Hometown To Hollywood w/ Bonnie J Wallace

Here is Part 2 of my conversation with Steven Tylor O’Connor.

This is a MUST-LISTEN podcast for anyone who wants to be an actor– Steven shares so much incredibly useful inside information that I had to split this podcast into TWO PARTS!! Be sure to catch both of them– you’ll be glad you did.

Steven is an LA-based associate casting director and independent film producer. He’s worked in casting for over nine years both at the network level (NBC-NY) and production casting (Guthrie/Goddard-Smythe and Aufiero/Horn Casting). He’s worked on projects such as Parenthood, Community, Hannibal for NBC, Disney’s Liv and Maddie, KC Undercover, and Andie Mack.

Steven is also a principal producer of Chemically Altered Productions and has produced multiple award-winning short films, digital series, and feature length independent films. He has also published a book on finances for teens and young adults.  Steven is a member of the Casting Society of America.

Among many other things, Steven shares exactly how casting works for both pilots and episodics; what he looks for when an actor walks into the room; what actors do that they should not, and what he wishes they would do more often; special advice for self-tapes, parents of young actors and much, much more. His broad experience in the industry will make a truly valuable contribution to anyone who listens in.

Among my favorite quotes from this week’s Part 2:

"Please, please-- do not bring in props!"

"You can hint at the character-- but do not dress as the character."

"Parents need to know that they are auditioning too."

"Do community theatre, high school theatre, middle school theatre."

"Whether you want to do drama or comedy, an Improv class will always benefit you."

"If you let road blocks prevent you from achieving your goals then it's probably not something you really want."

"Nobody has to give you permission... just do it!"

 

Follow Steven here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stoconnor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steventyloroconnor/

For more information on Steven’s projects, visit www.stoc.biz

 

Are you thinking about how to help your child become an actor? Or are you a young actor yourself?

Buy my book, The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon. It contains everything I wish I’d known when Dove and I started this journey, and will save you untold amounts of time, money, and stress. Full of information you MUST know, it also features stories from parents of other kids who’ve made it!

Or book an hour consulting with me to come up with an individualized plan that takes your own unique needs into account. For about the cost of an hour with a professional acting coach, you can get your questions answered and a road map to help you move forward toward your dream.

Invest a little in your  future today.

 

Did you enjoy this podcast? Share it with a friend! Sharing is sweet.

Today my guest on Hometown to Hollywood is Steven Tylor O’Connor.

Steven is an LA-based associate casting director and independent film producer. He's worked in casting for over nine years both at the network level (NBC-NY) and production casting (Guthrie/Goddard-Smythe and Aufiero/Horn Casting). He's worked on projects such as Parenthood, Community, Hannibal for NBC, Disney's Liv and Maddie, KC Undercover, and Andie Mack.

Steven is also a principal producer of Chemically Altered Productions and has produced multiple award-winning short films, digital series, and feature length independent films. He has also published a book on finances for teens and young adults.  Steven is a member of the Casting Society of America.

This is a MUST-LISTEN podcast for anyone who wants to be an actor-- Steven shares so much incredibly useful inside information that I had to split this podcast into TWO PARTS!! Be sure to catch both of them-- you'll be glad you did.

Among many other things, Steven shares exactly how casting works for both pilots and episodics; what he looks for when an actor walks into the room; what actors do that they should not, and what he wishes they would do more often; special advice for self-tapes, parents of young actors and much, much more. His broad experience in the industry will make a truly valuable contribution to anyone who listens in.

Among my favorite quotes from this week's Part 1:

"You have to bet on yourself."

"I don't want you to BECOME agent X; I want you to BE Agent X."

"It's all about booking the room and not the job."

The only things you can control are being on time, being prepared, and being professional."

"Make choices!!"

"If you come in and you don't make a choice, I am not going to pull that choice out of you."

"Make the room yours-- we want you to have the best audition possible."

"If you keep getting called into a (casting) office, you're doing something well, so know it's just a matter of time."

 

Follow Steven here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stoconnor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steventyloroconnor/

For more information on Steven’s projects, visit www.stoc.biz

 

Are you thinking about how to help your child become an actor? Or are you a young actor yourself?

