Rising Star Miguel Gabriel Of ‘Camera’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Entertainment Industry

…First, be comfortable with discomfort. When you’re entering new territories or opportunities, be open to it, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable — just know it’ll be okay, and you’ll eventually feel comfortable.

Second, prepare yourself for whatever comes your way.

Third, don’t worry — everything is going to work out; things will go according to plan.

Fourth, you’re going to meet a lot of interesting people and learn valuable lessons from them.

And fifth — this is something I’ve learned — when it comes to choosing projects, make sure you pick the ones that are right for your career…

I had the pleasure of talking with Miguel Gabriel. Miguel, a 15-year-old actor of Spanish-Filipino and Hungarian descent, has quickly emerged as a compelling presence in the entertainment industry. Born in California, Miguel’s multicultural heritage and early exposure to the performing arts have shaped his journey from a young age. His entry into acting was serendipitous, sparked by a suggestion from a speech therapist who recognized that theater could help Miguel overcome a speech impediment. The suggestion proved prophetic, as Miguel not only improved his speech but also discovered a passion for acting that would define his early career.

Miguel’s acting journey began at the tender age of five, and since then, he has steadily built an impressive resume. He first gained notable recognition for his voice work in the animated feature Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, where he brought to life a character that resonated with audiences. This role showcased his ability to convey emotion and depth, even in an animated format, and established him as a young actor with significant potential.

In addition, Miguel dubbed the voice of 8-year-old Joselito “Veneno” in the HBO Max series, Veneno. Furthermore, Miguel has expanded his creative horizons by serving as both actor and executive producer in the TV miniseries ME, where he played the character Lucas. This dual role not only demonstrated his acting chops but also his emerging interest in the broader aspects of film and television production.

Miguel’s most recent and perhaps most significant role to date is in the film Camera, where he stars as Oscar Kennedy, a mute 9-year-old boy who finds solace and expression through photography after moving to a struggling fishing town with his widowed mother. The film, which co-stars veteran actor Beau Bridges, is a poignant exploration of loss, hope, and healing. Miguel’s performance has been praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, further establishing him as a talented actor capable of carrying complex narratives. Camera has already garnered critical acclaim, having been screened at the Cannes Film Festival and selected for the Beverly Hills Film Festival, where it was recognized as the Best Family Film at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

Beyond his acting career, Miguel is a multi-talented performer with skills in dancing and singing. He continues to refine these talents through rigorous training in voice lessons, hip-hop and salsa dancing, and theater techniques. His commitment to honing his craft is evident in his diverse range of performances, both on stage and on screen. Miguel’s dedication to his art is matched by his enthusiasm for learning, as he also engages in film directing classes, indicating a potential future behind the camera as well.

Despite his busy schedule, Miguel maintains a balance between his professional commitments and personal interests. He is based in the Bay Area and is an avid traveler. Miguel has explored various countries across Asia and Europe, experiences that no doubt enrich his perspective as an actor and storyteller.

As Miguel Gabriel’s career continues to flourish, he remains grounded and committed to his craft. His early achievements suggest a bright future ahead, with many more roles and opportunities likely to come his way.

Yitzi: Miguel, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Miguel: Yes. When I was younger, I had a love for movies, but I always wondered how movie magic worked. At that time, I didn’t even know you could work in movies. I also took acting classes, which is an important part of my origin story. I had a speech impediment and couldn’t speak clearly, so I went to a speech therapist. She suggested that I take theater classes, so I did that at school, and it actually helped. Everyone loved my theater skills. One day, a teacher saw some talent in me and went up to my mom. He said, “He should be an actor. He shouldn’t waste his talents. Here’s my agent’s card — just go up there and meet them.” So, we did. After a few auditions, I booked two commercials, one animated movie, and now I’m in a feature film called camera.

Yitzi: Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite memories from your professional career?

Miguel: Sure. My two favorite memories are from when we were shooting the movie Camera. I loved just hanging out and having fun with the crew, talking, and making each other laugh. I also remember doing a zombie impression with Jessica Parker Kennedy just for laughs — that was a lot of fun. My second memory is from working on Puss in Boots. The directors and crew there were great to work with, and those are memories I’ll never forget.

Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting out, and the lesson you learned from it?

Miguel: Let’s see… I think I do. Oh, okay. When we were doing a particular scene in the movie Camera, I got a note from our wonderful director, Jay Silverman, about how I should express my emotions with less rather than more, adding some subtlety to the performance. That way, the audience can really pick up on what you’re conveying.

Yitzi: You have such an impressive body of work. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you look forward to in the near future?

