[00:00:02] - [00:00:29]
Jeff Ornstein: Hi everyone, and welcome to Next Act with Jeff Ornstein. I am Jeff, and on this show we celebrate people on the cusp of greatness—those building on past successes in curious, inventive, and sometimes unexpected ways. We'll talk about current projects, lessons learned, and the extraordinary opportunities ahead. So the best is yet to come.
[00:00:29] - [00:00:57]
Jeff Ornstein: Shannon K. Dunn is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer with over 35 years in the entertainment industry. She has created feature films, TV shows, and innovative vertical micro-dramas—from acting classics like Back to School and guest starring in Married... with Children to producing her own original content. Shannon is driven by creativity, collaboration, and the pursuit of compelling storytelling. So in essence, she is the whole package.
Shannon Dunn: Well, I'd like to think.
Jeff Ornstein: So, yeah. Welcome to the show, Shannon. Thanks so much for joining us.
Shannon Dunn: Well, thank you for having me, I appreciate it.
[00:01:01] - [00:01:41]
Jeff Ornstein: Okay. Well, you know, I'm on this new journey myself and I'm learning so much about the industry and it's so interesting to hear directly from people like yourself that have really made a mark and done some terrific work and showcased their talents and skills in a variety of ways, like you have. So kudos.
Shannon Dunn: Thank you, I appreciate that.
[00:01:41] - [00:02:01]
Jeff Ornstein:It's my pleasure. So I want to just start. Sounds like maybe in your early beginnings you did stand-up for a while, which I have so much respect for. That ain't easy. How did that help you in auditions? Or what's the genesis of that?
Shannon Dunn: You know, I've always been a funny kid, very sarcastic, and I always like to make people laugh. And someone once said to me—I think it was my mother at the time—actually, you need to go up on stage and get some of that out. So I started writing stuff down and I did her very first stand-up showcase...
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[approx. 00:03:29] - [00:03:52]
Jeff Ornstein:So I, I'm so impressed with stand-up because, you know, it's just you against the audience... Was your stand-up some comedians tell a story or their character through the thing, or were you hitting them with one liners? What was your day?
Shannon Dunn: My take was always about stories I love because I'm generally a storyteller...
[approx. 00:05:23] - [00:05:34]
Jeff Ornstein:So, did your stand-up lead you to say, hey, you know, I'm really a storyteller. Maybe I should be a writer. And how did that transition?
Shannon Dunn: Honestly, I've always been a writer. Since I was ten years old...
[approx. 00:07:49] - [00:07:55]
Jeff Ornstein:So is anything you've ever written been produced or anything you'd like to discuss?
Shannon Dunn: Yeah, absolutely... I have a Christmas film that I co-wrote with my writing partner. It's out right now... It's called Christmas Romance at the Roanoke Ranch...
[approx. 00:11:04] - [00:11:07]
Jeff Ornstein:...the rule of thumb in the industry is there's the script, it's written; the script it's filmed in; and the script that's produced after editing. Were you happy with the final product? Was it true to your initial vision... or how did you feel about the end product?
Shannon Dunn: I'm smiling... I'm always disappointed when people take creative liberties...
[approx. 00:15:18] - [00:15:29]
Jeff Ornstein:Has writing scripts impacted how you auditioned? When you're when you get a role and you're given a script and you're asked to come in?
Shannon Dunn: Yeah, actually it has...
[approx. 00:18:03] - [00:18:06]
Jeff Ornstein:...I noticed in the producers notes that it says that you've actually probably done more dramatic work than comedic work. What up with that?
Shannon Dunn: I have no idea. It's really crazy...
[approx. 00:19:43] - [00:19:45]
Jeff Ornstein:...you've worked on classics like Air Force One and these other big Hollywood mumbo jumbo and then smaller indie projects. So do you have a preference?
Shannon Dunn: Benefits are money...
[approx. 00:20:42] - [00:20:55]
Jeff Ornstein:...can you share a moment where to create a partnership, completely change the trajectory of a project?
Shannon Dunn: Well, yeah, I have a producing partner woman friend who is also an actor...
[approx. 00:23:13] - [00:23:24]
Jeff Ornstein:...a young actor like me... asked you for one piece of advice to break into Hollywood without compromising who they are. What would you tell them?
Shannon Dunn: Acting is not a choice... Train, train, train...
[00:24:29] - [00:25:37]
Jeff Ornstein: ...Thank you so much...
Shannon Dunn: Well, thank you so much. And to you as well.
Jeff Ornstein / Closing: Thanks for tuning in to Next Act with Jeff Ornstein. Follow, subscribe and stay connected... Keep chasing your next act. The best is yet to come.
