The actor, from the North of Portugal, started his career at 15 years old when performing theatre plays at school. He is now known for his roles in Emmy Award soap operas like, Laços de Sangue and the Emmy Nominated soap opera Rosa Fogo, playing the main character. Currently, the actor participated in a series on Netflix Brasil “Lady Voyeur”, which occupied the top 10 in 57 countries.

During the summit, Ângelo Rodrigues participated in and discussed the use of social media by actors, as well as the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their jobs.


The Portugal News (TPN): Would you say that actors feel the need to use social media?

Ângelo Rodrigues (AR): I would not say it is a necessity, but I would almost say it is almost mandatory in this digital age. In the past, the unattainability of artists was cultivated: the more unattainable they were, the more deified they would be, and nowadays it is just the opposite. The proximity and approachability of artists are cultivated. The closer the artist's relationship with his audience, even if it is false, the more opportunities he may have in the future.

I would say that nowadays, our work, our publicity is done through social networks and in the past, we only communicated our work to the written press and on television talk shows. Nowadays, we have our own communication channel, almost as if we had a television channel where we are the programme makers and curators of the material we put out there. This means having a strong emotional framework but realising that this is now part of and simply a complement to our profession.


TPN: Don’t you think that exposing yourself as Ângelo may change people's perceptions of the characters you play?

AR: I don't think so because what unites audiences with actors is often not just virtuosity. There is often an emotional relationship that is built up over the years. You are not going to see a film with Brad Pitt, you're going to see Brad Pitt's film. You don't say the character's name or what he can convey to you, even if you don't know his personal life. However, there is an emotional relationship that is created over the course of a career that brings people together.

I would say there is a link and that connection between the artist and the audience helps careers a lot, so I don't see it as an obstacle, I think it is quite the opposite, I think it even helps because it gives a three-dimensional dimension to the actor who is still the person playing the role.

Credits: Supplied Image;

TPN: Nowadays, many actors say they don't have work because they don't have enough followers to play a certain role. Do you believe that the growth of social media has removed the need for study in the acting profession?

AR: I realise that this is a discourse that has been repeated and rightly so in recent years, but I think it only shines a light on one part of the problem. It is a fact that people who reach a larger audience are more interesting to hire because it is always a combination of forces, isn't it? Because we make films for people to see, so if there is a person who brings a lot of people together, they will probably get a chance. This has always been the case, for example, beauty has always been an important value, where, in the past, the model became the actor. Nowadays it is the influencer who also becomes an actor. While the first opportunity can be given, the second opportunity onwards means that the talent was found. I think there is more work for people who do not just rely on beauty and numbers, because we have streaming. There is no need for TV channels to only put on beautiful people, not great actors who have great charisma. I think my profession is more democratised on that level.

TPN: You started your career at a time when celebrity magazines and even paparazzi had a different expression. However, the exposure of artists on social media has counteracted some uncomfortable moments with the press, right?

AR: Yes, because nowadays everything is much more spread out in micro-niches of social bubbles, depending on the area of entertainment we're talking about, and that ended up dissipating a little. It has to do with what I was talking about, there's little unattainability, but nowadays everything is much more attainable. But in fact, we no longer have the violation of privacy that existed in the past.

Credits: Supplied Image;

TPN: During the conference, you challenged your fellow panelist when you asked her if she would accept her image being used by artificial intelligence after her death. What is your opinion about it?

AR: I'd say it's a consequence of the advance of technology, all this came about with CGI technology, when, for example, a few years ago they wanted to recover the voice of Marlon Brando, who had already died many years ago.

However, I don't have an answer for you because I think this raises ethical and moral questions that need to be talked about, but would the actor himself allow it? But at the same time if he's dead, he won't allow the film to come out, so I don't know.


TPN: What about WebSummit 2024? How did you feel when you were invited to speak at the event?

AR: I was delighted to receive the invitation, I wasn't expecting it, but I think it's appropriate given my lifestyle, which has been shared over the last few years. I think it's perfectly suited to the panel I was invited to speak on and of course I had to deal with a few nerves before going on stage, but the people I was with put me at ease and it was a good group that made me feel very comfortable.

Ângelo Rodrigues shares important moments of his life on social media, namely on Instagram, which may be found at @angelorodrigues_oficial

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos