Conversations with Alex Rivero Felizzola

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Rivero Felizzola.  

Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started in the entertainment industry back in 1999. I began working in the Top one TV station in my original country, Venezuela named RCTV (Radio Caracas Television). It was not only my job, my real school, but also a great family for about 11 years. My journey throughout those years was full of great moments, but most importantly, it was a learning experience every single day. Being backstage of the most important TV shows in the country was a dream become true. The local entertainment industry in my country was huge and consolidated, and competitive back in that decade. Many popular soup operas, prime time shows, morning tv magazines, a lot of commercials, campaigns, many radio stations, concerts everywhere, and much more, and it gave me a great opportunity to build not only as solid career but also knowledge about this industry. I started in the variety shows production division producing lottery shows first, but a few months later, I was transferred to one of the most popular prime-time live show production teams. Being part of the Varity Shows Department allowed me to work in so many shows back-to-back for about 5 years. However, my vision as always focused on the table where decisions were made every day. My goal was going to be part of the Executive Team to create strategies, development new shows, concepts, casting, schedule, and more. I achieved the goal which allowed me to be part of the almost all levels involved in the business. This TV station was closed by the Dictatorship regimen established in Venezuela, and I moved to EEUU in 2011 looking for better opportunities, full of knowledge, experience, and dreams. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been easy. I started my professional career very young, and at first, I had to sacrifice important moments with family or friends because television is a very demanding world where I have to work long hours, at night, on weekends. While my friends were at the beach or in a party, I was working until late or out of the town. When I moved to the United States, I had to face other difficulties such as adapting to another culture, learning another language, or even more important; I had to work very hard to demonstrate my talents and my skills because, in many cases, when you are immigrant whatever you have done in your original country has not credibility you have to work harder than others to obtain the position and recognition you want. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Currently, and for about 10 years, I have been producing theater and live shows in Spanish in the city of Orlando. I am producer and Director. CEO and Founder of Artiko Espacio Creativo, and with my company, I seek to open meeting spaces to connect the art and culture with the Hispanic community in Central Florida. Hispanic population is growing every day in the city, and it is important to offer them art and entertainment that reflects our culture, our language, our humor sense, and much more. It is also important for us in Artiko to open a stage for local artists to show what they have to offer with their talents. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
It is important to be focused and to trust your talent because it goes with you wherever you go and, of course, to continue preparing and being better and more professional every day. However, it is also important to surround yourself with people who share your professional vision so you can team up with them. For those who are in the entertainment business, it is important to go to the theaters to see what is going on in your line of business. Also, it is important to connect with people with same professional interests. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elartiko.com
• Instagram: @elartiko