The Actor's Resource podcast with Alya Lei: Recent Episodes
Alya Lei
The Actor's Resource podcast is hosted by actor and improviser, Alya Lei. This (randomly published) podcast shares inspiring interviews and helpful resources from guest experts in the Entertainment Industry, for actors and improvisers along their creative journey.
Vanessa Haney, an emerging expert in the realm of horror book releases, brings a business-minded approach to the world of self-publishing, drawing parallels between the book and film industries. With a dedication to mastering the craft, she continually enhances her understanding through courses and industry group involvement, positioning herself as a supportive and knowledgeable figure among her peers. As she recently released her horror short story 'Slush' and horror novel 'Crotch Goblin,' Vanessa remains committed to indie publishing, valuing the creative control it offers over her work. Vanessa's writing process involves meticulous planning and a longer editing phase, with an aim to complete a trilogy by the end of this year. Emphasizing the role of accountability and routine, Vanessa advocates for the support of writing groups as crucial for maintaining consistency and motivation. She highlights writing's potential to leave a legacy and the benefits of self-publishing for maintaining control over one's work. Additionally, Vanessa underscores the importance of cover design, editing, and strategic marketing in self-publishing, treating writing as a business to effectively reach and engage readers.
Socials:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dystopianess/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@van_haney_books
Christopher Silveri, a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, boasts a rich career that began with casting commercials at Liz Lewis Casting Partners and evolved into leadership roles at Gilla Roos Limited and Prestige Management Group. Graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Silveri's extensive experience in talent management led him to establish his own company, showcasing his dedication to nurturing talent featured on major television networks and films. Now a Partner and Vice President at UIA Talent, he remains committed to supporting actors while sharing his insights with aspiring professionals through seminars and workshops.
In the latest episode of 'Conversations with Alya Lei,' host Alya Lei sat down with Christopher Silveri, a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry whose career has spanned over two decades. From acting to casting, representation, and talent management, Silveri's journey is a testament to adaptability and strategic decision-making.
Reflecting on his journey, Silveri shared some profound insights. One of the standout quotes from the episode was, "We'll never know every single thing that could possibly go right or wrong. And that's why I think that has just always been my MO in life is just like, take the step." This quote encapsulates Silveri's fearless approach to navigating the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry.
In a competitive field where talent and business acumen go hand in hand, Silveri's experiences serve as a valuable guide for aspiring creatives. His willingness to share knowledge through seminars and workshops reflects his commitment to supporting newcomers in the industry.
As Christopher Silveri's career continues to evolve, his story exemplifies the resilience and determination required to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of entertainment. Through a blend of passion, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to embrace challenges, Silveri's journey serves as an inspiration for all those pursuing their dreams in the entertainment industry.
https://www.uiatalent.com/
Here are three key takeaways from the insightful conversation:
- Understand the Business Aspects: Silveri emphasizes the importance of grasping the business side of the entertainment industry. He points out that decisions are often influenced by marketability rather than talent alone. This realization shaped his approach to guiding actors, highlighting the need for individuals to comprehend the industry's dynamics beyond just their craft. 2. Embrace Adaptability: Throughout his career transitions, including becoming a talent agent and founding his management company, Center Stage Management, Silveri showcases the significance of adaptability. His ability to pivot in response to industry shifts and financial crises underscores the importance of being flexible and open to new opportunities. 3. Take the Leap: Silveri's advice to take the step forward resonates with the idea of embracing uncertainty. He acknowledges that we can't predict every outcome but encourages individuals to move forward despite not knowing all the answers. This mindset of taking calculated risks and being proactive in pursuing opportunities is a key aspect of success in the entertainment industry.
Timeline:
00:00:12 Entertainment Industry Journey of Christopher Silveri
00:08:48 Navigating the Business Side of Show Business
00:15:58 Crafting Worlds: The Unsung Heroes of Casting
00:21:06 Navigating SAG-AFTRA Restrictions for Talent Agents
00:26:38 Entrepreneurial Evolution through Industry Challenges
00:30:51 Navigating Career Challenges through Strategic Adaptability
00:37:09 Collaborative Growth and Artistic Balance at UIA
#CastingDirectors #ActingJourney #EntertainmentIndustry #ShowBusiness #CastingDirectors #TalentAgency #ManagementCompany #CareerTransitions #UIATalentAgency #ActingJourney #BusinessAcumen #ActorSupport #IndustryInsights #StrategicDecisions
Rhianna Basore is a celebrated serial creative entrepreneur committed to promoting financial empowerment among creatives. An international director, producer, writer, and award-winning actor, her creative endeavors have graced stages from Off Broadway to Reykjavik, Toronto, and Paris. Basore's impactful work in the realm of financial empowerment and the arts has been highlighted in esteemed publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
With vast experience in business development for a multi-million dollar nonprofit, Basore now leverages her expertise to support female business leaders and creative entrepreneurs in achieving financial health and realizing their dreams. She believes that financial empowerment is crucial for creatives to thrive, drawing from her own experiences of overcoming financial instability to pursue her passions. By founding Self Trust Fund, Basore aims to educate creatives on managing their finances, fostering self-trust, and enabling them to focus on their artistic endeavors without the weight of financial stress.
www.selftrustfund.com
2025 Offer: "How to slay your money monsters" course
(00:01:27) Self Trust Fund: Empowering Creative Finances
(00:07:00) Financial Empowerment Coaching: Self Trust Fund
(00:12:29) Self Trust Fund: Empowering Creatives to Thrive
(00:16:49) Financial Freedom Enables Creative Project Selection
(00:22:37) "Culinary Adventures: Tasting Delightful Global Dishes"
#FinancialEmpowerment #SelfTrustFund #FinancialFreedom #CreativeInspiration #ChooseCreativeProjects #FavoriteFoods #DeliciousFood #ChildhoodFondue #TurkishEggDishes #FinancialStability #CreativeEntrepreneurs #FinancialCoaching
Lynn Harris is a trailblazer in the comedy world, passionately addressing gender disparity through her transformative initiatives and perspectives. As the founder of Gold Comedy, Harris has created a nurturing platform that empowers women and underrepresented groups to pursue comedy careers, challenging the traditional male-dominated narrative. She highlights the systemic gender biases in the industry, noting the unequal representation of women in leading roles and the significant power dynamics where humor dictates societal structures. Through her work with Gold Comedy and Persisticon, Harris combines her journalistic acumen and comedic flair to advocate for gender equality, using humor as a catalyst for social change and empowerment.
