Reid Miller's Interview on The Selena Slamour Show: A Superhero In Front & Behind the Cameras

No matter if it comes to stepping into the shoes of different characters, or even bringing your own to life: Reid Miller has got it all figured out!

Selena Gomez Selena Gomez Selena Gomez

21 - years old actor & director Reid Miller starred in a countless number of movies as well a TV shows: F.R.E.D.I., Criminal Minds, Santa Jaws, Play by Play, A Girl named Jo, Netflix's YOU and his most recent movie Joe Bell alongside Oscar-nominated Actor Mark Wahlberg. 

The list goes on! 

I got the chance to sit down and talk to Reid about his incredible journey from living in a small town to booking a series of roles in the center of the film industry, Los Angeles. 

Let's dive into an amazing conversation regarding Reid's start in the film industry, ups and downs he faced along his way to the top, projects he has worked on so far/ might be working on, his latest movie 'Joe Bell' & so much more.

Hi!

Hi! There we go. Now we got it to work.

How's it going?

Good, thank you. How are you?

I'm fine. I'm really good, actually. I mean, it is November 1st, and I couldn't imagine to be starting this month off in a better way than to talk to you! 

Oh, thank you!

Thank you for coming on to the show. I am really honored, grateful and excited not only because you are a phenomenal actor and filmmaker, but because you're a really cool guy to have a great personality. So I'm pretty sure that's going to be lots of fun.

Thank you, yeah!

Reid Miller for 'The Hollywood Reporter'

Now, first of all, Congratulations on your incredible film 'Jaeger', which came out a few days ago on your YouTube channel and is now on Amazon! It's really cool.

Yes! Thank you very much. It's kind of it's funny that it came out this year because we actually made it in 2018. So we made it a few years back. So I was a lot younger and I was very young in terms of directing and writing and all that stuff. I watched it and I kind of sit there and I'm like ''why would I do that?''. But also, I have to remember that I was very young at the time, and I was still learning a lot, but I'm very, very proud of it. I'm very happy with how it came out.

Yeah, it's incredible!

Thank you, and I'm glad you guys enjoyed it.

What was it like shooting the movie? You know, everything from booking the cast, the budget and everything that goes into it, the idea, the concept. How did you come up with it?

I mean, the idea was to- because for me, I love action. I've always been super passionate about action movies, stunts and all that stuff. And, you know, I always wanted to make an action film, but make one that I thought was unique and different and one that would showcase my abilities as being a martial artist for my entire life. So the idea was to do something that wasn't incredibly complicated, but something that was super gritty and to the point, versus doing something that's super, super complicated, that you can barely follow or understand, because we also only had the budget to do so much, which is why it wasn't even a full feature. It was just a 40 minute micro feature. If I had had it up to me, I would have done a full fledged feature. But at the time, we didn't really have the budget for that. But yeah, and it was really funny because it actually started out as a short film that was, like 10 pages long that I wrote. And it was very, very, very different. Like it had the same sort of concept of, like, like the three characters, like the two brothers and the girl, but the actual events of the story, we're actually very different. And then it evolved into a pilot, and then it evolved into just, like, a small feature. So that was the evolution of it was really interesting and how the story changed from the shore to the feature, actually, it's actually kind of funny to think about. 

Reid Miller (r.) and Danny (l.) sighting the movie poster for 'Joe Bell'

Yeah, I can imagine!

Yeah, absolutely. And then in terms of casting, it was like, I wrote that character for me to play. And my buddy Danny at the time, he was a wonderful filmmaker, a great cinematographer. He's a great editor. He shot most of it and edited a lot of it. But I wanted him to play Ben. I wanted him to play my brother because it was so funny, because when we brought the Premier Flicker, which was our first short film with being together, everyone was like, you should do something with your brothers because everyone kept figure me with brothers, which in a way I don't really see, because we are very different. But I can see why people would think that we could be brothers.

Maybe because of the personality!

