Another skill necessary for the role of Dino Dana is something which Luci found to be quite a challenge. The nature of the show has Dino Dana investigating and interacting with Dinosaurs. Michela was filmed at various locations all across Ontario, acting along non-existent dinosaur acting partners, giving highly believable performances. This is a test for any veteran adult actor, which Michela proved herself to just as accomplished as in Dino Dana. Michela explains, “It was a bit of a challenge but after we did it all the time I became better at it. There were special props to help with keeping my eye line in the proper place so things would look like they were right there in the room. Sometimes there were changes that were made right as we were filming these scenes. That was pretty difficult because when the dinos are fighting and walking, my eye line has to be exact. If my eye line was off, we’d have to do the whole scene over again. Big script changes only happened maybe two or three times. It was frustrating but I learned my lines as we went along, scene by scene. I know that this sometimes happens so I just told myself I was learning how everyone does it…nothing to get upset about.”
Like any good actor, Michela finds the points at which she and her character intersect. An attribute that both are known for is their bravery. Luci is much more prone to “go for it” than your average ten-year-old girl. It’s an attribute that pays off well for her and the Dino Dana production. Introspectively she reveals, “I think I am brave in the sense that I like to try new things. For example, in one episode I had to jump off a ten foot diving board. My dad took me to a local pool and that’s where I practiced diving. I have always been brave in this sense. I just enjoy it and anything I did on Dino Dana I would do in real life. I just tell myself that I can do this. I was very nervous when I was told that I had to jump from 10 feet into the water but after saying to myself that I can do this, it gave me the confidence.” Dino Dana’s J.J. Johnson (Executive Producer and Founding Partner, Sinking Ship Entertainment) confirms that this a major reason for the decision to cast Michela in the lead role, stating, “Pressure was high to find a lead who would be as believable playing a young dreamer as she would be facing down a T.rex. Michela shone on both ends of the spectrum, delivering a nuanced character who grounds the incredible into the relatable, she’s a budding supernova and an absolute joy to work with. Sometimes people are described as having an old soul; I think Michela has an old actor’s soul, in that she routinely displays a range of emotions and depth that belie the fact that she’s only ten years old. She’s a pint-sized performing powerhouse, someone who can effortlessly swing from caring sibling to action hero with an arch of an eyebrow.” Michela Luci, old actor’s soul in a ten-year-old container.