What Motivates the Next Generation of Film Stars (w/ Taylor John Smith)
One of the best parts of In Love with the Process is getting to skip the gatekeepers. No agents. No managers. Just real conversations with actors Mike genuinely loves watching right now.
These are the performers who shine on screen, who feel dangerous, curious, and alive, and who represent the next generation of talent taking us to strange new worlds through film.
On today’s episode, Mike sits down with Taylor John Smith (Warfare, The Outpost). As part of the show’s Genuine Human Experience initiative, the two get deeply nerdy about acting, process, and what actually motivates a performance.
They talk about how Taylor gets his hands on material through his team, what he looks for in scripts, and how he prepares emotionally and physically for demanding roles. Taylor flips the script and asks Mike the questions actors actually want to ask directors, leading to an instant bond over the performances, films, and filmmakers that excite them both.
Taylor also goes deep into how the brutally intense film Warfare was made, what the experience demanded of him, and how he ultimately landed the role. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about craft, trust, and the work behind performances that truly stick with you.
If you care about acting, filmmaking, and real conversations with artists who are shaping the future of cinema, this episode is essential listening.
Music: Code Elektro , Mitch Murder, Betamaxx
——SPONSORS——
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