Actor Michael Pierce joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about his latest film, A Lion’s Game.
A LION’S GAME is a new independent feature film that will release and begin streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime April 22nd. What can you tell us about this film?
A LION’S GAME is a Crime Suspense Drama. The storyline is about a young woman named Autumn Bennett. She is a rising star in Corporate America, but she has a huge debt looming over her head, which is threatening her business. She turns to a loan shark, Alejandro Vargas to try and save her, but she betrays everyone along the way.
Who are you in the film , and what drew you to your character?
I portray Alejandro Vargas, the Loan Shark. I actually didn’t audition for this role, I had auditioned for another role. During the audition process the director, Travis Brown, sent me an email that said he thought I would be a good fit for another role, the antagonist, Alejandro. He described the character in a bit more detail and I was hooked. I gave it my all in the audition and about a week later, Bella Dontine, the lead actress, and the co-writer of the film as well as one of the producers sent me an email with an offer for the role.
What did you like about working on the film, and what can you tell us about the story?
I was immediately drawn to the team behind the film. The director, Travis Brown, allowed me to make the character my own, I think he may have only had one note for me on the first day of filming. On the second day of filming I had a monologue and after the first take, he was completely happy with it and didn’t want to lose what he had gotten. I couldn’t have been happier working with a director like Travis. He lets actors be actors. When I was filming pickup shots one day I was asking him some logistical questions and I could see his excitement. I knew he was really happy about what was being put on film. Likewise with Bella Dontine, she was so great to work with and so easy going as was Kurt Oberhaus, the lead actor in the film. People will recognize Kurt from the film Amber Alert that just came out last year. I don’t want to give much away of the films story but my character is a loan shark, he is predatory and is not in control of his emotions, and he is despicable. And there is a twist in the film with one of the other main characters. Viewers will be floored.
Is there anything else you want to tell us about the film?
The cinematographer, Steven Shulgach, captured some beautiful Los Angeles landscapes throughout and Kanoa Wolfe-Doblin, the composer, layered the film with such a wonderful score. Everyone’s acting is on point. I have been in a lot of films, but I have to say this one, I am really proud to say I am part of this production. This was truly a labor of love from every single person that worked on the film.
What else is coming up this year? Where can people see you?
You can still catch me in Unfrosted on Netflix, directed by Jerry Seinfeld as General Mills, and Confessions, the short form mini series, is still available on Amazon Prime.
I have a Horror short releasing this year and I was just in a Vertical Series on the Good Short App and have another Series coming out on the Drama Wave App later this year.