Yeah, yeah. So I wanted to do something like that and just do something fun. And he's also a martial artist. So I knew it would be a lot of fun to do something with him. But, you know, it was funny because we were supposed to actually the original ideas. We were going to end up fighting in it. But then I was like, if we end up making more, we should save that for further down the road and have this one be like, more of, like a peek into the world versus, you know, explaining in great detail who everyone is. It's like, I didn't really want to do that. I wanted it to feel like an episode of an 80s action show, you know what I mean?

Yeah!

And some people didn't quite get that. And some people didn't quite get that. And some people we're like ''well, you know I didn't really understand why Kate was that way or why Tessa I was that was''. And I was like ''yeah, that was the point.'' I was like ''this wasn't supposed to be some character study. This was meant to be like an episode of, like, Knight Rider.'' You know what I mean? That's what it was supposed to be. That's what it was supposed to be. It's 40 minutes. I mean, it wasn't supposed to be some two hour long character study. 

Yeah, exactly. And now you're not only an actor, but you are also a filmmaker like you said, from a really young age. What would your advice be for people who would love to make their own movies, but not only bring it out on YouTube, but also bring it out to different streaming platforms, for example, Amazon, Netflix, or even sell it on DVD in a store! How does that work?

I mean, I think in terms of being a young filmmaker, especially nowadays, I think you want to steer clear if you can from... well, no, I'm going to backtrack really quick before I say that *laughs*. You don't want to steer clear of DVDs and physical medium. Because if you were to raise money, for instance, like, crowdfund is a really cool thing that you can give some of your financiers or the people that help you fund it. Some of the perks can be like ''Hey, like, if you give me- if you don't ate, like, 100 dollars or whatever, you'll get, like a Blue Ray copy and a digital copy of the movie. And a lot of people will actually, a lot of people love that. A lot of people love getting physical copies of that, even I *yawns*! I literally just woke up...

Yeah, I know. It's pretty early in La.

Yeah yeah yeah. But a lot of people love that. You know what I mean? Like, a lot of people love having DVDs having, like, a physical copy. I mean, I love that, too.

Yes, same! Me too.

So I would say, but the only thing about that is don't let that be your main..

focus 

platform. Like, don't only put it on DVD and go ''oh...you can go get it at Walmart''. Like, and especially now with Covid. People are less likely to go into a store to buy your movie than they were last year, which was still less likely last year.

 True. 

Versus, having it on Amazon, right?

Reid Miller directing 'The Other Way Around'

Yeah.

Or YouTube, where anyone can go look at it. And you were talking about platforms. I think anyone can put- well, not anyone... There are things that there are kind of some loopholes and some hoops you have to jump through, but pretty much anyone can, if they understand the system enough, and the project is right, put their film or show on Amazon Prime. And a lot of people didn't know that. But I also think, you know, it has to be reviewed. It has to be a legit film or show. Like, you can't just put, like, a YouTube video. You can't just make a vlog and put that on Amazon. You know what I mean? So it's finding your audience and finding what platform is right for you. Like, if you're making, like, videos of you playing a video game, YouTube is your platform. But if you're making short films, if you're making a web series, Amazon is where you want to go, because it also is more it's more professional. And it's more like, you know, it sounds better, too. It's like ''hey, I have a show or a movie. I have a movie on Amazon'' versus ''I have a movie on YouTube''. You know what I mean? So it is also sort of a marketing thing where when you're pitching it, it's like ''uh, Amazon, I know what Amazon is''. There are all these movies on Amazon versus YouTube where it's like ''oh, PewDiePie, oh a video game!''

And how did you get it up to Amazon? What was the process?

Honestly? It's like, well, first of all, you have to have to upload it and you have to put all this work into it and put the plot up. You have to put all these posters up and all that, the trailer, but then it has to be reviewed by this whole team of people..

Who decide if it gets up.

Yeah. And if they don't feel that it's high enough quality or whatever, then..

It won't go up

it won't go, yeah. Or if they feel that it's inappropriate in some way or too violent in some way, it won't go up. So again, it's not as easy. It's very strict. You know, it took I want to say almost a month to get Jaeger up, just because of Covid. And you know, they dropped a lot of people. It took them forever.

Well, Congratulations. It's up now!

