Take No Prisoners

Kill or be killed.  You should have a hunger in your character.  A deep yearning.  An ache.  And you should be eager to go after it wholeheartedly.  And not APOLOGIZE.  When you’re acting, you don’t have to apologize for anything.  Take risks.  Go for it.  While you’re waiting in the lobby, in the wings, etc, if you’re not itching to get in there... Read More

Make It Epic

All scenes are about identity.  If you go back to the Greeks, the stage was set up for discovering who the individual being is.  Therefore it is imperative to know who you are, what you want, and what price you’re willing to pay to get it.  That’s what makes a scene.  That’s what creates conflict.  That’s what creates chemistry.  That’s what makes... Read More

Be

As you go through these auditions, just think about “be”ing.  Find the world in you that just let’s you be the character.  Don’t put anything on.  Don’t show anything.  Just be.  You gotta remember that casting directors and producers these days are looking for people who “are” the character.  They just are.  So if you go in the... Read More

The Writer’s Chair

So it’s pilot season.  And hopefully you’ve been going out.  And you’re reading what’s circulating.  And a few times you’re probably thinking “Eh, I could write something better.”  Do it.  So many benefits can come from writing your own material.  And learning how a story is told.  Structure.  Characters.  Dialogue.  The theme. ... Read More

From Hustling to Hustler

Recently I went to an audition for a new pilot. A cop show. I don’t necessarily see myself as the perfect candidate for a lead detective, mostly because I don’t feel quite old enough yet. I had an evening with the material, the next afternoon, went over to Warner Brother’s to see how I fared. There were a few people there, and the receptionist told me that my... Read More

Thoughts

Was journaling today and I feel like in the past few months I keep hearing the same basic acting lessons over and over again.  And when I get specific about each one of these, it unlocks a whole new level of the work.  Thought I’d share. 1. Make it Personal 2. Get Specific with what you’re doing in each moment.  What is each moment? 3. Have a strong opinion 4. Really... Read More

Use What You Got

Pilot season.  Rah Rah!!  There’s talk that it’s going to be busy.  I know someone who already has six auditions scheduled this week.  And it’s only Monday!  So as you’re running around juggling a million characters, remember to use whatever you have.  Whatever’s in the tank.  Emotional, I mean.  However you’re feeling that day in that... Read More

Meditation

There’s no better way to experience true presence than engaging in meditation. Meditation is a mental discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, “thinking” mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation is a component of many religions, and has been practiced since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious... Read More

More Presence

Continuing with the discussion of presence, you might wonder what are some things you can do to become more present.  Body awareness, or ‘staying in your body’ helps your presence. An exercise you can do is lay flat on a hard surface, your eyes can be open or closed. And bring all your attention to the tips of your toes. then to the joints in your toes… to the... Read More

Be Present

It’s pilot season.  And I hear pilots are going to rain down from the heavens.  The downpour will be magnificent.  I just want to suggest that as you approach this pilot season, make a promise to yourself that you will be present and daring for each project.  Really do what it takes to show up.  And make sure your choices are above average.  Don’t be afraid to... Read More