Jules Lavallee interviews Actor Producer Dane E. Connor for Copa Style Magazine.
Dane E. Conner
Actor/Producer
by Jules Lavallee
Copa Style Magazine's Hollywood Reporter
Prior to becoming an Actor and Producer, Dane pursued a rigorous formal education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University San Marcos, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University, and a Law Degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Dane began professionally acting after studying with world renowned Actor, Director and acting coach Carey Scott, at the prestigious Rehearsal Room Theatre Acting School in San Diego, CA.
Dane was raised in San Diego, CA and began his career in entertainment as a musician, playing guitar for a number of bands in his youth, most notably in the hard rock band Unkle Stiltskin, alongside well known drummer Mike Levinson of The Megas. Dane also performed with the alternative rock band Crawlspace for a short time.
Dane sat down with Copa Style to discuss his new film and upcoming projects:
Dane began professionally acting after studying with world renowned Actor, Director and acting coach Carey Scott, at the prestigious Rehearsal Room Theatre Acting School in San Diego, CA.
Dane was raised in San Diego, CA and began his career in entertainment as a musician, playing guitar for a number of bands in his youth, most notably in the hard rock band Unkle Stiltskin, alongside well known drummer Mike Levinson of The Megas. Dane also performed with the alternative rock band Crawlspace for a short time.
Dane sat down with Copa Style to discuss his new film and upcoming projects:
Copa: Dane, tell us about your new movie.
Dane: "Once in a Lifetime" is about a group of friends and acquaintances in modern day Los Angeles who have to leave their bad relationships and misconceptions behind, in order to start new ones. I play Joel, a 30 something serial dater, struggling artist, living in the heart of Los Angeles, trying to make a name for himself while balancing close friendships and multiple romantic relationships.
Dane: "Once in a Lifetime" is about a group of friends and acquaintances in modern day Los Angeles who have to leave their bad relationships and misconceptions behind, in order to start new ones. I play Joel, a 30 something serial dater, struggling artist, living in the heart of Los Angeles, trying to make a name for himself while balancing close friendships and multiple romantic relationships.
Copa: What new projects are you working on?
Dane: I have a lot of projects going on that I am pretty excited about. I am working on season 3 of Anatomy of An AntiHero, returning as Dr. Walker. I am working with French action star and martial artist Alan Delabie and Billy Blanks. I am also an Associate Producer on the upcoming feature film Red Army Hooligans starring Stella Paris and Elizabeth Saint and I am acting and producing in the movie, Before. It is a surrealist type of film which takes place during the 60’s. It is directed by the talented Andy Rudick. I am also playing a key role in the upcoming film, The Door, written and directed by Nate Arceneaux.
As a producer, Dane has been involved in numerous film and television productions. Most notably as Associate Producer on the recently released international feature film The Basement, directed by Hungarian filmmaker Laszlo Illes, the film VOICE written by Luwam Mikael and directed by Corey Deshon, and the Canadian Television series Barbelle directed by Karen Knox.
Dane: I have a lot of projects going on that I am pretty excited about. I am working on season 3 of Anatomy of An AntiHero, returning as Dr. Walker. I am working with French action star and martial artist Alan Delabie and Billy Blanks. I am also an Associate Producer on the upcoming feature film Red Army Hooligans starring Stella Paris and Elizabeth Saint and I am acting and producing in the movie, Before. It is a surrealist type of film which takes place during the 60’s. It is directed by the talented Andy Rudick. I am also playing a key role in the upcoming film, The Door, written and directed by Nate Arceneaux.
As a producer, Dane has been involved in numerous film and television productions. Most notably as Associate Producer on the recently released international feature film The Basement, directed by Hungarian filmmaker Laszlo Illes, the film VOICE written by Luwam Mikael and directed by Corey Deshon, and the Canadian Television series Barbelle directed by Karen Knox.
Copa: What do you enjoy most about acting?
Dane: What I enjoy most about acting is the character development process. As a method actor, you work on developing the character from the inside out. You become intrinsically connected to all of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances that create the inner characteristics of the role you are portraying. I enjoy developing those nuances and allowing them to influence the outside meaning, how the character dresses, how they talk, walk, what kind of shoes they wear. The character development process never really ends for me. I’m constantly making discoveries along the way, and it becomes difficult to let go of the character. You’ve portrayed at the end of the production, but it’s worth all the hard work.
Dane: What I enjoy most about acting is the character development process. As a method actor, you work on developing the character from the inside out. You become intrinsically connected to all of the subtle, and not so subtle nuances that create the inner characteristics of the role you are portraying. I enjoy developing those nuances and allowing them to influence the outside meaning, how the character dresses, how they talk, walk, what kind of shoes they wear. The character development process never really ends for me. I’m constantly making discoveries along the way, and it becomes difficult to let go of the character. You’ve portrayed at the end of the production, but it’s worth all the hard work.
Copa: What do you enjoy most about producing?
Dane: I enjoy how there are so many different facets to producing. There is of course the financial side; I enjoy working with a team to secure the necessary financing to bring a project to life. I also enjoy that I am able to apply the hard skills I learned through obtaining my M.B.A., there are so many quantitative elements to producing that it really helps to have a solid business foundation in order to move a project along. I also really appreciate the different types of interactions I have as a Producer, in comparison to that of being an actor. As a Producer I tend to interact with the entire creative team a little bit differently, then as an Actor, where I’m more focused on my character and my performance. As a Producer, I get to just be myself, which is refreshing at times.
Dane: I enjoy how there are so many different facets to producing. There is of course the financial side; I enjoy working with a team to secure the necessary financing to bring a project to life. I also enjoy that I am able to apply the hard skills I learned through obtaining my M.B.A., there are so many quantitative elements to producing that it really helps to have a solid business foundation in order to move a project along. I also really appreciate the different types of interactions I have as a Producer, in comparison to that of being an actor. As a Producer I tend to interact with the entire creative team a little bit differently, then as an Actor, where I’m more focused on my character and my performance. As a Producer, I get to just be myself, which is refreshing at times.
Copa: What were the challenges?
Dane: There are so many elements to bringing a project to life. It can be frustrating when they don’t come together as smoothly or as expected and the project experiences set-backs. There are always difficulties in pre-production, and running into issues during principal photography can be burdensome an expensive.
Dane: There are so many elements to bringing a project to life. It can be frustrating when they don’t come together as smoothly or as expected and the project experiences set-backs. There are always difficulties in pre-production, and running into issues during principal photography can be burdensome an expensive.
Copa: What's the next big thing for you?
Dane: I’m really excited about finishing my first feature length screenplay, which I also plan on producing when the scripts locked. I’m also very excited about Anatomy of "An Anti Hero" Season 3, it’s going to be fantastic!
Dane: I’m really excited about finishing my first feature length screenplay, which I also plan on producing when the scripts locked. I’m also very excited about Anatomy of "An Anti Hero" Season 3, it’s going to be fantastic!
~Copa
