Brian Breaks Character

Have you ever wanted to get inside the mind of an agent? Well, my pretty, your wish has been granted: Today's guest on the show is the supremely generous, Blair Taylor. Blair is a fabulous talent agent who has been working in the entertainment industry representing actors for over two decades. FULL DISCLOSURE: He's also one of my best-est friends so you know I got him to spill the real tea!

In this episode of Brian Breaks Character, Blair describes exactly what it's like on the other side of the agent-meeting table. He shares what questions he gets asked too often – and the cringe-worthy questions you should NEVER ask ( ...like, EVER!). Don't worry! Blair is NOT a Negative Nancy; he has a beautiful take on the bizniz and how to help you move through it. He is one of my besties so you know he's got a great, big heart. If you have an agent meeting coming up tomorrow… You wanna know how you blew it in your last meeting… Or you wanna be able to say "I'm great in a meeting" (and not sound delusional!)… This episode is the meeting masterclass you need. Listen now and bookmark this episode so you can listen (again!) before your next meeting.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

Want to learn more? If you're an actor and your goal is to have a fabulous representation, come watch Make Agents Want You for free (https://www.makeagentswantyou.com). That way, you can get off the hamster wheel of reaching out and focus on the acting you were born to do.

CONNECT WITH BLAIR

Website

https://taylortalentservices.com/

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Need New Representation? Get In On This Free Training:

https://makeagentswantyou.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+70+-+Blair+Taylor.pdf

Today's episode is meant to inspire you and remind you that your gifts and talents were given to you for a purpose.

And today's guest, Michael McElroy is a prime example of someone who truly uses their gifts and talents for a greater purpose. You've probably heard of Michael as he has been on Broadway for many many years. He is a Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy Award nominee. He has also accepted a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in the Theater on behalf of Broadway Inspirational Voices, which by the way he founded. Broadway Inspirational Voices is this exceptional gospel choir that regardless of what religion, background or belief system you come from, these amazing Broadway performers will call you to remember that your life is sacred and that you are here for a reason.

Michael is also one of the founding members of Black Theater United, an incredible nonprofit advocacy organization that as stated in their mission statement "stand together to help protect Black people, Black talent and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country."

I just know Michael will inspire you and I encourage you to listen and be moved to use your gifts to take your own action.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/michaelmichaeltheartist/

Website

https://www.blacktheatreunited.com/

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+69+-+Michael+McElroy.pdf

It seems like no matter how many times you take headshots (and I know you've done them more than you can count on one hand!) the same exact 3 questions come up:

1. What 3-5 types do I need to cover?
2. What should I wear?
3. How can I make sure that my headshot pops?

…Maybe you've also hemmed & hawed over what to wear for your self-tape auditions?

Or maybe you wear the exact same thing every single time cuz it's the ONE thing you know looks good on you?

Welllll…. This episode has you covered.Television, film, & personal wardrobe stylist, Adrien Rabago joined me on Brian Breaks Character to walk us through her process to nail your wardrobe in headshots, self-tapes, and on the red carpet. HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE INCREDIBLE TAKEAWAYS:

• Get your hands on the 5️ essential pieces every actor should have in their closet so you can shop with some sort of direction and quit overspending on one-off costume pieces.
• What pieces should you actually bring to a fitting? NOTE: This is only if you want the stylist to love you and make you look good on set!
• The #1 COLOR that gets people cast… did you even know that was a thing??? Me neither!

Adrien spills so many gems in this episode it is basically an essential checklist for your next self-tape and headshot shoot (....and the one after that, and the one after that, etc). So, grab your notebook... I can't wait to see you in pictures!

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH ADRIEN

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/adriens_closet

Website

https://www.adrienrabago.com

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+68+Adrien+Rabago.pdf

If you don't feel 100% connected to your why, today's episode with Spiritual Practitioner Sonia Jackson is a must listen.

So… Grab a mug of tea and get cozy as Sonia lights up your spirit with her Visions of Possibilities (also the name of her non-profit edutainment organization that produces projects that challenge audiences to live in unlimited possibility). Sonia is a spiritual practitioner, master storyteller, actress, and a true balm in Gilead! She's the spoonful of sugar that helps the spiritual medicine go doooooowwwwn!

If you're feeling out of sorts, out of alignment, or outta whack, listen to this episode to learn a new approach to turning setbacks into successes and how to use your own Universe-/God-/Oprah-/Buddha-given talents to make a difference in the world.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH SONIA

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/soniajacksonvisions

Website

www.IMDb.me/soniajackson

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+67+-+Sonia+Jackson.pdf

We are doing something a little different on this episode of Brian Breaks Character. Last summer, Lola Rufai of The Helping Actor invited me to her Breakthrough Actor Summit to talk about finding representation and specifically to share more about embodying the CEO when it comes to agent and manager meetings. Now, I don't know what kind of magic this woman weaved, but she got me to have a very different conversation around representation and it was just too juicy not to make into a podcast episode (of course I got her permission first).

