Interview with Danny Lee: From Actor to Writer – Wrestling with Insecurities and the Creative Process

You made a fascinating transition from acting to writing. What prompted this leap? Was it something you planned, or did it take you by surprise?

Honestly, it kind of found me more than I went after it. Growing up, I loved reading, but it wasn’t always that way. In school, I hated it, but then my first girlfriend, an avid reader, convinced me that just one good book could turn me into a reader. She gifted me Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami, and that was it. I read it voluntarily, and it ignited a passion for reading. But even then, I never thought I’d actually become a writer. I always thought: “Maybe when I’m getting older, I’ll give it a shot.” But then, during an acting workshop with my first coach, Anthony Montes, I was given a challenge to write a scene – a three to five-page scene, and I had to hand it in the next day. At first, I was completely overwhelmed. I had never written a screenplay before (and didn’t know where to start). But then, I thought, “Well, I know what it’s like to grow up feeling different in a country.” And before I knew it, I had written a short scene about exactly that that felt alive. It had a beginning, a middle, an end, and even a twist with a message. That feeling of creating something new and giving life to characters was life-changing. It felt like I gave birth to a tiny world.

That sounds like a profound experience. Was that when you realized you wanted to pursue writing more seriously?

Definitely. After that experience, I started writing more scenes, just short pieces. I’d even write them with a selfish goal – so I could use them for my acting reel! But then, I also joined Toastmasters and started writing speeches. I found that writing speeches is just another form of storytelling, and I really enjoyed it. It was a hobby that eventually led to more. Then, during the pandemic, I found myself back in Germany after living in Asia for over a decade. I reconnected with an old friend Miguel Angelo Pate, a director and screenwriter who had worked with Quentin Tarantino. He and I had similar paths in life, and together we decided to develop a movie idea based on our experiences. He became my mentor and gave me books on screenwriting, and we spent about a year grinding it out. And just like that, we had a script that eventually caught the attention of major players in the industry, including Netflix. It was surreal. I had no formal training, but I had been studying stories my whole life, dissecting their structures. I’d watch films and analyze them – how the plot unfolded, how characters evolved. It was second nature to me. So, it didn’t feel as intimidating as it might have for others.

Speaking of the script, have you ever written a role that you’ve later played?

No, but that’s actually something I’m aiming for next year. I would love to direct something I’ve written and play the character. As an actor, you do a lot of the prep work on your own before stepping on set – finding your character’s motivations, the obstacles they face. When you write the story yourself, you already know all those details, so I think it’d be a fascinating experience to bring a character to life that I’ve created.

Transitioning from acting to writing must have come with its own set of challenges. How did you handle that?

The biggest challenge was dealing with my own insecurities. I didn’t go the traditional route. I hadn’t studied writing academically, so I felt like an imposter. When you’re sitting in meetings defending your artistic choices in a script – especially when you're facing experienced writers and dramaturgs – it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong. I struggled with that a lot. But my mentor, my friend who guided me through the process, was instrumental. He kept reminding me, “You’re a writer, you just don’t know it yet.” That kind of encouragement helped me push through the doubt. He gave me the self-confidence I needed, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Writing, I quickly realized, is an incredibly difficult process. You’re constantly wrestling with your own demons. There are nights, late into the morning, when you’re staring at a blank page and struggling to get the words out. But anyone who can push through that and finish something – no matter how big or small – deserves huge respect. I have a deep appreciation for writers now. It’s tough work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

It’s clear that your journey has been one of self-discovery. What's next for you?

I’m excited to continue writing, and my ultimate goal is to direct something I’ve written and take on the role of the character. I think it would be an amazing experience to blend both of my passions and really dive into the full creative process. Writing has become more than just a hobby now, it’s something I’m truly passionate about. And as I continue to work in the industry, I want to keep evolving, learning, and embracing all aspects of storytelling.

Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you create characters and scenes?

