Michael Bean Explained

Birth Place:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation:Actor, author, owner of Biz Studio, acting coach
Years Active:2002–present

Michael Bean is a Canadian actor, author, acting coach,[1] and the founder of Biz Studio. He is known for his work on the films Case 39 (2009), The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), The Day the Earth Stood Still and Jennifer's Body (2009), and for guest spots on the television series Arrow, Pretty Little Liars, Supernatural and Smallville.[2]

Early life

Bean has been acting since elementary school, as a fine arts school was built two blocks from his house when he was in the fourth grade.[3] He graduated from the Langley Fine Arts School in 1995.

Career

Bean is an actor, author, acting school owner, and acting coach. He has appeared in a diverse range of roles in television and film since his acting career began in 2006. He has also appeared in a few theatrical productions, including: Proof, Shady Business, Bash Plays, Hard Times Hit Parade, and Theatre Sports.[4] and is the author of "Confidence on Camera: A Handbook for Young Actors", which is used by many Vancouver talent agents as a primer for clients new to the film industry.[5]

Television

Bean has made appearances in several television shows since 2006, appearing in a diverse range of minor roles that include: scientist (The Whispers, 2015), train station official (Intruders, 2014), lawyer (Motive, 2014), doctor (Falling Skies, 2014), secretary (Arrow, 2013), pastor (Supernatural, 2009), minister (Pretty Little Liars, 2010), grief counselor (Reaper, 2009), husband (Eureka, 2007), volunteer (The Guard, 2008), receptionist (Smallville, 2007), lab technician (The 4400, 2006), and monk (Three Moons Over Milford, 2006).

Film

Bean has been appearing in film since 2006. His film credits include: Festival (2006), Canes (2006), Breakup.com (2008), The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), Jennifer's Body (2009), Love Happens (2009), The Big Year (2011), and Dead Rising: Watchtower (2015).

Biz Studio

Bean founded Biz Studio—a professional screen acting school for children and teenagers—in 2002 in an effort to "prepare young actors to audition and work in BC's film and television industry by providing professional, practical, small-group on-camera training".

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada's Beatty St. studios, Biz Studio features additional instructors who are overseen by Bean, some of whom have included the late Julie Patzwald (1980 - 2012), Alison Araya, Laura Bertram, and Stephanie Halber. The instructors teach classes for three different age groupings and see many of their students go on to perform in film, television, and commercials.

One goal for Biz Studio is "to demand the highest level of performance from our students, while still encouraging their love of acting by balancing discipline with fun. We are passionate about good acting. And fun."

Alumni of Biz Studio have included Brett Kelly (Bad Santa, Unaccompanied Minors), Montana Hunter,[6] Megan Charpentier (Frankie + Alice, ), Haley Hunt,[7] and Sean Roche (The Guard).

Filmography

Year Title Role Other Notes
2017 Haters Back Off Gallery Owner TV series
2015 Impastor Jonathan Barlow Guest
2015 The Whispers Scientist 2 TV series
2015 Army Surgeon
2014 Intruders Train Station Official TV series
2014 Motive Lawyer TV series
2013 Sky Dome Sydney Scott TV series
2013 Mister Forgettable Steve Short
2013 Falling Skies Dr. Sumner TV series
2013 Arrow Secretary TV series
2011 The Big Year Waiter
2011 While I Breathe Kingpin Short
2010 Fringe Grant Russo TV series
2010 Hiccups Michael Winthrop TV series
2010 Pretty Little Liars Minister TV series
2009 Supernatural PastorTV series
2009 Love Happens Concierge
2009 Jennifer's Body Priest
2009 Case 39 Co-Worker
2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Dancing Policeman
2009 Reaper Grief Counselor Dave TV series
2008 The Guard Volunteer TV series
2008 Breakup.com James
2008 Skies Falling Mr. Kelly Short
2007 Eureka Husband TV series
2007 Painkiller Jane Edgar Dawson TV series
2007 Smallville Receptionist TV series
2006 The 4400 Lab Technician TV series
2006 Three Moons Over Milford Monk TV series
2006 Canes Jonathan
2006 Festival Jerry Bean

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Workshops. Intentional Gathering. 22 November 2014. 28 October 2015.
  2. Web site: Michael Bean. Internet Movie Database. 28 October 2015.
  3. News: Cullen. Patricia. One on One with Michael Bean. 23 October 2015. Production Heads. 25 February 2009.
  4. Web site: Michael Bean. MichaelBean.ca. 23 October 2015.
  5. Web site: About. BizStudio.ca. 20 October 2015.
  6. News: Woolley. Pieta. For kid actors, quirky is cool. 2015-10-28. Straight.com.
  7. Web site: Testimonials. EasyHeadShots.com. 2015-10-28.