MONDAY MORNING HOLLYWOOD
Director, Actress, Acting Coach and Artistic Director of Edgemar Center for the Arts Michelle Danner has happily juggled work between the screen and the stage for many years. Michelle grew up in Paris, her father having been chosen to open the first offices of the William Morris Agency in France. From there, Michelle moved to New York, and after a life of back and forth to LA for auditions Michelle opted for the California sunshine and a full time life in Hollywood. As Michelle pushed her talents, her career expanded from acting to producing to directing and coaching some of Hollywood’s most celebrated talents. In 2006 Michelle directed, produced and acted in the romantic comedy How to Go Out on a Date in Queens starring Jason Alexander, Rob Estes and Rob Perlman. Now she’s in the midst of editing Hello Herman, a story about America’s youth violence. Up next, the release of Michelle’s first book on acting.
What was the first job you ever had? When I was twelve, I organized a summer camp in the basement of my house. I had fourteen kids, cooked them lunch, created activities for them, got insurance out, and it was a huge success. It started as an image in my head and I implemented it into action. I discovered then the power of making things happen. I applied this to going out and getting any job in acting.
What was your first job in the movie/TV business and how did you get it? I booked my first job on All My Children. The casting director had seen me on stage in Antigone by Jean Anouilh at American Theatre of Actors in New York. Looking back on it now, I don’t think I was very good, but ignorance is bliss.
Do you have a favorite story from the trenches? I was doing Jean Paul Sartre's Dirty Hands in NY and I was supposed to make a call in the scene. I looked over and there was no phone. I was trying to figure out what to do and a hand appears through a hole in the set with the phone. It was hard to keep a straight face while the audience laughed.
What is your dream job? To continue to be a storyteller on stage and in film.
What or who makes you laugh? Children laughing and smart humor.
What do you do on a typical day off? Read, watch movies, play tennis and ping pong.
What inspires you? My children and great storytelling.
What advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers? Don't wait. Be proactive. Do it. Get a group of people together. People want to make movies.
What are you doing now? Editing Hello Herman, teaching, writing an acting book, and working on programming for Edgemar Center for the Arts where I'm Artistic Director.
If you won the lottery today, what would you be doing tomorrow? The same thing, doing plays and making movies.
What do you hope to be doing ten years from now? More of what I am doing now because it's pretty great. I would also love to start a rescue mission for dogs and cats because they need help.
To learn more about Michelle visit www.allinfilms.com or www.theactingstudioatedgemar.com
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