Meet Johnny Cortes | Actor, Director and Acting Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johnny Cortes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johnny, why did you pursue a creative career?
From the minute we’re born, we start hearing stories. From a book, a show or a movie. Growing up I would go rent movies at the video store, yes renting movie existed hahaha, and I would get lost in those stories. I started acting when I was 15 years old, I loved creating characters specially comedic characters. Then I went into Cinema in College, we had to write and direct short films. I pursue acting because of my love to tell stories through theatre and film. To make people feel emotions, from crying to laughing. Whenever I’m not on set, I coach actors to teach them how to be professional story tellers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an actor, director from Montreal. I’ve had the chance to work in English, Spanish and French in Canada, on stage and on set. The short films that I wrote and directed, they’ve been presented in many festivals in the States, Canada and International. I’m very proud about the short films I’ve made. I directed a lot of short films in film school, but it was only to show to other students/teachers. But then to show your work to the world, that’s a different experience. I was afraid at the beginning, thinking that people wouldn’t like my work, but getting into festivals and winning prizes gave me the confidence to keep creating.
It was not easy, as artist the confidence and motivation can change quickly, I always do my best to stay positive and keep going. Thank God I have family and friends that support me and are always there for me.
I’ve learned to keep your personal projects to yourself, work on your craft every day, even if it’s only for 15minutes. Never try just do it, trying is accepting that the thing you’re doing have a 50% chance of failure.
Beside acting and directing, I also coach actors, I do weekend workshops once every two months in Montreal. I love coaching actors, I love to see their growth. They call me sometimes to tell: I got the gig or I’m on set and I used the technic you thought me and it worked. I love helping actors achieve their goals.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them out to eat poutine. I would them to the Old-Port, Mount-Royal, the casino is pretty cool, not to gamble but to hang out. For drinks, la distellerie The place. It’s fun to go see the Canal Lachine, and of course Downtown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every teacher and every student that I’ve had.

Instagram: @thejohnnycortes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnycortes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnny.cortes.167

Image Credits
Giuseppe Calvinisti and Robert Douthat