For Joe Sernio, the drive to tell authentic stories is what fuels his wide-ranging career as an actor, producer, and founder of Holly Lake Films. With a rare combination of raw acting chops and an entrepreneurial spirit, he’s carved out an impressive path – one that lets him completely inhabit complex characters while also birthing his own creative visions to life on screen.
Joe’s journey started with those gritty years sharpening his skills on classic soap operas and professional training. After cutting his teeth on CBS’ “As The World Turns,” he logged several more years on ABC’s “All My Children,” sneaking in guest spots on shows like “Love Monkey,” “Hope & Faith,” and “Rescue Me” along the way.
But it was in the indie film and TV world that Joe really came into his own as an actor. His powerful, no-fluff performances began racking up major accolades – several “Best Actor” and “Best Supporting Actor” awards, an “Honorary Achievement in the Arts” recognition, you name it.
At the heart of Joe’s approach is his ability to fully submerge himself in the emotional core and psyche of whichever character he’s playing. Trained in various acting techniques such as Meisner and method, he has a preternatural talent for burrowing deep into even the most twisted mindsets, which has earned him recognition from LA Weekly as one of the “Top 10 Trailblazers in the Entertainment Industry”.
“To truly nail a role, you gotta get inside that person’s headspace and what internally drives them,” Joe explains. “It’s about embodying their reality completely on a personal level. Each character demands a different internal exploration with its own unique creative challenges to conquer.”
This commitment to authenticity was on full display in his recent thriller “Loved,” where Joe embodied the film’s deliriously unhinged lead – a deranged plumber violently spiraling after catching his wife’s infidelity. Not only did he pour his entire being into the psychologically demanding role, but he also served as a producer and executive producer, to protect the singular creative vision from script to final cut. Loved will be available on iTunes, Amazon, Vudu and more worldwide in late May 2024
Wearing those extra production hats allowed Joe to fully sculpt and realize the bold storytelling aligned with his own artistic spirit. The result was a searing, psychologically gripping performance that stunned audiences and critics at festivals worldwide, earning “Loved” over 78 accolades including multiple “Best Actor” nods for Joe.
“As a producer, you become the ultimate storyteller carefully shaping every narrative aspect,” Joe says. “It’s an incredible privilege, but also a massive responsibility to ensure authenticity rings true at every turn.”
Having built multiple successful companies, including a marketing agency, he applies that same entrepreneurial mindset to filmmaking. His strategy revolves around assembling a rock-solid team, meticulously planning every business and marketing aspect, and, most crucially, establishing a model where investors can confidently expect a return on their investment. “I love crafting these stories and have perfected a strategy that utilizes contacts, locations, and relationships to produce at a fraction of the typical cost,” Joe explains. “It’s about building a close-knit family of production crew – a concept I learned in business and carried over. And guess what? It works.”
Joe’s entrepreneurial eye for authenticity took him to Colorado next to produce, executive produce, and star in the neo-Western TV pilot “Horsepower.” Filming amid those dusty ancient ruins provided the perfect backdrop for this contemporary tale about a politician whose dark personal secrets violently threatened to unravel his entire life.
From scouting the perfect location to handpicking the ensemble cast alongside heavy hitters like Robert Davi, and Malik Whitfield, Joe fully immersed himself in constructing “Horsepower’s” distinctive realism and grit – elements so often lacking in cookie-cutter Westerns.
This dedicated, collaborative approach with his creative team allowed the authenticity to simply breathe on screen, also showcasing Joe’s knack for unifying diverse artistic talents into one believable, cohesive larger vision.
For both “Loved” and “Horsepower,” Joe tapped into the array of techniques he’s studied over decades to build the psychologically textured, richly layered portrayals of two vastly divergent lead characters. He’s put that versatile talent to use in other recent projects as well, including an upcoming appearance as a body shop owner on “Law & Order: SVU” airing in March 2024.
In January this year, Joe acted in and produced “The Bastard Sons”, directed by Kevin Interdonato who’s had a theatrical release this year through vertical entertainment, and is now available on all major platforms including Amazon, Itunes and more. Unfolding over the course of a single day, the movie dives into a gritty tale of revenge and planning as a family seeks retribution for the death of their boss. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that not everything is as straightforward as it initially seems.
Despite juggling multi-hyphenate roles as producer, creator, and leading man, Joe remains devoted to sharpening his artistic tools in both acting and filmmaking. As a lifelong student, he continually seeks to elevate his skills and stretch his range with each new challenge. “There’s no magic potion.. I just love what I do. I’m learning more and more everyday.
As he continues leaving his mark across film, television, and the broader entertainment landscape, Joe’s talent as an actor, producer, and storyteller allows him to manifest bold creative visions grounded in emotional truth.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and a talent for delivering lived-in, enthralling performances, Joe exemplifies the passionate pursuit of authenticity in storytelling.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
