Trigger Warning: This episode mentions topics of suicide and depression.  

What upcoming auditions and roles are you hoping to land? The sooner you can gain confidence to go for the roles of your dreams, the sooner you might just land one.  

Sam Humphrey is a New Zealand actor, who was raised in Melbourne, Australia. Early in his career, Sam caught the eye of casting directors after making an appearance in a documentary that intimately showcased the lives of young people with disabilities, who against all odds, made their dreams a reality. Currently based in Los Angeles, Sam is working as an actor, producer, and public speaker. Sam enjoys keeping a healthy focus to creatively create a legacy that helps to change the world and leave it cleaner, nicer, positive, and full of love. Sam is famously known for playing the character Tom Thumb, in the Best Picture, Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning feature film, The Greatest Showman.

In this episode, Sam and I talk about the rise of his acting career in Hollywood. He talks about his childhood in New Zealand and how he initially became interested in acting. Sam shares how he landed the role of Tom Thumb in The Greatest Showman, his experience going to some of the top award shows, what challenges and lessons he has overcome since entering the industry, what his advice is for young actors, and so much more. 

Tune in to Episode 51 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn about Sam’s journey in Hollywood and what his advice is for others in the acting industry! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• When Sam became interested in acting (2:26)
• How Sam landed his audition for The Greatest Showman  (11:44)
• Sam’s reflection on lessons learned in the industry (24:15)
• How Sam deals with playing a dark character (32:19)
• What Sam’s future goals are (39:54)
• Sam’s advice for those struggling with their mental health (42:53)

Connect with Sam Humphrey

• IMDb

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you know how to create a fantastic self tape? Learning the art of self taping is necessary to land more auditions and roles in Hollywood today.  

Today’s solo episode is all about the art of self tapes. Since the pandemic, Hollywood is no longer operating on an in-person audition only system, self tapes are an incredible way to audition for roles and get your name in the mix. However, not everyone knows how to create a great self tape that will land you the role. Understanding how to set up the framing, lighting, and sound are just the starting points for the art of self tapes - after that you have to show them that you are the character they are looking to cast. 

In this episode, I talk about what a self tape is, the art of creating an amazing self tape, and what the most important thing is for a self tape!

In This Episode You Will Learn 

• How the pandemic changed Hollywood (1:52)
• What a self tape is (5:18)
• How to prepare framing, lighting, and sound to self tape (9:25)
• To follow the casting directors instructions (19:14)
• The most important thing for a self tape (26:17)

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are pursuing a Hollywood dream, securing an agent is incredibly important to increase the amount of auditions that come your way. 

Alicia Ruskin is an actress turned successful Hollywood agent. Originally from LA, Alicia was a theater major at Brandeis University, The Sorbonne in Paris and on scholarship at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Throughout this time she performed at the Kennedy Center, throughout Germany and Italy, and began working in New York in stage and musical theater productions.  Since leaving acting behind, Alicia has worked her way throughout the talent management industry and is currently the Senior Vice President and Partner with KMR President Mark Measures.  She is the go-to person within the industry for contract and policy questions, and is often asked to lead workshops in the art of auditioning and the business of acting. Through her efforts, KMR became the first talent agency to be accepted into the prestigious Education to Business program at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business.  

In this episode, Alicia and I have a great conversation about the challenges and successes that she sees actors and actresses having in Hollywood today. Alicia’s perspective as a top Hollywood agent will help any aspiring actors to understand what tools they need to land their big break. Alica talks about the importance of vision as an actor, the challenges that she sees actors having, the role that social media plays when landing a role, and her advice for young actors seeking representation. 

Tune in to Episode 49 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn advice from a top Hollywood agent, Alicia Ruskin! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• To be ready for your break when it comes (7:30)
• Why actors have to take chances (18:14)
• Challenges Alicia sees actors having (35:41)
• Alicia’s thoughts on social media for actors  (47:33)
• Alicia’s advice for young actors seeking representation (57:44)

Connect with Alica Ruskin 

• IMDb

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s said that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. Whether you’re counting your hours or not, continuously striving to perfect your craft is time spent wisely. 

Erik Palladino is a writer, director, and award-winning actor originally from Yonkers, New York. Erik was first cast on the Fox sitcom, Love and Marriage and his career-defining role came a few years later on TV's number one show, ER, in 2000 as Dr. Dave Malucci. During this time, Erik was also featured alongside Matthew McConaughey and Bill Paxton in the number one box office blockbuster U-571. With a love for roles shining a light on military service members, in 2005 he starred as Sgt. Chris “Scream” Silas in Steven Bochco & Chris Gerolmo’s FX series Over There. Recently, Erik starred in the ABC series 666 Park Avenue, and has shone in recurring roles in Suits, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and spent 3 years as Sabatino on NCIS:LA. Throughout his career, no matter the role, Erik has shown real diversity, moving seamlessly from comedy to drama in both film and television and has continuously perfected his craft. 

