Floris Valentijn: When the Camera Rolls, I Let Go and Create Magic (Actor, Netherlands)

Floris Valentijn Interview

Credits: Isabel Sanchez Olid

"When you’re on set and truly hear and see each other, that’s when pure magic happens.” 

Q. Floris, can you tell us a little about your journey into acting— how did it all begin for you, and what made you realize this is the path you wanted to follow? 

I was always a pretty energised, easy-to-distract kid with a good working imagination. I always struggled when combining these things with school, making tests, homework, etc.

I always looked out of the window/ watched the birds/ thinking about all the fun stuff people were doing at that moment, ending up not taking track of time and eventually finishing it in a hurry.

I always wanted to play outside and be in nature. As a big fan of fresh air and nature itself, I clearly always struggled with this system, a system that felt like something that didn’t match my energy/ vision of the perfect day-to-day life.

From the age of 12 to 15, I managed to succeed and graduate, so now this struggle that I had became a real thing because I had to decide what I wanted to do in life, what kind of person I wanted to become.

So, I decided to choose a study that gave me opportunities and the best set of skills to match my potential/interests. This study was Hotel Management School.

It was boring, it didn't challenge me at all, and the people were people I just couldn’t level with. I didn’t feel at home. That’s the exact moment I tried something different. I started making YouTube videos, doing silly pranks, and started doing the editing all by myself. 

The focus I once lacked, I suddenly had. I felt good making content and laughing about my ideas to bring joy and utmost cringe to the people who were watching. Keep in mind, I had 44 subscribers, but it felt like a big thing. I started to notice that I loved entertaining and being in front of the camera. 

After doing this, I found a school that specialized in movie acting. I auditioned and got selected, this is where the acting all started, and the ego and insecurities started to slowly break down in exchange for a free and creative mind.

Q. You’ve already worked on short films, series, and commercials for international brands—what has been your most memorable project so far, and why? 

I feel like I’m on repeat for a little while now regarding this precise question, haha. A few years back, I had the privilege to be cast in a fiction/romance short film, in which the story takes place in an almost otherworldly snowy landscape. This film, called ‘Alyki’, was filmed in and around Hossa, a small town to the north of Finland, a place where the nordic light was visible almost every night and the landscape was filled with thick layers of snow.

We had days where the temperature dropped to -17C, absolutely insane conditions. This was a mystic story that didn’t end when the camera was shut off. It felt like an absolute dream. Perfect cooperation and, clear communication and limited supplies due to the surroundings, absolutely made something amazing to be a part of.

Q. Many young actors struggle with balancing vulnerability and confidence on screen—how do you prepare yourself emotionally and mentally before stepping into a role? 

A little while back, I got familiar with a new technique called ‘Chubbuck’, which really gave me the handles to fully dive into my personal experiences and therefore be able to make the performance as real as possible. 

Besides this, I always try to create a picture/feeling/motive of the character I'm playing. Also, things like listening to music, watching films that really match the character and the story.

Once I feel like I know who the character is and I’ve done all the research that seemed possible for this play, I try to fully let go and be in the moment, this gives me the clarity that I need to stay in focus and play with the possibilities that come with each scene. 

Q. You’ve also modeled for brands like Cartier and Santoni—how has that world influenced or complemented your acting career? 

Before I was a model I often wasn’t sure about me being fit for something like this, looking at my face, my body I felt a bit insecure in a way. 

These kind of jobs helped me see the prestige side of my personality and body, the ego you set forth while being on set helped me be in the moment more, expect less out of external, and focus on the power inside which led to loving my body more and being in peace with it, giving me rest and freedom to explore in peace and power. 

This power I’ll take with me every time I start a new project. 

Q. If you could swap lives with any movie character for a day—just to experience their world—who would you choose and why? 

I instantly started laughing when I heard this question. This I’ve thought about a lot. I’ve been a big, big fan of the Harry Potter universe since I was a kid. I would most definitely swap with Harry to ride his Nimbus 2000, haha, obviously. 

I do think I would be having trouble getting back to this reality; obviously, nothing beats Hogwarts. 

Bio

Floris Valentijn, born and raised in the picturesque town of Zeist as Floris Valentijn van Breugel, is a promising talent in film and photography. He’s driven by a deep love for the camera and storytelling. 

He stands out not only for his determination, but also for his open mindset, strong communication skills, empathy, and a unique knack for mimicking accents and dialects. His experience is growing rapidly, with an impressive list of international photo shoots and a range of roles in both short and feature films, as well as series. 

Floris is known for his vivid imagination, which brings every role to life and enriches every story. As a team player, he strongly believes in the power of collective effort and the shared pursuit of excellence. 

“When you’re on set and truly hear and see each other, that’s when pure magic happens,” says Floris. His motto, “teamwork makes the dream work,” reflects his commitment to collaboration and his determination to achieve his goals. His ambitions go beyond success on set: he values ongoing intellectual and physical growth, and sees his family as an essential pillar of support in his life.

Follow Floris on Instagram

Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose