Veteran Argentine actor Juan Soler reflects on his career, spanning over 30 telenovelas and 32 years in the industry. Currently starring in Angelli Nesma’s Tu Vida es Mi Vida for TelevisaUnivision, Soler spoke with PRODU about his growth alongside the evolving telenovela genre. He emphasizes the genre’s enduring power to develop emotions deeply in viewers.
“Since moving to Mexico in 1991, I’ve witnessed a clear evolution. The rise of series, miniseries, and biopics has significantly influenced the telenovela genre, blurring the lines a bit between the two formats. The key difference lies in the number of episodes. Today’s audience craves conciseness due to changing viewing habits – they’re more agile and have a wider range of options like social media and streaming, making them less receptive to predictable storylines,” he said.
Soler acknowledges the decline of surprise in telenovelas but emphasizes their enduring strength: deep dives into emotions. “There are many viewers like myself who cherish this genre for its ability to explore emotions and dramatic situations in detail,” he explained.
He emphasizes the importance of adapting to the industry’s evolution, including technological advancements and new production techniques. He embraces these changes, even creating his own YouTube channel. “The channel has allowed me to delve into technology,” he explains, “complementing it with courses on sound, lighting, cameras, and framing – all of which I incorporate into my acting work.”
Soler reflected on his fortunate experience witnessing the dramatic shift in television production. He recalls the days of cumbersome cameras weighing up to 100kg, contrasting them with the smaller, more agile tools used today. This evolution, he emphasizes, has been a boon for filmmakers.