L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 10 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE MOVIES MUSIC BOOKS Oscar Generale, the Italian producer of Hollywood celebrities SILVIA GIUDICI " I alw ays dreamed of working, one day, in the entertainment industry and, being an extremely ambitious person, I had high standards: I wanted to go to H olly w ood and b ecome an agent, but especially a produc- er." Oscar Generale's tenacity brought him exactly where he desired, in Los Angeles, where his goal of becoming a film pro- ducer and an expert in product- placement became a reality. His recipe for success? "Working hard, always. Also, my outgoing and warm personality helped me get into this business," adds the Italian producer, originally from San Giorgio Canavese in the province of Turin, but based in the United States where he lives with his partner Denny Mendez, former Miss Italia, and their daughter India Nayara. Among his films Speed Kills by John Luessenhop with John Travolta, and The Poison Rose by George Gallo with Morgan Freeman. Curious fact: Oscar decided to move to Los Angeles t w e n t y y e a r s a g o , f o l l o w i n g the advice of a great Hollywood a c t o r , D u s t i n H o f f m a n . " H e asked me why I hadn't moved to California yet, he thought my working method would be suc- cessful and suitable for Ameri- ca." Oscar, tell me about your b e g i n n i n g s , h o w d i d y o u r career start in Italy? After finishing compulsory school, I started doing different jobs: I've been a painter and a baker, a seller at conventions, a toll collector on the highway and a bartender. At the begin- ning my goal was to work in television and become the man- ager of the most important and famous Italian actors, so I start- ed working introducing clients, who got attached to my attitude and my professionalism, to cine- ma and tv personalities. What happened then? I decided to move from Turin to Milan where I founded OG Management and I started to w o r k a s a n a g e n t o f I t a l i a n a c t r e s s e s a n d a c t o r s ( R a o u l Bova, Claudia Gerini, Adriano Giannini, just to name a few), proposing them for conventions, p u b l i c a p p e a r a n c e s , e v e n t s , a d v e r t i s i n g c a m p a i g n s , t h u s expanding the choice I could offer to my clients. I became very well known in the televi- sion business, where I collabo- rated with Mediaset and Rai and also in the fashion industry, where I worked with the most important designers. W h y d i d y o u d e c i d e t o move to Angeles? I started working with Ameri- can actors to give an alternative to those clients who wanted to d o p r o m o t i o n a l w o r k u s i n g more international faces and outside of Italy. So, in 2005, looking for more challenges, I moved to Los Angeles where I f o u n d e d t h e O S C A R G E N - E R A L E P R O D U C T I O N S , which still exists these days. W h a t e x a c t l y d o y o u do in LA? I do advertising campaigns, TV commercials, conventions, TV shows, public appearances but above all I produce films and I deal with product place- ment in my films, on red car- pets, during events etc. What was the turning point of your career in LA? Creating my first relation- ships with American cinema and the Hollywood jet set; my deep f r i e n d s h i p w i t h A d r i e n Brody – Oscar-winner for the f i l m T h e P i a n i s t - a n d w i t h George Clooney made me very well known in the business and among Hollywood celebrities, so I became the most famous agent and manager for interna- tional celebrities in Italy and worldwide. What was the secret of your success? C o m b i n i n g A m e r i c a n c e l e b r i t i e s w i t h t o p n o t c h brands, making companies suc- cessful on every level and creat- ing some unforgettable promo- t i o n a l c a m p a i g n s a n d T V commercials. For example, the one with Julia Roberts for Mai- son Ferré, the one with Demi Moore for Rosato, Dustin Hoff- man for Vergnano and Andy Garcia for Dierre. Your wife Denny works in the same business, how do you both reconcile work and pri- vate life? Denny moved to Los Angeles after we met. Here we have built our family: now we have a beau- tiful girl who always follows us on our trips. Usually one of us is always with little Nayara: when I work Denny is with her, when Denny is busy, I play Mr Mom. H o w e v e r , w e a l s o h a v e t w o super grandmothers in Italy who help us a lot. If you get orga- nized, it is not as complicated as it may seem. Hollywood... is it like you expected? H o l l y w o o d , L o s A n g e l e s , America are exactly as I expect- ed, they are exactly as you see them in the movies. I like to live here! What was the most diffi- cult thing you had to face? The impact with everyday life, because when I initially moved here, I spoke very little English so everything seemed a bit difficult, but I learned very quickly and brilliantly. And any- way, when you talk about busi- ness and money, even if you don't speak English well, every- one understands you! Pros and cons of this city and this business, in your opin- ion? There are things that work b e t t e r , o t h e r s n o t as well when compared to Italy. A n e x a m p l e : b u r e a u c r a c y i s m u c h l e a n e r i n t h e U S a n d almost everything is electronic. There is only one drawback: the values of family and friendship don't exist. What a pity! Howev- er, business-wise Los Angeles is one of those places where you can make your dreams come true. Obviously with a lot of work, commitment and honesty. You live and work in the entertainment business, has your perception of celebrities changed now that you work in strict contact with them? I have always lived in contact w i t h f a m o u s p e o p l e , I t a l i a n celebrities at first, Americans later. I think I'm lucky because having personal relationships with the actors means I get to know them for what they really are and not for how they are pic- t u r e d b y a g e n t s , m a n a g e r s o r a s s i s t a n t s w h o , v e r y often, make them look problem- atic and capricious. D o y o u h a v e a n y f u n n y anecdotes you can tell us about some celebrity? When I went to the carnival in Cento, where thousands of people crowded the main square, Dustin Hoffman, who was the special guest, took the stage to say hello, and he turned to me and said: "This is wonderful, I have never had such experience. I f e e l l i k e I a m B r i t n e y Spears! " I r e a d t h a t y o u a r e v e r y close with John Travolta, how did you meet him? Y e s , w e a r e v e r y c l o s e friends. It started when I had him come to Italy for the first time for a television show. Many years have passed now. He cares a lot about my judgment; he asks me for advice and we work a lot together. I am also the producer of his last 4 films. Has your career changed you? Despite my career, despite the world I experience every day, I remained a humble and down-to- earth person. You've come a long way, now what are your plans for the future? I am very busy in the cinema business: in March I will start a movie in Malta called The Wine- maker's Son, and another one in August but for the moment I cannot reveal more. I have sev- eral worldwide campaigns to shoot, two TV programs, and a project with Morgan Freeman. Then I will go to the Cannes Film Festival, I have fashion shows and much more. I have a really busy schedule! Oscar Generale (left) with friend John Travolta

• Cover