Salvatore Coco needs no introduction; he has been seen in the small and big screens numerous times. From acclaimed mini-series like Brides Of Christ at the beginning of his acting career, through successful TV series like Heartbreak High, Police Rescue and Farscape, to an incredible array of feature films such as Two Hands, Bootmen and Looking For Alibrandi.

However, it was his first lead role in the comedy Walk The Talk that brought him to director Daniel Giambruno’s attention. So impressed was Daniel with Salvatore’s fabulous performance as the delusional entrepreneur Joey Grasso, that he kept him in mind for over five years, until The New Life finally materialised.

Film and television are important facets of Salvatore’s life. Nevertheless, he has also performed in a big number of stage plays, and as if that wasn’t enough, he knows how to dance, sing, play guitar and above all, how to cook!

Click to visit Salvatore's Official Website for more details.

 

What attracted you to The New Life as a project?

What attracted me to The New Life…? Okay I received a call from a dear friend of mine Adriana Nunez who produced a film I was involved with, Almost, and she explained that a guy she knew, Tim Maddocks, was making a short film and he wanted to organise a meeting with me so I got his details and called him. Tim explained that he wanted to make a short film and asked if I was interested. After telling me the synopsis of the script I narrowed it down to a two hander involving a Male and Female DEMON and I shat myself!!!...

 

Being Catholic and all I found it really confronting, it sent shivers up and down my spine; the thought of playing a demon went totally against my beliefs and the strange thing was I hadn’t even read the script yet. Nevertheless, I had Tim forward me a copy of the script and we had arranged a meeting with Tim, this cat Daniel Giambruno and me at Fox Studios. With hesitation that very same night I read the script and the way Daniel had structured the script and had written the piece lured me in. In an instant I was attracted to his writing and the rawness of the script, it was dark and full of challenges. Master teacher Robert Bella from the Atlantic Theatre Company once told me to take on roles “that challenge my vulnerability” and in many ways The New Life was going to do exactly that religiously and creatively. Also when I met Tim and Daniel at that meeting at Fox Studios, I was impressed with their professionalism and their dedication to the project. Daniel’s explanation of how he envisaged the story was so precise that I was hooked. The package was there; I was challenged by the script, by my religious beliefs, and I was around positive energy. What more can you ask for?


How was working with actress Kaja Tr�a?

Kaja Tr�a, what a stunning girl! I first met Kaja on an attachment from my first email from Daniel after that meeting. There she was in her brown Safari outfit and these knee high black boots sitting on a black box with a pose that says “this is me, like it or not” and that is exactly what she is like, a strong personality with sex appeal and most of all she is real! What you see is what you get. But CAN SHE ACT? Well only time will tell I told myself. I arranged a meeting with Kaja so we can get to know each other and pretty much see what I was working with. Kaja is a focused actress, with a big future in front of her, a lovely person to be around and wonderful to work with and she can ACT, which is important.


How was working with director Daniel Giambruno?

There is only really one thing to say here and that is that is was an honour to have worked with such a talented and creative human being and I can’t wait to work on his next projects. You can see from the work that he has produced that he is EXTREMELY flawless from the directing side of things to the editing side, an all rounder. From the moment I met Daniel I believed in this project and was assured that “The New Life” was going to be a success. Daniel’s dedication to his work and to the people around him is an inspiration. Daniel is a director who has planned every part of the project in his mind to the enth degree, an absolute JOY to have worked with him and Tim Maddocks.


What's your favourite memory or anecdote of the shoot?

It involved a small piece of white string… enough said! And having to share a bed with Kaja on the Central Coast, tossing and turning all night, thank God she didn’t snore! Now I know why I’ve got baggage under my eyes… it’s all Kaja’s fault!!! God love her!!!