Mark McKinnon
~Actor~
by Alisa Briggs
Copa Style Magazine's VIP Correspondent
Mark McKinnon is an American actor. He has booked roles on “The Blacklist (NBC), “Gotham”, (FOX), and “Blue Bloods” (CBS). Mark has also been on the popular Soap Opera, “One Life to Live”, playing the assistant to Hip Hop legend, Snoop Lion. Growing up in Waldorf, Maryland sports were McKinnon’s world, but he always knew he was destined to be in the performing arts. In 2012, Mark opened his private coaching and consultation business for actors, where he specialized in helping beginners start a professional career and taught actors, heavily trained in theatre, on how to transition into Film/TV. Today, Mark has mentored and coached hundreds of actors.
Mark McKinnon is an American actor. He has booked roles on “The Blacklist (NBC), “Gotham”, (FOX), and “Blue Bloods” (CBS). Mark has also been on the popular Soap Opera, “One Life to Live”, playing the assistant to Hip Hop legend, Snoop Lion. Growing up in Waldorf, Maryland sports were McKinnon’s world, but he always knew he was destined to be in the performing arts. In 2012, Mark opened his private coaching and consultation business for actors, where he specialized in helping beginners start a professional career and taught actors, heavily trained in theatre, on how to transition into Film/TV. Today, Mark has mentored and coached hundreds of actors.
Copa: How did you get started in acting?
Mark McKinnon: In high school I took a drama class as an elective and there was an audition for a school show and I wasn’t going to do it but I said why not! Back then I was an athlete, the big football player, the basketball player. I didn’t think that I even had a shot to do it! Athletes don’t do acting, but I ended up auditioning and I got the lead role. What made me take it seriously was it wasn’t many African Americans that actually did the plays at my school. Also, the other players showed up to the play and they laughed and talked about me at practices. That following year, a lot of them tried out for the plays too. The school presented me with a social change award because so many African-Americans came out and auditioned. When I saw the change in others, I thought wow! There is something to this, the fact that I can change others.
Copa: How did you get started in acting?
Mark McKinnon: In high school I took a drama class as an elective and there was an audition for a school show and I wasn’t going to do it but I said why not! Back then I was an athlete, the big football player, the basketball player. I didn’t think that I even had a shot to do it! Athletes don’t do acting, but I ended up auditioning and I got the lead role. What made me take it seriously was it wasn’t many African Americans that actually did the plays at my school. Also, the other players showed up to the play and they laughed and talked about me at practices. That following year, a lot of them tried out for the plays too. The school presented me with a social change award because so many African-Americans came out and auditioned. When I saw the change in others, I thought wow! There is something to this, the fact that I can change others.
Copa: In looking at your journey, we know that failures are a part of success. How did you push through your worst times, the failures and setbacks?
Mark McKinnon: Some of the worst times came down to money. When I got my first agent, I quit my full time job and pursued acting full time. After 6 months, I was dead broke. I would be scratching for pennies. There were times I was returning from auditions in NY on the bus with $2 in my pocket. I didn’t know how I was going to eat or get home at times. I made changes in my life, I actually took a break from acting for a year. I got myself together as a man and took care of my responsibilities. This is when I realized its better to audition with a balanced life then audition out of desperation.
Copa: In looking at your journey, we know that failures are a part of success. How did you push through your worst times, the failures and setbacks?
Mark McKinnon: Some of the worst times came down to money. When I got my first agent, I quit my full time job and pursued acting full time. After 6 months, I was dead broke. I would be scratching for pennies. There were times I was returning from auditions in NY on the bus with $2 in my pocket. I didn’t know how I was going to eat or get home at times. I made changes in my life, I actually took a break from acting for a year. I got myself together as a man and took care of my responsibilities. This is when I realized its better to audition with a balanced life then audition out of desperation.
Copa: When did you get 'that call' and how did the door of success crack open for you Mark?