Lynn Harris, a comedian, writer, and founder of Gold Comedy, has a diverse career that merges journalism and comedy, using humor to advocate for social change and gender justice. Gold Comedy amplifies underrepresented voices in the comedy industry, promoting inclusivity and diversity, and aiming to normalize the notion that anyone, regardless of gender or background, can be recognized simply as a comedian. Harris emphasizes the importance of using statistics to address gender inequality in comedy and challenges the notion that male comics are the default standard. Through Gold Comedy, she provides a supportive community, mentorship, and educational opportunities for aspiring comedians worldwide, offering classes in stand-up, sketch, improv, and more. By fostering a global network of support and collaboration, Gold Comedy empowers individuals to thrive in the comedy industry on their own terms.
(00:00:11) Championing Diversity and Inclusivity in Comedy
(00:02:46) Humor-infused Journalism: Lynn Harris' Impact
(00:10:55) Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Comedy
(00:12:51) Empowering Comedy: Breaking Gender-Based Norms
(00:25:02) Inclusive Comedy School Fostering Global Connections
(00:29:08) Celebrity-Led Comedy Mentorship Network
Mara McCann, the visionary founder of Zhive Media, is at the forefront of shaping the future of the entertainment industry by bridging the gap between film financiers and creative talents. Through Zhive Media, she has established a vibrant membership community and a distribution incubator, empowering writers, directors, and actor/producers to seamlessly bring their projects to market. Mara's passion for creative and business growth is evident in her commitment to mentoring pre-seed companies and curating opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the film ecosystem. Her efforts are further amplified by Zhive Media's initiatives, including an exciting in-person event in Los Angeles (October 25-27, 2024), designed to support independent filmmakers and foster a thriving network of industry resources.
Here are three key takeaways from the podcast:
-
Continuous Learning and Desire for Growth: Mara McCann emphasized the power of learning and how a strong desire to expand one's knowledge can open up numerous possibilities. She shared her own journey of transitioning from acting to entrepreneurship and how being open to learning new skills paved the way for her success.
-
Embracing Change and Flexibility: Mara McCann highlighted the significance of adaptability and flexibility in the entrepreneurial landscape. She discussed the concept of an incubator as a space that provides mentors and resources to help individuals execute their ideas effectively, emphasizing the value of being open to new solutions and opportunities.
-
Community Engagement and Networking: Zhive Media's focus on community building and providing platforms for independent filmmakers was a key theme in the episode. Mara McCann mentioned an upcoming event in Los Angeles (October 25-27, 2024) aimed at supporting filmmakers and creating a collaborative ecosystem within the industry.
(00:00:06) Independent Film Ecosystem and Mara McCann
(00:09:32) Time as Valuable as Money in Film
(00:14:46) "Embracing Change for Entrepreneurial Advancement"
(00:17:55) Embracing Intuitive Paths for Personal Growth
(00:26:31) "Engage with Alya Lei for Zive Media"
Aidan Park, the dynamic founder and CEO of the Yay Foundation, harnesses his talents as an award-winning stand-up comedian and bestselling author to pioneer emotional healing and inner child work. Through his book, "The Art of Being Yay" (The OMG NSFW Memoir and Guide to Authentic Joy), Aidan underscores the significance of joy and authenticity, drawing from personal experiences to demonstrate the transformative power of embracing one's inner child. He believes that unresolved childhood traumas can manifest as intense reactions in adulthood, and his innovative use of comedy serves as a powerful tool to foster mental and emotional health, encouraging self-expression and connection. Aidan Park's collaborative efforts through engaging wellness programs continue to inspire individuals to delve into past experiences, empathize with their inner child, and pursue genuine happiness and self-acceptance.
Here are three key takeaways from the episode:
-
Utilizing Comedy for Healing: Aidan Park's Yay Foundation utilizes comedy as a tool for promoting mental and emotional health. By incorporating humor into educational programs and workshops, the foundation fosters self-expression and healing through laughter.
-
Personal Storytelling and Connection: Aidan Park emphasized the importance of embracing emotions and narratives, encouraging individuals to engage in inner child work and empathize with themselves. By revisiting past emotional experiences, it is possible to heal and grow from unresolved traumas.
-
Spreading Joy and Compassion: The Yay Foundation aims to empower individuals to find joy and healing through a compassionate and joyful approach to mental well-being. By creating safe spaces for personal storytelling and connecting through comedy events, the foundation promotes emotional balance and self-acceptance.
National Alliance of Mental Illness American Foundation of Suicide Prevention Aids Healthcare Foundation
Website: https://www.theyayfoundation.org/
Instagram: @aidanparkshow
(00:01:40) Healing through Comedy: Yay Foundation's Impact
(00:14:45) "The Art of Being Yay": Finding Purpose
(00:16:44) Impact of Childhood Molestation on Fear
(00:27:12) Embracing Emotional Balance for Lasting Happiness
(00:30:08) Desperation-Fueled Drug Use for Coping
(00:36:50) Journey of Self-Discovery and Compassion
(00:45:32) Embracing Authentic Narratives Through Comedy
#MentalHealthAwareness #ComedyForHealing #FindingHappiness #EmotionalBalance #EmpathyMatters #OvercomingChallenges #StorytellingThroughComedy #InnerChildWork #SelfExpression #JoyfulHealing #EmbraceEmotions #SupportThroughHumor
Morgan Deer, now based in Los Angeles, shares a unique and inspiring perspective on her acting journey, rooted in her transition from a career as a news anchor in Humboldt County. Her dedication to the craft is palpable, as she immersed herself in various acting workshops, studios, and improvisation classes, all while living with epilepsy—a condition that has only fueled her determination. Despite facing self-doubt and uncertainty, Morgan draws inspiration from renowned actors like Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, embracing every opportunity to bring memorable characters to life, including her role as a news reporter in the film "Fresh Air." Through her story, she hopes to inspire others, particularly those with disabilities, to pursue their dreams with unwavering confidence and persistence.
Quick Outline(00:01:05) Empowering Actors with Epilepsy through Advocacy (00:05:48) From News Anchor to Hollywood: Morgan Deer's Transformation (00:13:04) Navigating Obstacles with Self-Belief (00:20:15) Overcoming Challenges Through Resilience and Dedication (00:24:34) Inspired Journey to Acting Success in LA (00:27:35) Acting Opportunities and Pursuing Dreams
Key Takeaways - Morgan Deer advocates for individuals with disabilities in the acting industry and encourages them to pursue their dreams despite challenges. - Transitioning from news producer to news anchor and then to actor, Morgan highlights her journey from a small town to Los Angeles. - Morgan emphasizes the importance of self-belief and perseverance in overcoming self-doubt and navigating obstacles in Hollywood. - Morgan and Alya Lei stress the value of persistence and determination in achieving success and inspiring others to stay focused on their goals. - By attending acting classes and securing an agent, Morgan emphasizes the importance of taking action towards one's dreams despite fear and self-doubt. - Morgan Deer shares her experience in the film 'Fresh Air' as a news reporter, showcasing her dedication to learning lines and pursuing her acting dream.
