Getting Hot Waxed on Set, Micro-Dramas, and Why Your 20s Are a Lie: Hangin’ Out with Mark Pontarelli

Written by Axel Axe

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through vertical dramas lately, chances are you’ve seen Mark Pontarelli. He’s the guy rocking a sharp suit, giving intense, smoldering looks, or playing a high-stakes werewolf CEO.

Mark dropped by the studio for an episode of The Axel Axe Show, and honestly, it felt less like a formal podcast and more like two friends kicking back, cracking jokes, and talking shop. We went everywhere—from the absolute chaos of shooting 90-minute vertical movies in just seven days, to why acting schools never teach you about money, and how turning 30 completely shatters your worldview.

Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let's dive into the best moments from our chat!

1. The Wild World of Vertical Micro-Dramas (and Surprises on Set)

If you haven't seen vertical short-form dramas yet, they are taking over the world. They're fast, dramatic, addictive, and shot entirely for your phone screen. Mark has become a fan favorite in this space, but as he explained, making them is an absolute wild ride.

Axel and Mark on the set of the talk show in Hollywood, California

HOT WAX

When you shoot a movie in a single week, crazy things are bound to happen. Case in point: Mark shared a story about a scene where his character had hot wax poured over him.

The kicker? Nobody told him it was going to be real, burning hot wax until it hit his skin in the middle of the take.

“They didn’t tell me it was going to be real hot wax! I found that out in the moment. Not a really fun experience... but hey, we got the shot!”
— Mark Pontarelli | Actor

Despite the breakneck pacing, Mark loves the challenge. Coming from a heavy theatrical background, getting to yell at the top of his lungs or play larger-than-life characters feels like second nature to him. Plus, the fans are amazingly wholesome—one fan even photoshopped Mark’s face onto a giant Wolverine blanket and sent it to him!

2. Treat Your Acting Career Like a Business

One of the biggest real-talk moments of the episode was when Mark and I got into the business side of Hollywood.

A lot of young actors move out to LA thinking it's all about pure craft and artistic passion. Mark went to a top-tier acting school in Chicago that taught him incredible foundational skills, but when he moved out to LA, he hit a wall: Nobody in drama school teaches you how money or personal branding actually works.

Mark’s advice for any young creative moving out to Hollywood?

  • Understand that you are a brand. You aren't just an actor; you are a product that you have to pitch and sell to casting directors, producers, and audiences.

  • Know what the world sees. There’s a huge difference between how you see yourself and how the industry views you. Learn to embrace your typecast first so you can build leverage!

Director Axel Arzola and actor Mark Pontarelli having a laugh on set of The Axel Axe Show

3. The Great Perspective Shift: Your 20s vs. Your 30s

Toward the end of our chat, we got into a deep philosophical groove about growing up. When you're in your 20s, you think you've got the entire world mapped out. You're convinced your opinion is right, your path is the only path, and you're going to conquer everything by next Tuesday.

Mark dropped a truth bomb about what happens when you hit 30:

"When I was in my 20s, I thought I had everything figured out. But when I turned 30, it felt like my entire scope of the world opened up. You realize that the stuff you thought was life-or-death in your 20s actually doesn't matter that much. It's totally okay to not have it all figured out."

I couldn't agree more. Looking back at my 20s, I spent so much time grinding away in front of a computer screen, learning how to edit and direct, barely making time for fun. Now in my mid-30s, I'm taking the wisdom from guys in their 50s, pairing it with the energy of younger crew members, and realizing that life is all about balance.

Axel Axe during the interview with Mark Pontarelli

4. Unwinding: Video Games, Family, and Finding Balance

So how does a guy who spends 14 hours a day on chaotic film sets decompress? For Mark, it’s all about family, his supportive girlfriend, and video games.

We geeked out over his love for deep RPGs—he admitted to getting completely lost in games like God of War and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. But he draws a firm line at streaming on Twitch or trying to monetize it:

"Video games are just for me. The second I try to monetize it, it becomes work, and I already get to do what I love for a living. You have to keep some things just for yourself."

As for me? I have to stay far away from games like StarCraft or Red Dead Redemption because my obsessive personality will have me staying up until 6:00 AM trying to win an F1 championship!

Mark Pontarelli is a Los Angeles-based actor whose work leans toward emotionally rich dramatic roles, with a strong love for comedy at heart.

Catch the Full Episode!

This sit-down with Mark Pontarelli was packed with hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, honest career advice, and deep reflections on life in the film industry.

Want to watch the full conversation in crisp 8K? Head over to The Axel Axe Show on YouTube to watch the full episode!

What does it really take to make it as an actor in Hollywood today? In this episode of The Axel Axe Show, director and host Axel Arzola sits down with actor and micro-drama star Mark Pontarelli for an unvarnished conversation on navigating the film industry, transitioning from classical theater to fast-paced vertical dramas, and the hard lessons learned about personal branding in your 20s vs. your 30s.

Axel Axe
Previous

From 82nd Airborne to the Ring
Next

From Defeat to Destiny: How Tony Mack Built Legacy