Sure, for us, it starts with an intriguing premise. We’re primarily screenwriters, so our approach is tailored to films rather than novels. At this stage of our careers, we focus on creating stories with the intent to sell them, and that shapes our process. I personally love indie films and art-house cinema, especially those that defy traditional structures, but I’ve come to realize that the more you break rules, the smaller the audience. Mainstream films, like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, stick to classic structures that appeal to a wider audience. So when I write, my partner and I aim for stories that resonate with a broad audience. We start with a logline, something catchy that grabs attention and makes you want to know what happens next. Then, we ask ourselves: Does this story have a message worth sharing? We never write purely for entertainment; there’s always a deeper meaning we want to convey. Once we’re confident about that, we pitch the idea to friends, gauging their reactions. If their eyes light up, we know we’re on the right track. From there, we work on a pitch deck, outlining the major beats of the story using traditional act structures. The deck includes the logline, genre, synopsis, character breakdowns, moods and why the story matters today. With that, we approach producers and, if they’re interested, we get a development contract. From there, the story gets developed in drafts until it reaches its final form.

That sounds like an organized approach. On a different note, have you considered writing a novel? Or is that something in the works for you?

Writing a novel is definitely a dream of mine. I’m really drawn to classic literature, especially authors like Hermann Hesse and Dostoevsky, and more contemporary works like City of Thieves by David Benioff. I’d love to write a novel with that same cinematic quality – where you feel like you’re watching a movie unfold as you read. But right now, screenwriting is my focus. Maybe in ten years or so, when I’m a bit older, I’ll dive into that. For now, I’m too deep into writing for the screen.

It seems like you're juggling a lot, especially with three projects in the works. How do you manage the balance between writing and acting?

Both acting and writing complement each other for me. The more I understand acting, the better I write. And the more I write, the better I become as an actor. One of the key strengths I have in writing is that I think as an actor. I’m always considering a character’s motivations and making sure their actions feel authentic. If you hand a scene to two actors and let them perform it, you quickly realize what works and what doesn’t. That kind of feedback makes me more attuned to how a scene will play out on screen. So I don’t see acting and writing as separate; they’re intertwined.

You’ve mentioned some great writers – who has had the most significant influence on your writing style?

I’m drawn to books that explore deep existential themes, like Faust by Goethe or Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. I find myself connecting with characters who are on a quest for truth, like Siddhartha, who leaves his privileged life behind to experience the world and understand what life is really about. But in terms of writing style, I’ve been influenced by my mentor, Miguel Angelo Pate, and also by Tarantino. Miguel writes in a very visual way, and that’s something I’ve adopted. When you read a scene, you should see it playing out in your head. Tarantino has a similar philosophy – screenplays are an art form on their own, not just a blueprint for the movie. I believe screenplays should entertain the reader as much as the audience, which is something I always strive for in my work.

Given your international background, do themes related to East vs. West, or identity, come up in your writing?

I do gravitate towards stories where characters are in search of truth, much like in Siddhartha or Faust. The idea of leaving behind comfort to explore life’s deeper meaning is something I connect with. I see myself as a seeker, and that drives my choices both in life and in writing. I’ve had many different jobs, traveled a lot, and made plenty of mistakes – all in search of that truth. I think my international background adds depth to the types of stories I’m drawn to, especially those that deal with personal growth and identity.

It’s clear that you’re passionate about both acting and writing. Do you plan to continue balancing both, or will you focus more on one?

I definitely want to keep doing both. Acting helps me understand characters more deeply, and writing enriches my acting. They complement each other. Writing, in particular, is a way for me to put my personal experiences and philosophical reflections into the world, while acting lets me express them physically. I don’t want to give up either.

For aspiring writers just starting out, what advice would you give?

My first piece of advice is simple: Just write. Don’t overthink it. Don’t worry about studying too much or listening to other people—just put words on paper. If you’re passionate about it, you’ll figure it out along the way. Second, write something personal. Don’t just try to mimic big blockbuster stories. Draw from your own experiences and interests. That’s what will make your writing unique. And third, if you want to make a living as a writer, you have to understand the business side of things. You’ll need to make creative sacrifices and cater to producers to get your work sold. It’s about finding a balance between your artistic integrity and the realities of the industry.