DAMAN – Dive into Milo Manheim’s world as he reflects on working with Eli Roth, transitioning between genres and his aspirations beyond acting
Born and raised in Venice, Los Angeles, Milo Manheim delved into the world of acting since he was only six years old. School programs soon turned to musicals and eventually TV series and movies, most notably “Zombies” and its two sequels. In this online-exclusive interview with DAMAN, the American actor recounts his acting journey and talks about what lies ahead…
DAMAN: Hi Milo, awesome to have you with us. Let’s start from the beginning: What initially drew you to acting and how did you start your journey?
Milo Manheim: I’m an only child and my mom [Golden Globe awardwinning actress Camryn Manheim] is a single mom; so, growing up, I spent a lot of time on the set of her show. I loved watching the magic get made and quickly fell in love with that environment. I knew I wanted to be in the industry … I just didn’t know my place. Once I started theater, it became clear to me that acting was my passion.DA: You’ve been quite busy throughout late 2023 with movies like “Thanksgiving” and “Journey to Bethlehem” as well as “School Spirits” on Netflix. How do you manage working on so many different projects? And how do you pick and choose roles or genres?
MM: I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to do such different roles. I love acting because of the people I meet and the new places I get to explore. And 2023 was definitely a year of new experiences. I’m grateful I got to explore various genres this year and it’s my goal to always be trying new things in the acting world. Part of the fun is figuring out how to approach each role.DA: How do you handle the challenges of acting in so many different roles in such a short timeframe?
MM: I think having more time to prepare always helps, but there is an excitement to only having a set amount of time to figure out your character. I’d rather think about it as exciting than stressful. It’s easy to feel safe when your cast and crew are welcoming which, luckily, has always been my experience.DA: Are there any specific character types or genres that you prefer?
MM: I love comedy at heart. But my main goal is to continue to play a wide variety of characters. I think at this point in my life, I’m curious to do some more dramatic, more transformative acting. But I’ll always find my way back to comedy.DA: Apart from acting, are you interested in exploring other fields in the biz? Maybe directing or producing…
MM: Absolutely. I’m a producer on a project right now and I’m learning so many new things. I’m a very curious person and want to learn about all aspects of film making. Hopefully in the future I can continue to work behind the camera as well as in front of it.DA: Let’s talk about working with Eli Roth for “Thanksgiving.” What was he like as a director and how did his style affect the way you acted?
MM: Eli is the best. He keeps it real with you. He gave me big brother energy. No matter how I felt coming into set that day, I always felt safe with Eli looking out for us. Also, I think people would be surprised to know that the vibe of a horror set is not scary at all; it was genuinely one of the funniest shoots I’ve been on.
DA: How does your role in “Thanksgiving” compare to your previous projects? Were there any new challenges or opportunities you encountered as an actor?
MM: There were many challenges for me on that movie. The first being that I was the last person on set and felt very thrown into the movie. When we first began shooting, I didn’t really know who my character was. There were many unique challenges on that shoot, but I learned so much because of it.DA: Any standout moments from the set of “Thanksgiving” that were especially intense either physically or emotionally?
MM: Unfortunately, my character was not involved in any real torturous moments. However, I went to set to watch the final scene and it was too much for me to watch. The blood and gore is one thing, but the incredible acting was enough to make me feel queasy so I went home.DA: Transitioning from a nativity film like “Journey to Bethlehem” to a slasher like “Thanksgiving” must have been quite a shift. How did you approach these vastly different roles within such a short timeframe?
MM: Those two movies are definitely on opposite sides of the cinema spectrum. When I was in Spain shooting “Journey to Bethlehem,” if I wasn’t on set or rehearsing for another scene, I was in my hotel room getting ready for “Thanksgiving.” Bottom line is: Each character is just a person. It will always serve you to get to know the person. The sooner you can start that process, the better.DA: How did you prepare for the role of Joseph in “Journey to Bethlehem”? Especially considering their iconic status and the responsibility of portraying such revered figures…
MM: It was very important to me and the crew that we honored this story. I wanted to make sure I highlighted the things in Joseph that people have come to love about him—his loyalty to Mary and his determination—while also bringing out a more silly, human side to him. Obviously, Mary and Joseph didn’t break out into song on their journey, but I believe the music only enhances the story. Ultimately, it’s a story of love. And if people are focused on anything else, I think they missed the point.DA: Moving on to your work in “School Spirit” … how does this show differ from your experiences in other television or film projects?
MM: “School Spirits” was a truly incredible experience. I made true lifelong friends, had the most constructive interesting conversations, spent time with the coolest people and got to play a character I genuinely love. Nothing but good memories on “School Spirits.”DA: “School Spirits” received good reviews. What do you think contributed to the positive reception of the series?
MM: I think there are a couple of things that contributed to its success. First, this cast truly loves each other. We hung out off set all the time. Secondly, the show is weird and quirky—and I think it’s refreshing to watch something that just feels different. It doesn’t follow your classic teen mystery vibe. Third, it’s full of unique lovable characters that people can identify with. I definitely see a bit of myself in each character.DA: Any interesting or memorable moments from behind the scenes of “School Spirits” that you can share with us?
MM: Any night shoot. Something about shooting throughout the night just makes you feel some type of way. I think episode five and six were generally my favorite to shoot. The homecoming game and homecoming dance? That’s Wally’s jam.DA: Considering the cliff-hanger ending, will there be season two of “School Spirits”?
MM: There will be a season two of “School Spirits!” Wish I could say more..DA: Any other upcoming projects that you can share with us now?
MM: There are upcoming projects but I unfortunately cannot share now…DA: As your career continues to evolve, what aspirations or types of roles are you excited to explore in the future?
MM: Whatever calls my name! My passion is just to experience something new. I hope my future roles are always just different from the one before.DA: Finally, what kind of impact do you want to leave for your audiences?
MM: I’m still figuring that out. It’s hard to see yourself from an outside perspective. I like to think that I make the set environment a better place. It’s very important to me that everyone feels not only comfortable, but excited to come to work. I think it’s the actors job to cultivate the vibe of the set. I always want to be the one that lets everyone know “this is going to be a fun set”. When it comes to the impact my work has left on people, I think I’ve inspired people to care less about external judgment and follow your heart. It seems to be a theme between all of my characters. Never be afraid to be yourself. Honestly, I’m still learning how to do that sometimes as well. Maybe I should rewatch “Zombies.”
