TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ACTING CAREER:
I was raised around Movies and TV show productions. My dad was in the ‘business’ since I was a young kid, in front of the camera and behind the camera, so there was always a ‘buzz’ of a movie being made or a TV show or commercial being made that my dad had something to do with, so of course, I soaked it all up and got to be around the celebrities and stars that my dad became friends with.
I was born in West Covina, CA, and we moved to Carson City, NV, in the mid-1970s. I remember my three siblings and me re-enacting Bugs Bunny cartoons at a young age. I was involved with local theater, school politics, planning events and loved every minute of it. My creative brain was always on fire! And anything comedy, slapstick, sketch, or improvisation just lit me up, loved it, still do. I moved to Los Angeles after high school in 1986 and jumped right into acting classes and auditions, booking jobs and surrounding myself with all things entertainment. I haven’t stopped. I was cast as the young ingenue/girl next door, then young mom, then businesswoman, to now being cast not long ago as a Grandma! I also teach acting classes to children and adults, so things have come full circle.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
When I was about eight years old, watching endless TV sitcoms and hours of TV commercials, I always thought, ‘I could do that.’ Just the thought of being someone else sounded fascinating to me, and getting paid to do that just blew my mind. My secret wish back then was to be on The Love Boat.
IF YOU GOT TO CHOOSE ONE MOVIE AND ONE CHARACTER IN IT TO PORTRAY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
I love the movie “When Harry Met Sally” and would love to be Sally, played by Meg Ryan. The character is goofy, emotional, heartfelt, the writing is fantastic, and I love the soundtrack. And, of course, the iconic diner scene…now that would be fun.
DID YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
When I moved to Hollywood in 1986, cold-reading classes were a big thing, so I signed up for as many as I could to meet Casting Directors. I also had a coach at 18 years old, Toni Attell, who I have just recently reconnected with and have been taking her online classes concentrating on scene study, character development, and connection. I spent three years at The Groundlings on Melrose to fine-tune my sketch comedy and writing skills, which from there I was part of a 3-woman comedy team, “The Jersey Girls” that performed all over Southern California – so much fun (and is how I met my husband – he was in the audience, I was on stage hoping to get a TV show; instead I got a proposal). ABC-TV casting director Bobby Hoffman was a great class I thoroughly enjoyed, and I also took a Commercial Acting class with Tepper-Gallegos. I then ventured into voiceover classes. I jumped into any workshop, class, theater playground I could (if it was affordable). I am still friends with fellow acting classmates from over three decades now. We still support each other and try and catch each other’s shows; the bonds are still strong. You’re never done stretching your acting muscles; consider yourself a Theatrical Athlete. Keep those muscles sharp and limber!
WHAT ACTOR/ACTRESS HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST?
That would be Sissy Spacek. Every character she portrays, she is that character. From “Carrie” to “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and everything big and small in between. So effortless. Her range is unbelievable. She’s not interested in fame or photoshoots, and she does her job; she is a true artist and has no fear.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER IN THE TARGET LIST:
My character is Dr. Rachel Atwood. She is part of a team that has found the cure for cancer. She was excited to share this with the world and get people healed and healthy, even though there was danger involved and a price to pay.
ARE PEOPLE GOING TO RELATE WITH THE CHARACTER AND WHY (EVEN IF HE/SHE IS THE VILLAIN)?
Oh, absolutely, this character is relatable! Doing good for others was her motivation, which I think is at the core of most people, even when there are risks involved.
DO YOU SHARE ANYTHING WITH THIS CHARACTER?
I hope so! I try and be a positive influence in people, “being in their shoes,” and looking for ways to help rather than to hinder or block.
WHICH 3 ADJECTIVES WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE THE TARGET LIST TO A POTENTIAL AUDIENCE?
Nail-Biter, Goodness and Evil.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE TARGET LIST?
It was run like a well-oiled machine. Everyone was ready to work and tell this story. Mad Wife Productions I have worked with before, and it’s always been a top-notch experience. Time is not wasted. The writers were also on set to give some insight as well, and of course, working with local talent is always the best!
Charlie Manoukian is an actor and editor known for Crack Kiss Bang, The Target List, and Inheritance. He recently answered some questions in-between filming scenes on the set of The Target List movie:
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
I’m not sure there is a moment I can point to where I decided to be an actor. I always did it, and it gradually shifted from something I did for fun to something I could do intentionally with a message.
What actor/character do you think you relate to the most?
I relate to a lot of Matt Damon characters (not just because I look like him). He’s done a lot of different stuff in his career – sci-fi, western, comedy. And of course his breakout role written for himself in Good Will Hunting, which I re-watch every year or so.
DID YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
I have formal training – a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. I studied acting styles ranging from film acting to Shakespeare there from 2012-2016.
WHAT ACTOR/ACTRESS HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST?
Alan Rickman inspires me. So does Morgan Freeman. Any actor who spends years working at it with little or no recognition gets a nod from me.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER IN THE TARGET LIST:
My character in The Target List is Shane — an opportunistic CEO who gets in over his head for money and recognition.
ARE PEOPLE GOING TO RELATE WITH THE CHARACTER AND WHY (EVEN IF HE/SHE IS THE VILLAIN)?
I hope that people relate to the character, otherwise I haven’t done my job!
DO YOU SHARE ANYTHING WITH THIS CHARACTER?
I share ambition with this character. Selling out my coworkers and friends? Not so much.
