Especially in the whirlwind world of film and television, it’s easy to get into the habit of applying the lightning round scoring techniques of a cold read. But eventually you’ll book that project that requires a deep dive, and when you do, it’s important to have the skills in place to beat out a script. […]
Collaboration is an enormous factor in any acting career. Actors must be able to work with artists of all personalities, training backgrounds and approaches. That can lead to actors, especially those who are young and/or new to the field, feeling obligated to include and oblige those in our careers that don’t constitute a healthy or […]
Whether you’re agent-shopping for the first time or looking to transition somewhere new, finding the right representation can feel like playing pin the tail on the donkey. On rollerskates. And it’s a live donkey. But finding proper representation is a crucial step to setting your acting career up for success. So here are some […]
Seeing as acting is ultimately a highly collaborative venture, it is important to maintain good working partnerships. No one likes a diva, or working with someone who sucks all the time and energy up with their personal concerns, rather than working for the good of the whole. But there are times (especially with non-union work) […]
A career in acting is filled with the kind of soul-crushing frustrations, insecurities, disappointments, and hardships that will make you want to burn down your life, move to Canada and join the maple syrup mafia. (Don’t do this but do look it up. It is fascinating and alarming). If you’re in it for the […]
Remakes and adaptations, always popular, are enjoying a particular resurgence with the advent of live-action Disney remakes. But even if you’re not dancing across the silver screen in the latest Renaissance revival, adaptations of classic works are ubiquitous. When dealing with the pressures of bringing beloved and well-traversed stories to life, certain challenges arise. How […]
It’s a hard truth of the acting business that talent will only get you so far. Unfortunately, talent is only one of many, many factors that play into the casting decisions. Some of them you can control, some you can’t. But today we’re focusing on that elusive quality that makes you pop once you get […]
There are many reasons an actor might start to feel “stale” in a role. Long runs, repetitive days on set, lack of feedback, or good old-fashioned insecurity are just a few of the many common triggers. It’s a horrible feeling. You suddenly feel disconnected with the character, the audience, yourself. If left unchecked, staleness can […]
Bit part, walk-on role, day player…we have so many ways to describe our briefer experiences on stage and film. Yet they are often afforded less brain space and respect than the meatier roles we encounter. Today I’m here to champion the “bit part” and spread my enthusiasm far and wide. There is just as much […]
Every now and then you run into a character that requires a bit of research. Your actor’s imagination can do wonders when it comes to connecting to a character, but sometimes you just need a bit more context. When you’re short on time and money, research can seem like one more obligation draining precious time […]