What's Your Secret

Today's guest is Erica Bream. Erica is a casting director, and we chat about:

• The day to the day in the life as a casting director 
• How casting blends creativity and business
• The fear of not working again
• Comparing to others career
• Accepting that not everything is about you
• Defining success
• How casting directors are rooting for actors
• Do actors need to be on TikTok/ social media?

Connect:
IG: ericasbreamcast
ericasbreamcasting.com


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Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Hi friends! We are back for Season 2! Check out this episode for an update on where I've been and a preview of what's to come.

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

A little update on what's happening with the show - we'll be be back soon!

Today we're chatting with film critic, writer, and audio producer Beandrea July. We chat about:

• Going through the open doors
• Starting out as a film critic
• Writing the articles you would want to read
• Looking for your unique perspective & looking for the story that hasn’t been written
• Basing your opinions on research
• Pay expectations for arts journalism
• Misconceptions about film critics
• Fear of judgement is normal
• Getting comfortable with asking
• Smaller indie movies getting traction because of COVID
• Taking it day by day

Mentioned in the Episode:
Study Hall
Book: Reel Inequality
Brighter Lens Podcast

Connect:
Twitter: beandreadotcom

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we are chatting with Nikki Menon. We chat about:

• Cold emailing
• Growing your network
• Paying it forward
• The benefits of working at an agency
• The power of being an assistant
• Doing things for fun
• Continuously moving the goalpost
• What do you want to say with the things you make?
• The word selfish
• Pushing the conversation forward
• You learn by experience

Listen to the Chaat Room podcast!

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we're chatting with actor and actor career coach Jenna Doolittle. We chat about:

• Feeling “behind”
• How to build relationships with casting directors
• Tips for actors (from an actor coach!)
• The importance of taking classes in LA
• Generosity in the industry
• Asking for what you want
• Using social media as a tool
• How you define success

Connect:
IG: thatdoolittle
Actors Rise Newsletter

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we are chatting with the Founder of Polo's Pantry, Melissa Acedera. Polo's Pantry is a mobile food pantry dedicated helping unhoused and marginalized communities in L.A.

• The need to wear multiple hats
• Including structural change in the food system as part of the conversation
• Not know where to start and feeling intimidated by activism
• How to get involved in food justice
• Taking cues from the houseless community
• COVID’s affect on food access
• Making activism personal
• Why language is so important in this work
• Imposter syndrome in the mutual aid space

Connect:
IG: polospantryla
Twitter: polospantry

Volunteer/ Donate:
Polo's Pantry
HomeyMadeMeals (Sign up it's easy and fun!)

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we are chatting with Ebony Adams. We chat about:

• The Women in Film organization and the amazing programing they do
• The most productive thing you can do is survive
• Giving yourself permission to create bad work
• Accountability partners
• Doing the pre-work
• Finding what works for you
• Embracing the zero-draft
• Writing stories because it’s a story you want to tell
• The notion that an overnight success is a myth
• There’s no time limit on your work

Mentioned in the Episode:
Wif.org
Check out Ebony's podcasts Feminist Frequency Radio Podcast and Cinema Ball 

Connect with Ebony:
Twitter: ebonyaster

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we're chatting with post audio engineer Brielle Achterhof.

We chat about:

• The difference between production sound and post production sound 
• How to get a job in sound
• Starting as an intern
• Social presence in sound
• Women in sound
• What makes a good sound engineer
• Using the background to help tell the story
• Ditching the 5 year plan
• Believing in yourself

And more!

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas 

Today we're chatting with photographer and performer Marissa Mooney. We chat about:

• How to get work as a photographer in LA
• Being curious and building relationships
• Admitting when you don’t know the answer
• The day to day of working as a photographer
• Inspiration is a sacred thing
• People photograph better when they feel better
• Setting boundaries and knowing your worth
• Establishing your rate
• Making friends with your anxiety
• Aligning your worth with your productivity

Connect with Marissa: mmooneyimages

Stay Up to Date:

• Subscribe to Friend Request the Series on YouTube and stay tuned for updates!
• Follow whatsyoursecretpodcast and arigjohnson on Instagram
• Visit whatsyoursecretpodcast.com

Music by: Michael Paraskevas