Jake Thornton is a Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include working with studios like Sony, Warner Brothers, Amazon, and The CW. Before becoming a writer, Jake trained as an actor, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in London's West End. His screenwriting journey began in Los Angeles, where his first script sold for a staggering $1 million, proving that dreams can come true with hard work and persistence.

Award-winning director Avi Youabian (Walking Dead, All American, FBI International) shares invaluable insights for actors about auditions, on-set dynamics, and career growth. From his journey as an editor to becoming an Emmy-nominated director, Avi offers practical advice about taking creative risks and succeeding in the industry.

Key Segments: 

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:24 - Understanding Bold Choices in Auditions 

00:04:09 - The Casting Decision Process 

00:07:15 - How to Stand Out in Self-Tapes 

00:13:24 - Director-Actor Communication on Set 

00:27:30 - From Editor to Director: The Walking Dead Journey 

00:35:39 - Working with Guest Stars 

00:42:00 - The Importance of Being Prepared 

00:52:30 - Vertical Video and Industry Changes 

00:56:30 - Final Advice for Actors

CONNECT WITH AVI YOUABIAN: 

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1143132/

Website: https://www.aviyouabian.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayouabian/

GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: 

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

Actor, producer, and founder of Caliwater - Oliver Trevena joins The WeAudition Show! Originally trained at RADA in London, he's worked with Gerard Butler in “The Plane,” Miles Teller in “The Gorge,” Aaron Eckhart in “The Bricklayer,” and Bruce Willis in “Wire Room.” Recently wrapped on “The Paradox Effect” with Harvey Keitel, Oliver shares his journey from stage to screen and beyond.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro

0:58 - Building Hollywood Relationships

6:08 - From Actor to Producer

9:31 - Landing The Paradox Effect with Harvey Keitel

16:33 - Business Ventures & All Saints Fashion

18:42 - Creating Caliwater

21:03 - On Set with Mel Gibson

25:30 - Working with Bruce Willis & Kevin Dillon

34:30 - Award Presentation by Gerard Butler

45:18 - Finding True Happiness

CONNECT WITH OLIVER TREVENA:

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3165541/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivertrevena/?hl=en

Caliwater Website: https://drinkcaliwater.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaunP7rLFurA4THrKgt84eoAzqTASuoR4ylqtKNC6gyPeI8in2QayieQvU_aem_hf8De9nzbW7vzuU-uHCmjg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivertrevena/

GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

Natalee Linez is a California native who moved to Los Angeles at age 20 to pursue her dream of acting. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she landed her first role as a series regular in the hit series "Siren." Alongside her acting career, Natalee founded Magic Mornings, a mental health and well-being company focused on helping people improve their lives through positive habits and routines.

In this episode, she talks to Darren and Richard about her journey through 700 auditions (booking 14), the importance of finding the right representation, creating effective pitch emails, and how to present yourself professionally through headshots and demo reels. She shares candid insights about the current state of the industry, the reality of networking, and why loving the audition process is crucial for long-term success in acting. Natalee also discusses her morning routine methodology and how maintaining wellness practices has supported her career development.

Through personal stories and practical advice, this conversation offers valuable guidance for both new and established actors navigating the entertainment industry.

TIMESTAMPS: 

00:00 - Introduction & Early Career Journey 

03:11 - The Reality of 300 Auditions Before First Booking 

07:26 - Managing Audition Room Experiences 

14:23 - Finding the Right Representation

19:30 - Headshots & Demo Reels: What Works

24:42 - The Truth About Industry Networking 

28:15 - Magic Mornings: Creating a Wellness Routine 

35:18 - Developing Your "Type" as an Actor 

41:05 - How to Create an Effective Pitch Email 

48:33 - Demo Reel Best Practices 

54:16 - Vision Boards & Taking Action 

58:27 - Current State of the Industry 

01:04:09 - Final Advice: Love the Process

CONNECT WITH NATALEE LINEZ: 

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7336169/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataleelinez/?hl=en

Watch Ground Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwEAoAmbe1I&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE: 

Website: https://www.nataleelinez.com/

GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: 

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

Christopher Ammanuel is a dynamic actor, writer, and producer best known for his role in Black Lightning, which he landed at age 18. His impressive credits include Kent State and the feature film 1992 alongside Tyrese Gibson and the late Ray Liotta. After spending years between Atlanta and London honing his craft, Christopher has been recognized at festivals worldwide as "one to watch." Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to study, train, and champion other actors while pursuing his own artistic journey.

Jimmy Akingbola is a versatile and celebrated actor born in the UK to Nigerian parents. Best known for his portrayal of Geoffrey in Bel Air, his credits include Arrow, The Tower, Most Dangerous Game, Ted Lasso, Benidorm, This Is Gonna Hurt, and In The Long Run.

