A Conversation with BFA Acting for Film Alum Isa Gutierrez

NYFA BFA Acting for Film Alum Isa Gutierrez is an actor, writer, and producer based in LA. Since graduating in the spring of 2023, Isa has written, produced, and starred in the short film "True Love", and has been a part of the NYFA Commedia Del'arte troupe and "After Before Commedia" theatre group.

Her film True Love has been selected for the California Women's Film Festival and the Worldwide Women's Film Festival where the film will premiere this March in Arizona. 

In addition, Isa was part of the judging committee for the FOLCS Int'l Short Film Competition. Isa spoke to the NYFA Alumni Network about her career after graduating. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from, and what brought you to New York Film Academy?

I.G: Hi, I’m Isa Gutierrez, I’m 22 years old, I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in Cartagena, Colombia. For as long as I can remember, I told all my friends and family: “I am gonna be an actress when I grow up”. I spent my childhood as a competitive tennis player and on the side I joined every theatre group available in Cartagena. My formal training began in the “Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar” in 2014, where I learned the foundations of the craft. For 5 years, I performed in musicals and theatrical plays gaining confidence under the skin of different characters. In 2019 my life took a 360 degree turn when I moved to the U.S. It was time to take my skills to the next level.

In 2020 I enrolled in the BFA for Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy. Attending NYFA was a dream come true. I had the chance to visit the LA campus at the age of 15 and I saw first hand all the practical opportunities that attending NYFA could bring. The proximity of campus to the big film studios was the cherry on top. A year later, NYFA casting representatives visited Bogotá and I traveled to the capital to do an in person casting. I remember being extremely nervous, it was my first time acting in English, however the NYFA committee was very nice, helpful, and guided me through the whole process. Two years later, I was out of high school and ready to start my wonderful journey at the New York Film Academy. 

I look back and I’m infinitely grateful for every step taken and all the challenges faced. The time leading up to and my time at The New York Film Academy have made me stronger, confident and ready to face the challenges of being on screen. I’ve grown as an artist and as a person, and I feel closer to my goals and dreams than ever before.

NYFA Alumni Network: What projects have you worked on since graduating? Have you won any awards or been showcased in any festivals or competitions?

I.G: Ever since graduating I have been part of different projects in film and theater. 

My last semester at NYFA, I wrote, produced and acted on a short film called “True Love”. The story follows Lila, a pregnant teenager dealing with the constant abuse of her violent boyfriend. Lila feels the never ending pain of what her reality has come to be and is forced to make a choice to get her freedom back. The writing process of creating “True Love" was exhaustive but magical. It involved a lot of tears from self reflection but it became the healing artistic piece that my heart was missing. With the script sealed, pre-production challenged me to learn every aspect of what it takes to make a film, which I was only able to accomplish with the help of my amazing cast and crew. For the past six months I have been working closely with Crickett, the NYFA director of the film festival department creating a film festival strategy. As a result,  “True Love” has been selected to showcase in two film festivals!

The world premiere took place at “The California Women Film Festival” here in Los Angeles the past January 6. And “True Love” will be showcased at “The Worldwide Women Film Festival” in Phoenix, Arizona on March 9. Three days showcasing powerful feminist films and mine will be one of them!

Right after graduating I had the privilege of being casted for “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” a play production presented at the Kaminski Theatre. The two act play explores the Brothers Grimm's classic fairy tales; Cinderella, Snow white or Hansel & Gretel, and more in a fast-paced ride. For this piece I had the opportunity to play 9 characters in one and a half hours. I dare to say that it was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in theater; each character demanded something different and I got to explore their personalities, the many voices, and body movements that characterized each role.

I also starred as the lead actress in the six episode anthology web series “Apartment 30” (Ep. 05: Wish You Were Here) Each episode takes on a different theme but they all revolve around an “enchanted guest book” that grants wishes to whoever is staying in the Airbnb apartment 30. This project is the result of the collaboration from the talented and extraordinary New York Film Academy alumni. Participation came from all departments which allowed me to meet amazing and talented people from screenwriting, filmmaking, producing, cinematography and photography. I am very happy and proud to announce that the web series is fully available on youtube for anyone to watch it. 

Finally, ever since graduating I’ve been part of the NYFA Commedia Dell’ Arte Troupe in which we perform shows for charity events and a final showcase every semester. Also, me and some of the members created “The After Before Commedia” to perform at theaters in LA and reintroduce this classical style of comedy to the world.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about your latest projects & how you got involved?

I.G: These projects are the result of exhaustive research and diligent casting process. Initially I auditioned early on the Apartment 30 pre-production for a different episode. Thanks to that audition I received the sides for the role of Isabel in episode 5. Casting can be frustrating because there are a lot of No’s before you get casted for a role, but it’s also a giant learning experience. With every side comes a character that you know little about but the possibility to create infinite backstories. 

“True Love” is my creation, so the process had its own set of challenges and pressure. I took on every single role in the making of a film and almost a year later from its production I work everyday to make this film the best it can be. My goal is to help people around the world to understand that abuse is intolerable and that true love doesn’t feel that way.

A still from "True Love"

Behind the scenes of "True Love"

NYFA Alumni Network: What did you learn at NYFA that you applied directly to this project and others?

I.G: Being truthful to Myself is one of the biggest lessons I take from NYFA. I found that the key to creating true art comes from bringing my own personal stamp to any project; it’s what makes it special for myself, my colleagues and the audience. While working on “True Love” I was told by professors and colleagues: “it’s not gonna work” “change the script, this one is not believable”, but I always knew that it was my story to tell and I would tell it the way my heart wanted. I feel proud and grateful that my authenticity is reflected in my story and it gives me the motivation to create something unique and worth sharing.

This is a tough industry and finding your own print is challenging, but NYFA taught me that our backgrounds and stories are unique and important and have the power to inspire people from anywhere in the globe. I look forward to my future projects, I am sure there is space for my creativity to fly no matter what.

The cast and crew behind "True Love"

NYFA Alumni Network congratulates Isa on all her success!