Michael D. Cohen – An Evening With Beverly Luff Lin

By starrymag | November 30, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you have been working on?

 

A) We are in production right now on the 5^th season of “Henry Danger”– we’re doing twenty more episodes. We get a one-week hiatus every three weeks so that takes up most of my time. I shot a Nespresso ad with George Clooney and Natalie Dormer recently that just came out and did a fun voiceover on an episode of Disney’s “Vampirina.” I teach a weekly acting class and am also writing a book on acting.  I am also putting the pieces in place to mount a solo one-man show I’ve written that will go up in the spring of 2019.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the upcoming film An Evening with Beverly Luff Lin.

 

A) It’s about a couple of weird and wacky love triangles that come together at a hotel that’s hosting a climactic event called…Well, you can guess what the event is called.

 

Q) How was your character Mitch Stemp originally described to you?

 

A) The audition breakdown had a pretty sparse description: “An event coordinator at the hotel who is professional, efficient and enthusiastic and who is looking forward to seeing the show.”  I don’t think they wanted us to know too much. When I got to the audition, I was asked to read the scenes three different ways, one of which was as though I was holding in a huge fart.  It was one of the most fun auditions I’ve ever done.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars prior to working with them on the movie?

 

A) I was familiar with all the leads, though I had never met them. All of them were extremely nice and fantastic to work with.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming An Evening With Beverly Luff Lin?

A) Filming Beverly’s event was great – (spoiler) there is a fight that we choreographed that was fun to shoot.

 

Q) You have great comedic timing. Is it something that has always come naturally to you or have you had to work at it?

 

A) Aw, well thank you. I think it’s both. I grew up watching a lot of comedy – it’s very musical and you have to get that rhythm in your body.  I studied it a lot and now I teach it. If you want to learn something well, teach it!

 

Q) We loved seeing you on “Henry Danger.” What did you personally take away from working on the series?

 

A) So many things. I’m so proud to be a part of the highest rated live action kids’ show on TV. It’s successful because the writing is so great, and the cast has this great chemistry. We all really like each other and have fun.  Being a series regular on a show lets me have continuity, a sense of family with the cast and crew and is an opportunity to do what I love on a regular basis.

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to your projects?

 

A) It’s great to hear from fans and their reactions to my work. It can be very gratifying and it’s a quick way to give/get info about different projects.  I’m learning more and more about social media and trying to find a way to interact with it in a way that feels good. But I prefer meeting fans face-to-face because that’s where real connection is.

 

 

Q) You’re an actor, writer and producer. What advice would you give to up and coming actors and actresses?

 

A) Stay true to yourself.  Use acting as a way of getting to know yourself better – as a way to grow as a person – and make that your first and foremost priority. If you do that, then everything falls into place. Make sure your decisions feel right and good to you and don’t take anyone’s advice or criticism without putting it through your own “truth filter” first.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) A big THANK YOU!  And there are some great projects coming up that I can’t yet discuss. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to share them with you.