Mark Hauser

Mark Hauser, also known as Mark William Hauser, is an American-Canadian actor and voice actor. Born in Michigan, he spent his early years in the Great Lakes region. Currently, Hauser resides in the Montreal, Canada area with his family.

Since 1996, Hauser has carved out a well-rounded career as an on-screen actor and voice actor. His neutral accent, and uncanny ability to adopt varied American dialects, have opened the doors to many intriguing opportunities. K.L. Benzakein Talent, Hauser’s Montreal-based agent, fields a steady stream of requests for his services.

Although Mark Hauser has gained recognition for his dramatic roles, the Actra Award Nominee has also excelled in the comedic realm. Hauser has carefully honed his scene analysis skills over the years. His attention to detail has enabled him to create vibrant characters who add new dimensions to each story.

Mark Hauser has applied his acting talents to numerous live-action and animated television series along with animated films. He has also amassed a diverse portfolio of commercial voice-over, video game voice-over, and narration demo projects.

Mark Hauser’s onscreen roles have included appearances with well-known actors such as Michael Madsen, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Nathalie Zea, among others. In the animated arena, he played a notable role in SAHARA, the recently released Netflix Original animated movie.

Like others with a highly creative nature, Mark Hauser spends his spare time enjoying a completely unrelated hobby. An accomplished problem solver and “Mr. Fix It,” he often repairs malfunctioning circuit boards. He also enjoys restoring vintage pinball machines to their former flashy glory.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I have always been intrigued by how actors can take the audience on a journey into a different world. Maybe the story takes place in a familiar city or town, or maybe it’s set in another country several decades or centuries ago. Or, maybe scriptwriters conjured up the entire experience, and they invented the world and everyone in it.

By capturing the essence of each character, and bringing them to life, the audience becomes an integral part of that story. I have always wanted to (literally) play a role in that process.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Basically, what I do every day is driven by my acting commitments. If I’m actively working on a project, I’m physically on set or in the recording studio. And as you know, sometimes multiple takes are required to get exactly the right execution of each scene.

For example, sometimes the character dialogue doesn’t flow as smoothly as it should. Or, maybe the sound effects have a few hiccups. Whatever the cause, it means we have to reshoot the scene until it’s right.

If I’m between projects, I’m performing extensive research into my upcoming roles. I want to really learn each character’s background, their motivations, and their strengths and weaknesses. I want to know what makes them tick.
To get that information, I perform huge amounts of online research. If I need to get the feel of a specific work environment, I might spend some time at that company.

If I need to learn about a certain occupation, I’ll shadow that person and dig into the inner workings of their job. I thoroughly enjoy this character development work, as I want the audience to really get the essence of that persona.

How do you bring ideas to life?

For every role, I visualize the ideal personification of that character. I form a picture of how they should dress, walk, and talk. After I nail down those attributes, I think about how that character will respond to situations that might occur within the storyline.

After I have completely defined the character, I immerse myself in the process of becoming that person. I want my personality to blend into the background so the audience can see that character come to life.

What’s one trend that excites you?

In 2021, I’m excited to see that across the board, more people have begun reading printed books again. In fact, sales of juvenile, young adult, and adult fiction books have recently seen double-digit gains. Non-fiction book sales are also looking good.

So, with more and more technology at our fingertips, what’s driving this renewed interest in printed books? I think that during 2020’s COVID-19 lockdowns, people were bombarded with technology during every waking hour. Quite literally, there wasn’t much else to do besides watch TV, surf the Internet, and call and text friends and relatives.

At some point, COVID-19 and technology fatigue set in. So, many people turned to good old-fashioned books and found that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There’s something quite satisfying about pausing all the devices and delving into a good book, and I hope this trend continues.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Every night, I make a list of 3-5 things I plan to complete the next day. I choose tasks that are essential to accomplishing a specific goal. While they’re certainly doable, they require some effort and brainpower.

