We were lucky to catch up with Mark Beshai recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Mark with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Being raised in a home with first generation immigrants, it was ingrained into my head that I must work harder. To keep up, I must shine even when others try to dim my light. I learned from a young age that I needed to take care of myself as well. With my dad busy with work and my mother going to get her doctorate. I started cooking my eggs at 8 and doing my own laundry. I was apart of an after-school theater program that also taught me a strict work ethic. Especially with on time being early, on time being late, and late being unacceptable. My directors since a young age taught me strict discipline in diet and showing up prepared to work for rehearsal. My mom is also a very grade A person. Everything must be done the proper way. 🙂
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a performer, whether that be for acting in a film or on stage, voice, standup, Etc. I’m there. I love making people laugh. I also love the sound of people sniffling in an audience, or when I show them my scene in a TV show/Film. I’ve done no-budget comedy shows to good budget commercials and well paid films. It’s something I’ve loved to do since the third grade. I’ve had some amazing support. You truly can’t get through this industry without the people who truly believe you will get there. Everyday I’m so grateful for the people who threw anything in to help me get to the point of working and doing what I love.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first skill that really helped my career was definitely Improv. I’ve used it for auditions and not just for the scenes. I was cold reading lol I love being able to think on the spot and Groundlings School of Improv in Los Angeles was a huge help in focusing on specific and quality characters. The second skill was definitely learning people and especially their first and last name. This goes a long way as the famous saying goes, “ it’s all about who you know!”. This has rang true in so many instances. Whether that be on set or at events. Know. those. people.
A third and super great skill is being punctual and having communication. No one likes to hold set for someone just because they woke up late and didn’t properly prepare for the day or hold rehearsal because someone didn’t rehearse their lines. Be ready, you’re never too early.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Jennifer Fischer‘s book, “An Actor’s Guide” changed the game for my acting career. Her vulnerability and real stories on how she got to where she needed to be just the right place and just the right time changed my pacing and how I treated social networking and how I worked on set.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: MarkABeshai
