Mike Strong
No Profit without Problems with Mike Strong & His Journey
Written by Michael Cox
Mike Strong is no stranger to including his real life into his artwork for consulting on the production value of character developments, creating the scene and the overall tone and theme in scripts. He is a man of many talents, but the biggest talent he brings to the table is creating realistic situations to not just his character but the production of things. For him no story or journey of a character is true unless actual experiences are brought in because otherwise the audience will see right through it. Cox: Let’s start from the beginning where did your love for entertainment come from? Strong: Well first I love to entertain, perform and dance. Since I was 14 I have been an MC. I did my first MC job at a fashion show we held at a community center in the neighborhood. I was rocking the crowd and I loved it. Even during his high school years he was the spirit commissioner charged with keeping the school spirit alive. For Mike it was about controlling the crowd entertainment. Naturally a leader with leadership positions in high school and college he gravitated towards always finding his way in places where he could help create an experience for others that would be unforgettable. Cox: Now we know you love to entertain, but when did the acting bug kick in? Strong: It was after I landed a part in the Nike Gridiron Briscoe High Game Day commercial which got me my SAG card. This really got me excited, and it opened my eyes to the industry. This was a huge budget commercial, and we ended up on billboards in places like Manhattan. Cox: Where you are from and your background has a lot to do with your journey. Strong: Yes, being from the Bay sports was the way out for me. I was a track and field star in high school with dreams of going to USC. But I had my daughter my senior year in high school and she was the reason I knew I couldn’t stay in the Bay and we eventually moved to Los Angeles. Those Strong genes are strong, and I intended no pun with that statement. Mike shared with me that his daughter who is now a high school graduate and on her way to college with a scholar in track and field. He says she is the reason he knew he had to get more out of life so he could provide her with everything. Cox: During our interview you mentioned you loved the journey that takes place in entertainment be it from acting to music. What is it about the journey you love so much? Strong: As a society we are big on history and rarely do we talk about the moments but the journey. It’s the journey that really counts. That connects us. Entertainment is not an escape, it’s a journey! It’s almost like it is defining time for us! Cox: You aren’t shy about your background as a male exotic dancer. You have used it to create a lane for yourself by assisting with reality and script television shows that are centered on “male exotic.” Tell me how one goes about making the experience real onstage and on camera. Strong: Well the first three components that make anything are DJ, MC, and Promoter. Think of the DJ as someone who controls the heartbeat of the club. The MC is the serenade and they are making sure everything is running smoothly and in order. And the Promoter is making sure the word gets out there and the people show up. It’s a team effort honestly. Cox: What are other things we don’t know or see for that industry? Strong: Everything is about timing. If a performer has a 15 minute set they can’t go past that time because it spills over into another performer’s time and it’s a domino effect. People don’t know there are sponsored brands the MC has to shout out during the show.
During his journey it hasn’t always been easy for Mike. We always hear of so many stories in the entertainment industry that just seem surreal. He’s experienced many things and with the purest of hearts his goal was and still always is to give, grow and learn. Cox: Previously you said this is a tough industry and you have to keep yourself sane with everything that goes on in the ins and outs of it all. How do you do? Strong: I’ve learned that as I keep climbing here that it’s all about how I control myself. At this point in my life I have learned to step up and not let things beat me down. I learned to be comfortable with uncomfortable situations because I gain more clarity each time about myself and who I am. It’s about how I respond to situations and not react.