In this episode, Erik reflects on some of the pivotal moments and lessons throughout his career as an actor in Hollywood. Erik talks about how he learned to sell his castability, the importance of investing time into your craft, how he handles nerves in auditions, a story from his Suits audition, and more. Erik has great advice for young actors that are navigating Hollywood and the inevitable rejection that comes with acting and I hope his insights help you pursue your Hollywood dream! 

Tune in to Episode 48 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn lessons, stories, and advice from award-winning actor, Erik Palladino! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• When Erik first became interested in acting (2:29)
• The importance of a growth mindset in acting (16:10)
• How Erik handles nerves (29:53)
• Erik’s perspective about self tapes (33:17)
• About Erik’s audition for the TV show Suits (43:20)
• Erik’s advice for his younger self (49:47)

Connect with Erik 

• IMDb

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you stuck to your New Year Resolutions or 2022 goals? The only thing in your way is you - it’s never too late to take action towards your dreams! 

If you’re sitting back and waiting for your dreams to just miraculously come true, I hate to break it to you but that day will never come. However, once we tap into our minds and take action, we can truly manifest anything we desire. Through visualization and positive language, our minds are incredibly powerful tools that we can use to make our dreams come to fruition.   

In this episode, I am talking about the mindset shifts and action steps that you can take to make your dreams a reality. I have been so blessed throughout my life but I would not have accomplished many of my dreams without the power of manifestation. Throughout this episode I share my tips that I have learned from my career about making dreams come true, what tools you can apply, and the power of language.

Tune in to Episode 47 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn the action steps you can take to start making your dreams a reality! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How I made my visions a reality (3:04)
• Why you need to take massive action (5:08)
• Action steps you can begin to take towards your dreams (8:06)
• To watch your inner voice (19:45)

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you want to pursue acting but are afraid of failure? Rejection comes with a career in Hollywood, but so do amazing opportunities. 

Joe Cortese has had an impressive career in Hollywood, having been in the Oscar-winning Green Book (2019), The Loudest Voice (2019), and played the role of Giorgio Armani in the FX true crime anthology, The Assassination of Gianni Versace-American Crime Story (2017). After first  coming  onto the acting scene in the 1976  film The Death Collector, Joe has established himself as a fantastic writer and actor over 4 decades in Hollywood. 

In this episode, Joe tells many stories from his career in Hollywood. You will learn about the roles Joe has played, how he knew he wanted to pursue an acting career, what actors and producers he has enjoyed working with, what he has learned about the craft of acting, and so much more. Joe’s story is a fantastic reminder to all actors that even though working in Hollywood can knock you down multiple times, great opportunities will come when you stay true to yourself, your craft, and your dreams. 

Tune in to Episode 46 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn invaluable lessons from Joe Cortese’s experiences in Hollywood!  

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• About Joe’s early acting career (3:36)
• Actors and producers that Joe enjoyed working with (10:30)
• When Joe knew he wanted to pursue a career in Hollywood  (18:15)
• Joe’s advice for young actors (24:27)
• About the film Joe is currently producing (33:47)

Resources Mentioned: 

• Book - So Therefore…A Practical Guide for Actors 

Connect with Joe 

• IMDb

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you interested in producing television shows or films? Researching and learning from top producers is a great way to gain knowledge on the ways you can take action towards producing.

Thom Beers is a writer and producer with an incredibly impressive resume. He has produced some of the top television shows such as Deadliest Catch, Storage Wars, Bering Sea Gold, and many more. Thom has also worked as a voice-over artist with narrator credits for Storage Wars, and 1000 Ways to Die.

In this episode, Thom and I talk about his impressive career as a writer and producer. Thom tells inspiring, fascinating, and humorous stories about his career and the production process. You will learn how Thom worked his way into producing television shows, the processes it takes to produce a show, the most challenging show he has produced, what his advice is for aspiring producers, and so much more. Whether you want to be a producer in Hollywood or not, Thom’s insights are a wealth of wisdom.

Tune in to Episode 45 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn from Thom Beers about producing top television shows in Hollywood! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How Thom began writing and producing (10:21)
• The story of Thom’s best pitch (19:30)
• The creation of Storage Wars (23:23)
• The most challenging show Thom has produced (27:20)
• Thom’s advice for his younger self (42:49)

Connect with Thom Beers 

• IMDb
• Instagram

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you trying to make it in Hollywood by yourself? When you seek out acting classes and get involved with the acting community, you will build an invaluable network that will help you build your career.

Robert Zoppo is an actor, model and martial artist living in Los Angeles, CA. After many years of success in athletics, Rob decided to pursue his passion for performing and made the move to Los Angeles in 2015. On a mission to improve his craft, Rob joined the Manhattan Actor Studio in 2018 and has since gained credits in film and commercial productions.  He played Charlie in "Kiss of Night", a noir short film that won Best Noir at the Independent Shorts Awards, and most recently was the lead of his first feature film playing James Adams in "South by Southwest".