Actionable Insights
-
Believe in yourself and be your own biggest supporter to avoid self-doubt
-
Take inspired action towards your dreams even when faced with fear and self-doubt
-
Persistence and determination are crucial in pursuing your goals and overcoming challenges
-
Leverage your background and skills to create opportunities in your desired field
-
Stay focused on your goals and persist through adversity to achieve success
-
Do not let your identity be defined by any challenges or conditions you may face
Socials: - Instagram: www.instagram.com/miss_morgan4
Vanessa Haney (pen name: Van Haney) grew up in the new age circus known as the entertainment industry. Van was first published in an anthology of poems in 1997. In the early 2000's she was showcased in young filmmaker competitions for her screenplays, and in 2018 while getting her Master's in Education, while also working as VP of Communications at Shoreline Entertainment, she self-published her first book of short stories, "Stories to Curl Your Toes". Now after two children and a move to the Pacific Northwest she's unleashing her stories into the world once again.
"Bloody Ever After" nine short stories based on re-imagined fairy tales, will be free for digital download on Amazon August 13th through 15th. If you follow her on TikTok: Van_Haney_Books (where Vanessa tells ghost stories), Vanessa will be doing a giveaway for both of her books of horror shorts in September and in October, she will be releasing her novel, currently titled "Safest in the Light".
TikTok: Van_Haney_Books Instagram: @dystopianess
Show Notes (timing is approximate)
28s Intro Vanessa Haney aka TikTok: Van_Haney_Books 1m 15s - Growing up in the Hollywood Circus 3m 12s - Started acting 3m 45s - Looking back - wished she focused more on what she was good at in film school - not the “idea” of the path 4m 6s - Getting into film sales, VP of communications 5m 15s - Details of film sales 8 years: what is it, how Vanessa got into it, how/why she get out of it 6m 38s - Miracle and Interview with Shoreline entertainment 7m 17s - Going to Cannes and assistant to VP of Shoreline 7m43s - Communications and becoming VP 8m 07s - Great boss teaching how to market yourself and be an entrepreneur 8m 34s - High stress job - only 1-3% of films make their money back / profit 9m 13s - Loved job, but no longer a fit with wanting a family 9m 43s - Received Masters in Education 9m 53s - Tends to say “yes” when presented with opportunities 10m 28s - Improv in high school and college 10m 36s - One of the main ways independent films are sold 13m 41s - Picking up films at festivals 13m 47s - Picking up films that have never been screened at a film festival 13m 57s - Pitching directly to decision makers at Cannes, TiFF, etc 14m 47s - Pitched films are not purchased by the company, works as a sales agent 15m 21s - How independent filmmakers get in touch with companies like Shoreline 15m 37s - Cinando.com created by Cannes film festival 15m 52s - look up film sales agents 16m 02s - Short films? 16m 13s - Shoreline distribution wing 17m 01s - Self publish books vs publisher, similar to picking up and distribution for films 17m 38s - Transitioning into being a mom 18m 26s - Volunteering at homeless shelters cooking and teaching art, exploring teaching as a new career 18m 54s - Film set and School community similarities 19m 27s - Looking back, missing things about Shoreline 20m 27s - Timeline after Masters degree and moving to Pacific Northwest 21m 12s - 2022 in Portland, Oregon - teaching and involved in school district 22m 22s - When did writing, screenplays and books, get involved? 23m 28s - Started writing 15 years ago, novels and bizarro books 24m 01s - 2019 wrote short stories and published them 24m 33s - 1st published book 24m 48s - Publish another book 25m 07s - YA fantasy book 25m 17s - Self publishing books 26m 07s - Started social media 26m 31s - Finding your niche 26m 54s - Ghost stories 27m 16s - TikTok: Van_Haney_Books (videos) and Instagram: @dystopianess (horror writing) 27m 52s - Why writing fantasy and horror has always been a part of Vanessa’s life 28m 37s - Most recent horror book, Safest in the Light, hybrid baby as metaphor for being a parent, juxtaposition LA lifestyle 29m 58s - Beta readers and editor, out in October 2024 30m 29s - 2nd book of short stories, Bloody Ever After, 9 re-imagined fairy tales, available on Amazon 31m 04s - 1st book, Stories to Curl Your Toes, short stories on Amazon 31m 22s - Books that go out with the Northwest independent writers association 31m 47s - Giveaways of books and swag - follow Vanessa on social media
STEPHANIE BELL, PGA
A member of the Producers Guild of America, Stephanie is an Emmy nominated & multi-award-winning producer and line producer with over 25 years experience in film, TV & digital content. Her films (both features and shorts) have screened in over 75 film festivals around the world, garnering more than 50 awards, including 14 for “Best Feature”.
Stephanie’s goal is to tell daring and provocative stories that spark a dialogue about the human condition and how our actions impact it.
She is the founding partner of three production companies, BelLipoma Entertainment, HatLine Productions, and Remote Films. She is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America. Stephanie is also an adjunct professor at College of the Desert in Palm Springs, CA, where she teaches producing and line producing.
She also serves as a casting director through her casting company, 2 Tall Dames, based in Palm Springs.
In addition to her teaching, Stephanie has served as a mentor to high school and college students in the Coachella Valley. As a member of the Palm Springs Women in Film & TV (PSWIFT), Stephanie served as Co-Chair of the Events Committee. Stephanie also has a background in business and legal affairs, having worked in the legal departments at Paramount Picture, Interscope Communications, and Franchise Pictures.
