Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Potter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Since I can remember, I’ve wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path. Growing up was hard. I lost my parents at the age of 7 and was taken in by my grandmother soon after. She taught me everything I know, especially my love for movies. I remember sitting on her lap watching classic slasher horror movies like Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween, as well as films that had these fantastic worlds like Jurassic Park and King Kong.

The first thing I would do after every movie was leap from my chair and begin reenacting my favorite scenes, trying my best to mimic the voices of my favorite actors. I think my grandmother knew, even before I did, that I wanted to be part of those worlds one day.

Then came the day my world fell apart—the day I lost my grandmother. I was placed with a foster family, and although I faced many challenges, one thing remained constant: the love for movies my grandmother and I had shared. Those movies became a source of comfort and inspiration, and I realized that one day I wanted to work on them myself.

I began acting and making short films throughout high school and into college, where I officially started my journey as an actor. Over time, this path led me to explore other forms of artistry, such as character design and production design. These creative outlets allowed me to finally craft my own worlds in the films I worked on, bringing my childhood dreams full circle.

Daniel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up, despite setbacks and hardships, I always knew I wanted to tell stories. Whether it’s acting in films or creating worlds and designs that captivate audiences the moment they see them, storytelling has always been my passion.

I began acting in high school and started studying the craft professionally at the age of 17. It wasn’t until I landed a small role on the HBO series Big Little Lies at 18 that I truly realized I could achieve this dream, despite many saying it was almost impossible. Growing up without parents and losing everything I knew at such a young age, “impossible” wasn’t a word I allowed myself to understand.

As I worked toward my goal of becoming an actor, I discovered another talent that I wanted to pursue. I was brought on as both an actor and an SFX artist for a Jurassic Park short film, where I was asked a simple question: “Do you think you could make a dinosaur for us?” Without hesitation, I said, “Yes.” Even with doubts around the room, I showed up on the first day of shooting with a Velociraptor head that would have made the late Stan Winston proud. At just 20 years old, I proved what I could accomplish with determination and creativity.

Soon after, I founded Potter FX Studios, where our mission is to “bring nightmares to life.” My goal has always been to revive the love for practical effects in a way that not only amazes the actors working with them but also leaves audiences questioning whether what they’re seeing is real.

What I Provide to Clients
For my clients, I offer two core services:
One Acting: As an actor, I bring depth, emotion, and authenticity to my performances, ensuring that the characters I portray feel real and relatable.
Seconds being Production Design & SFX: As a production designer, I specialize in crafting believable, immersive worlds using practical effects, props, and set pieces. My work helps films feel grounded and real, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

What Sets Me Apart?
What sets me apart in acting is my understanding of human emotion and my ability to channel those emotions into my characters. I bring their stories to life in a way that resonates with audiences.

In production design, my attention to detail and commitment to creating captivating, realistic visuals make my work stand out. Whether it’s designing creatures, creating props, or building sets, my goal is to enhance the story and make every scene feel authentic.

What I Want Clients to Know
Whether I’m acting in your film or helping bring it to life through production design, I promise to go above and beyond. My goal is not only to captivate your audience but to captivate you as well. With every project, I strive to deliver work that surpasses expectations and leaves a lasting impact.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn is that nothing is perfect. I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect, and nothing we ever do will be perfect. It’s in our mistakes that our individuality is truly defined, and how we work through our imperfections is what makes us stronger.

I used to believe I needed to deliver my lines perfectly in every scene. Through many stressful moments, I learned that even if I mess up, my skills and training allow me to adapt and handle the situation. This has helped me pivot in the moment, improvising lines while still staying true to the story and message of the scene.

In production design, I’ve learned that “clean sets” don’t exist because the real world isn’t perfect or pristine—so why should the worlds I create be? Embracing the imperfections makes those worlds more authentic and relatable.

Remember, imperfections are sometimes our greatest strengths. They set us apart and make us unique. As some might say, “There’s a hero in all of us.” (I had to add that because I love Spider-Man!)

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A particular goal driving my creative journey is to one day have the opportunity to work for studios like Marvel, Blumhouse, A24, or Disney, helping bring their incredible stories to life. It’s also about keeping a promise I made to myself when I was young—that one day, I would become a part of the worlds I once watched and admired on the silver screen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://potterfxstudios.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialdanielpotter/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-potter-31255515a
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Potterfxstudios