Dear Toni,

I never wanted to be an actor. If you had told me 5 years ago I would become one I would have laughed and said, "No, thanks!"

After spending my whole life in the 3-stoplight town of Chelsea, Michigan, I moved to New York City hoping to further my career in book publishing. One day I met a guy on a train who invited me to come to an audition just to watch. I thought it would be interesting to see behind the scenes, so I took him up on it---still with no interest in acting. After auditioning people for 3 hours they still couldn't fill one role, so the director turned to me and said, "Jonny, why don't you try it?" Startled, I replied,  “You’re joking right, I’m not an actor!" But he insisted, so I tried, and I got the part, which was for a play reading. I had fun with it, did some more auditions, and about a month later I was cast in the male lead in an original production at the 13th Street Repertory in Manhattan. Right after our 3-month run ended I did my first film, again the lead role, for which I won "Best Actor in a Short Film" at the Denver Film Festival [when the film was screened there in 2004]. In the 4 years since then I've had leads or supporting roles in more than 20 Indie films and 30 student films, some in New York but most here in Los Angeles.

I enjoy the process of working with the director, cast, and crew toward the common goal of producing the best film possible. Often it becomes like family. I even went to the wedding of a husband and wife director/producer team in December.

I love becoming another person for my roles, playing everything from a compassionate priest or therapist to a psychotic killer. I also enjoy comedy, and would love to do more of it. In my off time I enjoy keeping fit and browsing the Iliad bookstore for all types of books, but especially those about various types of spiritual pursuits.

My question to you: The legend is that Al Pacino did 50 student films before he got noticed.  I have done more then that in just four.  What’s a guy gotta do to get to the big time?

Johnny

Dear Johnny,

As the old legend goes, you have to sleep with a lot of abusive women (ha!)  Just like Joey on the Joey show.  All kidding aside… but I’m not kidding!  I think it is all “the draw of the cards.”  Yes, it is luck.  I have a wonderful friend who is very well known, Ted Lange of “Love Boat” who always says, that if you stick in there it will happen.  The question is?  How long do you stick in there?  I think all actors including myself should have an exit plan of a certain amount of years before you say, “Enough! “ To answer your question; As long as you are having a wonderful time and feel fulfilled just keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny.  If your battery feels like it’s winding down, then that’s the time to move on to the Exit plan. It is however a great ride!

Thank you for taking the time to write.
Toni Attell

Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net