What I want you to listen for is not how to get a manager or agent. For that you can come to my FREE LIVE Masterclass.

Listen to this episode to learn the stance you have to take in order to attract the yeses and the nos so that you can have freedom of choice when you're choosing that perfect representation. So not only are you not just getting any random manager and agent, but you are getting one that truly sees the value of what you have to offer as an artist and one who loves the uniqueness of you.

Sounds like a dream, right?

And if you already have representation… Don't stop listening to this episode! We also talk about how you can find your own value in the rep relationship you are in right now, cuz I know so often it can be tricky to have those conversations with your current representation when you're like: Am I getting enough auditions? Is there something else I can be doing?

You know, we tend to fall back on those pretty lame questions. In this episode, I share the sophisticated questions to ask so that you can make sure you have that perfect match.

And… I'm teaching the masterclass we talk about in this episode LIVE Tomorrow at 11am PT, Saturday, 4/2 and Monday, 4/4.

Click the link to register for Make Agents Want You LIVE - https://www.makeagentswantyou.com

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

Want to learn more? If you're an actor and your goal is to have a fabulous representation, join me for Make Agents Want You for free (https://www.makeagentswantyou.com). That way, you can get off the hamster wheel of reaching out and focus on the acting you were born to do.

CONNECT WITH LOLA

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thehelpingactor/

Website

https://www.thehelpingactor.com

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/EP66+-+Brian+%26+Guest+Host+Lola+Rufai+-+Transcript.pdf

Anyone else triggered by the word L A Z Y?WARNING: I am a megafan of Sam Valentine and in this reunion episode we get to the juicy stufffffffff! We're coming up on a year and Sam was my very first-est guest! In today's episode she shines a bright light on the journey of her legendary podcast One Broke Actress.

Sam openly describes how she's re-defined productivity in her own life and career (and her double-career as a podcast host & editor!). Lazy WAS a trigger word for Sam – so she took steps to create a new schedule that supports her goals and focuses on what she really wants. Don't we alllllll want that????We talk about the importance of creating boundaries for ourselves (and not in like a lame-o conceptual way, Sam breaks down the nitty gritty of her calendar and how it changed everything when she figured out what actually fuels her. (And screw everyone else's definitions of productive and successful!).

I point this out because what Sam says will challenge you with practices that some might consider SUBVERSIVE – especially in a culture that often rewards toxic productivity.

And I think that listening to her story can help ALL OF US – because I have never met a human who said I AM REALLY GOOD AT CREATING BOUNDARIES.

This episode is all about being honest with yourself and creating a schedule that supports you living your most meaningful and creative life.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH SAM

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/onebrokeactress/

https://www.instagram.com/samvalentine/

Website

https://onebrokeactress.com/

Listen to Sam on the 1st Episode of the Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-consistency-in-your-hustle-with-sam-valentine/id1570747490?i=1000524761336

Learn more about the pet psychic we talk about on this episode

https://suepikeenergy.com

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+65+-+Sam+Valentine.pdf

Yvette turned down 8 agents. She took the time to meet with all of them, but she just wasn't feelin' it… And this was going to be her FIRST rep since graduating from USC! How did she go from unrepresented recent grad to empowered decision-making queen? When I first met Yvette she was at a crossroads… To be fair, WE ALLLLL WERE! March 2020 forced a lot of actors to rethink their plan – plus Yvette had decided to seek refuge in her family's home (which can bring its own layer of confusing failure-y feelings to the zennest of us all). As it turns out, home sweet home was the perfect place for her #agentgoals journey of self-discovery (→ it paid off big time when she finally did say YES to the agent of her dreams). In today's episode of the podcast, Yvette Gonzalez tells us how she reclaimed her Latina identity and taught herself to be unapologetic in the way she shows up (both in her agent meetings, and now, ALLLLLL THE AUDITIONS coming her way!). In our conversation, listen for Yvette's answers to these questions:

• How did she find the representation that was right for her?
• What helped her understand what she wanted from reps during meetings?
• How did she keep herself in a place of strength when it was time to walk away from a rep who didn't align with her vision?

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

Want to learn more? If you're an actor and your goal is to have a fabulous representation, come watch Make Agents Want You for free (www.MakeAgentsWantYou.com). That way, you can get off the hamster wheel of reaching out to reps and focus on the acting you were born to do.

