot of auditions, always performing. But I felt that I wanted to learn more and I always knew that I wanted to move to Los Angeles. I was looking for the best acting school in Los Angeles and I found the school that I have always wanted to be in. “The American Academy of Dramatic Arts”. I was going through the process of applying for a while and I took it really seriously. I had an acting coach that helped me prepare myself for the audition. I worked really hard for it for months, and I got accepted.over the years, I auditioned for so many roles and most of the time the answer was no. But I kept doing it and kept trying it even though I got no. I knew that at the end it is going to happen. And now I’m living my dream and I’m in Los Angeles and studying acting in acting school. I just never let any bad thing bother me and I’m just focusing on the work and just working hard until I’m getting what I want. I’ve learned that if you want something so much, you just need to keep working for it and at the end it is going to work. You just need to keep working. I think that is doesn’t matter where are you from, if it’s a small town or a big city, if you want something, you’ll get it. I believe that we are here for a reason and I believe that you can accomplish anything you want. You just need to work really hard for it. Be super determined. You should not listen to people who are saying that it is too hard or impossible. You just need to believe in yourself. And you always need to work hard and it will work. We don’t have another opportunity to be here on this planet. So we need to do everything that we can to achieve what we want to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them first to the beach in Malibu. The beach in Malibu is just something else. The view there is so amazing and the water makes you so calm and happy. The beach is so pretty and special when you are taking the stairs down to the beach, it is just so incredible and beautiful. I would take them to eat Thai food because that is my favorite type of food. I also really like authentic restaurants. It feels real and it feels like you are right now in Thailand. Then I would take him to the flea market to buy some vintage second hand clothes. For years, I would buy only vintage-second hand clothes. I really like it because it is a one of a kind piece. And you can never find another person wearing it. It helps our world because you are recycling. Then we’ll go to a great bar that I love and drink espresso martinis! 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my parents. They always believed in me and always supported my dream to be an actor. They drove me anywhere to help me achieve my dream. They always let me decide who I want to be. They always supported me and always wanted the best for me. I would never be here without them. I am really close to my parents and I miss them a lot. I talk to them everyday and always sharing everything with them. They always want just the best for me. They always want to help me and they are always there for me when I need them. They always gave me the best advice and tips and knew how to support me. They always listening to me and want to hear how I am feeling. I’m learning so much from them all the time. I love them so much. I wish that they could be with me here in Los Angeles. 

Instagram: eyalalfandary

Image Credits
Or Danon

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