Buy my book, The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon. It contains everything I wish I’d known when Dove and I started this journey, and will save you untold amounts of time, money, and stress. Full of information you MUST know, it also features stories from parents of other kids who’ve made it!

Or book an hour consulting with me to come up with an individualized plan that takes your own unique needs into account. For about the cost of an hour with a professional acting coach, you can get your questions answered and a road map to help you move forward toward your dream.

Invest a little in your  future today.

 

Did you enjoy this podcast? Share it with a friend! Sharing is sweet.

Today my guest on the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Emmy-nominated screenwriter and producer Josann McGibbon. Josann has written many scripts for both film and television with her writing partner Sara Parriott, but she is best known for Runaway Bride, The Starter Wife, Desperate Housewives, Disney Descendants, and Descendants 2.

We talk about how she began writing for screen, the difference between writing for film and TV, the casting process for Descendants and Descendants 2, favorite things about those two movies, how she writes with a partner, the writer's life and much more. Some of my favorite quotes:

 

"There's a great time in life that you should go after absolutely any biggest dream ever."

"Some stories are better told in theatre, and some stories are better told in film."

"You always hope that people will be affected by art."

"I think Descendants has very powerful messages that I haven't seen in a lot of places."

"The art form isn't a screenplay, its a movie."

"I think it's great to really go after the creative life if that's in your heart."

 

Look for Descendants 2 at 8pm July 21st! simultaneously broadcast on on the Disney Channel, Disney XD, ABC, Freeform, and Lifetime!

 

Follow Josann here:

Twitter: @JosannMcGibbon

Instagram: @Josann818

 

Are you thinking about how to help your child become an actor? Or are you a young actor yourself?

Buy my book, The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon. It contains everything I wish I’d known when Dove and I started this journey, and will save you untold amounts of time, money, and stress. Full of information you MUST know, it also features stories from parents of other kids who’ve made it!

Or book an hour consulting with me to come up with an individualized plan that takes your own unique needs into account. For about the cost of an hour with a professional acting coach, you can get your questions answered and a road map to help you move forward toward your dream.

Invest a little in your  future today.

 

Did you enjoy this podcast? Share it with a friend! Sharing is sweet.

My guest on today's Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Benjamin King. Ben has MANY film and TV credits, but he is best known for his role as Pete Rooney, the father in Liv and Maddie.

Ben's first professional credit was a guest star role in the popular 90's show, Saved by the Bell, when he was just 18. He shares the wisdom and experience he's gained as a successful actor, as well as how he started (hint: it involved summer theatre camp!).

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"How can you get a role if you don't think you're right for it?"

"Learn your lines! I write out every single word."

"I'm amazed at how much I still have to learn."

"I think it's important to have a good understanding of what your capabilities are."

"If fame is what you're after-- don't do this!"

"Find theatre departments, take classes, and do it because you're attracted to the art."

 

Join us!

 

Follow Benjamin here:

Twitter: @SirBenjaminKing

Instagram @SirBenjamin213

Facebook: @SirBenjaminKing

(All verified accounts)

 

Are you thinking about how to help your child become an actor? Or are you a young actor yourself?

Buy my book, The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon. It contains everything I wish I’d known when Dove and I started this journey, and will save you untold amounts of time, money, and stress. Full of information you MUST know, it also features stories from parents of other kids who’ve made it!

Or book an hour consulting with me to come up with an individualized plan that takes your own unique needs into account. For about the cost of an hour with a professional acting coach, you can get your questions answered and a road map to help you move forward toward your dream.

Invest a little in your  future today.

 

Did you enjoy this podcast? Share it! Sharing is sweet.

My guest on this week's Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Dana Gergely Bowling, Casting Director, Audition Coach, Actor Career Consultant and podcaster. Dana cast for Disney, Nickelodeon, Fox, ABC, MTV and more, and her projects included casting for Suite Life on Deck, ANT Farm, Shake it Up, the pilot of Stuck in the Middle.

We chat about what casting directors look for in an actor, how the casting process works for both pilots and ongoing episodic casting (costars and guest stars), advice for self-tapes and SO much more. And Dana gives a little shout-out to @Scenebot.  Join us!

Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:

 

"Actors make us look good. We WANT to find the best."

"You look EVERYWHERE. Because that's how you find your next big star."

