Bridge The Atlantic

This week we are thrilled to welcome Melora Hardin to the show. Melora is an award-winning actor and musician. Her acting credits include films such as 17 Again, 27 Dresses and You (which she also directed and produced), and starring roles in TV shows including NBC’s The Office, Monk, Transparent and Outlaw. In 2008, Melora made her Broadway debut, starring as Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago, and also performed in Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl. We chat with Melora about the upcoming season of Transparent, the advice she would offer to aspiring actors, and her upcoming projects. Highlights: - Melora is always looking for the next opportunity to be creative - We talk about how branding yourself on social media is as simple as being yourself - Melora tells us how she got started in the entertainment industry, and shares her earliest memories of working in film/TV - We hear that Melora’s parents are both actors and they were worried about her dealing with rejection of the industry as a child - Melora shares that she feels being creative is far more important than money or fame - We talk about how many kids simply want to be famous now, and how it’s such an empty word - Ross has never been more terrified and enamoured by a character as much as Melora’s character Jan in The Office - Ross shares a story about how he introduces his friends to The Office - and it involves The Dinner Party episode - Melora tells us about her experience of working on The Office, and more specifically working with Steve Carrell - We learn that a SAG Award is much heavier than an Emmy! - We hear about the first time Melora had realised how much of a hit The Office was - Melora and Marcio talk about how Transparent is breaking ground, and how it couldn’t be living at any other time than now - Melora shares how well deserved Jill Soloway’s Emmy for Best Director was - We hear that Transparent is the most inclusive working environment than Melora has ever worked in - “Transparent is a transformational show because it says we accept and embrace the differences of human nature” - Melora Hardin, 2015 - Melora tells us about the play she starred in called Appropriate, and how theatre compares to film/TV - You have to be able to manouevre through the business part of your career as much as the creative part - Melora thinks Michael Bolton and Kenny G would make a perfect couple, and are hot in a “weird” way - We hear about Melora’s upcoming movie called “Golden Vanity” - coming soon! - Melora has also been working on new music for a one-woman musical…and we’re excited to hear them! Advice: - Be patient with yourself - Stay focused - You need life experience in order to bring it to your work - Be open hearted, open minded, and kind to others and yourself Recommendations: - Transparent (TV) - Golden Vanity (Movie) - Paula Cole (Music) - Patty Griffin (Music) Guest Links: - Website: http://melora.com - Twitter: @melorahardin - Instagram: @meloradhardin Sponsors: - Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents (http://chriskeaton.com) - Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses (http://thirtyroses.com)