WELCOME.

so you want to be an actor?

You’ve already made a good start, literally just by Googling ‘how to be a better actor.’  You’d be surprised, how many people don’t even take that step, after declaring their life dream to be famous.  It seems like you just need to get lucky, right?  To be in the right place, at the right time, with the right person to open a door for you, and BAM.  You’re waving to paparazzi from the red carpet.

Wrong.  Acting is difficult.

Acting requires hard work, intelligence, patience, passion, perspiration, optimism, diligence, joy, appreciation, strength of character, gratitude, understanding, vulnerability, an open heart, an open mind and above all – unabashed courage.

It is not for the faint of heart.  It is not for those of two minds.  You might have heard – ‘if you can imagine doing something else, do it’ – and those voices are right.  Whether you want to pursue acting as your life-long career, or if you want to just play on the side – if you can imagine any other career, make that your priority.  Long after Hollywood has worn you down and changed your spirit, there will be those who want it more than you, and will hold out just a little longer.  It’s a thankless, hopeless, miserable profession that will destroy your faith in humanity, make you doubt what’s fair in this fucked-up world and discourage you to the point you deride every aspect of yourself.

It can also be fulfilling, intellectual, passionate, inspirational, progressive, engaging, philosophical, unbelievably rewarding, and fun as all fucking hell.

Welcome.

don't do an accent unless you can do an accent
I run into this a lot. I probably can’t tell you the specific region of someone’s accent, but what I
don't let the nerves win.
If you come into audition for me, and you’re so nervous that you can’t get through your audition – that’s
getting an audition is not just a step on the way
I’ve noticed that many people tend to think of an audition as a step, or a test, on the way
getting off-book
Being off-book is ideal. Being off-book is what I want to see, when an actor walks into an audition. When
headshots - starting out
Ah, the long-lamented, woefully redundant, ever-exacerbated topic – headshots. Much like online dating – it matters. A lot. Until the
hey sexy... 😉
It drives me insane when a creative team says they want someone who looks ‘sexy.’ ‘Sexy’ covers such a gamut
is it possible to get a job with nothing on your resume
It’s a common fear among developing actors, that a fleshed-out resume is what stands between them and a job. And
is it possible to get in the room with nothing on your resume
As I’ve mentioned, it’s a common fear among developing actors, that existing credits are what stands between them and a
keep in mind the character isn't yours
I know when you find a character who really speaks to you, and that you really feel you can bring
knowing your look
I’m a very judge-y person. I don’t deny it – it’s partly my job; to size up a person I’ve
lightning prep guide
It’s difficult, to be an auditioning actor these days, with the pace of casting and also the level of confidentiality
lightning prep guide - example
Before we start – there is no outlet for this monologue, as it was written for this blog post, and
new year, new rules
It’s a new year, and with the entire world in constant turmoil, every which way you turn, it’s been hard
no one gets everything they want
In light of our society’s pursuit of constant happiness, I wanted to address an issue that I see plaguing a
pacing
The speed of the dialogue in a scene is difficult to nail down. And often – you prepare certain rhythms
self tape guidelines
In an increasingly digital world, in which we’re able to live and work anywhere, self tapes are a fact of
self tape guidelines - addendum
Please, for the love of anything you hold sacred - don't get naked in your self tape. Yes.  You read
so you didn't get the role - 1 of 4
So you didn’t get the role – and you don’t know why.   It’s hard, with every role you don’t
so you didn't get the role - 2 of 4
So you didn’t get the role – because you’re not the right ‘fit’ Some of it is stuff you can’t
so you didn't get the role - 3 of 4
So you didn’t get the role – why couldn’t I just tell you that?   First things first – I
so you didn't get the role - 4 of 4
So you didn’t get the role – and it just plain sucks.   Yeah, it does. It sucks. I can
social media for an actor
I’ve been asked this question a lot in recent months, so let’s discuss – what importance does a social media
take a note from MMA
In auditioning fighters and wrestlers who are transitioning into actors, I’ve noticed a distinctly different approach to acting.  There’s an
theater to film and back again
Having discussed this a few times over the past weeks, I’d like to dive into the question of transitioning as
to the actors not based in LA
Hello. Hi. I see you. I know you exist. We all know you exist.  One of the beautiful things about
what I can't do for you
The purpose of this isn’t to tell you the class to take, the book to read, or the bar to
what to wear - keep it simple
When in doubt – AKA unless otherwise instructed in the audition notes - jeans and decent top. Make sure you’re
why I believe in workshops
I appreciate your acting teachers, and the work they do with you. I really do. But there is a distinct
you can always wear less makeup
The truth of the matter is, we’re living in a post-HD world. The camera can see if you don’t know