Miguel: Well, you’ll know what I’m working on when you see it at the movies.

Yitzi: That’s great! (Laughs). Is there anything else you’re excited about that you want to talk about? Any other projects you’re able to share with us?

Miguel: Just when you see my name on a billboard or a movie poster at the theater, you’ll know, “Oh, hey, that’s Miguel Gabriel. That’s his next project.”

Yitzi: You’ve had a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you know now that you wish someone had told you back then?

Miguel: That’s a good question.

Okay, first, be comfortable with discomfort. When you’re entering new territories or opportunities, be open to it, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable — just know it’ll be okay, and you’ll eventually feel comfortable.

Second, prepare yourself for whatever comes your way.

Third, don’t worry — everything is going to work out; things will go according to plan.

Fourth, you’re going to meet a lot of interesting people and learn valuable lessons from them.

And fifth — this is something I’ve learned — when it comes to choosing projects, make sure you pick the ones that are right for your career.

Yitzi: You mentioned Puss in Boots. That character is beloved and has a cult following. From your insider perspective, why do you think Puss in Boots is so beloved?

Miguel: All right, movie geek hat on, here we go. I think Puss in Boots is so beloved for a few reasons. First, he’s a great fighter, and his humor and personality are just so fun to watch. But what really makes him interesting is his nine lives, since cats are known for that. In the second movie, the character explores this concept in a deep way, almost like a metaphor, questioning, “How should you spend your life when you only have one left?” Even if you have multiple lives, like Puss, will you take them for granted or use them wisely? And in the end, Puss is very brave and courageous, which is something we all aspire to be. Despite being a small cat, he’s a fearless hero, and I think that’s what makes him so wonderful and why we all love him so much.

Yitzi: That’s a great answer. Most people your age don’t have to balance school and work. Can you share with us how you manage balancing your schoolwork, auditions, and time on set?

Miguel: Well, when I’m on set, we usually have a tutor to help out, like, “Okay, at this time, he’ll do his schoolwork,” and then after that, I’ll go on set. I manage my schoolwork along with auditions and everything else by communicating with my teachers. If I have an event or something related to my movie career that conflicts with a class, I talk to my teacher, and we figure out how to arrange things. I also make sure to get all my assignments done ahead of time, whether it’s for an upcoming event or something happening that day. That way, I can really focus on my acting career, which I love.

Yitzi: Amazing. We love hearing stories where someone further ahead does an act of kindness that makes a long-term impact on someone’s career. Do you have a story where someone did that for you, or where you did that for someone else?

Miguel: Oh, yeah, definitely. Throughout my acting career, I’ve made it a point to do small acts of kindness, whether it’s opening a door, giving someone a compliment, lending a helping hand, or just being friendly. People really appreciate that and often say things like, “You’re so kind, you’re so wonderful.” They return the kindness too, by being friendly, offering advice, or helping me out. On the set of Camera, I did these small acts of kindness for the cast and crew because that’s just who I am — being kind to everyone. They were very grateful, and it created this wonderful atmosphere where everyone felt like family. They also did kind things for me, which made the whole experience even more special.

Yitzi:If you could choose to work on any TV show or film, or work alongside any co-star or director, who would it be? We could tag them and maybe make a connection happen.

Miguel: Oh, okay. I have a few suggestions, and they might be pretty high bars. For a director, I’ll just give one to keep it simple: Steven Spielberg. I love his movies. Every time I watch one, I’m amazed by the filmmaking techniques. You can learn so much from his films just from a technical perspective, and it makes me want to be a filmmaker myself. So, definitely Steven Spielberg. As for an actor, I’d say Paul Rudd, because he seems like such a chill, cool dude. Or, if I can add a second actor, Glen Powell. I really liked him in Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick.

Yitzi:Any particular show you’d like to be a part of — your dream show?

Miguel: That’s a good one. I think a dream project would be a sci-fi movie or a Jurassic Park project.

Yitzi: Now, for our final question — this is our aspirational question. Miguel, because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. How do you think you could use your platform, your social media, to be a positive influence on your fans or society at large?

Miguel: I think I can use my social platform to be a positive influence by encouraging my fans not to give up on their dreams. Take action, think about what you want to do, and just go for it. And maybe even bring a smile to someone’s face along the way.

Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they follow you on social media and support you?

Miguel: You can support me by following me on Instagram, Twitter, or by watching my projects like Camera and any upcoming ones I have. That’s one of the best ways to support me.

Yitzi: Miguel, it’s been a delight to meet you. I wish you continued success and many new blessings. I hope we can do this again next year.

Miguel: Thank you. It’s been fun. I wish you an amazing day.