In fact, Sernio has played both, appearing in
Bentley
Diamond Importers commercials and also preparing for his
next role in the mob thriller "Lime Vegas," some of which
will be filmed in
Asbury Park.."People are always coming up to me asking how I got so much
work so fast," the 25-year-old actor said. "It usually
takes about five or 10 years or so of bit parts to establish
yourself in the industry, but I jumped right into acting and
I've been doing it ever since."Sernio, 25, whose mother, sisters, niece and aunt live in Jackson, graduated from Howell High School. He lost his father at a very young age -- 45 -- but he always recalled his father's advice to do what you love in life.
"I'm very lucky to have such a supportive family," Sernio said of the predominantly female presence in the household. "My mother has kept every article that's ever been written about me, and my whole family is very proud of my accomplishments. I couldn't have done it without them."
Sernio began his trek into the acting profession just two short years ago, at the age of 23. He saw Kevin Interdonato on the "Sopranos" and, as he says, "that was it."
Soon after, he enrolled at the prestigious Ted Bardy Studio in New York, which coached him in the tools of the thespian trade. He said it offered him excellent preparation for a wide variety of professional acting jobs. Later, he signed with the Dorothy Palmer Talent Agency -- also based in New York -- which opened the door to even more acting roles.
While in New York, Sernio gravitated to the Rue B in the East Village, where he met his manager, Lori Draz, and "Sopranos" character actor Vinny Vella, both of whom were pivotal in helping him get work. Draz kept his name front and center in the minds of casting directors, and Vella introduced him to a number of people in the industry. But it was his own determination that kept him going. "I knocked on a lot of doors," Sernio said. "But I remember that when I got a job as an extra on the Sarah Jessica Parker film 'Spitting Into Butter,' I was saying to myself, 'This is amazing. This is what I was meant to do and I'm not going to stop.'"
Sernio said that although he is aware that the odds of succeeding in the business are aligned astronomically against him, he won't let anything get in his way. "I just don't worry about the odds," he said. "I stay positive. A lot of the people I've met in acting have been very good to me. So I'm very lucky that a lot of acting jobs have come my way."
Film sets are notorious for long delays between scenes. But Sernio said that he's gotten used to the pace. And in talking to him, you can tell that he still maintains some of that wide-eyed wonderment of being a part of the acting community.
"We filmed my scene in 'Spitting Into Butter' on the campus of Drew University, in the middle of winter when it was freezing," he said. "And I played a college student. I had a scene where I had to walk up to some people, say a few lines, and then go back to my dorm room.
"This one scene took eight hours to complete, and between takes, I waited in the wardrobe truck because it was so cold. But honestly, there's nothing I'd rather be doing. My theory is that if you give me a book and some peanut butter and jelly, I'm good to go."
Unlike other aspiring actors, Sernio has no ambition to head for Hollywood. His decision has a lot to do with staying close to family in Jackson -- and because of all of the great and substantial acting jobs he's found right here in his own neighborhood.
"You can build an unbelievable career in film and television without ever leaving the New York area," he said. "And I'd love to get a part in one of the soap operas that's filmed here. That's something I'd like to try."
In terms of advice for aspiring actors just starting out in the business, after just two years, Sernio sounds like an established veteran.
"First of all, know what you want," he said. "Realize it won't come overnight, so you need to be patient. Make acting your full-time job but also keep a part-time job." Sernio worked a part-time job at Three Brothers pizza shop in Belmar this summer. He said working in 100 degree heat in the summer offered him a lot of life experience. "It's important to be open to everything -- anything new especially because you never know when you'll call on that experience in your acting," he said. And, speaking from experience, he repeated the credo that has accounted for his own success: "Never, ever give up."