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Steven Pressfield: Amateur vs Professional
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
Three Tips to Succeed This Episodic Season
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
Casting Director Lucy Bevan’s Audition Room Tips
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
Alan Cumming on ‘The Biggest Crime in Acting’
“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
How Jenny Slate Overcame Her ‘SNL’ Firing and Created a Successful Voice Acting Career
“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
The Callback vs. The Shoot
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
‘The Affair’ Actress Ruth Wilson Shares Her Creative Process
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
The Skill of Self-Confidence
“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
Actor-to-Actor Advice
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
Inspirational Actors with ADHD
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
Tips to Analyze Scripts
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
Seven Signs You Have A Professional Acting Career
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
The Top 3 Things a Hosting Agent Looks for in a Reel
If you want a successful career in broadcast hosting, one of the first things you need to do is find a great agent to represent you. It may sound simple, but it’s tougher to get your foot in the door… Read More
Top Actors Describe What They Believe Makes a Good Actor
If you ask an acting coach, casting director or other entertainment industry professional what you need to become a great actor, you might hear a lot of the same things. Many will tell you that being an exceptional actor takes… Read More
Tips for Actor Websites
Do actors really need a website? According to casting director and social media consultant Amy Jo Berman, the answer is no; actors do not need their own websites to achieve their career goals. However, she firmly believes actors should have… Read More
