Edwin Gagiano, or Eddie as he is known as an actor and producer in America, has a dream to produce or act in a movie about his home town, Kimberley.
Gagiano recently visited and introduced his girlfriend to his family and the Diamond City.
Kimberley once was the world’s most famous diamond town.
“I want to make a movie about a mine worker, not the tycoons. Ordinary people who dug the Big Hole by hand and used ropes to get in and out,” Gagiano says.
He matriculated from the Kimberley Technical High School in 2007. His participation in school plays was inspired by his family and teachers who encouraged him.
“After that I got a degree in Computer Science and worked at a financial institution. One day I cashed in my pension. I knew my break was around the corner. The call came two hours later. A few days earlier I had gone with a friend to meet a director. I took my portfolio along and showed it to the director.
“He happened to be involved with the production of the SABC TV series Snake Park. There was an issue with one of the lead actors and I had 30 minutes to get to a studio for an interview. I got the part. Within four days I was in Durban to do the shoot. That was my big break. It changed everything.”
In no time Gagiano was signed up by a well-known agent, the late Moonyeenn Lee.
“I kicked into the next gear. I did many auditions for films, TV-series and commercials.”
In 2013 he went to America.
“Many people would not go if they knew beforehand how hard it can be, the lonely nights, sleeping in your car and not eating for a week.
“I am also involved with a production company in Johannesburg. We produce movies for Showmax and kykNET. In the States I am involved in real estate and invest in film productions. I learned about financial security from my mom. I want to retire at 45; I saved a lot and worked hard.”
His advice for aspiring artists is to document it all: “Speak to reporters, to others; share everything, as directors and producers will see it. Become a commodity. That’s when things take off.”
He is involved with a charity organisation that rescues abandoned babies in Cape Town.
“It is heartbreaking that babies get dumped on landfill sites. There is hope for adults to be good parents, but circumstances make them feel inadequate. People should not underestimate their ability to be great parents.
“We are all stronger than we think we are.”