"We found Debbie Ryan on tape in her bedroom."

"It's such a kismet thing... it has to be the right time, the right role, the right look, the right everything for that actor to get that job."

"A lot of actors that are incredible actors are bad auditioners."

"We always see someone that we love, and we're bummed that it didn't work."

"Actors need to constantly train... every actor can grow."

"If a casting director likes you, and sees you have talent, absolutely they will keep you in mind."

"You're allowed to cry if you don't get the job... it just means you care."

"If it becomes something that's not fun anymore... put it aside. Keep a full life, so that your whole life is not based on acting."

"Follow people that you respect or admire on social media.... a lot of acting teachers post really smart things."

 

Find Dana here:

Website www.danabowling.com

Instagram @danabowlingla

Twitter @danacasting

Podcast: This Mom’s Life

 

Are you thinking about how to help your child become an actor? Or are you a young actor yourself?

Buy my book, The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon. It contains everything I wish I’d known when Dove and I started this journey, and will save you untold amounts of time, money, and stress. Full of information you MUST know, it also features stories from parents of other kids who’ve made it!

Or book an hour consulting with me to come up with an individualized plan that takes your own unique needs into account. For about the cost of an hour with a professional acting coach, you can get your questions answered and a road map to help you move forward toward your dream.

Invest a little in your  future today.

 

Did you enjoy this post? Share it! Sharing is sweet.

My guest on this Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Dr. Dovi Prero, of Prero Orthodontics in Los Angeles. Dr. Prero is an unusual guest for this podcast, but a special one of interest to many families of actors, and even adult actors, contemplating braces or other orthodontic treatments. He is a member of the California Association of Orthodontists.

Orthodontics can be necessary for performers at any age, not just kids! And the many questions that surround how to manage treatment while auditioning and filming can cause a lot of confusion and anxiety.

There can be different concerns depending on where an actor is in their career, as well as their age and the nature of the treatment they need. Dr. Prero works with many actors in the industry, and is familiar with both their concerns, and the different options available to help them get the smile they want while still being able to work during treatment.

In fact, an orthodontist can and probably should be considered part of an actor's "team."

We cover a LOT of ground, including the classic situation of a young actor who is just starting in the industry who definitely needs braces, but they’re worried about all the obvious issues- headshots, getting auditions, getting cast.

And even though what an actor LOOKS like while getting orthodontic treatment (i.e. while wearing braces of some kind) is usually the primary concern, what an actor SOUNDS like can be just as important! Some treatment choices can make enunciation challenging, whole others can make that a non-issue.

There have been a lot of incredible technological breakthroughs in the last 10 years since my kids were wearing braces (and yes, both Claire and Dove needed them!) and Dr. Prero goes over some that are genuinely exciting in their ability to create the desired smile with a lot more comfort and convenience.

We also put some myths to rest-- for example the idea that Invisalign is just for adults is no longer true-- even teenagers can use that option now. And metal braces with brackets and wires are in no way the only option for people who want to move their teeth.

There are three basic options for people looking to improve their smile while keeping the process as aesthetically pleasing as possible:

Clear braces

Invisalign

Braces behind the teeth

A few great quotes from our interview:

"We have so many tools in our toolbox to use to get that wonderful smile."

"If clear braces don't work because you can see them, and if lingual braces on the inside of the teeth don't work because they feel like you can hear them, then a removable option leads us to Invisalign, and the clear aligners."

"You want to see an orthodontist at age 7... especially if they're going to be on screen."

"If they feel like giving them a more confident smile will help them in their career, then we have all the tools to provide it."

"Not only how they look is important, but also how they sound.

Re: cost of treatment: "Most orthodontists will be able to come up with something that works for you."

I hope this podcast interview will help actors and their families know that no matter what their situation, there is an orthodontic option available that can work. No one needs to hide from the camera for the duration of treatment-- your orthodontist can be a member of your team and help you find solutions to move teeth while still auditioning, and acting. And since most orthodontists offer payment plans, getting a great smile can be easier to manage financially than you might think.

 

You can find Dr. Prero here:

http://www.preroorthodontics.com/

https://www.instagram.com/preroorthodontics/

 

Look for orthodontists who are certified by the California A...