Stephanie began her career in the entertainment industry as an actress, performing Off- Broadway and regionally. She had the honor of studying in New York City under the tutelage of the Oscar-winning director, Mike Nichols.
www.bellipoma.com www.hatlineproductions.com
IMDb
Show Notes (Timing is approximate):
7sec Stephanie Bell Intro - 1min - 3 production companies - Bellipoma Entertainment, HatLine Productions & Remote films 1min 10 sec - adjunct professor at the College of the Desert in palm springs 1min 20s - casting director at 2 tall dames casting company 2m study under oscar winner Mike Nichols 2m 30 sec oscar winning producers, directors, actors always want to do more 3m 04 sec mike Nichols and improvisation - new actors workshop 3m 20 sec Paul Sills and Second City Improv 3m 30 sec Paul Sills, George Morrison broadway director - 3 teachers for improv training program 4m 07s - Viola Spolin’s sister 4m 43 s - how is Stephanie so prolific, how did Stephanie get started, how is Stephanie so successful? 5m 02s - growing up in family where acting is a hobby 5m 9s - environmental lawyer, english literature major, public relations 5m 28 s- started acting as a young child 5m 35 s - decision to be an actress 5m 54 s - regrets article by Erik Erikson, therapist 6m 20 s - oldest all female theatre company, The Snarks 6m 35 s - left job, in NY city, auditions, etc. 6m 45s - accepted into the New Actors Workshop, acting took off 6m 54 s - workshopping off broadway play brought to Los Angeles 7m 09s - stayed in LA, temp job at Interscope 7m 15 s - hired full time at Interscope, late 90’s, lots of activity in small theaters 7m 45s - involved with Sacred Fools Theater Company 7m 53 s - asked to produce a play 8m 6s - fell in love with producing & why 8m 15s “Don’t wait for people to create work for you, create your own work” 8m 26 s - started doing short films, produced 35 plays in Los Angeles, won awards, segue into features 8m 57 s - always said yes, accepting every offer, can’t give it up 9m 28 sec - recap and timing of decision to act and progress 10m 37 s - great advice Stephanie received from a working actress 11m - get your process and use it to build your acting career 11m 38 s - new actors workshop 11m 42 s - George Morrison taught wesley snipes, edie falco, and more 12m - new actors workshop - so many formats of teaching, find what works for you - your own process 12m 52 sec - 2 years at new actors worksop, then 4 years doing theatre in NYC, then went to LA and never left 13m 22sec - George Morrison said it takes 10 years to hone your craft, ie Sharon Stone, Hank Azaria 13m 54sec - use every audition as an opportunity to work your craft 15m 36sec - everyone has a special quality and finding your special quality 16m 14sec - Stanley Tucci story, right out of school 16m 40 sec - hard part of being an actress - can’t be worried about what other people think about you. Believe in Yourself. 17m 36 sec - remembering who you are 18m - Trust your instincts 18m 51 sec - LA timeline 18m 57sec - 45 yrs old and want to be an actor? 19m 36 sec - involvement with Sacred Fools 21m 50 sec - finding the yes within the no 22m 25 sec - learning which mountains to climb and which battles to fight 22m 50 sec - compromising with other producers 23m 03 sec - producers as writers 23m 54 sec - being too close to the material 24m 57sec - transition out of acting into producing 27m 40 sec - Stephanie teaching 27m 56s - getting involved with the palm springs women in film and television 28m - networking and teaching film development and producing at College of the Desert 29m 02sec - Line producing responsibilities 29m 53 sec - how a producer gets paid 30m 49sec - independent film world 32m 18sec - thoughts of success and failure as an artist 33m 08sec - everything that can go wrong, did go wrong on music video 35m 43 sec - wonderful things about the film industry 36m 28sec - working with people you enjoy 37m 49sec -how to get through when a person is challenged 40m 22 sec - “I am still here” film drama about child sex trafficking in the U.S. on Amazon 40m 58 sec - “Inverse” sci-fi/drama film on Amazon 41m19sec - current projects Stephanie is working on 42m10sec - writer Michael Lipolma 42m 15 sec - writer Mischa Marcus, @sanemenmovie.com 42m 19 sec - Stephanie’s active production companies: Bellipoma Entertainment and HatLine Productions 42m 36sec - how to contact Stephanie 43m 50 sec - Stephanie great at auditioning 44m 10sec - why Stephanie was great at improv
Strategy to be a successful actor no matter where you live! With award-winning actor, Chrissy Hogue Bartels
Chrissy Hogue Bartels shares her journey as an actor, challenges of being "derailed" from acting and her strategy to be successful as an actor no matter where you live!
Chrissy is a multi-award winning actor with a recent Best Supporting Actress Award from the Iowa Motion Picture Association for her role as "Katie" in a film she produced titled A Swan Song. She recently became SAG Eligible after booking a co-star on the popular NBC TV Show Chicago PD, holds an MFA in TV & Film with a concentration in Script & Screenwriting and has 1 feature-length script, 4 short screenplays, and a full-length stage play written.
Chrissy most recently performed a "graduation" Tight-5 via The Second City's Stand-Up I class and is hitting open-mics virtually and all over the country depending on where she's working. She coaches actors and teaches communication at Clarke University and Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently in production on several films.
Follow Chrissy on IG to find out where she'll be performing Stand-Up and for upcoming release dates on the films she's in production on!
Instagram @ChrissyHogueBartels Website is chrissyhoguebartels.com
Show Notes (Times are approximate!)
13sec Intro - 2min30 sec Hollywood Winner’s Circle - developed by manager Wendy Alaine Wright 5 min - journey as an actor 5min 36 sec - transition from theatre into tv & film 6m10 sec - one woman show - the stupid economy 6min 42 sec - julian dubuque international film festival - one of the top 50 film festivals in the world 7min 58sec - becoming a producer, writer & director 9m 19sec - Kate Mulgrew - captain laneway in star trek, orange is the new black, chair of film festival 10min 42 sec - impetus for one woman show - twin towers 9-11 25min Goodman theatre 26min Derailed 14min 34 sec - when Chrissy knew she wanted to be an actor 17min 6 sec - derailed so many times 18m 27s - acting again in high school 20m 3s - magical things happen, rome, awards, 20m13s - never give up 20m56s - what it’s like to be a car salesperson and taught Chrissy how to stop living in the mindset of lack and how that changed everything 22m 33s - derailed again - got married and had kids, acting put to the side - 23m 36 s - producing benefit vagina monologues, had cops called on them, raised $30k in 2 nights for the Riverview center - local rape crisis shelter, 25m 41s - where is chrissy now? when did chrissy start booking film & tv? 5 year plan. 26m 3s - classes with James Ciccone 26m 17s - booked Chicago PD 26m 38s - won best supporting actress award 26m 56s - audition, chemistry read and booked first feature film. director fought for chrissy for the lead, but producer wanted a name actress instead. director loved chrissy so much he expanded and wrote the role for Chrissy. 29m6s - how chrissy created her acting strategy 29m42s - strategy for actors in communities not in major markets 31m40s - Follow ChrissyHogueBartels on Instagram. YouTube. Website. Podcast in August: Violent Women in Film, 32m02s - books on how to make a living acting anywhere. on Amazon and website 32m33s - least favorite food and why
Arron Lloyd was born in the inner city in a single mother household, Arron has an appreciation for what it takes to create the life you deserve. As a theater, TV/Film actor and certified one star dual elite neuroencoding specialist, Arron helps actors/creatives & entrepreneurs encode themselves to default to their best. Helping them eliminate, mitigate and destroy the thieves of their dreams. Theives like procrastination, hesitation, fear of failure, fear of success, self doubt, self loathing, imposter syndrome, sefl doubt, fear of rejection, stress and overwhelm.
