Beyond Reel Talk

Author: Andrey Rogozin

A podcast where I invite entertainment industry professionals to discuss their roles, methods, motivations, obstacles, and share insights on how you can start a similar career.
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Language: en

Genres: Film Interviews, TV & Film

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42. Akie Kotabe - Realities of a working actor. Silo, The Batman, Mad Men
Wednesday, 15 April, 2026

Akie Kotabe is a Japanese-American actor known for The Batman, Andor, Silo, Gran Turismo and Mad Men.In this episode, we talk about growing up in America with Japanese roots, how he got into acting, and what it takes to build a long career in the industry.Akie shares his experience of living in Los Angeles as a working actor, dealing with rejection, casting, and how an acting career often means constant hustle and a lot of sacrifice. We also talk about theatre, his experience working with Michael Shannon and Ruth Wilson, as well as voice work and screen acting.We also get into working on projects like Cyberpunk 2077, Andor, Silo and The Batman — including his experience working with Common on Silo, what those sets were like, how certain roles came about, and which projects stayed with him the most.---------------------------------------If you enjoy this, you’ll love our friends at LIFE IN FILM PODCAST:https://open.spotify.com/show/2w4hoE5UgPBKEOpgM0CY7A?si=41ab5c6d74964e2---------------------------------------Website: https://www.akie-kotabe.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akiekotabe/YouTube channel: @AkieKotabe CHAPTERS:00:00 - Coming up01:50 - Intro02:46 - Youth in America. Japanese roots.06:39 - Getting into acting11:33 - Success and survival as an actor23:52 - LIFE IN FILM ad25:06 - Living in Los Angeles as an actor31:49 - Working on MAD MEN34:16 - Authenticity in casting / Tokyo Vice38:43 - Small world40:24 - Theatre42:00 - Moon for the Misbegotten56:42 - Voice Over1:02:12 - Working on (and playing) Cyberpunk 20771:09:39 - Rejection1:15:56 - Casting type1:18:18 - Working on THE BATMAN1:23:08 - Working on ANDOR1:26:58 - Costumes/suits in films1:31:42 - Working on SILO1:39:37 - Apple TV1:42:27 - 18831:46:30 - Favorite projects1:49:00 - Working on Gran Turismo1:52:43 - Midgets VS Mascots1:55:42 - Dream projects1:56:15 - Best people to work with2:02:05 - Mission in life2:05:56 - Universal advice2:07:29 - Lasting Words2:10:40 - Japanese culture2:14:14 - America2:17:11 - Anything in the pipeline?2:18:18 - Contact informationBeyond Reel Talk is a podcast where I invite entertainment industry professionals to ask them about their journey, their professions, challenges and motivation.#beyondreeltalk #interview #podcast #videopodcast