Yeah, I know. No no no, it's great! 

Reid Miller as Allen Alvarez in 'A girl named Jo'

Yeah, you made it!

Thank you. What was great timing was uhm.. *his mom comes it to give him a cup of coffee* Yes, Oh, thank you. This will help... coffee. What was great timing was it has been like a month at this point. And I was like, okay, well, you know, at this point, people probably believe the movie isn't even real. They probably think it's a pyramid scheme. So we need to like do something. So I was like, alright. You know, I did some research and YouTube does world premieres when I was like ''okay, that's great. I can do a premiere on YouTube so that everyone can see it for a limited time, take it down again. And then after the premiere, you can only view it on Amazon''. It's like a one time thing.

Yeah, I love that! I saw it.

Yeah! So then we premiered it on YouTube. It did really well. Took it down that morning. And then we were lucky. And it was that same day that afternoon, it went on Amazon. 

Wow!

So it was like, it was really good timing. But it was just.. it was kind of a process to get it up there. 

And did you ever think about starting your own production company?

Absolutely, absolutely. So I have one, unofficially. I'm the only member as of right now, but it's called Miller Works Entertainment. You actually see the logo for it at the beginning of Jaeger. But I'm hoping to make that, like an official thing with employees and all that, the whole shebang. I'm hoping to do that and get that going either next year or the next year. You know what I mean? But it also depends on how much time I have after ''Joe Bell'' comes out, because then hopefully I'll be doing some more stuff. 

Yeah. And now, Reid you are literally only a year older than me and you have been in so many amazing projects. You have been in 'A girl named Jo' and now in 'Joe Bell', 'Santa Jaws' and in so many more. I mean, that's phenomenal!

Thank you. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. That's very nice. 

Reid Miller in F.R.E.D.I. the movie

Yeah!

Oh, Santa Jaws, man. I was hoping people would forget about it *laughs*, but it's like..people are- I don't know what happened. I don't know where it came from, but like, everyone just, out of the blue, saw it as like two weeks ago. I am on Facebook because..., believe it or not, people make fun of me. But I love Facebook.

Same!

I'm on Facebook. Yeah! So I'm on Facebook and I'm scrolling and this really respected page that I follow for, like, comic book movie news because I love superhero movies, posted about it. And I was like, this movie is going viral. And I was like ''NO!'' And I was like ''Why?'' *laughs*. No no non no no, I'm not talking bad about it. I love that movie.

I think it was pretty amazing.

Yeah, I love that movie. It's fun. It's, it's exactly what it's supposed to be. You know what I mean? It's fun. It's a Christmas movie. You know, it's very over the top. It's a feel good movie. 

And since Christmas is coming up, there are so many people who are probably going to watch it once again!

Oh! Oh I know, I'm prepared. It was funny because it first came out and it did good. Like, it did really well on the Scifi channel, and it kind of went viral for a hot minute. Like, for, like, a few weeks, people were talking about it on my Twitter. Because of the novelty of it. But it wasn't until, like again, like, three or 4 weeks ago. 

Oh, Wow!

I don't know where it came from. I'm like, I'm getting messages from people that were like ''oh, I love Santa Jaws!''. I'm like ''why?'' *laughs*. No no no no... again, I love that movie. I love to give that movie a hard time because it's like I did that movie when I was so young. 

Yeah, I know.

I cringe at it because of my performance. And I'm like *makes a sour face expression*, but I was also like, I was 18. You know what I mean? I've changed a lot as a person and as an actor since then. So it's like, I have to get myself a little bit of slack, but I'm very critical of myself for sure.

Now, what was it like to work on 'A girl named Joe' next to actors like Annie LeBlanc and Bella  Shepard? That must have been incredible, right?

Yeah! It was a good experience. It's actually funny you brought up Bella Shepard. So, I met Bella Shepherd for the first time when I was 15, which was years and years before 'A girl named Jo'. I did 'A girl named Jo' when I was 18. And Yeah, we met at like a premiere. I had a short film that premiered, and she was a friend of a friend, and we did not like each other *laughs*. We did not like each other. She was younger than me, and I was super awkward. And we did not like each other. But then I walked into the table read for 'A girl named Jo', and there was Bella Shepard. And I was like ''what the hell'' *laughs*. Now we're like, really good friends, which is great. We're actually we're doing a new film together. 