Arron is excited to start his 8 week program to help actors go from struggling to in-demand. Helping actors to stack the odds in their favor of booking with ease! Instagram: @ArronLloyd Website: https://www.arronlloyd.com
The Actor's Resource podcast is changing!!
We are transitioning to this podcast: DID YOU KNOW? with Alya
The purpose of the podcast will remain the same: Inspire, Inform, and/or Uplift with guest interviews - the new difference is we are including guests from outside of the entertainment industry, also!
Please join me over there!
Thank you for listeining to The Actor's Resource podcast! I appreciate you!!
Max Muscato is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer and philanthropist. As a rock artist he brings electrifying performances to every show. Over the last several years Max has gained an extensive following and has toured and opened for: Our Lady Peace, Citizen Cope, Theory of a Deadman, Aaron Carter, Finger Eleven, Ripe, The Allman Betts Band and more. He is currently working on his next singles Valarie and Toxic & Poison due out in 2022. In addition to his music career, Max is also the founder of Rock Autism Music Festival and the creator/writer of the new TV show “Setlist.” The show is the truest depiction of their family dynamic while revealing the grind it takes to make it in the music industry. Max's powerful songs written about his brother's struggle with Autism and addiction is a deep-rooted catalyst that drives his passion and career. Proceeds from his festival fund Rock Autism programs for individuals with Autism, connecting them to a career in music and film.
website: RockAutism.org
instagram: @rockautism and @maxmuscato
Catherine Campion is a lifer in the entertainment industry. She has been working as an actress non-stop since she was 16 - first in theater, then commercials, followed by TV & features. Some favorite roles have been a foul-mouthed cancer patient on Weeds; a MN Iron Range mom standing up to Charlize Theron in North Country; and a nerdy gamer in Silver, written by Diablo Cody. Now she works almost exclusively in voiceover. Highlights include TV campaigns for Subaru, United Health, Aveda and H&R Block; voicing Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow for the Iron Man video game; and Siri, in Ellen's iPhone, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. She's now coaching the business of VO at The VO Dojo. Catherine is a third-generation US election judge, and serves on the Board of Directors for her SAG-AFTRA local, as well as MN Women in Film & Television, of which she is Vice President. Outside of the industry, she teaches Adaptive Yoga to students with disabilities, and serves as a Death Midwife to those in the process of dying or losing someone dear to them. She lives in Minneapolis, with her One True Love, Jake, and One True Dog, Dobby. CatherineCampion.com cat@catherinecampion.com
Michael Vincent Berry is a Texas-born Actor most known for his roles in American Tragedies: WACO The Trials, Law and Order SVU, Better Call Saul and THEM. Other notable projects include the multi-award winning Crude Massacre, Last of the Grads and the LGBT dystopian film; Innocent Boy.
Michael is a veteran stage actor and former Chair of Theatre and Artistic Director at Oakland School for the Arts. Former students of Michael's include: Bo Burnham, Tati Gabrielle and Zendaya. In 2017 he earned a Special Tony nomination for his work in Theatre Education and was inducted into his Alma Mater's Hall of Fame. Michael is a champion for kids with disabilities and access to education in the Arts.
Michael is the proud father of 3 adopted deaf children and resides in Austin, Texas with his husband Adam and three children.
Follow Michael Vincent Berry:
website: https://michaelvincentberry.com Instagram: @michael.vincent.berry Facebook: @michaelvincentberry
Success Interview with award-winning actor, Josh Murray - General Hospital, Christmas at the Greenbrier, Gym Rat.
Josh Murray debuted nationally in TV movie "Killing Lincoln" (as assassin Lewis Powell) – Executive Produced by Ridley Scott and narrated by Tom Hanks – it set a record in viewership on the National Geographic Channel. Since then he has appeared in NBC's “Revolution” and "Taxi Brooklyn" as well as the feature film adaption of David Baldacci’s book "Wish You Well" (starring Mackenzie Foy, Ellen Burstyn and Josh Lucas). He has also worked as an actor for and/or with multiple branches of the military and various law enforcement agencies.
Josh most recently appeared in Tribeca Official Selection “Inheritance” starring Lily Collins and Simon Pegg and was recurring on General Hospital. His latest project is a self-produced feature “Gym Rat” playing an ex-con fitness freak with delusions of being the next Mr. Olympia. Instagram: @joshmurrayctor and @gymratmovie
Success Interview with Elaine Rivkin, SAG-AFTRA, AEA actor Elaine Rivkin is a recent transplant to Los Angeles from Chicago, where she spent decades acting, teaching, producing, and freelancing in casting. Her stage credits include Steppenwolf Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers, Northlight, Milwaukee Rep, Geva, and many others. Since moving to LA, she has worked in new play development at Geffen, Center Theatre Group, Boston Court, and New American Theatre, where she became a company member doing Measure for Measure. Elaine's move to LA was prompted by a shift in focus to more on-camera work. Since she relocated, she has appeared on Chicago Fire, Shameless, The Dropout, American Crime Story: Impeachment, and American Horror Story. Elaine is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She is repped by Sovereign Talent Group LA, and managed by CSP Management.
Jake Diamond is an award-winning editor with over 20 years of experience in Film and Television. From feature films and documentaries, to TV shows such as 90 Day Fiancé and the The Colbert Report, his projects have run the full gamut.
He is also starting a new career as a filmmaker. He had made a few short films, and recently created the "Doin' Great" Dark Comedy Web Series - Best Web Series/TV Pilot at the 2021 Cannes International Cinema Festival. Jake is working on turning "Doin' Great" into a TV series.
Watch and follow the series at: www.doingreatseries.com
The Actor's Resource Podcast interviews Roxanna Lewis - an award-winning filmmaker to hear Roxanna share her success story, including her near death experience which helped Roxanna define her creative choices. Roxanna's creative approach to film making originates from her deep roots as a theatrical director and choreographer. Her work has been presented across the US and beyond, from Broadway to Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, to performances for international dignitaries and audiences in the US, Europe and Asia. Her career has also fortuitously led her to work with individuals who happen to be amputees, paraplegic, wheelchair users, deaf, blind, neurodiverse and neurotypical.
