Bobby Del Rio is a multi-talented individual that thrives in blazing a trail with his creativity. A graduate of the “Theatre and Drama Studies” program at the University of Toronto, he first began forging his career as an actor. It was not long until he added the titles of writer, producer, director, and filmmaker to his repertoire. He is known for such projects as ‘The Market,’ ‘Porn Life,’ ‘In 40 Years,’ ‘Child Hood,’ ‘My Roommate’s an Escort,’ and ‘In Real Life: The Series.’ With so many outlets to channel his energy into, he has stayed busy during this pandemic. Nerd Alert News was recently granted an opportunity to chat with Del Rio to find out what makes him tick and what he has in store for the future.
TiShea Wilson: You have an impressive resume that includes multiple credits as an actor, writer, director, and producer. Is there one of those titles you find yourself naturally gravitating towards more than the others? Why?
Bobby Del Rio: I fundamentally view myself as part of a collaborative team. So I naturally gravitate to any aspect of the process where I can be helpful. I enjoy performing the most, but I am given many opportunities to write and direct as well. I just really enjoy the process of making art. So, as long as I’m making something interesting with people I enjoy, I can’t really lose.
TW: Tell us about how you got to where you are now in your career. Was there a defining moment when you knew this was the path for you?
BDR: I originally studied Economics as an undergraduate student. I hated it! I would skip weeks of classes, but showed up 10 minutes early for a play I was cast in. I realized where my passion was, transferred to theatre school, and never looked back. I was successful immediately! It was like the universe was just WAITING for me to step into my dreams.
TW: What is your favorite project that you have worked on or one that you are most proud of?
BDR: This may sound intense, but ‘The Market’ was the piece of art I wanted to make before I died. I wanted to leave work behind that I felt was emblematic of my aesthetic. Writing and directing this feature film has opened SO MANY career doors for me—but I never viewed it as a career move. I made the film I wanted to make with the people I chose to make it with. I may never direct a feature film again. We’ll see, but I’m pretty satisfied with it.
TW: Have you started or finished any projects during the pandemic that you can tell us about?
BDR: I have been collaborating with a 22 year old prodigy named Megan Laursen. We have a boatload of projects we’re working on together. Most notably, we are co-creating ‘The Kult’—now in pre-production—an absurdist, comedic web series shooting as soon as the pandemic is over. Megan will be directing and I will be playing a lead role. It’s a horror-comedy that functions as an allegory for the film industry. Megan will also be directing my next feature screenplay, ‘Schadenfreude,’ about a quartet of female lawyers on a mission to destroy each other.
TW: Can you tell us a little bit about what inspires your writing most and your process?
BDR: My life can be understood by reading my scripts. Every single existential benchmark of my life has become one of my plays or films. Every time a significant life event or major emotional shift occurs, it immediately becomes immortalized in my work. Conceptually, I always find the intersection of premise and emotional journey. When I find a story that reflects my inner psychology, I know it’s right. I’m highly intuitive and highly conceptual, so I have to “feel” the story. That may sound artsy, but it’s true. Once the title aligns with the concept, I tend to birth scripts more than write them. I’m an incredibly fast writer. Most drafts of my feature screenplays or plays are written within 24 hours. It’s because I channel them more than plot them out. I don’t outline. I just give birth to them. It’s like entering a spontaneous coma of creativity. I might be fucked up.
TW: What would be your dream role or project to work on?
BDR: Honestly, making ‘The Market’ was my dream project. I am blessed to have 8-10 major projects in development right now. But ultimately, I just want to keep making work I love with people I love.
TW: Do you have any upcoming projects in the works that you can tell us about?
BDR: Next up: I will be starring in a new feature film called ‘Bar World,’ directed by the underrated, Ara Sagherian. Together with co-writer, Lorne Hunchuck, they have written an hilariously dark revenge comedy about the bar scene. An edgy romance about a drug addict in love.
Nerd Alert News would like to extend our gratitude to Bobby Del Rio for taking the time to answer a few questions. Be sure to check out his feature film, ‘The Market,’ available on Amazon Prime. Follow his Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all the exciting things to come from him.
Written by: TiShea Wilson
Lynn Makes
Evan Conroy
Ron Peterson