The Acting Income Podcast with Ben Hauck: Recent Episodes
Ben Hauck
Covering a wide range of topics related to acting, making money, and staying balanced, The Acting Income Podcast with Ben Hauck includes insights, interviews, and advocacy for the professional actor, inspired by Ben's own acting journey in expensive New York City. AIP produces compelling episodes on what so many people want to know: how to earn an income as an actor.
In this long-form episode and sonic journey, host Ben Hauck questions the logic that actors cannot always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while they do their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ben explains how the "common sense" SAG-AFTRA's president Gabrielle Carteris and others hold that actors can't always wear PPE runs counter to data and safety, two values that SAG-AFTRA expressly exalts in the creation of safety protocols for the return to entertainment-industry work. Ben points out the danger to actors such a belief is, because it necessarily means that actors won't always be wearing PPE when they work, putting themselves and crew members at risk.
Ben argues that the pandemic has turned "common sense" upside down, as evidenced by the continued production of late-night variety shows like Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Saturday Night Live, despite obvious creative constraints brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The late-night variety shows have also provided data to help gauge the economic successes of their new low-tech productions, which may indicate what other compromises productions might make in order to successfully produce a show -- while also protecting actors from coming down with COVID-19.
While Ben provides ideas on how to move forward safely with actors, he also lays down reasonable skepticism that SAG-AFTRA can help the individual actor during the pandemic, citing the union's furlough of many of its representatives, as well as that SAG-AFTRA reps are actually Teamsters. Ben ponders whether the Teamsters might fight against SAG-AFTRA as employer, should SAG-AFTRA try to unilaterally enact policies that the Teamsters would rather negotiate. Ben wonders if this might spell trouble for contract administration and grievance adjustment for actors.
Given this skepticism about SAG-AFTRA's ability to protect actors amid the pandemic, Ben provides tips for actors to help themselves upon the return to work. Ben also provides a rundown of important rights actors have as employees under the National Labor Relations Act, touching on Section 7 rights, Weingarten rights, and retaliation by employers or unions. These tips and rights will help actors should they encounter safety issues at work in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Show Notes: http://actingincome.com/episode37
In this long-form episode, host Ben Hauck dives into the ongoing problem of "split earnings" that continues to plague many SAG-AFTRA actors interested in qualifying for a union pension.
Ben explains how the merger of SAG's and AFTRA's health plans did not solve the split-earnings problem, putting members in the awkward situation of turning down union work and large paychecks in the pursuit of a pension credit.
Ben also outlines how SAG-AFTRA repeatedly ignores and fails to provide public comment on the resolution of the split-earnings problem -- a hot-button topic that helped SAG and AFTRA to achieve a merger more than six years ago.
With extensive documentation, Ben shows how it would seem that the union as well as one of its pension plans is quite plausibly against reporting on the pension plans and their health, essentially shutting out members from important information about the status of their pensions. Actors are left trying to interpret signals from the union and its pension plans about what they might be doing -- or might not be doing -- to resolve split earnings.
Ben concludes with what he wants with respect to the split-earninngs problem, and what he hopes listeners will consider when it comes time to vote on contracts and union elections.
Show Notes: http://actingincome.com/episode36
In this extended episode, host Ben Hauck narrates his saga of trying to learn from SAG-AFTRA the rate for stand-ins when they photo double in New York.
In the process of researching that rate, Ben reveals how he uncovered not just SAG-AFTRA's misrepresentation of the increases photo doubles would make under the 2017 Television/Theatrical Agreement, but also SAG-AFTRA's illogical interpretation of just how much stand-ins in New York should be paid when they photo doubled.
Ben also adds that a key person at SAG-AFTRA, responsible for interpreting the rates for stand-ins who photo double, has not replied with the interpretation.
Show Notes: http://actingincome.com/episode35
Actress and writer Anne DeAcetis is a guest contributor for this episode, reading from her essay on Medium.com which lists five reasons why casting directors should happily play a part in the disappearance of casting director workshops.
Host Ben Hauck shares introductory content that motivated Anne's piece -- namely, an article from The Hollywood Reporter on the prevalence of casting director workshops notoriously referred to as "pay-to-plays," the subsequent dismissal of a prominent casting director who has run casting director workshops, and a press release from the Casting Society of America establishing a Workshop Committee to address the standards of these workshops.
Show notes: http://actingincome.com/episode34
Host (and actor) Ben Hauck explains in detail why SAG-AFTRA actors should vote no on the proposed 2016 Commercials Contract.