As an award-winning film director, Roxanna’s directed The Crossing (Cote de Pablo/ NCIS), The Shift, I Didn’t Know, Hear Me, My Third Body and multi-media String Theory which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with Mandy’s Voice currently in post-production. She’s worked on additional projects with Island Records, SONY UK, Mpress Records, CNN.Com, Discovery Channel, Showtime, Mindless Entertainment, DNA Productions, The Revolver Film Company and Kilo Productions. Roxanna is also Founder/CEO of Roxxiedanz Productions, Inc. a boutique film & commercial production company that develops scripted and non-scripted tv series, documentaries and short form content celebrating under-represented voices, female-forward content, diversity and inclusivity.
www.MANDYSVOICEFILM.com
www.ROXANNALEWIS.com
Instagram @roxannalewis
Twitter @roxannalewis
Success Story: Ruth Haney, Hollywood Studio Union Makeup Artist for over 25 years. Ruth moved from Albany, New York to Los Angeles around 1980. She had a chance meeting while waitressing that changed her life and opened the doors to the world of studio makeup. Ruth is a fine artist, so makeup was an easy transition, using color and brushes, on people rather than a canvas. Ruth has worked on the Carol Burnett show, Come Back show in the early 1990's, 8 years on Diagnosis Murder starring Dick Van Dyke, and 7 years at CSI Las Vegas with Matthew Mungle doing Special Effects makeup. Ruth then stepped into the film world doing many films including, The Call, Haunted House 2, Nocturnal Animals, Guilty, Blade Runner, and Ambulance, and recently Dune, just to name a few. Ruth is currently working on Barry season 3.
Marti Mongiello - genius, veteran, director, producer, author, CEO, White House chef and the list goes on and on...
Marti's current television series, Inside the President's Cabinet, launched in 2019 and is renewed for two additional seasons into 2022.
Chalis Romero grew up in the Salt Lake City Valley, Utah. She graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a degree in Radio, TV & Film. First job in "the industry" was in reality TV. After a couple of years she got a job in scripted TV as an office PA and then as a producer's assistant. She was accepted into the DGA Training program in 2013 and has been working as an assistant director since 2016 on shows such as HBO's Barry, NCIS, Veep and many more!
Lauren Buglioli - currently a series regular on Netflix's "Florida Man" (currently in production) was born in Los Angeles where she worked as an actress before moving to London, England for middle and high school, where she continued to work in film, television and theatre. She’s a graduate of the American School in London… so don’t be disappointed by the lack of accent.
Her training includes: London's Central School of Speech and Drama, LAMDA, NYU, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, UCB, iO West, Lesly Kahn and Margie Haber. Lauren is currently shooting “Florida Man” for Netflix alongside Edgar Ramirez and Paul Schneider. She most recently worked on Tyler Perry’s a “Jazzman’s Blues” and “Vendetta” alongside Clive Standen, Theo Rossi, and Bruce Willis.
Lauren is represented by Privilege Talent, Brilliant Talent Management, DGRW and Sovereign Talent.
She is the mother of two very sassy dogs, and aspires to own a tiny home in the mountains. As a former city girl, who is known to scream expletives at bees, this is both shocking and alarming but proof that ANYTHING is possible.
An accomplished producer and showrunner with an extensive background in science fiction television, Montreal-born Joseph Mallozzi began his career in the entertainment industry as an animator and later as a writer. He worked developing more than 100 hours of television programming for various children’s series, including Animal Crackers, The Little Lulu Show, and Caillou.
Joseph Mallozzi transitioned to live-action television as a writer-producer with FOX’s teen sitcom Student Bodies, writing nearly two dozen episodes throughout the series’ 65-episode run. Following the conclusion of Student Bodies, Joseph Mallozzi remained with FOX as a contributing writer for television series, including Big Wolf on Campus, The Lost World, and Largo Winch.
With his writing partner Paul Mullie, he joined the critically-acclaimed sci-fi series Stargate: SG-1 in its fourth season, and remained with the franchise as a scriptwriter, showrunner, and executive producer throughout the Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate: Universe programs. After eleven years with Stargate, Joseph Mallozzi branched out to pursue independent projects, launching the comic “Dark Matter” in 2012 and the television series of the same name in 2015.
He regularly posts updates on new projects, interesting foods, and his dogs at JosephMallozzi.com as well as on Twitter (@barondestructo) and Facebook (@josephmallozzi).
Shawn Maus is sincere, frank, curious, ambitious and humorous – or so he’s been told.
Writer, mentor, screenwriter, playwright and life adventurer. Shawn is the creator and host of the podcast “Art in Your Heart.” His TV pilot “Soulcatch” was a quarterfinalist in the Chicago Screenplay Awards and his feature script “Boxes” has received numerous recognitions including being named a semifinalist in the Screencraft Drama Screenplay contest.
Shawn has produced three short films, including indie film circuit favorite Living Under Linda’s Desk, and has received the Award of Excellence from the Iowa Motion Picture Association.
Shawn is a producer for the upcoming Fashion Reality show “The Collective” which will be streamed all over the world in
October. His website is shawnmaus.net and you can hear his podcast “Art in Your Heart” wherever you get your podcasts.
Our guest is Karina Ruth Walters, who is a proud member of the Casting Society of America (CSA) and has 15 years of casting experience (including S.W.A.T., UnREAL, Burn Notice, The Shield, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows, The Watch). She has worked as a full Casting Director since 2012 and prior to that, she was a Casting Associate, honing her craft with some of the top Casting Directors in the business.
In early 2018 Karina began working with Revolution Financial Management. It was her desire to help actors and other creative professionals, who often struggle with fluctuating incomes and the lack of company retirement plans, that first ignited her passion for helping others get on track financially, though you certainly don't have to be in a creative field to enlist her help!
Based on her own experience, she saw the importance of educating Americans on the fundamental principles of building wealth, believing that everyone, regardless of income or background, should have increased financial literacy. For the past 3 years, she has made it her mission to help people plan for a greater quality of life by learning about and implementing basic but powerful financial concepts.
David Dean Bottrell has played guest star roles on shows like “Modern Family,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Mad Men,” "Longmire," "Rectify," “Justified,” “True Blood,” “Bones,” “Castle,” “Criminal Minds,” "CSI," “NCIS,” “Ugly Betty,” “iCarly” and “Boston Legal” to name just a few. His many theatre credits include Second Stage, Long Wharf, Humana Festival at Actors Theatre of Louisville, plus sketch and storytelling shows at Dixon Place, Comedy Central Stage and Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre. He has been a columnist for Backstage.com, written off-Broadway plays and screenplays for many Hollywood studios. He created and for three years co-produced the critically acclaimed Sci-Fest LA: The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival. His first book, WORKING ACTOR was published in 2019 by Ten Speed Press. His current one-man show, DAVID DEAN BOTTRELL MAKES LOVE: A ONE-MAN SHOW will be released as an audio book by Random House in 2020.