        Reid Miller, Tanner Fontana, Addison Riecke, Bella Shepard & Annie LeBlanc on the set of 'A girl named Jo'

Yeah, I saw that. I want to talk about that too!

Yeah. She's going to be in that with me and my best friend actually, Nicholas Duvernay, we wrote the script together. But uhm yeah, 'A girl named Joe' was a good experience. You know what I mean? Annie's very sweet. She's very, very, very down to earth. She's got a really good head on her shoulders. It's funny because at the end of the day, she's probably the most normal on set. She's just a kid, you know what I mean?

Reid Miller & Annie Leblanc

Yeah, of course!

And it kind of made me, like, adore her because she's really sweet. She wasn't, you know, she didn't have a big head. Like she was so just real and honest and down to earth. And she was like everyone's little sister, you know what I mean? And I mean, that in a good way, not in a bad way. She was just a good, a good soul. Like, we all enjoy being around her. And  Addison Riecke is great. Addison is really funny. She's such a good person. I mean, I adore everyone on that set. 

Addison Riecke, Reid Miller & Annie LeBlanc BTS of 'A girl named Jo'

You had a great chemistry.

Yeah, oh for sure! And again, that's because we were all really good friends. And it was like getting to know each other. And it was a very good camaraderie between everyone. And it was really funny, too. Like in season two, when me and Bella had our characters like each other in that season, which is so funny because it's like...

The opposite

The opposite in real life. You know what I mean? It's like we're like siblings in real life. But again, that almost made it easier to do because it was like, because we are friends and we can lighten the mood. It wasn't awkward. Like, it was just like you were bros. So we were able to really, really keep it professional versus on some other sets where some people get really, really, really like, awkward and in their head. But no, filming that was a good experience. Me and Joseph John Schirle, actually, who plays the bully, we're also really great friends. So I stay in touch with a lot of them.

Reid Miller w/ the cast of 'A girl named Jo'

Yeah, I love that!

Yeah. Good experience. Good experience, for sure. 

And what was it like to work on 'Joe Bell'? This is an absolutely phenomenal movie, and you worked together on set with Mark Wahlberg. Not everybody gets to say that!

Hahahah, I know! I know. I mean, it was the best experience I've had on a set. You know, the film is a very...it's an emotional roller coaster. It's a very, very intense movie. It's a very gritty movie. It's a very.. it's a hard movie to watch because of the subject matter and because it's..

'Joe Bell' movie poster starring Reid Miller a. Mark Wahlberg

Based on a true story!

it's based on a true story, yeah exactly! I mean, it's like watching it is one thing, but, like, having actually been a part of it and playing Jaden, who lived and breathed and went through all this, you know, it wasn't easy. It was very hard. And it was something that I felt like I was born to do. Like, I was supposed to tell that story. And I was very lucky that I did it with Mark Wahlberg because A) he's just a phenomenal actor and B) a great mentor. You know, anytime I felt overwhelmed or anything like that, you know, he would just have a conversation with me and I would feel better. He was just a very, very down to earth inclusive- you know, he included everyone. Like, he was so kind to everyone and that I loved. Because there are a lot of big actors who aren't, you know what I mean? But he is and I've seen him multiple times since filming. I've hung out with him multiple times. I mean, he's just a good person and, you know.. I wouldn't have wanted to do this movie with anyone else. 

You guys became real-life buddies now!

Oh, yeah! Absolutely, absolutely. We have a very good very good very good friendship. Again, he's just a good guy. And I just love being around him. 

Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller

And Congratulations on making it onto the Variety's Oscar prediction list for Best Supporting Actor!

Oh, thank you! Thank you. Yeah, that was very surreal. I mean, you know, it's like, who knows? You know what I mean? I don't even, like, allow myself to go there, of the possibility I mean, like in my head, it's more about ''you know what, the fact that I even got recognized in that way is enough for me. Regardless of what happens.'' It's like, that means that I did my job and people enjoyed the movie, and that's good. And that was the point. And it's like, you know..

