acting advise

Suzanna Balian

We are here with Suzanna Balian, an aspiring actress from Armenia who just entered the country several months ago to study at one of the best acting school in Los Angeles: the Michelle Danner Los Angeles Acting School

So tell us, how did your journey as an actress begin?

“Every Thursday morning in my small hometown, I’d always be the one kid waiting at the post office to read the only newspaper we had about actors and upcoming movies. To be honest, I don’t remember how my interest in it acting started, but it goes so far back it’s like it was born in me.”

So when did you first get the chance to perform?

“In Armenia, children aren’t accepted into acting school until they’re at least eight years old, but it was actually my first performance in an opening ceremony that got me accepted at the age of six.”

That must have been quite the honor! What did that lead you to do afterwards?

Afterwards, my mother entered me in a contest where I reenacted a famous scene from “Men”, a legendary Armenian film. Not only did I win it but also it made me realize that it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

And what actors and actresses have guided you on your journey to find yourself as an artist?

I’ve been drawing inspiration from different actors my whole life. When I was very young, I especially wanted to be Cate Blanchett. To have her talent! Her professionalism! She still inspires me a lot to this day but now along with French actress, Marion Cotillard whose style, acting and movies I truly admire.

Anyone in particular you’d love to perform with someday?

There have been so many actors whom I’d like the honor to share the screen with but performing with Robert De Niro is above all, my biggest dream. He is a legend to me and I’d be the opportunity of a lifetime just to be next to such a legend.

So what are you currently doing?

There’s actually one role I’m about to play in an AFI student film, which I’m currently obsessing over. I get the most satisfaction from challenging roles, characters that are very different from whom I am because it keeps me working harder and discovering more about my craft.

That’s definitely a great start! How have your goals changed since you first entered the country?

It’s been six months since I started my journey in Los Angeles, wanting first to work on TAKING ACTING CLASSES IN LOS ANGELES AND FOCUSING ON technique before attending auditions. Right now, what I want is to be present in every possible audition. I want more experience and to become more comfortable in front of the camera. I want to grow as an actress.

Always important goals for every actress to reach! But now that we’ve discussed how they’ve evolved, do you know what the end goal looks like?

I want to climb to the top and stay there. I don’t want acting to be a hobby. I want it to be my full time job, even if it’ll never be just a job for me. In the end, I want to make my mark in history as one of the best actresses in the movie industry.

Beautiful.

When I landed in Los Angeles, the very first day a woman told me that America will make me cry, but when it comes down to it, if I simply never give up, it will be it’s own reward. I keep this in mind whenever I become discouraged. I tried six years to get my Visa. And now that I’m here, there’s no way I could just give up.

So what would you say to everyone aspiring to be an actor or actress?

Everyone will keep reminding you that millions of people come to this city to become an actor and that it’s very rare that one succeeds. Always believe that you are one of those rare people. One in a million.

Thank you Suzanna Balian! And the best of luck you; to all aspiring actors!

Thank you!
And for our readers, please look forward to more interviews with aspiring actors and dreamers as we share what stories our students bring from their homes and journeys. More to come from THE MICHELLE DANNER’s LOS ANGELES ACTING SCHOOL!