Acting

It all started in the back hills of Virginia. The run to the 'outhouse' was a cold and hurried experience... that's when I knew I had to act... not really but I thought that sounded good... After having performed in a few local productions and also "expressing" my extra/ background work with a couple of serious films, I was notified by a local casting organization, Erica Arvold Casting, that Mr. Spielberg was coming to town and that she was seeking a few actors to read for some desired roles...

Let's face it. As actors we all want the same thing - to work! We want the chance to joyously share our talents and we dream of being able to make huge artistic contributions in film, TV and theatre. But how many actors set specific goals? Do you know exactly WHO YOU ARE as an actor and what specific movies or TV shows you are right for...and why? If not, you're not alone. I've done guest stars with faces you'd recognize. I'm always amazed that when I speak with these other actors on set...

Stage 32 member, Forris Day Jr. asked me to be a guest on his terrific podcast, Scared Straight Reviews. We discussed the origins and future of Stage 32, recent success stories, and how members of the community can get the most out of the site. My thanks to Forris for the opportunity... I enjoyed every minute. Here's a link to the streaming audio: http://chirb.it/255t6E Also, it came to our attention that my HeadshotCafé interview with Ajay from Argentum Photo Labs had been knocked o...

Training?! Isn’t There An App For That? I went to a film premiere recently and a very young, very handsome guy asked if I was an actress. I said, "Yes". He said, "Great! Can I sit next to you?" In the next few minutes, this total stranger gave me a brief but detailed spin of his life: yes, he was an actor, but unemployed. He'd had a series, but it was cancelled. Now, his manager wouldn't return his calls, and his auditions recently had been awful and unnerving. I casually suggested that he m...

One of the most frequent comments I get is, "Acting? Oh my God, I could never do that. All that rejection! The daily dust-off from pounding pavement is discouraging and I can only pass on the things I eventually learned to survive it myself. One of the secrets to tenacity is reverse psychology - I choose to look pragmatically at all facets of the cycle as opportunities. These things keep me grounded: "ENERGY BREEDS ENERGY" Energy breeds energy, it's a law of physics. The business side of...

NYC is where theatre lives and breathes; where most actors go when they want to, first and foremost, pursue the theatre. Although auditions have unfortunately dwindled due to the economic climate, this is still where most theatres across the country come to hire professional actors. There is a mecca of opportunity for the theatre performer with auditions for cabarets, revues, national tours and, of course, Broadway. But there are also thousands of theatre actors, all at the top of their game, co...

The hardest part of being an actor other than learning the lines of King Lear, outside of, you know, landing the part of King Lear, is working. Actually working. You know, the type of work where you get paid to do a funny voice whilst wearing a silly hat, not forgetting to be truthful and grounded all at the same time. Now don't you dare cheat the term "Acting Work". Serving 8.5 soy lattes an hour at Starbucks or serving super sized Pizza/Dog/Burgers at Pizza/Dog/Burgers Hut does not count as ac...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ajay Jhaveri, founder of Headshot Café, for a wide ranging interview regarding Stage 32's origins, what the site has to offer creatives from around the world, and the present and future plans for the community. Before we get to the video, my thanks to the multi-talented actor, writer, producer, Christian Meoli, for his comprehensive coverage of Stage 32 - and yours truly - for Yahoo Entertainment and Yahoo Tech. You can read Christian's article...

As an actor for the last 50 years, I've decided to talk to my Stage 32 family about deciding. Today I decided to open a blank Word document and write some stuff for this article. Next to me is the cup of coffee I decided to brew and sip. Yum. In show business, and particularly the movie business, I see the decisions people make all day long. Today I begin shooting a new film, because the writer/director decided to help out his DP friend with a small script in order to test a new camera from a ma...

Some weekend reading. Our CEO, Richard Botto, was recently interviewed by Stage 32 member Melissa Smith. RB touches on a number of subjects, from the history and future of 32 to why filmmakers and producers need to hone their marketing skills if they want to find success. Check out the interview here: Stage 32: The Inspired and Inspiring Enjoy and have a terrific weekend. - The Stage 32 Staff