It’s our last podcast of 2019!  We take this time to reflect on what we’ve learned from this project.  We share what has stuck with us, including practicing gratitude, showing empathy for yourself, and being comfortable with being comfortable.  This is a hard industry and everyone struggles with finding their own happiness and version of success.  We want to leave you with the encouragement to take the risk, do what scares you, and know that no matter what happens you’ll be okay.  Thank you for going on this ride with us, we’re forever grateful.

Today, we chat with Justin Robert Vinall, a local director, producer, script supervisor, and writer. We start by discussing Justin’s acting career and how it has helped him develop as a director. He talks about his exploration of body language and storytelling, primarily demonstrated in his film “A Purple Vision”. Sometimes how your performance is edited can be a little bit of a letdown, but Justin gives us ways to look at it more positively.  He also poses a question to us regarding how we hear positive feedback (spoiler: we don’t).  Justin is a huge cinephile and has a lot to say about films- tune in to hear more of his thoughts!

We start today discussing visualization and the power of thought.  Is it possible to manifest success just by thinking about it? Or is that wishful thinking?  People talk about how important it is to walk into the room with confidence- if you think you’ll get the part, maybe that’s all you need.  Then, in an effort to make ourselves feel better about the difficulties of acting, we go over all of the things we tell ourselves in order to cope.  We actors spend a lot of convincing ourselves to keep going and that we are special.  We talk ourselves into getting up and doing it every day, and we share those thoughts with you.  How you think about yourself and your success definitely matters, but how much?

We have another mini pep talk for you with Jessica Joy! If you’re feeling a little down, hopefully this episode will help.  Today, Jessica brings to us some takeaways from reading Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso.  We discuss how “obsessing” over another person’s success doesn’t make you more successful. What we think and believe can manifest itself in the real world, and that’s why it’s important to stay focused on your own goals.  Being unapologetically yourself will not only make your performance more authentic, but it also allows for you to be easier on yourself.  We say it all the time- being an artist is hard, but following your dreams is worth it.

Ok,

we’re workshopping an idea on this one, so bear with us.  Today we’re talking once again about creating

your own work.  Is it easier to work on

someone else’s project or see your own through from beginning to end? Among the

topics we discuss today: the challenges of writing, the subjectivity of criticism,

the value of brainstorming with other people, and the benefits of casting

yourself.  Making your own art is scary,

but maybe the hardest part is just getting started?

Today we’re very excited to have actor and producer Jessica Joy on the podcast!  If you’re in need of ways to amend your thought process and get a little pep talk, this is the episode for you. Jessica is a yoga instructor and she shares ways that yoga and meditation have helped her both in acting and in life.  We talk about practicing gratitude every day, self-love, Jessica shares her thoughts about competition, and she poses the question: “what are you saying ‘no’ to that you want to be saying ‘yes’ to?”  We end the episode with a breathing exercise that Jessica uses before auditions to calm and re-focus.  Enjoy!

Today

we’re talking about commercial auditions! 

Group commercial auditions to be exact. 

We discuss our experiences at the same audition- how we felt before,

during, and after.  We transition to

group improv auditions, on which we have two very different takes.  Improv auditions can be a blessing or a

curse, depending on how comfortable you are with yourself and improv.  Guess who falls in which camp! Join us as we

talk about nerves in auditions, what it feels like when you forget what you’re

supposed to be doing, and how to fake a good conversation.  McKenna gives all of the advice this week: none

of it really matters, you can only be yourself, and this is your time to shine.

In this episode we sat down with actor, writer, and director (and Tommy Wiseau impersonator) Erik Franklin, who talks to us about creating your own work.  He is a perfect example of someone who doesn’t wait around for work. Erik wrote himself a starring role in his road trip comedy, Dearly Departed, which he is currently filming.  He discusses writing, producing, and shooting this project and everything he’s learned along the way.  Erik also shares his thoughts about casting and collaborating with actors.  It can be tricky if you’re looking to cast your friends, but sometimes casting someone who truly embodies the character will make it easier in the end. We hope you enjoy!

We work in a competitive industry, there’s no denying it. But how competitive do we actually feel with one another? In this episode, Tamara and McKenna discuss their own relationships with competition and offer helpful ways to transform those negative feelings. Competition is totally normal and it doesn’t need to get in the way of your career or relationships. Like we always say, you only have yourself to offer, so be kind to yourself and try not to compare.

Welcome to part 2 of our conversation with actor, producer, and writer Hope Shanthi!  Today, we continue to talk about how to be yourself and feel secure within your acting choices.  We also discuss the struggle of working with directors who might not share your vision, and Hope advises us to give them what they’re asking for in your own way (Hint: be like Michelangelo).  Hope talks about her series Cuddle and we share our thoughts on touch and being touched.  Be sure to watch Hope’s web series Cuddle the Series on youtube at http://bit.ly/CUDDLEchannel