Rising Stars: Meet Julia Monteon of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Monteon

Hi Julia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Ukraine and at early age fell in love with music. I started playing piano and signing and soon enough discovered musical theatre: it stole my heart. At the age of 15 I started working in a regional theatre, at 16 I wrote my first musical which had a successful run and was broadcasted on local TV channels. Same year I entered Kyiv National University of Theatre, Film and TV. Shortly after I started giving my first acting classes. They were classes arranged for corporate clients who wanted to break away from their routines and peek behind the curtain of the acting world. The classes became so successful that I ended up teaching even since.

In 2012 I moved to Los Angeles to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. The experience there was so transformative that after completing the program I made a decision to stay and work in LA for another year. Working on the industry leading film sets and seeing world-renown filmmakers, attending workshops and masterclasses from star coaches and yet struggling as an immigrant artist in a big competitive and very expensive city was putting me on an emotional rollercoaster every day. I questioned whether or not I should stay or go back home quite a few times. I felt like it would be easier at home, but at the same time I wondered if I’d be able to implement everything I’ve learnt there, as the industry hasn’t yet caught up with the global standards. Meanwhile I kept working and building my acting resume, having booked guest star roles on some network TV shows (“This is us”, “Palm Royale”) and some independent features (“Playing with Beethoven”). I stayed active on stage, no matter how hard it was in Los Angeles, and even considered moving to NYС a few times.

In 2023 I wrote, produced and directed my first play “Letters from Ukraine” which premiered at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. It was a tribute to survivors of the first days of the Russian invasion – a compilation of true stories collected while trying to stay sane and support my homeland and my loved ones.

But most importantly, all this time I kept teaching. Throughout the years of my creative journey in Los Angeles almost subconsciously I was building something that would eventually become my most favorite project – International Acting School FACTOR. It all started with small online coaching sessions for my fellow actors in Ukraine, as everyone wanted to know what’s so different and unique about the Hollywood school. I was getting more and more referrals and soon enough launched a website which started attracting Ukrainian and Russian-speaking students from all over the world. This year the website was finally launched in English and online classes are now available in three languages – English, Ukrainian, and Russian. Next month I’m launching The Fundamentals of Acting Video Course and corporate in-person group classes for everyone, who aways wanted to try acting not as a profession, bus as a personal growth tool.

I’m not planning to stop here: the next step is to bring FACTOR to other countries, train more coaches, open a physical location with an on-site theatre and build a community of creatives, that enjoy acting not only as a profession but as a method of self-realization, founding a creative outlet and a like-minded community.

I’m eternally grateful to my students for choosing FACTOR and to my bumpy and challenging path in Los Angeles for taking me where I am today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Cultural shock was quite overwhelming for me and it lasted a while too. The city was so different from what I was used to – no one walks, awful public transportation, everything’s so far. I struggled to meet people, and honestly struggle to this day – everyone’s so busy! Not to mentioned the infamous LA flakiness. That’s probably why I decided to start a business with just myself:)

For the first almost two years I slept on a yoga mat in an empty apartment with no kitchen, ate instant ramen with a plastic fork that I was washing and reusing because I was broke and I didn’t know if I was going to stay in LA after I was done with the school.

When I started working on my first film sets sometimes I’d have to wake up at 2am to make it to a 5am call time because I didn’t have a car.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actress, writer, producer and acting coach, and I’m most proud of my International Acting School FACTOR. What sets it apart is that it’s not just a school for actors. Our concept is that everyone can act. We teach people of different professions from all over the world and allow them to experience the transformational power of acting. My method is a lot like creative therapy. During individual classes my students get to work on their physical and emotional blocks, discover their strengths and weaknesses, get rid of the anxiety and fear of public speaking or social interaction and so much more. Every student gets 100 percent individual approach and the exercises and material used is different for everyone. The best part is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I started teaching when I was 18 and most of my students were at least 10 years older.

Pricing:

• Single class – $100
• 4 classes – $380
• 8 classes – $720
• 3-months course – $1200
• 6-months course – $2400

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.factoracting.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/factoracting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/factoractingschool

Image Credits
Headshots – Sean Kara