The rest is good.

Yeah yeah yeah! All it did for me was just confirm, like, I need to not be as hard on myself because I did at least I hope I did a good job, and people seem to be responding to it. And that's what matters, is that people are responding to it.

Exactly.

Yeah. Absolutely. But, again, very cool, very flattering. I mean, that was a very, very cool moment. I literally woke up and my mom was like ''Did you...wake up! Did you see this?'' I'm like ''no, I was asleep two seconds ago!'' *laughs*. But it was again, very, very cool, and just honored to be on a list among all these people that are incredible. I mean, like Robert Pattinson.

Reid Miller and Mark Wahlberg in 'Joe Bell'

I saw that, yeah!

Yeah, J.K. Simmons. I mean, like, I was just like...''what?''. I mean, even Chadwick Boseman, I think he was on the top of the list. I mean, I don't deserve to be in that category with them.

Well, you did amazing! Well deserved!!!

Thank you, thank you. But, I mean, Chadwick is just on another level, man. It is a true shame. It is a true shame that we lost him this year. But he left an incredible legacy for a lot of people and a lot of younger people to feel that their voice is being heard, and I mean that's all that matters. You know what I mean? So that, to me, is so surreal to be in that same category. 

Right.

For sure.

Well, he will live on in our hearts. 

For sure. Absolutely, absolutely. And, I mean, he's literally going to be remembered forever. I feel like.. I don't remember where, aren't they putting up, like, a statue? Like a Memorial statue? I don't remember. And correct me if I'm wrong. Whoever's watching this, I'm sure you guys know if I'm right or wrong, but I remember reading somewhere I thought they were going to, but I don't know if that's actually a thing. Maybe. I don't know. That would be really cool if that did turn out to be true.

Right! Reid, I also know that you actually grew up in a small town, not in L.A.. Was it a hard decision to actually move to L.A. and to pursue acting fulltime?

No, it was not hard. It was actually my get out of jail free card *laughs*. No no no no no, I'm being sarcastic. I think at the time it was a scary choice, yeah, because I was so.. for me, I've always had extreme anxiety and OCD. So for me, when I get into a routine, and then I have to break that routine, it's very scary. So I had been in this routine in this town, but, yeah, I wasn't necessarily happy in, but I at least had structure. And the idea of moving to such a big place, such a different place, knowing no one there. 

Jennifer Lopez and Reid Miller at American Idol

Wow.

And trying something that.. success is like winning the lottery. You know, I was scared, like, in a way, I didn't even really want to do it. I was like ''I don't know if it's even worth it'', but I'm really glad that I sucked it up and did it anyway. 

Right.

Or else I wouldn't be here talking to you, having done what I've done. So it's like, you know, it's all in the words of Spider Man Into The Spider Verse: 'It is all a leap of faith'. You know what I mean? 

Yeah. And, everything that you are actually afraid of is on the other side of.. how do you say- the dreams are on the other side of having fear and everything.

Sure. I mean, everything. Exactly. I mean, anything you want to pursue, there's going to be a side that is scary. I mean, it's like fear of failure, fear of not being good enough. I mean, whatever it is, but, I mean, you just have to push through. I mean, it's like again, you know, acting is one of those things. Acting is.. it's kind of an equalizer. Like it's really good at picking out who's here for the right reasons and who's not. And I always found that very interesting. And it shows a lot of people's true colors. 

Right.

And it's a very fun and stressful and interesting..

Journey

job choice and journey, for sure. But when it pays off, it pays off. And it is so worth it. Again, I'm very proud of every project I've worked on and been a part of. Either in front or behind the camera. And, you know, Joe Bell, I think is my, as of now, is my... is the best thing I've ever been a part of. I mean, I got to be with Mark Wahlberg and Connie Britton and Maxwell Jenkins and all these other people who are so passionate. And that was so great. And it was very kind of healing to the soul to be around people like that who are just as passionate as you are. 

Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller and Connie Britton in 'Joe Bell'

I can resonate your story in a way, because I grew up in a small town as well, but not in the United States, you know. And I always loved acting, always. I breathe acting. I eat acting *laughing*, whatever it is- you know? You know, and my family and I, we also moved into a bigger city in order to pursue acting, you know. And I successfully went to a couple of auditions. But, I mean, it's not comparable to living in Los Angeles, which is the center of making movies and everything that comes into it, you know?

Sure, sure. I mean, again, I think everyone's journey is very..

Connie Britton, Maxwell Jenkins, Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller on set of 'Joe Bell'

Unique

is so different. Yeah, it's very unique. You know, I know people who have come out here, worked for five months and left, and never succeeded. Or people that have come out here, worked for five months and suddenly book a huge movie out of the blue. I mean, everyone's journey is so different. And it's like, you never know. And it's like I've had a lot of moments that I've considered quitting. Not recently, but when I was younger.

Everyone goes through that.

For sure. I mean, I started when I was 13. I've been trying to do this job as a kid.

Reid Miller on the set of 'Criminal Minds'

It's a lot!

Yeah, it's like, I think it's a lot of work and a lot of pressure- not from my parents, like no pressure from them. I mean, they have never been. My parents have always been supportive. I've never dealt with ''if you don't get this job, you're grounded'' *laughs*. Like, you know what I mean? That's so unrealistic. But you know what I mean.

The industry.

Yeah! The industry pressure, and the pressure you put on yourself. Because it's like ''I want to be here, but I'm currently here''. But again, that's just how it is. It's like, you have to fight your way up and you just cannot stop. I mean, it's like there are some people that will come out to L.A. and stay for two months for pilot season and then go back home. And I'm like ''you have to be here for the long run''. It's like, again, getting a job that's going to make your career, again, is like winning the lottery.

Reid Miller in 'Joe Bell'

Right.

It's so rare, but some people are luckier than others. 

Yeah. I would love to come to L.A. sometime. I've never been to L.A., but it has always been a dream of mine. So...yeah.

You should! Absolutely. You should. And you have a friend here. 

Oh yeah! We have to meet, that would be amazing!

Yeah, do an in person interview this time.

Exactly. And I'm pretty sure you will be working on a lot of incredible things. I mean, you're working on a new movie now!

Yeah, yeah! I am.

With Bella Shepard and Nicholas.

Yeah, Bella Shepard and Nicholas Duvernay are going to be in it. And it's called 'Because We're Finite'. It's a very, very, very different movie than... and a different role that I played- very different than anything I've ever played or written. It's a coming of age story. It's about young love. It's about growing up in a big city. It's about how hard it is being a teenager. And it talks about topics that a lot of people tend to steer clear of, but are really important because a lot of people struggle with these things, but we never talk about them because it's uncomfortable, like porn addiction, alcoholism in younger people. I mean, it's all the things that I've seen in other people, that I've struggled with. And it's like, that me and Nick and Bella have all struggled with. And it's like, you know, me and Nick wrote this, like, five months ago.

Really?

Yeah. We've been changing it, of course, and editing it and all that to make it perfect. But, you know, it's definitely, in my opinion, probably the best script I've ever written, because it's like I wrote it with Nick. And Nick is.. he's a phenomenal storyteller. So it was so great to collaborate with him. 

That's cool.

And to tell a story that is very deeply personal to the two of us. And, of course, it's so great to have Bella on board because Bella is a great actor, and she just brings a very youthful exuberant energy to it. 

Bella Shepard and Reid Miller

And you guys go way back!

Yeah! And we go way back, exactly. And it's like, I wanted to work with her on something that I knew she could sink her teeth into and something that we could all sink our teeth into, like, as actors and something really we would just have a great time doing. And so I think we've done that. We're actually planning on doing a crowdfunding campaign at the beginning of the year on Seed&Spark. So I'll be posting about that soon, and it'll have some clips that we've shot. It'll have, like, a little teaser. It'll be really cool. It's going to be good if... you know, I'm really hoping- the goal is to hopefully be, you know, filming this movie next year and then getting it out to everyone, hopefully selling it to some distributor, you know, whatever.

