Best Advice I Could Give A New Actor In Los Angeles by Michelle Danner
Michelle Danner is considered one of the top acting coaches in Los Angeles as well as film and stage director and author. She is also the founder of the acting conservatory – the Michelle Danner Acting Studio.
It was her father, who opened the very first William Morris Agency in Paris, France, that instilled a strong passion and work ethic in her that has stayed with her throughout her life.
Interviewer: What would you tell an actor who’s armed with a degree from a wonderful school and theatre, 20/21- ready to set the world on fire – they come here. In that same mindset, what would you tell that person?
Michelle: I would tell that person to find a way to perform live, something that you are going to be great in, and find a way to get as many people as possible to come watch you live. Whether it’s a hole in the wall in Hollywood or in the Valley or on the West Side. Wherever that is. Get people to come, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Invite directors, producers, writers, casting directors, agents to come see your work. As opposed to a tape that they can possibly fast forward – there’s nothing that is going to be as powerful as somebody seeing you do the work in person.