In this episode of 'Slate It Till You Make It,' host Catherine Donnelly shares her Top 10 Self-Tape Tips to help actors stand out, impress casting, and book more work. From mastering your frame and lighting to delivering authentic, high-energy reads, Catherine breaks down exactly what commercial casting directors are looking for—and the biggest self-tape mistakes to avoid. She also reveals **why the first three seconds of your tape matter most,** how to make sure your eyelines feel natural, and the subtle tweaks that can make your performance pop on screen. Plus, Catherine shares an exciting opportunity for actors ready to take their self-tapes to the next level: her upcoming Self Tape Intensive, a four-week coaching experience designed to give actors personalized feedback and the confidence to book more jobs. If you’re tired of feeling like your tapes disappear into the void, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of "Slate It Till You Make It," host Catherine Donnelly sits down with Daniel Rojas and Jamila Hache, the visionary co-founders of Rafy, an innovative self-tape app designed to give actors more freedom, flexibility, and control over their auditions. As self-tapes continue to dominate the industry, actors face ongoing challenges—limited space, scheduling conflicts, and the struggle to find a reliable reader. Rafy tackles these pain points head-on, providing autonomous practice, AI-powered recording, and an all-in-one solution that simplifies the audition process without sacrificing artistic integrity.

Daniel, a sound engineer and composer, and Jamila, an actor who knows the self-tape grind firsthand, bring their unique backgrounds in entertainment and tech to this groundbreaking platform. Together, they’ve built a tool that not only streamlines auditions but ensures actors maintain full ownership of their work in an evolving industry. In this conversation, we dive into Rafy’s origins, what sets it apart, and how ethical AI is shaping the future of auditioning. Plus, Daniel and Jamila share essential insights for actors looking to elevate their self-tape game. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with game-changing advice you won’t want to miss!

In this episode of 'Slate It Till You Make It,' host Catherine Donnelly interviews returning guest Sean Spann: an actor, teacher, private coach and VO dubbing artist born and raised outside St. Louis, MO. An LA resident for almost 17 years, he's worked as an actor in television, film, commercials, and stage. TV/Film credits include The Little Things, Little America, Shameless, General Hospital, and Jane the Virgin. He's recently been seen in commercials or ad campaigns for Volkswagen, Disney, and Delta Airlines. He's dubbed central characters in Max's 'On The Spectrum' and Amazon's 'The Corruption Game', and in 2023, played Brutus in 'Julius Caesar' in his 7th season at the New Swan Shakespeare Festival. He's instructed Voice, Speech, Movement, Shakespeare on both the college and conservatory level, and privately coaches actors for auditions, voice, and accent modification. Sean earned a BFA in Acting from the University of Evansville, and an MFA in Acting from UC Irvine.

Dear Fellow Angeleno Creatives - I love you. Stay Strong.

- Catherine

In this episode of 'Slate it Till You Make It," host Catherine Donnelly sits down multi-hyphenate Spencer Kramber - actor, acting coach, and commercial session director. With a strong foundation in Theatre Arts from Minnesota State University and an MFA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television, Spencer’s rigorous training has prepared him to excel both in front of and behind the camera.

He’s shared the screen with heavyweights like J.K. Simmons in You Can’t Run Forever and earned accolades for his performances in award-winning projects like Sarajin and Pop Music. You might also recognize him from hit shows like Criminal Minds, Them, and The Young and the Restless.

When he’s not captivating audiences, Spencer is passionately coaching actors, sharing his expertise, and helping others thrive in the business. Oh, and he’s also a devoted father, finding inspiration in balancing family life with his creative pursuits. Get ready for an inspiring conversation packed with insight and advice—please welcome Spencer Kramber!”

In this episode of "Slate It Till You Make It," Catherine Donnelly curates valuable insights gleaned from Season 3, meticulously tailored to cater to emerging actors.

Jesse Hsu began his career in entertainment in New York where he studied with UCB and after moving to Los Angeles a few years ago, he has booked a variety of commercials with multiple casting agencies and worked with some amazing brands and directors. He has had commercial training with AHC and Killian's and voiceover classes at Real Voice LA and Kalmenson.

