In this episode we interview Ryan M. Perez. Ryan is the host of the incredibly successful podcast "An Actor Despairs" where he has interviewed A List Actors and filmmakers such as Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Bill Pullman (Independence Day), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Lili Taylor (Six Feet Under), Tom Fontana (Creator of HBO's Oz), and Kathleen Turner (Peggy Sue Got Married), just to name a few.
Ryan takes us through his journey of starting the podcast. What it was like when it took off during the pandemic and getting to sit down and interview his idols on his Top 100 Actor's List.
In the second half of the interview Ryan shares with us about the highs and lows of being an actor. What he has done to stay motivated and keep going in a grueling business. He goes into great detail on how he created his OWN work and what he has done to nurture his own connections and relationships to leverage himself into becoming a working NYC Actor.
A great listen for anyone who loves a story of someone pursuing BIG dreams.
An INVALUABLE listen for any Actor navigating, building and struggling to maintain a fulfilling career in this business.
What we cover in this episode:
Part 1--Building a Successful Podcast
00:15 Introducing Ryan M. Perez
03:40 Why a Podcast? How did you come up with that idea?
08:15 "Tricked myself into having to release them"
09:10 "Found my acting voice working with Rock Bands and traveling the world
16:25 Turning down money for the show to stay focused on Acting
17:35 Growing the Podcast--Friends to A List Actors
23:15 120 hours of research for first 100 guests
27:35 Interviewing Bill Pullman (Independence Day) and Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption)
30:57 Q-The moment you knew you had something?
34:35 Interviewing Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire)
37:45 Trapped by success..."Will I only be a podcast host?"
41:06 220 Episodes in 3 years
43:36 Giving to everyone else and not himselfPart 2---The grind of being a NYC Actor
44:40 "I need to SLOW down...time to focus on ME"
47:05 Q-How do you keep going in such a tough business?"
49:20 Booking Law and Order:SVU
55:47 Acting: What is it like for you now?
57:45 Booking first HBO Show
59:12 Navigating the Highs and Lows of an Actors Life
1:02:30 "The only way to have control is by creating your OWN content"
1:04:05 Q-What are the systems you have to keep yourself creating?
1:07:05 Advice for Actors who don't have representation
1:08:40 "You need to be self aware and know what you are right for"
1:09:20 Knowing the BUSINESS of Acting
1:11:00 "Your job to know stuff before other people do"
1:11:27 olv Twitter account--list of everything shooting in the world--
1:16:30 "It's an Endurance test...stay in it"
1:17:30 "Control what you can control"
1:18:50 "Build rapport with Casting Directors and Assistants you are right for"
1:19:10 "Still to this day, a lot of the best auditions I get are from me and my relationships"
1:20:47 What Ryan learned from creating his own work
1:23:20 Tim Robbin's Advice to Ryan and other actorsPodcast- An Actor Despairs
Tomas - https://www.tomasvirgadulacoaching.com/
Lexee - https://www.instagram.com/tarotbylexee/
- https://linktr.ee/tarotbylexee
