We were lucky to catch up with Mila Besson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mila, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I recently had the opportunity to work on my first feature film, “Con Job,” directed by Ian Niles. Getting this job was especially meaningful to me because of the support I received during the audition process. It was Thanksgiving, and we were upstate. Usually, my actor friends help me with auditions, but they were with their families. So, I turned to my non-actor friends, who have seen me do countless self-tapes and know all about the process. They eagerly stepped in to help, and we had so much fun with it. I believe their enthusiasm and support played a significant role in helping me land the part.
Working with Ian Niles was also a deeply rewarding experience. He was incredibly flexible and open to collaboration. We had a great back-and-forth with the lines, incorporating each other’s suggestions. We even decided to change my character’s name to better emphasize her traits and make the role more interesting to play.
“Con Job” is set to release on August 10th, and I can’t wait to see the final product. Ian’s unique sense of humor and artistic vision have truly brought this film to life, and I’m excited for everyone to experience it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well, hi there! My name is Mila Besson, and I am a French and Italian actress. I began my acting journey in Paris at Cours Florent, where I had the privilege of learning from some of the greatest actors. This experience taught me how to embody a character and be truthful on stage.
My love for acting traces back to my childhood, performing in the local choir where my teacher wrote musicals for us. Even at the young age of 10, I felt a strong connection to my characters and a passion for defending their stories. As I grew, I sought out every opportunity to perform and found a deep sense of community in the process.
What draws me to this craft is the storytelling. I have things to say, and acting is my chosen medium of expression. I am someone who feels deeply, and I cherish those intense emotions, whether pleasant or not, because they make me feel alive. I am grateful to have a career that allows me to be authentically myself. Embracing my quirks, I find the acting community to be a place where I can fully express who I am.
Through acting, I strive to make people reflect on their lives and see the nuances beyond black and white. I aim to present the grey areas and foster understanding of different perspectives.
I am immensely proud to be an actress and storyteller. It takes courage to dedicate oneself to an art that is so vulnerable yet so humanizing. I am honored to work alongside incredibly creative artists, writers, directors, and fellow actors. I cherish the plays I have been part of and the collaborative groups I have worked with.
I am particularly proud to be part of the RiffRaff Theater Company, which is committed to producing work with at least 50% immigrant involvement. The company was created by Joe Staton and Dorothea Gloria, two great actors who also came to New York to live their dream as professional actors. I started with them on their showcase ‘Flattery in Friendship’ and performed a scene of ‘As You Like It’ as Rosalind. I also organized with them a Sunset Sonnet reading where I performed Sonnet 116, and participated in an open mic where I sang an original song on the ukulele called “Moi Je Rêve.” Additionally, I directed a play titled “Raw”, written by Kevin Rios, in the ‘Immigrants in New York’ short play festival. These experiences have been a fantastic introduction to acting in New York with a talented and diverse group of immigrant actors.
Beyond my role at RiffRaff, I am dedicated to furthering this mission. We are creating a film festival with the same goal and planning a second edition of ‘Immigrants in New York,’ a short play festival. It is an exciting time, and I am thrilled to be part of such meaningful and inclusive projects.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One day, after performing in “Les Immergés,” a play written by Aurore Streich about climate change, an audience member approached me outside the theater. They were clearly moved and thanked me for bringing attention to such a pressing global issue. They mentioned that my character brought them to tears, reminding them of an innocence they once had and deeply missed. Moments like these are incredibly rewarding for me, as they show that the message I aim to convey has been received.
Another memorable encounter occurred after performing in “Not My Circus” by Duncan Pflaster at the Chain Theater Festival. An audience member came up to me simply to say they had a wonderful time and loved the unpredictability of theater, leaving with a smile in their heart. This woman’s kind words brightened my night.
For me, acting is all about sharing and giving. It’s about being generous on stage and hoping that the message you want to communicate resonates with the audience. These interactions remind me of the impact storytelling can have and inspire me to continue performing with passion and sincerity.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One of my co-stars on “Con Job,” Dean Edouards, recommended that I read “The Intent to Live” by Larry Moss. This book profoundly expanded my perspective on the actor’s craft. Moss, a renowned acting coach, delves into the techniques and philosophies that bring authenticity and depth to a performance. His insights on truly living in the moment as an actor have been invaluable to my growth. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of acting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://milabesson.wepaul.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mila_besson/
- Youtube: UCqS1Z_-CIRfXjh7Rsk-EOBw
