Performers face unique financial challenges with multiple gigs and unpredictable income spread across different states and even other countries. But there are smart steps you can take right now to smooth the ups and downs of your income and protect yourself from IRS headaches. In this episode, we talk to Kevin Doyle, a licensed CPA who has spent more than a decade guiding creative professionals. He explains when it makes sense to form a loan out corporation or S corp, what performers overlook when claiming their deductions, and the smartest way to start building a retirement plan. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

For many actors, commercials are a vital part of building and sustaining a career. But the world of commercial casting can sometimes feel like a mystery. There are differences from theatrical casting, and the skills that book a commercial aren’t always the same ones that land a film or television role. To help break it all down, we’re joined by highly regarded casting director Alyson Horn. Alyson is the founder of AHC Casting in Los Angeles. She explains how commercial casting really works, why the skills that book commercials aren’t always the same ones that land film and TV roles, and the most common misconceptions about commercial work that actors bring into the audition room. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Podcasting has never offered more ways to grow your career and your income. Actor, comedian and impressionist Amy Phillips shares how she built her hit show, Drama Darling: A Real Housewives Comedy Podcast, from the ground up. She taught herself production, built an audience without a network and created multiple revenue streams from her home studio. Amy also explains how her podcast became a SAG-AFTRA signatory, making it possible for independent podcasters to apply their earnings toward union health and retirement benefits. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

This Labor Day, we’re replaying a SXSW Panel Discussion from last spring with leaders from SAG-AFTRA, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America and IATSE. We talked about how our unions are protecting members in the age of A.I., what we’ve already won at the bargaining table, what’s still ahead and why collective action matters more than ever. Labor Day is about honoring workers and their rights, and this panel is a reminder of how unions are coming together to support the people who make our industry run. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Audiobooks are one of the fastest growing segments in entertainment, but how do you land work and build a sustainable career as a narrator? Veteran performer and coach Sean Pratt has recorded nearly 1,200 titles over 25 years, voicing everything from Agatha Christie mysteries to business books. In this episode, he shares the skills and temperament the job requires, how to get started on ACX, tips for a basic home studio, the differences between narrating fiction and nonfiction, and why he doesn’t believe AI will replace human storytellers anytime soon. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Your voice is 50 percent of your instrument, but many performers don’t realize they’re not using it to its full potential. On this episode of the SAG-AFTRA podcast, voice coach and dialect expert Bob Corff—who’s worked with stars like Antonio Banderas and Gwyneth Paltrow—explains what it really means to have a strong speaking voice. He shares simple but powerful breathing exercises and reveals why some vocal habits can sabotage your work without you even knowing it. He also offers practical tips for preparing your voice before a big audition and how to develop vocal muscle memory that holds up under pressure. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Social media is a powerful tool for performers, but it can also be confusing and time-consuming. What should you post? How do you promote yourself without feeling cringey? And does any of it actually lead to work? In this episode, social media strategist Heidi Dean—founder of Marketing4Actors.com and author of Social Media for Actors: 100 Essential Tips to Grow, Thrive, and Survive Online—breaks down the five biggest mistakes actors make on social media and exactly how to fix them. She shares practical advice on building real relationships, cleaning up your digital first impression, posting with purpose (and gratitude) and how something as simple as commenting on a casting director’s dog photo could lead to your next job. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

Creator V Spehar built a massive audience on TikTok by delivering news from under their desk. Then the media companies came calling. In this replay of an episode, V talks with SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland about staying independent, using TikTok to support striking workers and building a career as a creator without giving up control. The pair also explain how SAG-AFTRA’s influencer agreement is helping more digital creators join the union. *The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.

Self-taping can sometimes feel like sending your audition into a void. In this episode, veteran casting director Jenny Jue, known for her work on Inglourious Basterds and The Brothers Sun, explains what actually happens after you hit send. She shares how casting has evolved, why she watches every tape, how she advocates for actors behind the scenes and what performers can do to improve their chances of landing the role. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

There’s no shortage of advice out there for performers, but not all of it’s helpful or even accurate. In this episode, Rob Brownstein — a working actor, respected teacher and  SAG-AFTRA Professional Representatives Committee Chair — shares what works when preparing for auditions and honing your craft. Brownstein, who runs An Actor’s Space in Los Angeles, offers practical and actionable tips, including how to approach self-tapes without overthinking, why reacting instead of performing is the key to honest work, what to ignore when it comes to outside opinions and industry expectations and how commercial and theatrical auditions differ. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.