From the time Vic Martonne was just 7 years of age, she loved to entertain. She would put on shows for her family to watch where she would sing, dance, and act. She knew she was meant to perform, but it wasn’t until she watched the first Harry Potter movie that she realized she could pursue acting as a career. As she sat in the theatre chair, she discovered just how powerful film could be. The entire audience sat, enthralled, watching kids on the screen, kids that were just like her.
“We were transported into another world and that was all that mattered at that moment in time. To be able to see a character go through something you can relate and be vulnerable about it, makes you realize you’re not alone. A movie has the power to inspire and connect; being able to do that to other people is magical,” she said.
Now, Martonne is an in-demand actress in her home country of Brazil and abroad. Her talent is unparalleled, as her understanding of producing and music deepen her versatility as an actress. In her latest film, Arsenic, which she not only starred in, but also produced and wrote the film’s theme song, “Poison”, Martonne vastly impressed international audiences. The same occurred with her previous films Truth or Dare, When Darkness Falls, and Blue Girl, making her a leader and role model in her industry. She credits her success to her commitment to her craft.
“It’s so gratifying to be able to turn a passion into a profession. As in any other career, for you to prosper, you have to focus. For me to become an actress, I committed 100 per cent. Some people tried to tell me that I needed a plan B, but I’ve always said that if I have a plan B that means I don’t believe enough in my plan A; not believing in your potential as an artist is not an option if you want to succeed in this business,” said Martonne.
Martonne’s latest venture is the second season of her hit show Fake It ‘Til You Make It, which is currently filming. The show is a mockumentary style series that follows five aspiring artists sharing an apartment in Los Angeles on their journey to make it in the industry. Martonne created the concept of the show herself and is the main writer. The project is very close to her heart, as she can relate to all of the characters.
“I’ve been through hilarious experiences in the beginning of my career. I love how the show deconstructs the image of glamour and fame in Hollywood, to show the reality of actors trying to make it. It looks at the adversities, bad auditions, insecurities, ego, acting classes and so on in a comedic way, but also showing that the reality is far different from what it’s perceived to be from the outside. Fake It ‘Til You Make It shows that being an actor in Hollywood is hustling and not giving up, but it’s also a dream,” she said.
In the show, Martonne plays Stella Rivers, an aspiring actress and singer. She shares an apartment with four other actors, so she is in the process of learning how to deal and live with different and strong personalities. Stella is a dreamer and has a very positive mindset, however she is learning that in this business you need tough skin and can’t let people take advantage of you. She doesn’t appreciate people looking down on her and always speaks her mind.
Stella brings a very important balance to the story, as everyone is so definite in their own eccentric personalities. Stella comes as an outsider trying to adapt to the roommates who already lived together. She is the character the audience can relate to, and most times the one who serves as the bridge between the other characters. Martonne takes the character and truly brings her to life, showing how she can adapt to a new lifestyle. Stella mediates the audience and the show, and Martonne captures that.
“What I like the most about this story is that it is so relatable to any actor, established or upcoming. It deals with our struggles with honesty, humor and wit. Instead of showing the glamour, and fame, Fake It ‘Til You Make It portrays the day-to-day struggle and not always pretty reality of pursuing your dreams,” said Martonne.
Martonne wrote and financed the project, knowing that she was going to star in the series. When creating the show, she partnered up with award-winning director Oliver Grano, who directed the episodes. The first season was shot earlier this year, with the second season on its way. With each episode, Martonne aims to spread a message of hope, inclusion, diversity and love.
“I loved working on this project because I was able to do my favorite genre ever, comedy. Apart from that, I learned so much with my co-actors and director and I definitely learned a lot from the mockumentary style. It was a shoot where I could explore my freedom physically and creatively, something that only a handheld camera can keep up with. It was also great to see each actor’s takes on their characters, adding bits of themselves to their roles,” she said.
Fake It ‘Til You Make It airs on YouTube and has won awards such as Best TV/Web Series at the Italian festival, Oniros Film Awards, as well as Best Web Series at Top Shorts Film Festival, and Honorable Mention Web Series at the Festigious International Film Festival. Such success is very humbling for Martonne, as it started out as a passion project for the actress.
“It’s humbling to get such amazing feedback from the show. When we do a project, we want it to touch people and truly mean something to them; we want to be able to connect with the audience. With Fake It ‘Til You Make It it’s been an amazing journey, the fans of the show love how we take subjects from an actor’s day-to-day life, that most times can be challenging and discouraging, and bring comedy out of it. After all, you have to have fun and not take yourself too seriously in this profession and in life,” she concluded.
Be sure to watch the second season of Fake It ‘Til You Make It.