Even with all the task apps and productivity programs, I still prefer to jot my “To Do” list on a little sticky note that I carry around all day. I find it very satisfying to cross off each item as I complete it.

I scribble my creative ideas on a second sticky note. When inspiration strikes, I want to be prepared.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Roll with the punches. Sometimes, you can formulate a detailed business strategy, marketing plan, or conversation with a potential client. You have it all mapped out in your mind. However, things don’t always go according to the script, and the original plan might somehow get derailed.

If you can get past your frustration, you might see a different opportunity that’s better than the first one. However, you must first drop your angst about the unfulfilled expectations.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

There’s an old adage in the acting world: It’s not what you know – it’s who you know. Many people say that’s also true in many other industries.

However, I would beg to differ. Yes, you might get an audition because of a high-level connection with the production team. However, if you can’t deliver the goods, you won’t get the job.

The moral of the story: make sure you’re the best possible candidate for that role. Don’t give them any reason to look elsewhere.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I look for opportunities everywhere. Like any other business owner, I am responsible for marketing my services to potential clients. Whether I’m in a business discussion or a social situation, I’m always aware of what’s going on around me.

For example, I might notice a new business in town. I think I’d like to do some voice-over work for their advertising campaigns. So, I formulate a plan, and I pay them a personal visit to get the ball rolling.

To further my acting career, I also use my industry networks and word-of-mouth to learn about upcoming acting jobs. When I find projects I think I would enjoy, I ask my agent to pursue them.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Without fail, I keep in touch with production partners I would like to work with again. This tactic serves two purposes. First, it keeps my name fresh in their minds so they’ll think of me when another opportunity arises.

Sometimes, a new project has just gotten off the ground, and the producers haven’t gone through the casting process yet. If I check in just to say hello, and they know there’s an upcoming need, I can save them some effort by being in the right place at the right time.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I once auditioned for a part that wasn’t the right fit. However, I convinced myself that I was good enough to pull it off. Somehow, I landed the role but was forced to leave the production because the director said I wasn’t authentic or believable.

Now, I pay attention to that little voice in my head. If it tells me to stay away from a certain role, I listen.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Today’s fast-paced, unpredictable world has left many people with a desire to return to simpler times. The popularity of 1950s-era furniture and decor, and remakes of many of the period’s appliances, are evidence of that trend.

I think that people would enjoy vacationing or even staying a night or two, in vintage homes with authentic period furnishings. Communities with several post-World War II homes would be ideal destinations.

It might take some work to bring 1950s-era properties up to code. However, a resourceful real estate agent and/or contractor would have the connections to pull it off.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I swear by the benefits of an outstanding massage, and I get them on a regular basis. You unplug from technology, turn off your brain, and simply relax.

While the massage therapist releases your body’s tension, you transport yourself to a place you enjoy. When the session is over, you’re refreshed and ready to take on the world.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I use the Pomodoro Technique to keep myself focused while I’m studying scripts. This well-known software app uses a timer to split your work into multiple 25-minute sessions. After each one, you get a 5-minute break.

I have found that the Pomodoro Technique forces me to focus on my current task for a defined period of time. I can’t procrastinate, and I can’t surf on my favorite Internet sites while the timer is on. As a result, I accomplish my goals while giving my brain several welcome breaks.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Hands down, it’s The Endurance. This remarkable book tells the story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Antarctic expedition. When his ship was frozen into the ice, he and his men survived for almost two years on resourcefulness and sheer willpower. Most surprisingly, Shackleton didn’t lose a single man during the expedition.

This book can become a powerful reminder that it’s possible to overcome every challenge. I couldn’t put this book down, and I think it’s an amazing testament to the human spirit.

What is your favorite quote?

Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” In other words, your success (or failure) depends on your attitude.

Key Learnings:

• Visualizing an outcome is the first step to making it a reality.
• A highly structured approach is the best way to accomplish a goal.
• Abandon unmet expectations, and invite magic to happen.
• Creative opportunities can exist everywhere.