 

Can't wait!

Yeah, yeah! It's a great script. Again, I'm very, very proud of it. And seeing, you know, Nick and Bella, their chemistry, all three of our chemistry together. It gives me a lot of hope and gives me a lot of encouragement, because being a filmmaker in L.A. is not exactly the most encouraging thing, especially when you're young. It's very hard to get your own stuff made, but it's not impossible. So I'm very confident that I think we can get this thing made.

I loved the shot of you guys on the beach.

Yeah, that's my favorite shot, too. That's the way. Yeah, that shot in particular. We were looking through the footage, and I was color grading everything in that one shot. I was like ''dude'', I was like ''this is like, the poster'', like, ''this just looks so good''. It's a cool, you know, we shot on a good camera. We're going to shoot the movie on a good camera. Visually, it's going to look great. It's just a matter of honestly, a matter of safety, which is why we're raising money is just honestly to make sure that we're taking the necessary precautions to keep everyone on set safe during these times. 

Reid Miller, Nicholas Duvernay and Bella Shepard in 'Because We're Finite'

Do you think it is necessary to go to film school? I mean, you've done everything - filmmaking - without going to film school, or are you going to College?

I don't.. no. I don't think... I mean, again, when I say this, this is a personal opinion. So if anyone watching this wants to go to College or go to film school, do it. Don't listen to a word I'm saying for me. For me: no, I don't. Let's take College out of the equation. Just film school. ''Do I think you need to go to film school?'', I think it depends. I think if you're an actor who has been on set, that is film school. Like you getting on a set is the best film school you can get. Being in a classroom and being lectured at as to ''why this lighting is better as opposed to this lighting'' is not going to teach you as much as on hand experience when you're on set. As an actor. What you need to be doing, like if you're off book and you're ready to film, is talk to the DP. Talk to the grip guys. Talk to the director. Talk to sound. Learn as much as you can. That's what I do on every set I've ever been on. I've always done that. You know what I mean? Always done that. And it's because of that, that I was able to learn what I've learned and take their advice. And I mean, every DP, every director I've ever talked to, I'm like ''should I go to film school?''. Because I considered it! Everyone has of course, you know, when I was like 16 and I was filming 'Play by Play', I was like, talking to the producers: ''Hey, do you think I should go to film school?'' And he's like ''you don't need to go to film school. You might as well go to College for something else or for writing, then go to film school on how to make movies''. Because it's, again when I say this, not everyone is the same. Some people want that experience, and there is nothing wrong with that. And I completely think if you think you need that experience, go do it. But for me personally, I think the best teacher is the actual onset experience, because you're actually able to see how everything is working. You're able to see who's doing what, how long they're taking between shots, what the producer is doing, who's in charge of the actual set, as opposed to the director, who's keeping things on track. What are they shooting on? Why are they shooting on it? What lenses are they using? Are we using one or 8? You know what I mean? Like, and why would we be using eight as opposed to two? That also gets the job done? You know, for me as a young filmmaker, that is a priceless experience. You know what I mean? 

Reid Miller & Annie LeBlanc in 'A girl named Jo'

A true film geek!

Yeah! I mean, I was able to - on every project I've worked on - I've always been able to talk to those people, and I've learned so much from them, like, even on 'Joe Bell', the DP. Jacque Jouffret, what a great guy! I mean, he's done countless things, like, you go on his IMDb. I mean, it's as long as my arm. I mean, that man has filmed everything, and he's incredible. And he's French. Of course he is. That's why he's incredible, because he's French. And it's like being able to talk to him at lunch and hear his opinions on things. It is very interesting how each movie is shot very differently. Like, Jacque, for instance, they didn't really.. like they sort of planned how they were going to shoot it, but a lot of it was improvisational.

Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller & the crew on set of 'Joe Bell'

Wow!

In terms of the camera work, like a lot of handheld, a lot of just going with us and allowing me and Mark to do our thing, you know what I mean? And allowing me and Mark to focus on each other as opposed to where the camera is. So whatever he would do, I would go here. He would go here. Jacque, the camera guy was like, everywhere. 