Mark McKinnon: It hit me back in 2012. I got this call for an audition for this show called “Blue Bloods” on CBS. I didn’t get it but a few weeks later the casting director called me in for another show called “Golden Boy." She said, “Your not going to audition, because I’m sending you straight to the producer session." On television, it’s the highest level of audition you can have, I bypassed all the callbacks. That show was going to be on CBS. I’m in the room with 8 guys, the producer, the writer and it hit me that this is serious! Another ‘call’ I had was three callbacks for “Star Wars." To get a call back for such a major motion picture like that I felt like I was on another level.
Mark McKinnon: It hit me back in 2012. I got this call for an audition for this show called “Blue Bloods” on CBS. I didn’t get it but a few weeks later the casting director called me in for another show called “Golden Boy." She said, “Your not going to audition, because I’m sending you straight to the producer session." On television, it’s the highest level of audition you can have, I bypassed all the callbacks. That show was going to be on CBS. I’m in the room with 8 guys, the producer, the writer and it hit me that this is serious! Another ‘call’ I had was three callbacks for “Star Wars." To get a call back for such a major motion picture like that I felt like I was on another level.
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Copa: What do you feel are the biggest highlights of your career to date?
Mark McKinnon: I've booked a lot of co-star roles in less that 6 months, even my manager felt like this was a very successful season for me. I felt like all the hard work and years of sacrifice started paying off. It was eerie, I was like how is this happening so fast? Because of the 3 shows, "The Blacklist" on NBC, "Blue Bloods" on CBS, and "Gotham" on FOX, those were the 3 shows. When it rains it pours! |
Copa: What keeps you up at night when you are thinking about your dreams?
Mark McKinnon: Believe it or not failure. You come so far you don’t want to disappoint not only yourself but the people that support you.
Copa: What keeps you up at night when you are thinking about your dreams?
Mark McKinnon: Believe it or not failure. You come so far you don’t want to disappoint not only yourself but the people that support you.
Copa: What’s your secret sauce for your success?
Mark McKinnon: It’s prayer. When I pray, I believe for it. I make sure its in line with what God says in his word. I really try to live a good life of integrity and character. Especially with what we see in media now with sexual harassment.
Mark McKinnon: It’s prayer. When I pray, I believe for it. I make sure its in line with what God says in his word. I really try to live a good life of integrity and character. Especially with what we see in media now with sexual harassment.
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Copa: You also have a very successful acting school, called the McKinnon Acting Studio for actors and child actors, please share the information with our readers. Mark McKinnon: I went through a lot of frustrating situations, people would take my money, I signed up with the wrong agencies that really bothered me and made me angry. I wanted to do something about it to help the next person avoid those things. The other reason I created the studio, was to make it affordable so other actors could train consistently. When I lived in NY, I couldn’t afford it. I couldn’t afford to train. I want to help actors avoid the kaos out here, help actors get direction, focus and a plan. Without a plan you fall and you fail. Our studio focuses heavily on camera training. Learning how to act for the camera, which is difficult if you don’t prepare for it. Four to five times a year we have flagship workshops where I have casting directors, agents and managers from NY to come teach a particular topic, audition tapes etc. |
Copa: Did you have a mentor through you journey?
Mark McKinnon: Yes I have a mentor for each area of my life. |
Copa: What's a typical day for you?
Mark McKinnon: Getting up super early in the morning to go to NY, taking trains, buses or driving to NY for auditions, taking a train to the next audition, meeting with my acting coach to run scenes to make sure I’m good, 16 hour days, getting back to Maryland to do private coaching, teaching my class at night.
Copa: What’s next for you Mark McKinnon?
Mark McKinnon: Preparing for a show that I’m directing called “Whispers” and I’m also preparing for pilot season
Mark McKinnon: Preparing for a show that I’m directing called “Whispers” and I’m also preparing for pilot season
Copa: I know that you are a newlywed. Congratulations to you and Brittany on being a power couple! She is a success in her own right.
Mark McKinnon: Yes she is! That’s what everyone is calling us. She was just named one of the top 25 African American PR Millinials to watch in the United States!
Copa: She is amazing! She is next on Copa’s list to interview! You and Brittany are definitely a couple to watch. Thank you Mark for giving our readers a glimpse of what pursuing your dreams look like and how you are impacting people’s lives!
Mark McKinnon: You're welcome!
Mark McKinnon: You're welcome!
~Copa