Meet Michael Pierce | Actor, Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Pierce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I know most of my friends from outside the industry believe it’s easy and they have no idea of the financial commitment, time and energy.

I think people don’t realize that there are over 70,000 members on the SAG LA Local alone all striving to work, the competition is massive. The assumption is that if you don’t or didn’t book something that you need a better Manager or a better Agent. I have actually heard that from non industry friends who are naïve and uneducated in this business. An Agent only submits their clients for auditions and will negotiate a contract and wages and working conditions on their behalf. A Manager provides counseling and advice to their client and regard to career goals and IF they know someone in the industry they might be able to get them to see the client for a general audition, unrelated to a specific role. An Agent or Manager DOESN’T book you the role, you do and they only make money if you book the role. People also don’t realize the time it takes to audition. Post Pandemic has virtually made all auditions online so once an actor has completed their “day job” which pays rent and their car note, they still have their second job which is acting. To audition you must find a reader for the audition, whether live or on zoom, and set all that equipment up for taping it, learn lines, do the audition, edit it, send off to the agent or manager to send to casting. The cost alone of every website you must be attached to whether IMDb Pro and Casting websites, the cost of training (you, must be taking some training weekly), headshots etc., creating reel material. I have personally stayed up all night on several occasions just to edit self Tape auditions because the turnaround timeline was too short and I worked all day and had an acting class that I had to learn lines for and then learn audition lines. Sometimes it can be overwhelming.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am fortunate that I have had a long acting career. I have had periods of great success and periods where I just didn’t have any. I think that isn’t uncommon in the acting arena. The bottom line is if you love what you do and love being a creative that will get you past times when you simply cannot book a job.

Pandemic provided so much clarity. I realized that auditions (which went online for the most part) would remain online, as did my acting classes. I started writing again to stay creative and that was eye opening for me. I wrote, produced and acted in a web series and wrote a few short films I also had produced which all won festival awards. During that time, I also had huge booking success, booking a major film on Netflix, a Pilot for Showtime, some brilliant short films, several TV series co star roles and a supporting lead in a Television Holiday Film. I believe that at that time, the uncertainty in the world brought me great clarity and that clarity turned into relief and the ability to see beyond just my personal circumstances and that seemed to have assisted in booking and acting.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh Gosh, I KNOW my first stop would be Bali Hai Restaurant. The Mai Tai’s are something everyone needs to try. If you have never been fortunate enough to visit the Big Island, this restaurant and that Mai Tai will make you feel like you are there!

As far as where to go to eat, Little Italy in San Diego gets my vote. There are some wonderful restaurants and specifically Filippis Pizza Grotto. It’s been there over 70 years and the food is traditional old world Italian. It is stunning.

If we felt like a steak, for sure I would go to Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop in Downtown San Diego. It is a busy rustic atmosphere with impeccable service and mouth watering steaks. And don’t forget the Wedge Salad. Best Wedge Salad in San Diego.

For some daytime fun, we would go to the San Diego Zoo. The Zoo is in a beautiful location, located in Balboa Park in San Diego, where the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition was. Balboa Park was built for this and the surrounding architecture to the zoo remains original. The Zoo itself is high class. 100 Acres and the animals (over 4000) have spacious exhibits natural to their environment. It is such a fun day. You will leave exhausted and ready to go back to see the rest.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I hate to use the word “TEAM”. I hear it a lot. The expression, “my team”. If I was an A List Actor as a regular on a series who had a film between series seasons I would probably be comfortable using the expression “my Team”. BUT, I do have many people that surround me in the profession and not in the profession who encourage me and are constantly making me know I chose the right career.

I have to give praise and thanks to past agents and managers (Taher Abunadi, Tyler Hall, Maxx Maulion).These people constantly assisted me, talked me off a ledge and made me excited about being in this industry.
My current roster of Manager and Agents, (Tonja Rene at Top Ten, Courtney at AQUA Talent, Anna at Devise Talent)…they keep me grounded and they work really hard for me. Some days that can make me overwhelmed. Knowing how much effort they put into me. I really want to continue to succeed for them.

I also need to Shout Out to my recent and current acting teachers, Carey Scott at the Rehearsal Room, and Corey Parker at the BGB Studio. My acting class is a huge stress reliever. I am not always keen on learning a new script each week but as I get older I am glad that I have the mental facilities that I can. And also, once my scene is over each week and I get to watch it back, I can see the work and effort I put into it, portraying another new character to add to my tool box.

Finally I need to Shout Out to my non industry friends who just offer support and my two acting buddies and friends Hilliard and Jennifer. They have become my “Go To” scene readers each week for auditions and I think we all have the same fears and energy when it comes to acting.

Website: www.michaeljosephpierce.com

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