Michael Teh
This Aussie born actor didn’t start out looking for a career in Hollywood. After earning both an MBA and law degree, he worked in several East Coast corporate careers before changing course and entering into a theater program. Eventually, he made his way from New York City to LA, where in a short amount of time, he has become a rising star in the indie world, having shot over 35 films. With an ethnically ambiguous look and a natural ear for accents (having lived in the U.S., England, and Australia), Michael has played Caucasian, Asian, Latino, Australian, Mediterranean, and Native American characters.
I recently got a chance to ask him about the upcoming “Air Collision” and about the success he’s experiencing in the online soap drama “Breaking Point.”
HOLLY: Tell us a little about AIR COLLISION and your role in the film.
MICHAEL: AIR COLLISION chronicles when a passenger jet and the President’s Air Force One become locked on a collision course above the Midwest after a solar storm wipes out the air traffic control system. I play Captain Roscoe Simms, who is forced into a heroic situation while piloting a potentially doomed passenger plane.
HOLLY: Was this your first disaster/thriller film? What’s the hardest part about working in this genre?
MICHAEL: No, it wasn’t my first. In fact, AIR COLLISION is my third film in this genre with The Asylum – a prolific production company that makes 12-15 films a year. I had a role in their infamous film MEGA SHARK vs GIANT OCTOPUS…and appeared in the trailer that went viral becoming the 7th most watched trailer that year. I also played Queequeg in their film “2010: MOBY DICK”. However, most of my work isn’t in this genre. I’ve worked a lot in straight dramas and in some comedies.
HOLLY: And, what’s the best part about playing a hero character?
MICHAEL: It’s great to play the hero for a change, as I’m often cast as the villain…I think it’s the goatee beard I normally have =). I really enjoyed playing this character as he had this Han-Solo-esque mischievousness about him. This character also had a sense of humor, and I must say this film is actually quite funny. I laughed all the way through the premiere. It was much more fun playing Captain Simms than the earnest Queequeg in 2010: MOBY DICK.
HOLLY: You’re also experiencing some success online, can you tell us about “Breaking Point”?
MICHAEL: I play a very different character in BREAKING POINT – a ruthless (and murderous) record company executive. The show targets fans of soaps with drama, love, betrayal, etc. and it keeps on winning awards for writing and acting. I was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for my work in it and we just won Best Ensemble Cast in a Drama in the recent Indie Intertube Awards. And though I’m not typically a fan of soaps, I’m actually looking forward to watching Season 2, which is releasing online April 1st, as I think it will be even better than the first season.
HOLLY: You seem to be a busy actor, so what’s up next for you?
MICHAEL: I am blessed to have a bunch of films in post-production that should be coming out later this year. I play one of the lead ‘bad guys’ in another thriller called THE DAUGHTER. You can see me in the “teaser trailer” at link.
You might catch a glimpse of me in the upcoming Barry Osborne film SYRUP with Amber Heard, Kellan Lutz, Brittany Snow and Shiloh Fernandez.
I also play a character named “SPC Keanu Reeves” in the sci-fi feature GEMINI RISING with Lance Henriksen, John Savage and Brian Krause - which should be fun for sci-fi fans.
I’ll be posting further details about all my upcoming projects at: link com or link.
Thanks for your interest! =)
No, Michael…Thank You! I can’t wait to Netflix “Air Collision” – who doesn’t love a good mid-air disaster thriller film?!