In the episode, Ben outlines some of the important losses SAG-AFTRA actors will experience should they ratify this contract negotiated recently between the union and commercial producers. Namely, actors will lose use fees they typically get when their commercials are played. They'll lose these use fees (which could equal hundreds to thousands of dollars) when their commercials are simultaneously streamed on the Internet, New Media, or a future technology, and they'll also lose them when their commercials are edited for special offers and promotions.
In addition, SAG-AFTRA actors will be paid later than in the prior commercials contract. Furthermore, the proposed contract does not include a precise definition for the term "commercial," which means that a later definition may prompt the union to give away more of your use without payment to you.
Ben points out that the press release SAG-AFTRA put out points up the increases the union accomplished in the negotiation, but it doesn't include what the union lost for actors. Given this and other wordings in the press release, Ben deems the SAG-AFTRA press release as "propagandistic" -- an attempt to persuade members to vote yes on a contract that freely gives away fees for the commercial actor more valuable than the 7% wage increase the contract provides.
Ben urges SAG-AFTRA actors to vote no (#VoteNo and #VoteHellNo), but even more generally to simply vote -- even if they haven't worked in commercials yet. He explains their vote -- or failure to vote -- may affect the commercials contract they work under in the future. If SAG-AFTRA members choose not to ratify this proposed commercials contract, Ben says actors are not urging a strike so much as urging a continued negotiation to address the important compensation to actors that the union has bargained away in this proposed contract -- compensation that is aimed contractually at ensuring actors can work in commercials, be paid of the use of their work, and survive inevitable periods of unemployment that being identified in commercials creates.
Host Ben Hauck explains the responsibility that comes with producing a weekly podcast, and how that responsibility overlaps with his acting career. The episode includes details on the goals he took on in starting the podcast, the kind of work involved in producing it, plus an important announcement on the next stage of The Acting Income Podcast.
Actor Mandy May Cheetham speaks with host Ben Hauck on how to act in New York City -- with little to no income.
In this interview, Mandy shares what motivated her temporary move to New York City from Toronto, Canada, and how she quadrupled the length of her initial stay. Mandy divulges the sources of her funding that financed her stay in NYC and how she was able to cut down on housing costs. Faced with the threat of being homeless in a foreign country, Mandy details how she was able to find new places to stay on short notice.
Mandy also details how she found acting opportunities in NYC -- using casting websites, acting and improv school performance opportunities, and networking. In particular, networking for Mandy was like "finding her tribe." Canada may seem similar to the United States, says Mandy, but Canadians can experience culture shock when in the country. Mandy explains some of the culture shock she experienced, not to mention how her uniquely Canadian experiences led her to seek out other Canadian actors in New York City.
Despite financial constraints as a Canadian in the United States, Mandy lays out how she remained creative during her stay. Bartering was one method she used to get what she needed, and she also used doing favors as a means for building equity with friends, to cash in on later for her career needs.
Eventually, Mandy left New York City, and she opens up on what led her to leave and what her relationship with New York City became over the course of her stay. She definitely left NYC with skills to be more competitive as an actor. She explains how the Toronto market is different from NYC's, and how she upped her acting game when she returned to Toronto. Mandy also left NYC with thoughts on what she would have done differently in terms of performance and financing -- were she to visit the city again.
Mandy rounds out the interview with advice for the actor considering the move to New York City, especially with limited financial resources or an inability to earn an income. She also mentions her book (available on her website) with practical tips for actors starting out in New York City, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
As an outtake from the interview, Mandy talks about how health care differs between Canada and the United States, and how that need affected her acting pursuits.
Actress Victoria Libertore talks with host Ben Hauck about fame, and what she has learned about fame after years of pursuing it as an actor in New York City. In the interview, Victoria talks about her recent solo show My Last Attempt at Fame, as well as what fame was to her when she moved to NYC and why she believes she wanted it as an actor. She also speaks to the choices she has made in her life in the pursuit of fame, and how her age and experiences have influenced that pursuit.
Victoria shares how her interest in fame and being an admired artist increased after working in a boutique talent agency. Over the years she built a following for her performance work, and she worked with notable professionals. But she also experienced disappointment after a professional highlight didn't take her acting career to the next level. This event helped to change her relationship with fame.
Victoria talks of the positive and negative feelings that awakened as a result of a disappointing performance experience -- not to mention what she learned about herself and her value. As an artist, she has been inspired by pain, and to get out of depressions created by the pursuit of fame, Victoria divulges that she focuses on gratitude and connecting with other artists.
Victoria then covers some of the themes from My Last Attempt at Fame, notably how age affects her creative drives. Victoria also teaches performance, and she shares what she passes on to students about fame and about seeking audience approval. She then talks about social media, how it has affected the pursuit of fame, and how it suggests that fame is a lot like a drug.