In 2022, he was a guest star in a web series, Millie & Maddie and also starred in his first feature film, "Starring Jerry As Himself" which premiered at the 2022 Slamdance Film Festival and now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

In this episode of "Slate It Till You Make It," host Catherine Donnelly sits down with Marisa Munoz of M Casting. Marisa's journey in the entertainment industry started in Los Angeles as a dancer, where her passion for creativity and storytelling began. Transitioning to behind the camera into production, with an eye for beauty and unique talent, she discovered her calling in the world of casting. She fell in love with discovering new talent and bringing creative visions to life. Marisa has successfully cast a wide array of major brand commercials, print campaigns, music videos for renowned artists, and award- winning films. Her company, M Casting Worldwide, currently has offices in both Los Angeles and Nashville. Combining her extensive experience with a passion for talent & development, she now leaves her mark on projects around the globe casting projects worldwide.

With three decades of experience, Marisa has built an impressive resume, casting commercials and print work for major brands including AT&T, Sephora, Old Navy, Nissan,Armani and Hilton to name a few. She has also cast music videos for renowned artists including Laniey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton and Kenny Chesney, and award-winning films with the most recent being Ride (Starring C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish, Jake Allyn, Forrie J. Smith). Her expertise spans industries and genres, leaving a dynamic mark on every project she touches.

In her downtime, Marisa’s zest for life continues—You can find her checking out the latest restaurants, volunteering at the Humane Society, spending time with friends, or taking long walks with her beloved dog and partner in crime, Marlowe! From casting calls to creative collaborations, Marisa’s journey is driven by her unwavering commitment to storytelling and the celebration of exceptional talent.

Breaking up with your commercial agent can feel overwhelming, but it’s an important step in taking control of your career. In this episode of "Slate It Till You Make It", host Catherine Donnelly reframes the process as a strategic business decision, not a personal one. She walks listeners through key steps, including identifying why you want to make a change, understanding what you’re looking for in a new agent, weighing your options, and how to handle “the breakup” with professionalism. Catherine also shares tips for navigating the aftermath and ensuring the transition sets you up for success. If you’ve been contemplating making a change, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to handle it with clarity and grace.

In this episode of "Slate It Till You Make it," host Catherine Donnelly sits down with TJ Alvarado is a prolific performer, working in film, television, theater and commercials.

TJ established himself in television in the Recurring Guest Star role of "Dillon" on AMC/Netflix's LONGMIRE (4 Seasons). Recent television credits include a recurring role as "Toad" in MARVEL's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., CBS' CRIMINAL MINDS, APPLE TV+'s THE MORNING SHOW, ABC's SPLITTING UP TOGETHER (directed by Helen Hunt), FX's AMERICAN HORROR STORY, NETFLIX's WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEAR LATER, NBC's HEARTBEAT, and ABC's THE MAYOR.

In feature film, TJ played the lead in ALVIN, an indie psychological thriller directed by Christy Anna Wu. TJ also has turns in the independent features FLIRTING WITH MADNESS and EXCESS FLESH, both of which aired on the Lifetime Movie Network. In his most recent feature film, REUNION, he worked in an ensemble alongside Lil Rel Howery, Billy Magnussen and Nina Dobrev

TJ has performed prolifically on stages of So Cal from Santa Barbara to San Diego. He was the lead of "Edna" in HAIRSPRAY, an ensemble player in Shakespeare's RICHARD III, the lead of "Young Lalo" in TRIO LOS MACHOS (a 1940's period musical that centers around migrant farm workers), and most recently, the lead in GAMES ON A BOMBED OUT BEACH.

He stars in several national campaigns on air, including CARMAX, VOLKSWAGEN, AT&T, PLAYSTATION, FORD, X BOX, LOWE'S HOME IMPROVEMENT, GOOGLE, DAVE AND BUSTER'S and THE CALIFORNIA LOTTERY.

TJ also sings, plays the guitar and ukulele.