🎭 What does it really mean to be a "local hire" actor? In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall discuss what it's like to travel for acting jobs as a local hire, how self-tape auditions have changed the entertainment industry, and the emotional reality of getting incredibly close to booking roles without landing them.

Whether you're new to acting or already auditioning professionally, this episode offers practical advice on auditions, callbacks, networking, and staying motivated through the inevitable "almosts."

Topics include: what it means to work as a local hire actor, how self-tape auditions changed the industry, the difference between auditions, callbacks, and being pinned, dealing with the disappointment of "almost" booking a role, and why networking still matters in a self-tape world.

Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro • 00:18 What Is a Local Hire? • 02:20 Why Local Hire Work Is Worth It • 03:00 The Rise of Self-Tape Auditions • 05:35 Producer & Zoom Callbacks • 08:40 Auditioning Is a Job Interview • 10:20 What Does "Pinned" Mean? • 11:50 Dealing with the "Almosts" • 18:20 Preview of Episode 3.

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🎭 What does it actually mean to "make it" as an actor? In the Season 2 premiere of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall reunite after two years to discuss how their careers have evolved, including Deaton booking his first SAG speaking role and Brandon landing his first network television co-star role. They also discuss how the SAG-AFTRA strike impacted their careers, what "making it" really means, and why success in film and television looks different than most people think.

Whether you're just starting your acting career or you've been pursuing it for years, this episode offers an honest look at building a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.

Topics include: what "making it" really means as an actor, how the SAG-AFTRA strike affected working actors, booking your first SAG and network television roles, balancing acting with a full-time job, and what to expect from Season 2.

Episode Chapters: 00:00 Intro • 00:35 Welcome to Season 2 • 01:35 The SAG-AFTRA Strike • 03:30 "What Have I Seen You In?" • 05:00 Choosing Projects • 06:45 What Does "Making It" Mean? • 08:45 What's Coming This Season?

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🎥 What happens when you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating your own?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, Deaton Gabbard welcomes actor, writer, producer, director, and musician Montez Lafayette for an inspiring conversation about creating your own opportunities in the entertainment industry. From his early creative beginnings to developing Luke: A Batwing Series, Montez shares how persistence, versatility, and taking chances helped shape his career.

Brandon Wall was unable to join this interview, but he'll return in Part 2 to continue the conversation and share his perspective.

Whether you're an aspiring actor, filmmaker, or content creator, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best way to build your career is to create the projects you wish already existed.

Topics include: creating your own content, independent filmmaking, producing original projects, Luke: A Batwing Series, building a career in entertainment, overcoming setbacks, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.

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🎬 What does it really take to make your first independent feature film?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall welcome their first guest, filmmaker Steve Morris, to discuss his directorial debut, the independent holiday horror film He Knows!. Steve shares the challenges and rewards of making an independent feature, the lessons he learned throughout the filmmaking process, and why creating your own opportunities is one of the most rewarding parts of working in the film industry.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, actor, or creative looking to produce your own projects, this conversation offers an honest look at independent filmmaking and the journey of bringing a feature film to life.

Topics include: making the independent horror film He Knows!, directing a first feature film, producing independent movies, overcoming filmmaking challenges, creating opportunities as a filmmaker, and lessons learned from bringing a passion project to life.

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😰 How do actors deal with anxiety, nerves, and self-doubt?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall have an honest conversation about anxiety, performance nerves, and the mental challenges that come with pursuing a career in acting. They share personal experiences from auditions, performances, and everyday life, along with the strategies they've used to build confidence and keep moving forward.

Whether you're an actor preparing for your next audition or someone learning to manage anxiety in a high-pressure environment, this episode offers practical advice and an honest look at overcoming fear while chasing your goals.

Topics include: managing anxiety as an actor, overcoming audition nerves, building confidence, dealing with self-doubt, mental health in the entertainment industry, and staying focused under pressure.

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🌟 What roles have you always dreamed of playing?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall discuss one of the questions actors hear most often: "What's your dream role?" They share the characters they've always wanted to play, the types of projects that inspire them, and how their acting goals have shaped their careers.

Whether you're an actor discovering your own creative path or simply love hearing performers talk about iconic roles, this episode offers an honest conversation about ambition, inspiration, and the characters that leave a lasting impact.

Topics include: our dream acting roles, iconic film and television characters, long-term career goals, the projects we'd love to be part of, and what draws us to certain roles as actors.

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💪 What keeps actors motivated through the ups and downs of the entertainment industry?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall discuss the motivations that keep them pursuing acting despite rejection, uncertainty, and the challenges of building a career in film and television. From personal goals to creative fulfillment, they explore what continues to drive them as working actors.

Whether you're just beginning your acting journey or looking for renewed inspiration, this episode offers an honest conversation about perseverance, passion, and staying committed to your goals.

Topics include: staying motivated as an actor, overcoming challenges in the entertainment industry, finding purpose in your career, pursuing long-term goals, and what keeps us passionate about acting.

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🎭 What made you want to become an actor?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, these conversations capture where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In the first episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall share what first inspired them to pursue acting, how they got started in the entertainment industry, and the experiences that shaped their careers. They also reflect on their first acting opportunities, the lessons they learned early on, and preview future conversations about purpose, mindset, and the journey of becoming a working actor.

Whether you're considering acting as a career or are already pursuing it, this episode offers an honest look at how every actor's journey begins.

Topics include: what inspired us to become actors, our first acting experiences, early career lessons, finding your passion, and the mindset behind pursuing a career in film and television.

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🎙️ What is Podcast of Traveling Actors?

Originally recorded during our early days as a podcast, this episode captures where Podcast of Traveling Actors began.

In this introductory episode, working actors Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall explain why they started the podcast, what listeners can expect, and their goal of having honest conversations about acting, filmmaking, and building a career in the entertainment industry.

Whether you're an aspiring actor, filmmaker, or simply curious about the journey behind the podcast, this short episode is the perfect place to start.

Topics include: why the podcast was created, what future episodes will cover, and what it means to be a working actor pursuing a career in film and television.

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