Wow!!!

He was everywhere doing his thing. And it's like.. yes, of course, there were a lot of shots planned. I'm not saying there weren't. I'm just saying there were also a lot of times where Jacque would just freaking pick that thing up and go ''Alright!''. And I'm like ''okay, alright. Let's do it!''. And it's like, he's great and he's an artist. I mean, he doesn't need to know what he's going to do because he's just going to go with his gut as we do the same. And so that was a really cool experience to learn from him because his style is very different. Like when I was on 'A Girl Named Jo', because they had a shooting schedule and a release date schedule and they had all these other shows, everything was planned to the tea, you know what I mean? Like, they had a shot list. It was like ''okay, we're going to get this shot, this shot, this shot, this shot, wrap! This shot, this shot, this shot wrap! Next team!''. As opposed to Jaque, who was like ''yeah, we have the shot list. But no, we're not going to do that today. We're going to do this instead''. And I loved that because the creative energy that everyone was manifesting was just such a cool, like field to be in. I was like ''wow...'', like, you know, I mean, like ''this is kind of scary, I don't know... I don't know what's going to happen, but I like it'', you know what I mean? 

If I should do it or not.

Yeah! And it was also great because a lot of improvisation was also encouraged. 

Yeah, I was searching for the word!

Yeah! A lot of that improvisation ended up in the movie, which was great. And me and Mark had a great chemistry because, again, he made me feel very comfortable. So we were able to really have a great dialogue and kind of read between the lines and say what we were trying to say. And it still fit in with the lines that were written and sometimes just improve and add whatever we wanted. And you get these gems, you know what I mean? Like, Mark would just say something and I'd be like ''what??''. And then I would respond, and it was just it was so great. It was like playing tennis. And again, having Jaque there too, just doing his thing. Again, that onset experience and with all my other onset experiences, that is the best film school I could have ever gone to. 

Reid Miller for Entertainment Weekly photographed by Sami Drasin

Right.

I'm very lucky and blessed that I got to. 

I mean, you've been in incredible things, in movies, doing an incredible job.

Thank you.

Now Reid, we also have a little quiz game at the end of this interview. Are you ready?

Let's do it! Yeah, I'm ready!

Alright. The first question is: if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Oh, shit. That's a hard question.

Yeah, I know!

Becasue there's a lot. Honestly, I would say flying, only because I've always wanted to fly. And I think flying would be really cool because it's not necessarily a dangerous superpower. I feel like super strength is cool and all. But like, I don't want to have to relearn life because if I barely open a car door, I'm going to send the car into a building. You know what I mean? Like I would rather be able to fly and not uber anymore. You know what I mean? Yeah, I can travel for free.

That's smart!

Yeah! Next question. Flying. That's my answer *laughs*! 

Reid Miller on the set of 'Play by Play'

Hahah, I get it. Okay, the second question: would you rather be in a Marvel movie or direct a Marvel movie?

Be...oh, mhhh..That's a hard one. No, it's not. I would be in one. I would be in one before I direct one. Because it's always been my dream to be in a Marvel movie. So definitely be in a Marvel movie for sure. 

But I can imagine you being Batman or anything like that. I don't know why.

Oh, thank you! Batman is kind of my favorite superhero, actually. I'm so excited for the Robert Pattinson Batman. I'm so excited. He's going to kill it. 

And what do you do when you are not on set/ in your free time?

Writing, Jogging. I love jogging. Jogging is a good way to just get out that excess energy, or hang out with my friends. Yeah, for sure. Spend so much needed quality time with my friends. 

Yeah, that's cool.

Yeah.

Well, Reid that was it actually for the interview and everything about the questions. 

Hahahah, that's great.

Yeah, three questions. So Reid, thank you so much for being a part of the show! It was so much fun to talk to you! 

Of course! So great to talk to you. Thank you for having me!

You're amazing. Honestly, If I ever come to L.A. or you to Germany, I would love to meet and maybe have another interview with you! 

Yes. Of course. Stay safe and healthy! Thank you, you too!

Bye!

Alright, bye!

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