Meet Joel Frometa | Actor & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joel Frometa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance to me is everything! I, unknowingly, fell into a slump for years where I believed climbing the corporate latter was the only way to succeed. The issue with this is the time demanded to be able to compete in the “climb” against others. I dedicated 80% of my time to work which meant even when I was off I would still divide my free time with work time. My family never saw me and when they did it would be for a very short time. I never enjoyed vacations because I was programmed to believe that time off would translate to falling behind. Now things are different, I had to start by taking a lesser paying job to learn how to maneuver my time better. I learned how to make time for what I want to do and who I want to do it with. Money really isn’t everything if it comes at the expense of time with your loved ones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always known I was meant for a stage but I never knew what that stage was for. When I would work for corporate, I would volunteer to public speak and represent the company despite the size of the crowd or the pressure it came with. I was able to do this despite feeling a huge uneasy feeling that would have me tied up in knots and open a huge void in my stomach left by my own nerves. Once I decided to take the step in becoming an actor, I recognized that same uneasy feeling I used to have when I spoke publicly. This feeling is what pushes me to do better. When ever I feel like I am uncomfortable, I know that I’m doing the right thing because when you are comfortable, that is dangerous. In your comfort is where you seek shelter, convenience, and routine. I know in order for me to burst through the doors of success that I want to inevitably kick in, I have to be willing to do things that my comfort level would tell me to run from. The biggest benefit of this process is the learning of the fact that I just became better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have a soft spot for sight seeing. On my first date with my girlfriend, we stumbled upon the piers by the Hudson in NYC. There’s this huge platform that resembles a floating island that you can walk up to with seats, nice lights and food trucks. They have grass hills that you can have picnics on or watch your little ones roll down safely. They have a piano there where random tourists would walk up to and show off there musical talents and set the mood for anyone else in the area. At night, this place glows like the northern lights in glacier. Super romantic if you’d like to go with your significant other. Also, there are other rooftop and wine tasting options in walking distance. If you’re looking for a great place to take pictures, you’re near some vintage looking buildings with brick covered roadways. Great for any fellow models.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shout outs would have to go to Philip “Zain” Dias at iamzainstudios, Joseph Fucarino in Jersey Media, Jason Enrique with 1stclass2ndclass podcast, Grace Kiley in Grace Kiley acting, Kassandra Jackson with kassmuastudios and Rashaad Santiago with Rashaad Santiago Studio. I have to acknowledge Kassandra who has been a dear friend of mine since early college days in 2009. Kassandra, who is now in the SFX/Film industry alongside her significant other, Rashaad, was always able to see the potential I had in this industry before I saw it myself. Together we would sit down in one on one meetings, regular brain storm sessions, and have coaching moments to put together ideas on how to get to the next level. Zain & Rashaad are vital to these regular scheduled meetings because of there lengthy experience and willingness to help others grow without expecting anything in return. I also have to thank Grace Kiley for her immeasurable talent and valuable feedback that she has shared with me during my time in her class. Thanks to her phenomenal teaching ways, she has pushed me in ways that have allowed for me to transcend into the level of acting needed when evolving into the character I have to become.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamfrometa?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==

Image Credits
Iamzainstudios – Philip “Zain” Dias