After meeting Mr. Bienvenue at the set of the film that won the 48 Film Festival “Split” I was impressed with the quality and southern charm of this Actor. Michael shared his personal bio with me and i found our that he was born and raised South Louisiana. He began his acting career five years ago in South Florida. After working in film, television, commercials, infomercials and lifestyle print work, he moved back to Louisiana in 2011 where his acting career began to take off, landing roles in three feature films, four commercials, two theatrical production, and a made-for-television pilot, Reigning Men.

The second half of 2012 will be very busy. Now back in South Florida, Michael booked a recurring role as a hit man in the new Cinemax series, Banshee, filming in North Carolina this summer and fall. Michael will also have a recurring role as the wealthy womanizing ex- husband of Krissy in the made for television series, Krissy Belle, directed by Alyn Darnay and written and produced by Carole Wood. He is also working on the South Florida feature film as a southern white supremist leader in the Neil Golin comedy, Run Stinky Run. Michael will have the lead role opposite Ika Santamaria in ADD Monologues, a film project by Ika Santamaria and Joseph Hammond of Hammond Productions filming this fall in South Florida and Columbia. He will also play a lead role as a retired boxer in Shakespeare in the Ring, filming later this fall in the Boca Raton area. There are also projects in the works in Louisiana for Michael, including the role of a decorated Marine Corps colonel in the David Kirkland film, J, filming this July and August in New Orleans.

After a few cocktails and laughs we started our Q & A for “Inside Celebrities”

IC- WHO DO YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH THE MOST?
MB-I don’t really have a favorite. I did a short film with Manuel Uriza, a local actor, and I learned so much watching and working with him. He was amazing in his character development. I really enjoy working with actors or actresses like Manuel because they make you a better.
IC-WHO IS THE HARDEST TO WORK WITH?
MB-Actors who think they are directors (unless they are the director).

IC-HOW MUCH DO YOU DRAW ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU ACT?
MB-Some. My natural reactions to stimuli are not what most people expect because I am so laid back. I’m boring, so I need to make bolder choices than I would make in real life. I’m a people watcher so I draw most on observed reactions and behaviors and make them mine during character development. I do have some highly emotional experiences that burst through at times when I am not expecting them and those are totally organic as they should be.
IC-WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF ACTING IN YOUR REAL-LIFE RELATIONSHIPS?
MB-I don’t believe I’ve actually ever done that.

IC-IF YOU COULD STAR IN A RE-MAKE OF A CLASSIC FILM, WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO PLAY?
MB-Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) in Casablanca.

IC-WHEN DOING A LOVE SCENE, DO YOU IMAGINE YOU’RE WITH SOMEBODY ELSE?
MB-No. I rarely use substitution in any scene. If I am in a love scene or even a kissing scene, I am totally in the moment with that character.

IC- DO YOU THINK THERE’S TOO MUCH VIOLENCE IN TV AND MOVIES?
MB-Violence has it’s place when it helps to tell the story or develop a character. A lot of violence can be implied in a way that enhances the story rather than becoming the story. If it is gratuitous violence as we often see then yes, it is too much.

IC- WHAT WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
MB-The role of Theodore Swanson in the stage production of “Mornings at 7”. It was a fun role and I enjoyed working with real stage actors. One take baby, that’s all you get; until the next show.

IC-IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DONE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO BURN ALL THE COPIES OF?
MB-Of course!!!

IC-ARE THERE ANY ACTORS WHO TURNED OUT TO BE NOTHING LIKE YOU THOUGHT THEY’D BE?
MB- Yes. You, Diana, are one example. You are amazing! When I first met you, I expected just another beautiful bimbo but having worked with you and getting to know a little about you – wow! – you are a very talented task oriented professional actor/model.

IC- WHEN A SCENE CALLS FOR YOU TO DISPLAY HATRED, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT?
MB-Hated is a difficult emotion for me. It’s the equally passionate polar opposite of love. I have worked hard in my adult life to suppress feelings of hatred and anger so it is difficult to find hate in my toolbox when I need it. As I develop the character through rehearsal, my character begins to feel the hatred and that is expressed though some behavior the character displays.
IC-WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ROLE?
MB-The role of a satanic cult leader I played in a feature film still in post-production in Louisiana. Can’t say anymore about it.

IC-Any advice to the newcomers of this industry or actors in training?
MB- Train. Develop your craft. Take acting classes with several quality acting coaches and discover what works for you. Develop your own method. Avoid acting coaches whose egos are larger than their reality because the classes are about them, not you. Finally, act because you love the art, not because you want to be a star.

Thank you ! Michael and we hope to see you in many projects soon!