Hunter Shigley is an actor and writer living in Hollywood. He has been pursuing his acting dream for 5 years which started with the Manhattan Actor Studio. Hunter is best known for “The Stakeout” (2021) and “The Confession of Max” (2020). Together, Rob and Hunter are co-writing, co-producing, and acting in their own short films.

In this episode, Rob, Hunter, and I talk about their journey from joining the Manhattan Actor Studio and  the experiences they have had in Hollywood so far. They each share what their biggest takeaways are from the Manhattan Actor Studio, what frustrations they have had since working in Hollywood, what their highest moment has been in the industry, and their advice for their younger selves. Rob and Hunter’s individual journeys to pursue acting are inspiring and since meeting through the Manhattan Actor Studio they’ve built an incredible friendship and support system for one another. 

Tune in to Episode 44 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn Rob and Hunter’s journeys from the Manhattan Actor Studio to landing roles in Hollywood! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• When Rob and Hunter knew they wanted to pursue acting (3:50)
• Their biggest takeaways from the Manhattan Actor Studio (19:11)
• Frustrations Rob and Hunter have about working in Hollywood  (27:43)
• The highest moment for Rob and Hunter so far (33:32)
• The projects that Rob and Hunter are currently working on (49:44)
• Rob and Hunter’s advice for their younger selves (58:00)

Connect with Robert Zopp

• IMDb
• Instagram

Connect with Hunter Shigley 

• IMDb
• Instagram

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you pursuing acting but don’t know how to stand out in auditions? Building your confidence and character niche will help you to show up to auditions prepared to execute the role.

Douglas Tait discovered his passion for acting while growing up in  Los Angeles, California. Over the years he has worked with some of the top directors in film and television, and has found success on both the small and big screens. Douglas has worked on major hit studio films including J.J. Abram’s “Star Trek, Jon Favreau’s “Zathura”, “Land Of The Lost”, and the Blumhouse film, “Unfriended: Dark Web”. On the small screen, Douglas has made dozens of appearances on many popular tv series bringing memorable characters to life, such as The Pathologist on “Teen Wolf”, Zerstörer. on “Grimm”, Tellarite on “Star Trek: Picard”, Malivore on the CW series “Legacies”, and he can be seen recurring as The Brute on the new Peacock series “The Girl In The Woods.” Other notable characters that Douglas has played include Gruagach in the Hellboy reboot, the Werewolf in James Wan’s “Annabelle Comes Home”, Jason Voorhees in the ending of “Freddy Vs. Jason”, the “Sasquatch” in the Jack Links Beef Jerky commercials, and he was the Michael Myers Stunt Double in Halloween Kills. 

In this episode, Douglas and I talk about so many lessons that he has learned throughout his acting career. Douglas explains how he worked his way into Hollywood, casting stories from different projects that he has worked on, his audition tips and tricks, handling nerves, and so much more. Douglas’ journey will show you that even if you don’t have the confidence starting out in Hollywood, the more you put yourself out there and stop being afraid of no’s, the more success you will see.  

Tune in to Episode 43 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn audition advice and Hollywood stories from actor and director Douglas Tait! 

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• When Douglas knew he wanted to go into acting (3:11)
• A casting story from Douglas’ career (14:57)
• How Douglas overcame his nerves for auditions (24:04)
• How landing his first big role improved Douglas’ confidence  (39:53)
• Why Douglas advises listeners to make money on the side of acting (42:51)
• Douglas’ most memorable role (46:45)
• The advice Douglas would give his younger self (50:04)

Connect with Douglas Tait

• IMDb
• Instagram
• Twitter

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 41 episodes of listening to me interview some of Hollywood’s legends, past and present, the tables have turned and I’m here to share my acting tips and life advice. 

After growing up in a broken home in Brookly, New York, I made my journey to Hollywood with a one way ticket and $200 in my pocket. Throughout my 35 years in Hollywood, I have experience as an actor, producer, and writer. I have been in an Academy award winning film, Blockbuster film, and hit TV series, with my  most notable acting credits from the movie Pretty Woman, Crash, and Who’s The Boss. I’ve written, produced, and acted in my own film, The Kings of Brooklyn, among other producing credits. Six years ago I opened up the Manhattan Actor Studio to help feed my true passion of teaching the craft of acting and helping others make  their dreams a reality. 

In this episode, my wonderful wife, Diana, is interviewing me. You will learn how my childhood impacted the way I started my journey to Hollywood and the ways it influenced me as a young actor. I explain the lessons that I learned when producing my film, The Kings of Brooklyn, and why it was the hardest project I’ve done in my career. You will also hear my top three steps for those looking to find success in the acting industry, the advice I would give my younger self, and so much more. I hope my story resonates with you and helps you on your journey to Hollywood! 

Tune in to Episode 42 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn acting tips and life advice from my 35 years in Hollywood!

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• How my childhood has influenced my career (4:57)
• My experience producing a film for the first time (18:11)
• My favorite on-set experiences (29:17)
• The top three steps for success in Hollywood (41:09)
• Advice I would give my 18 year old self (46:30)

Let’s Connect: 

• Manhattan Actor Studio 
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.