In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski does something actors rarely talk about — he breaks down the three smallest residual checks he’s ever received, including checks for just one cent, and the lessons each one taught him at different stages of his career.

Jesse walks through:

• Why tiny residuals don’t mean a job wasn’t worth it

• How investing in a market can take years before it pays off

• The sacrifices he made to break into the New Orleans market

• Why how you frame your experience in a slate matters

• How one booking reignited his confidence after a long drought

• Why the meaning of a role changes depending on where you are in your career

This episode is about perspective, patience, and long-term thinking — not chasing surface-level wins, but understanding what each opportunity can unlock over time.

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In this solo episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski breaks down the three biggest acting checks he’s received over the last decade and the specific lessons each job taught him.

After reviewing his SAG-AFTRA earnings going back to 2016, Jesse walks through:

• A $15,000 pharmaceutical commercial buyout and why commercials can be career-changing

• An Icy Hot commercial that proved one job can erase months of unpaid effort

• A role on 24: Legacy that booked from a one-take self-tape done while traveling in Ireland

Along the way, Jesse talks honestly about:

• Why flexibility matters more than talent in some auditions

• How actors eliminate themselves by not being available

• Why doing less in auditions can sometimes book more

• The danger of over-taping and chasing “perfect” takes

• When instincts work—and when they absolutely don’t

• Why experience changes how you should approach auditions

This episode is a real breakdown of money, mindset, and mechanics—not hype, not shortcuts, just lived experience.

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Actors often have big goals — series regular, major shows, career breakthroughs — but what actually gets them there?

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse sits down with Emma Graves of District Modeling Talent to break down what agents actually look for, why actors stall, and how real progress is built through training, intentional planning, and realistic steps.

They talk about:

• Why skipping the ladder hurts your career

• What agents mean by an “actionable plan”

• How headshots, training, and submissions work together

• Why being submitted but not called in is still useful data

• The difference between dreaming and intentional action

This conversation is a grounded, honest look at how actors can take responsibility for their careers — without burnout or delusion.

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In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with a recurring guest and working actor to talk honestly about momentum, flexibility, and why working actors often say yes to projects others would turn down.

They break down real career scenarios, including:

• Taking local, lower-budget work even after major credits

• Why being on set beats waiting for the “perfect” job

• The mental and emotional toll of dry spells

• How momentum impacts confidence, auditions, and relationships with reps

• When turning down work is empowering — and when it isn’t

• Why every acting job is a separate hire, not a linear ladder

The conversation reframes what “moving forward” actually looks like in an acting career and why rigid standards can quietly stop actors from working.

👇 Comment below:
Where are you flexible right now — rate, travel, or role size?

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In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with his mom for a deeply personal conversation about his early acting journey, his first booking, confidence, credit, resilience, and why actors can’t rely on acting alone.They talk about:Jesse’s very first booking after almost giving upHow his mom pushed him into an audition she didn’t want to doWhy confidence, credit, and support systems matter for actorsThe danger of going “all-in” with no balanceWhy actors need other passions, skills, and income streams to survive long-termThis episode is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough — longevity comes from mindset, support, and adaptability.👉 Comment below: What's a lesson your mom taught you that shaped your life?📩 Join the Get Scene newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958Check out our in person Actor's Summit: https://www.getscenestudios.com/southeast-actor-summit

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, host Jesse Malinowski sits down with Michael Sokol — actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker — to talk honestly about what it really means to build a sustainable career in today’s film and TV industry.Michael shares his journey from acting into writing and producing, why becoming a hyphenate matters more than ever, and how creating your own work can deepen your acting craft instead of distracting from it. They break down the realities of auditions, rejection, casting rooms, self-tapes, and why treating acting like a business is no longer optional.This conversation dives into:Why actors should learn writing, producing, and editingHow creating content improves your acting skillsWhat casting rooms actually care aboutWhy not every project needs to be a “magnum opus”How indie filmmakers should think about audience, purpose, and distributionWhy rejection isn’t personal — and how to reframe itIf you’re an actor feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure where your next opportunity is coming from, this episode offers grounded, practical perspective from someone who’s lived on both sides of the industry.🎧 Subscribe for weekly conversations with casting directors, agents, filmmakers, and working actors.📩 Join our newsletter for actor resources, podcast drops, and upcoming workshops:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958

