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 […]
For me, juggling schedule conflicts is easily the most stressful part of being an actor. Feeling like I’m letting people down causes me massive anxiety, and my sense of loyalty has often led me to make decisions that I now judge were at the cost of furthering my own career. Here’s the thing. To […]
The work doesn’t always come to you. There are theatre and film opportunities nationwide (indeed, worldwide). Keep an eye out. Why limit yourself to your immediate community? If the right out of town audition comes along, however, it will take some preparation. Here’s a quick and dirty guide to traveling for an audition. Is […]
We talk a lot about actions actors can take to refine their presentation, technique and business game. But harder to pin down are strategies for improving your drive and focus. In the face of relentless rejection, how do actors maintain the winner’s attitude so crucial to long term success? While there are endless strategies to […]
An actor’s education is a beautiful, exhilarating Hydra. The second you think you’ve lopped off the head of one technique, another springs forth. There is always more to learn, deeper understanding to be gained, skills to refresh and hone and refresh again. It’s great! It’s exciting! You’ll never be bored! But the journey to self-improvement […]
Self-deprecating humor is a familiar defense mechanism, and all the more effective for the entertaining, charismatic and witty among us. In other words, actors are prime culprits. How many of us, as sensitive, artistic kids, quickly transitioned into class clown to navigate the brutal byways of early education and adolescence? In many cases, self-deprecating […]