On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Ken Ferguson, another second act actor who came to the screen after a very varied career which included turns as a court reporter, a teacher, a professional bather, and a traveler.  Since starting acting, he’s had background roles in major films such as Suicide Squad, and he’s also appeared in many commercials and in a self-directed project where he took baths in strangers’ houses.

Ken gives some great advice that will be helpful to any other new actors, from how to tell a good agent from a bad agent, to what the difference in schedule is between a union and a non-union actor. He also explains how his acting classes with Second City and Lunacy Cabaret helped him to prepare for going to real auditions. Later, we talk about type casting, which can sometimes help an actor to book roles but can also be a constraint.

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Timestamps

[0:33] Clicking with acting class buddies

[4:10] The parts that casting directors expect you to play based on your appearance

[6:17] The big secret about casting directors

[7:38] Ken’s very first acting role

[9:30] Moving to Japan and becoming a teacher

[13:20] Ken’s many first acts

[17:10] Taking clown classes

[20:08] Ken turns 30 and breaks a tooth, breaks his phone and starts acting

[22:32] Ken’s bath series

[23:08] Ken’s advice on how to pick a good agent

[25:43] The difference between being a union and a non-union actor

[26:42] Having a recognizable look as an actor

[29:29] The pluses and minuses of typecasting

[30:24] What Ken learnt about the film industry in his Second City acting classes

[33:53] Booking a role as ‘that creepy guy’

[34:48] The overlap between being a court reporter and an actor

[37:34] What acting means to Ken now

[39:52] The activities that bring Ken joy and his plans for the coming year

Links

Ken on Instagram

Ken on IMDb

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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