If you’ve ever thought, “It probably won’t matter anyway” — this episode is for you.In this episode of That Actor Couple, Jesse and Candace Malinowski break down a real, recent audition experience and the mindset shift that every actor needs: give yourself the shot to win.This conversation also covers:Deciding before you audition if a job is worth itWorking local and understanding worst-case scenariosWhy productions don’t “owe” actors anythingHow following directions protects casting directorsLive auditions vs self-tapes and controlling what you canWhy stacking income and stability matters for actorsIf you want fewer regrets, fewer “what ifs,” and more confidence in your submissions — this is a must-watch.👇 Comment below:What’s the hardest audition direction you’ve ever had to figure out?📩 Join our newsletter for actors (podcasts, workshops, and industry insight):https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958🎟 Get your tickets for the Southeast Actors Summit! https://www.getscenestudios.com/southeast-actor-summit

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski breaks down the big industry news everyone is talking about: Disney’s partnership with OpenAI and the release of Sora — and what it actually means for actors.Instead of feeding fear, Jesse offers a grounded, long-term perspective rooted in history, creativity, and mindset.In this conversation, Jesse covers:What Disney’s partnership with OpenAI really involvesWhy AI-generated characters are not the same thing as replacing actorsHow fear and anger shut down creativity — and opportunityWhy actors are not at the “top of the food chain,” and why that mattersThe parallels between AI and past industry shifts like television and CGIA powerful story about someone using AI to finally become an artistWhy curiosity is the only mindset that creates momentumHow assumptions — not facts — derail acting careersWhy most actors don’t fail because of technology, but because they stop enjoying the journeyJesse challenges actors to stop clenching their fists and start asking better questions:What’s possible now? How can I adapt? How can this serve my creativity instead of killing it?This episode is about choice — fear or curiosity — and why one leads to stagnation while the other leads to opportunity.👉 Comment below: Are you approaching AI with fear or curiosity right now?👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to help actors build careers that actually last.

Today Jesse sits down with David Martin, the mind behind the original Get Scene studio design and the technical wizard behind so many of your favorite projects. From producing for major YouTubers and Cam Newton to editing over 500 million views’ worth of content, David brings a creator-first mindset that every actor needs to hear. 

This episode covers:
🎥 Why actors MUST learn the technical side
— lighting, framing, lenses, exposure, editing, and self-tape quality
— and how understanding these tools makes you a better actor

💡 The mindset shift that changed David’s career
—from chasing money to focusing on how his work makes people feel
—leading to new clients, bigger opportunities, and creative fulfillment

❤️ Creating with your spouse
— how he and his wife Aaron turned auditions into connection, play, and teamwork
— and why trusting your reader is essential

📱 Why YOU should start creating content now
David says it best:

“Be the creator, not the consumer.” 

If you’ve been stuck waiting for opportunities to come to you, this conversation will shake you awake.

👇 Comment below:
What’s ONE piece of content you will create this week?

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Agent Cheri Van Loon from Marilyn’s Agency joins Jesse to share real, practical insights about auditions, communication, materials, and what it truly means to take ownership of your acting career.

Cheri brings passion, clarity, and zero fluff — she loves this industry and cares deeply about the actors she works with. In this episode, she breaks down exactly what she sees every day inside the audition and submission process.

They cover:
🌟 What Cheri loves most about being an agent
📬 The communication habits agents wish actors had
📸 Why your headshots matter more than you think (even if you still “look like them”)
🎯 The mindset shift: “Treat every audition like it’s your last”
💼 Why actors must take ownership of their business
🧒 How kid actors differ from adult actors — and where the training begins
🎭 Why community theaters, classes, and creative outlets keep you sharp
📈 Why continual training and refreshed materials are essential

Cheri’s advice is real, encouraging, and a must-hear for any actor who wants to grow.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations with top casting directors, agents, and working actors.
👉 Comment below: What’s ONE thing you’re improving in your audition process after this episode?

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