Yvonne Senat Jones - series regular on Tyler Perry's "Ruthless" shares with us how she was cast as "Tally" and also has a big reveal!!
Yvonne was born in Dallas, TX. She is of Bolivian-Haitian descent and is fluent in Spanish. She fell in love with acting at El Camino College under the instruction of Mr.Ron Scarlata. She transferred to Cal State Long Beach and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts then received a full scholarship to University of South Carolina where she earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting.
She immediately began teaching theatre arts because it was one of the few teaching positions that only required a college degree. She quickly learned that she loved it and began working with a non-profit organization, City Hearts LA, an organization which brings the arts to schools that wouldn't normally be able to fund an arts program.
Her first big break came when Emmy-Award winning casting director , Robi Reed, cast her in the role of Robyn Crawford in the BET movie "The Bobby Brown Story". The cast won the NAACP Image Award for best TV Movie.
A year later she booked the recurring role of Tally in Tyler Perry's Hit Drama "The Oval". Dir.Perry then expanded her role to a series regular lead in his spin off, "Ruthless".
Her previous roles include Guest Stars on "The Orville" and "Cursed", and appearances on shows like "SWAT", working opposite Shemar Moore, and "Code Black" working opposite Boris Kodjoe.
Yvonne and her husband, Charles Jones, own the production company, MFB Entertainment.
In this episode, Kurt Koehler shares his top tip on the one thing a successful actor must have and why.
Kurt Koehler has worked as a casting assistant for TV and Film.
Kurt is also an Actor/Writer/Director in Los Angeles.
He has many acting credits, including Big Bang Theory, AGENTS of Shield, Young Sheldon and Girlboss - just to name a few. He also co-created the underground cult classic CHICO'S ANGELS in LA.
Kurt also teaches what he's learned to trained actors! And his students book work!
http://www.kurtkoehler.com
Our guest is Michelle Khare, host of HBO Max "Karma".
Michelle is seriously a bad-ass! And an amazing actress and inspiration for actors and content creators!
With over 2 MILLION subscribers on her YouTube channel, we got to chat with Michelle about her acting journey!
Follow Michelle Khare on all the socials and YouTube!
Our guest is Scott Sedita - acting coach to many of today's top stars, including Lana Condor, Ross Butler, Haley Lu Richardson, Josh Duhamel, and the list keeps going...
Scott Sedita has been in the entertainment industry for 30 years! Scott has been an actor, talent agent, casting director and currently, top acting coach and owner of Scott Sedita Acting Studios. Because of Scott's experience, he knows what works and what doesn't, from both sides of the camera!
In this episode, Scott shares the 3 steps for success for actors in Hollywood!
https://scottseditaacting.com
When Opportunity Knocks...
Will you know what to do?
Our guest is Tony Rago, a multi-hyphenate in Hollywood with over 20+ years of experience. Learn from his personal mistakes on how to notice when opportunity knocks and what to do when it does.
Manage your acting career in one place!
Tired of searching for lost notes, casting director info, auditions, etc?
Our guest, Ayelette Robinson, chats about being an actor, director, producer and why she created ActorsGuru.com.
And she gives us a 30% discount!
Follow Ayelette on Instagram @ayeletterobinson
Our guest, Valorie Hubbard, professional actor and owner of Actor's Fast Track, shares her biggest tip for auditions and bookings. Valorie also talks about how the entertainment industry is changing and how actors can prepare for these changes, now.
Our guest is Jordan Elizabeth Gelber, producer of Starbaby Enterprises. Jordan is also an actor and writer and she is always on the cutting edge of technology. On this episode, Jordan explains what OTT is and how it's the new, hottest way to show your content.
Branding - What is it and does it really make a difference?
Nandini Bapat booked a recurring role on a hit HBO show when she changed her branding. Find out her process on this episode of The Actor's Resource Podcast!
Our special guest, director Sanji DeSilva - shares her experiences working with youth, grief and creating films that excite and educate middle-school tweens.
How do you handle fear to achieve your goals?
Our special guest, Tom Malloy - actor, writer, producer (Trick Candle Productions) and President of a movie sales and distribution company (Glass House Distribution) will share his secret to success, how to network, funding for content creators and how to get past your fear!
Tom's book, Bankroll, has proven to be the gold standard when it comes to aiding filmmakers, directors, producers and actors in financing their independent films.
Collaborating with Jason Brubaker - Tom has created a new website teaching everything you need to know about the film industry: www.filmmakingstuffhq.com
How do you handle fear to achieve your goals?
Our special guest, Tom Malloy - actor, writer, producer (Trick Candle Productions) and President of a movie sales and distribution company (Glass House Distribution) will share his secret to success, how to network, funding for content creators and how to get past your fear!
Tom's book, Bankroll, has proven to be the gold standard when it comes to aiding filmmakers, directors, producers and actors in financing their independent films.
Collaborating with Jason Brubaker - Tom has created a new website teaching everything you need to know about the film industry: www.filmmakingstuffhq.com
The Future of TV....dun, dun, dunnn!!
Candivan, a new streaming network is almost here! Find out how to get your show on this new network, how they fund the shows and more!
Interviewing the founder of Candivan: Chris Blair!
Chris is the Founder of Candivan. He is a Bay Area filmmaker, producer, improviser, and teacher. In 2010 he co-founded Endgames Improv, San Francisco’s most popular comedy improv company. He is also a creator and a player in the Bay Area’s sell-out improv show Your Fked Up Relationship which has been running every Friday for the past six years. He is the creator of several film productions, including the web series, Tragedy Club. He also currently teaches at Endgames Improv and at UC Berkeley.
Special guest: Full-Time Working Actor, Aaron Marcus.
Aaron Marcus has been cast in more than 1,200 TV and radio commercials, corporate films, feature films, television and print ads.
You have seen him on the TV shows, Gotham, his recurring role on House of Cards, Mr. Robot, Do No Harm,
Law & Order: CI, Rectify, Halt and Catch Fire, The Wire, West Wing, as well as film projects such as Project
Almanac, Philomena, Fishbowl, Buck Run, Eugene and A Modest Suggestion.