Beyond acting, his documentary Handle With Care has gained critical acclaim, and he founded the Triforce Creative Network to discover and promote diverse talent.

In this episode, we sat down with Mitra Ahouraian, an entertainment lawyer based in Beverly Hills who represents some of the top creatives, producers, and financiers from Hollywood and beyond. Hosts Richard Cambridge and Darren Darnborough explore fundamental topics including when actors need a lawyer, understanding contracts, and managing social media legally. Mitra shares invaluable insights from her extensive experience negotiating and drafting deals across film, television, music, and publishing.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction to Mitra Ahouraian

05:00 - When Actors Need Legal Representation

14:00 - Understanding Entertainment Contracts

20:00 - Working with Friends & Independent Projects

34:00 - Fee Structures & Legal Costs

42:00 - Social Media Best Practices

50:00 - NDAs and Content Sharing Guidelines

54:00 - Behind the Scenes of Entertainment Law

CONNECT WITH MITRA AHOURAIAN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitraesq/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitraahouraian/

Website: http://ahouraianlaw.com/

GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts.

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

Andrea Guo is an Austrian actor whose talent and dedication have propelled her to success across German and international film and television. In this episode with hosts Richard Cambridge and Darren Darnborough, she talks about filming the second season of her hit series Maxton Hall, her experience working on Frank Doelger's "The Swarm," and her journey breaking cultural barriers in European media.

The conversation delves into her unique approach to manifesting career goals through vision boarding, managing sudden success, and why she believes you don't need Hollywood to make inspiring movies. She also opens up about balancing multiple projects, her aspirations to work in Asian cinema, and the importance of maintaining authenticity while navigating international markets.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro

01:04 - Current Projects and Filming in Berlin

02:00 - Success of Maxton Hall and Second Season

04:00 - Managing Work-Life Balance in Entertainment

13:00 - Social Media and Fan Engagement

21:30 - Breaking Into International Markets

30:00 - Vision Boarding and Career Manifestation

41:00 - Representation in European Television

48:00 - Future Projects and Asian Market Aspirations

CONNECT WITH ANDREA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaguo_/?hl=en

IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm11046207/

Management: https://www.ohey-mgmt.de/andreaguo

GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts.

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

In this episode, we had a candid conversation with Carrie Bernans that will transform how you think about breaking into the entertainment industry. Beyond her impressive credits as a stunt performer in Marvel blockbusters like Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame, Bernans delivers actionable insights about navigating both East and West Coast markets, building multiple revenue streams, and turning setbacks into comebacks.

Her inspiring story, including a recent life-changing accident and her philanthropic work helping over 1,200 families, demonstrates how to create meaningful impact while succeeding in entertainment. Whether you're an aspiring actor, stunt performer, or filmmaker, this episode delivers actionable strategies from someone who's mastered the art of turning setbacks into opportunities.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00: The Ultimate Entertainment Industry Breakthrough Guide

01:30: Surviving Career Crisis: A Recovery Story

04:00: The Professional Comeback Strategy

13:00: Film Festival Career Tips

21:30: Building Your Stunt Career

42:00: Life Inside Marvel's Black Panther

54:30: Power Networking That Actually Works

59:00: Smart Union Career Decisions

1:03:00: Creating Social Impact Through Entertainment

1:06:30: Navigating Major Film Festivals

USEFUL LINKS

Reach Carrie at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriebernans/?hl=en

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7736654/

Website: https://carriebernans.com/

GET MORE FROM THE WEAUDITION SHOW

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition

Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate / review on Apple.

Produced by The Big Possible

http://thebigpossible.com

Cassandra Freeman, an accomplished actress and educator known for her roles in Inside Man, Luke Cage, Atlanta, and Peacock’s Bel-Air, joins us in this episode of The WeAudition Show. Hosted by Darren Darnborough and Richard Cambridge, Cassandra reflects on her career journey, from overcoming self-doubt during auditions to becoming a series regular as Aunt Viv on Bel-Air. In this candid conversation, she shares the importance of embracing collaboration, maintaining authenticity, and balancing work with family life across coasts.

Cassandra also dives into her passion for teaching and her nonprofit work with the Cassandra Arts Project, which empowers children through creativity. She provides valuable insights into the audition process, emphasizing the significance of preparation and trusting your unique perspective. With humor and depth, Cassandra talks about her experiences working with industry legends like Denzel Washington and Spike Lee, sharing how staying true to yourself can lead to lasting career success.

Segmented Timestamps: 

USEFUL LINKS 

Reach Cassandra Freeman at: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassiedamsel

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1904386/

GET MORE FROM THE WEAUDITION SHOW 

Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition  

Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate / review on Apple. 

Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com