WHICH 3 ADJECTIVES WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE THE TARGET LIST TO A POTENTIAL AUDIENCE?
Fast, exciting, and mysterious.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE TARGET LIST?
I had a great time working on The Target List. The cast and crew were friendly and professional, and we got to shoot some exciting moments that I haven’t had a chance to work on before!
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR ACTING CAREER:
I originally got into on-camera acting to improve my acting skills for voice-over, which I have been doing for a few years. Once I got to Reno and started working with the studios here, I took it a lot more seriously and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I later moved to LA and was on a number of TV shows and started doing larger films. Then life and COVID happened, and I am back in Reno, which is actually pretty great.
WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
I was a video game producer and was in charge of the audio department at a bigger studio. In order to get a better understanding of my job, I took classes and had coaching in voice-over, and ended up deciding to become a voice actor.
IF YOU GOT TO CHOOSE ONE MOVIE AND ONE CHARACTER IN IT TO PORTRAY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
That’s so hard to say, but a dream role would be a Sith Lord in a Star Wars film, or an iconic villain in a Marvel movie. Pretty much any bad guy.
DID YOU HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING TO BECOME AN ACTOR?
A couple years of private coaching for both voice over and on-camera, and a couple additional years of classes at Take 2 Performers Studio.
WHAT ACTOR/ACTRESS HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST?
Peter Stormare is kind of my idol when it comes to playing a villain.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER IN THE TARGET LIST:
My character is Bruno, who is orchestrating the hits on those releasing new medical technology. Basically, the villain of the piece. He’s a money and power-hungry control freak — an all-around jerk.
ARE PEOPLE GOING TO RELATE WITH THE CHARACTER AND WHY (EVEN IF HE/SHE IS THE VILLAIN)?
I think a lot of people will, but maybe not in the way I may like, ha ha. He kind of symbolizes American greed and the current issue a lot of people have with large corporations.
DO YOU SHARE ANYTHING WITH THIS CHARACTER?
We both own the same purple shirt and like money.
WHICH 3 ADJECTIVES WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE THE TARGET LIST TO A POTENTIAL AUDIENCE?
Exciting, mysterious, relatable.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING ON THE TARGET LIST?
One of the most comfortable sets to work on. A lot of fun working with all of the cast and crew, and getting to play two roles – both bad guys of course – was a ton of fun.
Tell us a bit more about you and your acting career:
I have my BA and MFA in acting performance; my career started in the theatre and over the last 20 years moved more into commercials, tv, and films. http://www.jessicaculaciati.com
When did you decide that you wanted to become an actor?
I had always enjoyed doing plays and community theatre, but the bug really took a bite in my senior year of high school, and although I have dabbled in other work, acting is the one that holds my heart the most.
If you got to choose one movie and one character in it to portray, what would that be?
I can not choose… don’t make me choose!
Did you have any formal training to become an actor?
Yep. College, grad school, and trained at UCB, Groundlings and still work with an acting coach.
What actor/actress has inspired you the most?
I love so many, but I will always watch Ralph Fiennes, Joan Cusack, Mary Louise Parker, Kathryn Hahn, Anthony Hopkins, and Olympia Dukakis.
Tell us about your character in The Target List:
Donna is a hard-working doctor who I think genuinely wants to do right for her patients and her research. I think she’s pretty justice-oriented and can’t fathom the injustice that is about to occur.
Are people going to relate with the character and why (even if he/she is the villain)?
I think she is relatable because she is doing what she feels is the best decision and unexpectedly gets punished for that.
Do you share anything with this character?
We look a lot alike. I also always assume the best in people.
Which three adjectives would you use to describe The Target List to a potential audience?
A thriller, eye-opening drama.
How would you describe your experience working on The Target List?
Everyone was lovely!
Tell us a bit more about you and your acting career:
Well, I graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in theatre. I’ve acted all over Reno since I left high school, primarily in stage plays. I also write stage plays and comic scripts, the former of which was staged over a decade ago. This film would be the fifth time I’ve acted on camera and the second time with a substantive role.
When did you decide that you wanted to become an actor?
It was my Freshman year of high school in my Intro to Theatre class. I don’t really have much memory in terms of what specifically brought it about. But I do remember a growing sense of joy and love inside me the deeper I went into the theatre to the point that there was nowhere else I wanted to be than acting.
If you got to choose one movie and one character in it to portray, what would that be?
Daniel Miller in “Defending Your Life”
Did you have any formal training to become an actor?
A Bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of Nevada, Reno. Other than that, mostly learning through performance.
What actor/actress has inspired you the most?
Paul Giamatti.
Tell us about your character in The Target List:
Clyde is the head scientist and inventor of the WAND project, making sure it operates as well as stated in public. He’s naturally skeptical and questioning of anyone in power, which doesn’t make him the ideal candidate to be the face of something. He comes off as someone who doesn’t like people, though in truth, he’s just selective of those he chooses to welcome into his inner workings as a person.
Are people going to relate with the character and why (even if he/she is the villain)?
I’d like to hope so, at least to the introverts watching. There’s also a sense of just trying to do good with the hand you’re dealt with that some people could easily relate to.
Do you share anything with this character?
Some bits in terms of the feels with other people.
Which three adjectives would you use to describe The Target List to a potential audience?
Intriguing, pulse-pounding, unpredictable
How would you describe your experience working on The Target List?
Thorough and very professional, with nice light moments in between. It was the first time that I left a role that I very much wanted to come back to and explore a little more if the chance arose.