CONNECT WITH YVETTE

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/yvettegonzalezzz/

IMDb

https://www.imdb.me/yvettegonzalez

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Need New Representation? Get In On This Free Training:

https://makeagentswantyou.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript:

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+64+Yvette+Gonzalez.pdf

The titles of Amie McNee's FOUR books will tell you all you need to know about why she's today's guest on the podcast: We Need Your Art Collection, For the Burnt Out Artist, For the Perfectionist, For the Procrastinator. (Reads kinda like a blessing for the audience of Brian Breaks Character, amiright?)Amie joined me all the way from Sydney, Australia and just like her 89.5K followers on Instagram I instantly fell in love with her incredibly honest & authentic rallying cries for creative people. Amie is an author, speaker, creative coach and a book doula. She teaches a time-tested journaling technique that is designed to help you unlock your creative juju (at the time of our recording she'd been journaling every morning for the last 1,379 days). She gives us the inside track on WHY we procrastinate on creative endeavors and HOW to overcome it. And best of all, Amie is a fiery ball of enthusiasm & energy – my face still hurts from laughing and smiling for our entire conversation.

She couldn't embody more of what this podcast is all about.

P.S. If you journal, or ever tried to journal, or have zero desire to journal but would loooooove all the clarity and confidence that you've heard comes from it, you gotta hear Amie's take on how to do it well so it actually serves you and serves your creativity.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH AMIE

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtowrite

Website

www.amiemcnee.com

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript:

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+63+-+Unstoppable+Creativity+with+Amie+McNee.pdf

When you audition for a pilot, there are TWO different casting offices that need to sign off on you before you are booked. There's the project casting director – these are the names you're familiar with like Michael Nicolo & Anya Colloff or Bonnie Finnegan & Steven Jacobs. And then there's the studio/network casting directors – the folks at CBS or NBC who are responsible for… wait, what are they responsible for exactly? If you're like me, you picture these folks in fancy, gated buildings wearing high heels and eating expensive salads while giving orders during important meetings at grandiose conference tables a la The Morning Show.

Amanda Richards is Sony Pictures TV Studios' Executive Director of Casting and she clears it up for me on today's episode of the podcast. She gives us a "backstage studio tour" of how pilots move across her desk and through the development process all the way to casting and production.

Now that self-tapes and zoom callbacks are the norm, testing for a pilot/network has changed – big time. And since I have ZERO doubt that you'll test for a Network pilot someday, I highly recommend you give today's episode a listen so you're prepared.

Plus, Amanda created the first ever Diverse Actors Showcase at Sony and shares exactly how it came to be – (and how you can get involved!).

Pilot season strikes abject fear in most actors because it's like giving candy to your compare-and-despair demons. And now that they're hyped up on sugar, they can quietly chisel away at your confidence and purpose… NOT ON MY WATCH! Knowledge is power and I believe educating yourself during this time is pivotal – let this episode be just one way you can empower yourself to DECIDE how you'll think about this time of year.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH Amanda

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/amandafta31/

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570747490

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab 23 Real Ways To Get Good Auditions Here:

https://www.supersneakyauditions.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+62+-+Amanda+Richards.pdf

TW // Eating Habits are discussed on this episode Today's guest is the co-author of one of my favorite books, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. This book is my jam because it's all about purpose. Francesc Miralles and Héctor García wrote the international bestseller Ikigai and Francesc joins me from Spain to explain what Ikigai actually means. It's a Japanese word with many translations. It literally means a life worth being lived, but he shares that it is your purpose in life, it's your reason to live, but also more simply, it is the motivation we have to get up in the morning and start doing things. We take a deep dive into talking about one's purpose and passion and how eating habits, movement and community play a major factor in being able to live a truly balanced life.

More About Francesc - Francesc Miralles is a writer published all around the world. He is co-author, with Héctor García, of the smash hit Ikigai, translated into more than 60 languages and reaching the bestseller lists in the United States, U.K., India, Holland and Turkey, among other countries. His novel Love in Lowercase has been translated into 27 languages.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

CONNECT WITH FRANCESC

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/francesc_miralles

Website

http://www.francescmiralles.com

Grab Your Copy of Ikigai Here:

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

https://amzn.to/3sqgchd

The Ikigai Journey: A Practical Guide to Finding Happiness and Purpose the Japanese Way

https://amzn.to/3JdsQXH

Subscribe To The Podcast

https://plnk.to/brian-breaks-character

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Grab your FREE Download of The Official 2022 Actor Survival Guide

https://actorsurvivalguide.com

Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes!

https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat

Episode Transcript: https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.+61+-+Francesc+Miralles.pdf