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“I’m funny, how? I mean, funny like I’m a clown?” –Tommy DeVito Am I really doing enough to advance my career? To succeed? Do I have the grit, determination and ingenuity to actualize my dreams? Am I working hard enough… Read More

A successful sitcom is like a big house filled with funny, topical storylines, memorable, identifiable characters and a plethora of laugh-out-loud jokes. Just think of I Love Lucy, Friends, All in the Family, Seinfeld and Modern Family, and how hysterically… Read More

While it’s the exception to the rule, sometimes actors book jobs without returning for a callback audition. In the video below, House of Cards casting director Erica Arvold and Lincoln actor and acting coach Richard Warner discuss some of the… Read More

Steven Pressfield’s book Turning Pro directs those of us who are stuck in amateur habits to consciously adopt a professional work ethic. Turning pro, he argues, is imperative to overcome “Resistance with a capital ‘R.’” Resistance is the term he… Read More

Episodic season is the time of year when the episodes of many TV shows are being cast. With TV pilots now sold and the leading actors hired, the casting of recurring roles, guest stars and co-stars begins.  This is when… Read More

Acclaimed casting director Lucy Bevan boasts a long and impressive resume which includes casting for Beauty and the Beast, Cruella, The Batman and most recently the blockbuster juggernaut Barbie. Based in London, she selects talent for British independent films, theater… Read More

“I really hate the word ‘process.’ I will say I’m not a cheese; I have no process.” –Alan Cumming You might remember Alan Cumming as the eccentric evil villain and children’s show impresario in Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids trilogy, or… Read More

“The best thing to happen to me was for [SNL producer] Lorne Michaels to hire me and fire me.” -Jenny Slate One of Jenny Slate’s childhood dreams came true when she became a cast member for Saturday Night Live in… Read More

I have been teaching commercial acting for over 20 years and auditioning for over 40 and have never figured out a way to teach actors how to work on set. I have found numerous techniques to hone their skills in… Read More

English actress Ruth Wilson recently answered questions on a public forum while promoting her performance in the title role of Hedda Gabler at the Royal National Theatre. In a Guardian webchat, the star revealed steps she takes when creating her characters…. Read More

“No one will believe in you unless you do.” – Dr. Ivan Joseph Dr. Ivan Joseph is a sports psychologist and Director of Athletics at Ryerson University in Canada. But earlier in his career when coaching Graceland University’s soccer team,… Read More

Jack Nicholson once said, “I hate giving advice because people won’t take it.” Perhaps Nicholson just hadn’t met the right people, as some not only listen to the advice of their peers but thrive in their respective fields. Here are… Read More

There is a common misconception that people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are unable to focus well enough to complete tasks. But many highly successful actors and performers with ADHD prove that despite the challenges associated with their symptoms,… Read More

The skill set of script analysis is a powerful, if not vital, tool for actors. This applies to small parts, starring roles and anything in between. To understand, move, breathe and speak for another person, actors must dig into the… Read More

I’ll never forget the eye-opening moment when I was asked by an agent whether or not I wanted to be an actor. I was crushed. After all, this was years into my ‘career’ (or what I thought was my career)…. Read More