Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Moreno.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Imagine the streets of your hometown are paved with stars and indented with footprints from icons of the past. Picture learning to drive and memorizing directions thanks to the silver screen landmarks burned into your brain that are around every corner. Everyday activities are filled with star studded moments: A cooking class with Jamie Lee Curtis, a high school party where Shia Labeouf tries to get everyone out when the cops show up, play dates with the friends who’s older siblings share the names like Slater, Joan Hart, or Remeni.
It’s pretty L.A. right…
But there’s also a stunning amount of history, stories, and bold imagination that thrives in every inch of this landscape. And it’s inspiration can stay rooted in your soul no matter where you go.
Growing up with a father who worked in the industry (post-production sound), I was lucky enough to see it from many sides. It became clear early on that it was something that would draw my attention more than anything else.
Starting as an avid class clown, I began to do stand up comedy at age 14! I continued it for seven years performing at iconic comedy rooms like The Improv, The Ice House, and The Comedy Store.
Falling in love with acting in High School at Notre Dame thanks to our brilliant Drama teacher Judy Weldon who inspired me and my classmates, like Katherine McPhee and Amanda Marie Fuller, I poured all my energy into making THIS my thing!
Adamant I wanted to go to an arts conservatory for college, I focused on one school that showed an exceptional amount of interest, SUNY Purchase, even going as far as to visit with my Dad on a thrilling trip to New York which would give me one of my first tastes of the culture and energy of the city that I would eventually become a proud part of for a decade.
Sadly, as actors know all too well, this opportunity which seemed to be a sure thing did not happen and so I jumped over to Pasadena Community College for a year.
But LA brings so many wonderful connections around every corner and at PCC I took an acting class with one of the best instructors I’ve ever had, Duke Stroud, who, at that point had been acting for 30+ years in Soaps, TV, film and commercials and was the only instructor I had up to that point who spoke about acting like a job, in practical, down-to-Earth terms and from the perspective that the actor was in charge of their career. His insight has stuck with me ever since and was no doubt the seed that would germinate into The Actor CEO Podcast many years later.
I followed a dear friend and outstanding triple threat performer, Whitney Claire Kaufman, to a small, but growing private university in Orange County called Chapman University. Four years there meant seeing the now world-renowned Dodge College of Film and Media Arts develop and shooting many commercial and student films in the incredible Knott Studios. On stage, I got to work with the outstanding performing arts instructors who would help the College of Performing Arts become the performance powerhouse it is today!
Again, that incredible breeding ground of talent allowed me to work alongside and grow dear friendships with amazing LA artists (Shane Salk, Shane Salk Productions; Erika Cohn, Emmy Nominated Director/Producer; Eric Satterberg, brilliant commercial actor; Leah McKendrick actor/filmmaker; Jeremy Loncka, The Actor’s Gang Prison Project) who continue to impact our world.
Graduating with a taste for further training and more opportunity, I auditioned and was accepted into The University of Tennessee’s MFA program led by Jed Diamond. While Knoxville, TN was a far cry from Zuma Beach, Pink’s Hot Dogs, and earthquakes, it brought performing to audiences over 600, membership in Actor’s Equity Association, and exceptional training alongside artists from around the country.
Out of MFA school, I landed an agent in New York City who could represent me on both coasts putting me in the incredible position of bouncing from California to New York enjoying my friends, family, and life as an artist.
What’s amazing is it took eight years in NYC and having a kid before I finally got back to those seeds of practical business mindset that were planted so many years ago. Sometimes you have to hear things a million different times before it sinks in. It also helped that my lovely wife kept pestering me to start a podcast. “You can do one,” she said about once a week! “What would I talk about,” I always shot back until finally it became clear. The conversations that meant the most to me were those practical, down-to-Earth insights that came from working actors and industry pros. They were lessons on how to make this industry work FOR YOU and not get caught up in the “supposed to” and “correct career path” nonsense actors can get so beholden to so often. More importantly it was those insights that I did not get in school, so there was a major gap in knowledge for me and so, so many other actors out there who come out of training and step into an industry without realizing that they have just 1) Become a business 2) Are responsible for the long term sustainability of that business 3) Are actually in the most advantageous time for creatives ever and must learn how to leverage that opportunity.
So, The Actor CEO Podcast was born and it became my mission to empower actors to control their career and build a sustainable creative life through hundreds of interviews with industry pros, amazing tools and resources, access to experts, info, entertainment and more.
Now with thousands of artists following around the world, partnerships, contributions to other platforms and being voted a “top podcast for actors” by both Backstage and Casting Networks, The Actor CEO Podcast and ActorCEO.com have become a major destination for actors who take themselves seriously, know they are building a business and are confident they can cultivate a career regardless of the uncertainty the industry might bring because they are resourceful, ask for help, and plan for the long game.
The world has never been more supportive of creatives and we have the tools (and far fewer gatekeepers) to realize our dreams. I’m thrilled that at this moment I am a part of championing our cause!
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s never easy to build a career in the arts. It took a long time to realize that there was no “set path” and ultimately you are responsible for your level of success, how you define that, and that the long game is more important than any short – term win or failure. It’s that perspective that I and my industry guests share on The Actor CEO Podcast.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Actor CEO Podcast – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Actor CEO Podcast and ActorCEO.com connect actors around the globe to industry pros, tools and resources to help them treat their career like a business and actually take control so they can build sustainable creative lives. With the recognition as a “top podcast for actors” by both Backstage and Casting Networks, building a fan base of thousands of artists, contributing articles to outlets like Backstage and On Stage Blog, teaching lessons in drama schools around the country, joining industry partners, and consistent insightful content we have become one of the premier platforms for actors to get the practical information they didn’t get in school and feel empowered to build a solid career for themselves no matter how uncertain the current industry may be.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The city of Los Angeles has an amazing history and ever-evolving culture. You can meet people from all over the globe, reach fantastic destinations in any direction, and live a full and rich life no matter where you are in the city. While congestion and climate change are long term concerns, the city is bursting with passionate, creative and caring individuals who will do everything to push its strong spirit well into the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://actorceo.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @actorceo
- Facebook: @actorceo
- Twitter: @actorceo
- Other: http://bit.ly/ActorCEO
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