For Martin Aranot-Lopez, a career in entertainment has been a lifelong dream. "It's always been my passion," he says. "I love being part of a story and bringing it to life."
Aranot-Lopez has built a long list of credits for numerous and diverse roles in film, TV, theater, and commercial and industrial projects, including for Warner Brothers, CBS, Univision, American Airlines, and Anne Klein.
But turning that early passion into a professional acting career wasn't easy at first. Like many aspiring performers, Aranot-Lopez struggled with self-doubt and wondered if he'd ever get his big break. That's when he discovered Backstage.
The Backstage advantage
"Give it a chance," Aranot-Lopez advised newcomers to the platform. "It might seem like you don't book at first, and then all of a sudden, boom! Backstage is a great platform with amazing opportunities, training, and resources."
Backstage has become a valuable resource for Aranot-Lopez for finding new auditions and projects. "I absolutely love how great the site is and how many jobs are available," he raved.
Building a strong foundation
When he lands an audition, Aranot-Lopez immerses himself in the role. "I close my eyes and imagine the character and what they sound like and who they are," he explained. He added that even if the role is to promote something, he does his research all the same, as the key to a good performance is feeling “comfortable and secure”.
And he knows booking jobs is only half the battle. Aranot-Lopez also works hard to build connections and maintain relationships within the industry. "Social media is a must," he advised. "Keeping up with each other's projects and work is essential. Supporting them and having them support you. Just be genuine and be who you truly are, and the rest will follow."
That genuine approach extends to how Aranot-Lopez markets himself and his skillset. As a Miami-based Cuban-American also fluent in Spanish and French, he has found success by embracing his multilingual abilities and remaining open to all types of work. "I'm open to everything from print to UGC to film," he said. "Be open to it all."
Maintaining momentum
Of course, an acting career is never without its challenges. For Aranot-Lopez, one of the biggest lessons so far has been learning to value himself. "We always try to be something else and maybe change our appearance," he reflected. "But there are jobs for all types. So love who you are and roll with it."
Another major challenge is navigating the emotional ups and downs that come with life as a working actor. "It's a lot of ups and downs," Aranot-Lopez admitted. "Sometimes it seems you'll never get cast or work, and then all of a sudden you have so much work you can't keep up. So ride the wave and keep going."
His advice for persevering through the tougher times? "Learn to submit and move on. Don't just sit around wondering or questioning your last audition or self-tape. It will drive you nuts! Submit, do your best and move on. If it was meant to be, you'll get cast. And if not, there are so many more opportunities."
Thanks to tools like Backstage and his unwavering drive, Aranot-Lopez is making his lifelong dream a reality, one audition at a time.
"Patience!" he insisted. "Easier said than done,” he admitted, but his resume demonstrates that keeping the faith and continuing to put yourself out there is the only way to find out what’s next for you.
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