Elena Dapelo

Actor, Filmmaker and Screenwriter

London, England

Member Since:
March 2016

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

Invites sent:
106

About Elena

Originally from Italy, I have been living in London for the past sixteen years. I made my theatre acting début in my native town of Genoa, Italy, whilst still at University. After obtaining a Master degree in Cultural Management, I spent a three months intern-ship period at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, making good use of my free time attending screen acting and screen-writing courses at UCLA. At the end of my intern-ship I decided to dedicate myself entirely to acting and film-making and eventually moved to London where I completed my training. My first short, the comedy Taking Chances, won the "short" shorts category at the Screen Stockport Film Festival 2014. My second work, Something For You, has been equally well received, winning the best comedy award at the Rob Knox Film Festival 2015. My third and most ambitious self-produced project , Clara's First Reader, shot pre-pandemic in Broadstairs, a charming seaside resort on the coast of Kent, U.K. was initially planned for a much earlier release but was forced into a long post-production due to the pandemic and was only recently completed, marking my return to directing since the arrival of Covid. In my acting, as well as in my writing, I am drawn to characters who are driven, strong and passionate. My work as a film maker has so far been focused on comedy and themes of love, courtship, first impressions and rejection. Self-discovery via romance is a common theme in many of my works. With my third short film I wanted to explore the idea of two people from very different backgrounds connecting- and helping each other’s growth - through a common passion. As a trained actress as well as a writer, character development is often my starting point when creating a narrative. This is a story I have wanted to tell for quite a long time. I originally wrote it as a short story when I was still at university, then later adapted it into a script. It was the first short script I had ever written- at the time I had no idea I would end up directing it myself! Only after the success of my first two shorts I felt I had the confidence and the experience necessary to do it justice. I felt it was finally the right time to turn that script into a film.

Gender:
Female

Height:
5' 9"

Body type:
Slim

Hair:
Medium

Hair color:
Brown

Eyes:
Blue

Ethnicity:
Mediterranean

Badges

Photos

Credits

Start Up (2015)
TV Movie (Drama) Second Unit Director or Assistant Director A drama about the formation, personal trials, anguish and high pressure environment of a London based start up company. It takes half a million pound to build a technology start up and a team who believe in the idea. Get that money at all costs; just don't get caught on the wrong side of the law. Anything goes to make the company a success, find some free premises, promise everybody options, get some press, attract some philanthropic investors, just don't sign a contract until you have to. Written by Richard Faria
Something for You (2014)
Film (Comedy, Romance and Short) Actress/Writer/Director Something for you: A story about love at first sight, bad timings...and baking! Three neighbours...a lot of cakes. Smitten with her neighbour Peter, Aida overwhelms him with love cards and all sort of baked goods which she leaves at his door to get his attention. When her strategy seems to backfire, new neighbour Daniel enters the picture and the situation takes a different turn...
Taking Chances (2013)
Film (Comedy and Short) Actress/Writer/Director After her date disappears on her, a determined girl knocks at his door on Valentine's Day looking for another chance.
Balance (2013)
Film (Short, Drama and Fantasy) Producer When a carefree girl and her laid-back boyfriend meet at a crowded London market, a one in a million accident triggers a fight for life.
Clowning Around (2013)
Film (Short, Action and Comedy) Actress There was a time when Bonzo was the best clown in town. However, after being undermined by his rival Mr. Fernelli, Bonzo finds himself on a downward spiral of alcoholism. After receiving a message from 'Clowns UK' (the governing body for clowns) that they are reviewing his clowning license, Bonzo decides this may be his last chance to prove to himself, the authorities and the local community that he can be the clown he once was and decides to get his business back, taking on Mr. Fernelli in the ultimate 'Clown Off.' But as he sets on his path, his addiction haunts him at every turn and he finds that sometimes even when you win, you really lose. Written by Anonymous
Driftwood (2012)
Film (Short, Drama and Sport) Miscellaneous Crew Set in London, Driftwood is the story of fifteen-year-old Sam, a swimming prodigy, whose life is split into two very different worlds: a poignant antithesis between talent and achievement at the dawn of his sporting career, and fear and torment in his home and social life. Written by Anonymous

View all 6 credits

Awards

Something For You- best comedy short at Rob Knox Film Festival (writer/director/performer)
(2015)
Taking Chances- best "short" short at Screen Stockport Film Festival (writer/director/performer)
(2014)