ABF Season 4 - Meet the Cast: René Alexzander Rosa
Returning this season after co-starring in Deanna Gomez’s Camp Obsidian Pt. 1 in Season 3, René Alexzander Rosa is back and ready to break into your subconscious nightmares.
René Alexzander Rosa
Actor
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Connect with René:
IG: @el_unico_rene01
René is a Los Angeles based Latino actor who specializes in leveraging his classical training and bilingual skillset to bring roles and stories to life. His experience includes theatre, film & TV, commercials, and voice-over. He recently wrapped voice-over work for an upcoming limited series so keep an eye (ear) out!
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Colorado where I grew up in a small mountain town on the western side of the state. I moved to LA years ago after I got a job working as a Software Consultant for financial firms in Latin America. I’ve since switched careers many times, chasing that feeling of fulfillment in my life. It wasn’t until I took my first acting class and performed my first scene that I realized I had neglected the entire creative side of me all these years. That’s when I made the conscious decision to pursue acting.
My biggest takeaway as an actor in LA is that it’s okay to say “no.” Oftentimes it feels like there’s a pressure to accept every single opportunity that comes your way, whether that’s a new workshop, a short, background work, etc. But part of finding yourself as an artist is being selective with how you invest your time and energy.
What do you consider to be your major creative influences, across genres?
There are many artists I look up to. Growing up it was Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, The Wayans Brothers, to name a few. Reflecting on more recent influences, James Wan’s The Conjuring blew me away when I first watched it. It’s one of those films I rewatch at least once a year. British Comedy tends to be a large influence for me as well; writers like Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Michaela Coel are two very talented writers/actors that I look up to.
What's your favorite scary story, across mediums?
My favorite scary story is probably my own personal experience growing up in a haunted house. Although I never saw anything, I heard, felt, and experienced, many unexplainable things. There’s nothing like living a real life scary movie, haha.
What are your thoughts on the current explosion of horror media in the mainstream? How do you feel about it and where do you think it's stemming from?
I love it. Horror is such an underappreciated genre that gives us great visuals, stories, and performances just like any other genre. Although it feels like a boom in the industry, I think the demand has been baking in the oven for a while. Projects from A24, Blumhouse, and even Netflix have set the bar for what the horror genre looks like today and how it can cross over into other genres.
As an actor, is there a particular craft program that you've done that you feel you learned the most from?
I started out taking classes at the Andrew Wood Acting Studio in Los Angeles. To this day I work with Andrew when preparing for a big audition or to simply brush up my skills. He is a teacher through and through that respects you as an actor wherever you’re at in your journey. LA can have some very toxic workshops so I tend to stick to studios that I know are valuable.
If you could have been a part of any existing horror movie, what would it be and who would you play? Why?
Nosferatu (2024). Visually it’s such a beautiful film, complimented with a great story. And of course, I would play Nosferatu. Playing a classic monster is on my bucket list.
What advice do you have for creatives that are just starting out?
Do the work to understand yourself, not just as a person, but as a creative as well. That work never ends, but it’s in that research that you discover new aspects about yourself that help you in identifying what to improve, what to learn, and what projects to take on. And don’t be afraid to say no!
Happy Halloween, ghouls and gals! Ghoulia and Marina bring in the newest season with part one of a two part series highlighting Toxic Tourists. Follow our victims off the recommended path and into a new nightmare in the first episode of Season 3!