Aaron's book, "How to Become a Successful Actor and Model" is considered by many to be the most important book on this
topic. He is also an “Expert Writer” for Backstage.
You can visit his site: howtoactandmodel.com/home and receive 3 free amazing videos.
Have you heard of this exciting new platform for actors to rehearse with each other and connect with Agents, Managers and Casting Directors without leaving your home?
We ask two co-founders, Darren Darnborough and Richard Cambridge how this platform can help actors improve their careers!
The Actor's Resource Podcast with Special Guest, Maria Fe Picar - producer of Asian Mainstream Productions.
On this episode, find out about an upcoming film festival in Las Vegas, screenplays and films in production.
Maria Fe Picar also gives advice on how to best handle rejection!
Will Chen is an actor and the creator of the SceneRunner App - a FREE app that will run lines for an actor, with Voice Recognition! And many more custom features available!
Listen to this episode to learn more!
Have you ever felt "blocked" as an actor? Wondered how you can "be in the moment" more often?
Jo Kelly can help with that! Jo has spent the past 20 years coaching award winning actors mainly (Owen Wilson, Caitlin Gerard, Laura Spencer, Brittany Allen, Carlos Leal) but also singers, dancers, directors and corporate executives in Paris, Madrid, Zurich, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York.
As a director, her first film won several awards. Currently she is directing 2 documentaries & she is developing two feature projects.
Webinar Link: https://events.genndi.com/register/169105139238470915/10aa186f07
Creating your own content
Rosie Cruz, producer, actor & entrepreneur - shares pitfalls to avoid when creating your own content, as well as her best and most challenging experiences as an actor.
Rosie is a graduate of San Jose State University’s Theater Arts program. Rosie has worked steadily as an actor in the Bay Area and LA markets. She continues to study with top Hollywood acting coaches to refine her craft. Her recent film and studio television highlights include A Normal Life, Oksana, and NBC’s Trauma. She co-founded New Works West Theatre Company in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the co-creator of HUSH The Series, an award winning internet series, inspired by true events. Her new media credits include the Dyke Central Pilot. For nearly two decades, she has developed a thriving event planning business. She’s a true creative entrepreneur, living in the Bay Area with her husband and three children.
www.RosieFerdinCruz.com, www.HUSHTheSeries.com, www.TheActorsConference.com
“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.” – Tony Robbins
The Actor's Resource podcast is for actors and improvisers looking for advice and inspiration in the entertainment industry.
The Actor's Resource podcast with Alice Kwong is thrilled to interview actor, social entrepreneur, and creator - Rosie Cruz!
Rosie is a graduate of San Jose State University’s Theater Arts program, Rosie has worked steadily as an actor in the Bay Area and LA markets. She continues to study with top Hollywood acting coaches to refine her craft. Her recent film and studio television highlights include A Normal Life, Oksana, and NBC’s Trauma. She co-founded New Works West Theatre Company in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the co-creator of HUSH The Series, an award winning internet series, inspired by true events. Her new media credits include the Dyke Central Pilot. For nearly two decades, she has developed a thriving event planning business. She’s a true creative entrepreneur, living in the Bay Area with her husband and three children.
www.RosieFerdinCruz.com, www.HUSHTheSeries.com, www.TheActorsConference.com
“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.” – Tony Robbins
The Actor's Resource podcast is for actors and improvisers looking for advice and inspiration in the entertainment industry.
Charlie Holliday is a working actor who has appeared in more than fifty movies and television programs. His many credits include Kindergarten Cop, Ed Wood, Moonlighting, Quantum Leap, a Guest
Starring role in the mini-series "They Were Giants” for the BBC, and a series regular role of Manny Washington on the TV pilot Tom Hennessey.
In addition to his film and television work, Charlie has acted and directed in a wide range of stage productions. He is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild/ American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), and served as an elected member of the SAG-AFTRA Executive Council for many years. Charlie acts as the liaison between SAG-AFTRA and many of the Northern California film commissions. He also serves as a member of the Indie Outreach Campaign, SAG-AFTRA's national outreach program to independent film makers.
Charlie is also a partner in the Sacramento area’s premier casting company, Media Casting Group. (www.mediacastinggroup.com)
In addition to his own work as a director, actor and casting director, Charlie has been teaching and coaching
actors for more than 20 years, and offers both private coaching and acting classes at his private studio in Rancho
Cordova. He is Director of Jeremy Whelan's Mosaic Acting System, and operates the Mosaic Acting Studio, where he conducts most of his classes.
Charlie is available for interviews and as a guest speaker for schools, clubs, and other groups and organizations and can be reached at 916-588-2699 or e-mail at charlie@charlieactor.com.
Ben Weddell is a TV and podcast host from Chico CA. He has a background in improvisational comedy and sketch writing. He started doing local improv comedy shows before moving on to TV with his first show Aberrant Behaviors, and then launched Big Ben's Movie Show and the Geek Wars podcast network.
Jill Eickmann is the Artistic Director of Leela, a holistic San Francisco based improvisational theater and training center. She is also a Producer and Board Member for The San Francisco Improv Festival and Executive Producer for Femprovisor Fest: SF's all women's improv festival. Jill has directed over 100 original productions. She has taught her signature style of improvisation to thousands of improvisors of all ages and walks of life. Jill currently performs in Shades of Grey, an improvised duo with Marcus Sams, Leela's Armando Company, and Leela’s all women’s Harold ensemble, #SorryNotSorry. She has directed many ensembles through Leela's Performing Improv Ensembles (PIE) Program. Most recently she taught a six week private improv class to cast members of Disney’s The Lion King – Broadway Tour. Jill was the founder of the three person improv ensemble, Road Dawgz, where she performed with Tony Award Winner Dan Fogler (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Law Tarello (Photo City Improv- Rochester) throughout NYC. She studied in New York and Chicago with some of the best from Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (UCB), The Second City, IO (Formerly Improv Olympic), Annoyance Productions, and Magnet Theater. Jill is also an in-demand psychotherapist who continues to research and teach the psychological implications and therapeutic benefits of improvisation. She enjoys facilitating workshops with SF local start-ups, established companies, and business leaders to support a positive working environment while fostering boundless collective creativity. Past clients include The Clorox Company, Adobe, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google (among others.)
For more information on Leela shows and classes, visit www.leela-sf.com
The Actor's Resource Podcast with Alice Kwong
Our inaugural podcast show!
My friend and director, Shawn Maus shares his internship experiences at 30 Rock and Paramount Studios - how they influenced his career in Film & TV. Shawn is currently the Director of Cincinnati Radio Actors Theatre, dedicated to keeping the art of radio theatre alive for future generations.