The pursuit of fame can be for its own sake or for service of some greater cause, and the latter has become more of Victoria's interest as she has gotten older. She recommends that actors focus on the work and how they can contribute -- and if fame comes, then that is a nice addition. Victoria concludes the interview with a touching recent experience performing in Nebraska amid farmers, and how one farmer reached out to her to express how meaningful My Last Attempt at Fame was to him.
Host Ben Hauck recaps Episodes 21 through 29 of The Acting Income Podcast. In this episode, in addition to summarizing the past nine episodes, Ben adds anecdotes about the episodes and explains what he's learned in the process of producing them. Ben concludes with comments on what these episodes reflect about his own acting career to date. Quick links to Episodes 21 through 29:
- http://actingincome.com/episode21
- http://actingincome.com/episode22
- http://actingincome.com/episode23
- http://actingincome.com/episode24
- http://actingincome.com/episode25
- http://actingincome.com/episode26
- http://actingincome.com/episode27
- http://actingincome.com/episode28
- http://actingincome.com/episode29
Actor-comedienne Keisha Zollar talks with host Ben Hauck about diversity issues at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and in the improv world in general, and what actors can do to increase the population of diverse voices in performance.
In this interview inspired by a Washington Post article on diversity issues at UCBT, Keisha explains her current relationship with UCBT as an improv teacher and formerly as its diversity coordinator. She details her activities and achievements as diversity coordinator along with some of the diversity concerns students have brought up to her.
Keisha also details why she values diversity and how being more inclusive in improv communities means richer performances and richer representations of a nuanced American culture, both in the performer ranks and in the content of performance. She goes into the historical roots of oppression and how it leads to the marginalization of voices, but also how marginalization creates new art forms and voices.
Having the goal to represent diverse voices is not enough, says Keisha, and exhausting followthrough is also necessary in order to ensure a richer diversity. Keisha does not mandate how to start an improv group or improv school, nor does she express not to work with people of similar backgrounds. Instead, she urges performers to become aware of their unconscious biases so they do not work against interests in diversity. She also reminds her students that, in improv, they can be anything, not just stereotyped roles that match their ethnicity or gender.
Keisha concludes with a plea of empathy for performers who feel their voices have been marginalized.
Actor Eric S. Robertson returns to talk with host Ben Hauck about his personal journey from proudly being a non-union actor, to joining the union SAG-AFTRA, to declaring financial core status soon after joining SAG-AFTRA. In the interview (which serves as an addendum to his interview in Episode 9 titled "Why I Choose to Stay a Non-Union Actor"), Eric explains how he was positioned to join the union as an actor and why he intended to immediately go financial core upon becoming a member. He shares how he wanted to gain the pay union actors get and expand his union work opportunities, but also keep his non-union work opportunities honestly, without working illegally "off the card" -- against the union's strict Global Rule One. Eric shares his emotional experience in joining SAG-AFTRA and whether financial core status was presented as an option. He also divulges how the number of auditions dropped dramatically after he joined the union. Then, he explains his process in declaring financial core status, his receipt of a financial core acknowledgment letter from SAG-AFTRA, and his acting experience after going fi-core. Toward the end of the interview, Eric expresses that he believes in what the union does, especially in the commercial world, but he also believes the business is more about creating demand for your type than being union.
Actor Alanna Blair talks with host Ben Hauck about pursuing her acting career while also taking work as the lead stand-in on two television series.
In this interview, Alanna describes what a stand-in does, and she goes into the benefits of standing in for the income and the tremendous filmmaking education it provides the actor. She also goes into the drawbacks of standing in, including long hours that may limit the ability to audition.
Alanna shares how she adjusted her expectations as an actor when committing to long-term stand-in work, how she manages auditions and bookings that conflict with her time on set, and how much she promotes to production that she is an actor versus a stand-in. Alanna has worked simultaneously as a photo double, and she explains the implications of dyeing her hair and maintaining the image of another actor on her image and marketing as an actor.
Standing in for the lead on a television series offers more security than background acting, Alanna says, and it has its share of insecurity, but it also offers the greater potential to earn money toward health insurance and pension eligibility. "Do I return to stand in the next season?" is a question Alanna has faced, and she divulges how she answered those questions and why she answered as she did.
As an actor who is also a musician and deejay, Alanna has a lot to balance, and she urges actors considering stand-in work to consider realistically the time commitment and the potential for principal acting work coming from a stand-in job. But aside from the potential for future acting work, according to Alanna, working as a stand-in and photo double can offer in-depth lessons on how to work on set effectively as an actor.
Life and career coach Jenn Lederer talks with host Ben Hauck about self-sabotage and how it affects actors and their career pursuits. In the interview, Jenn explains what self-sabotage is and its psychological origins, offering up overt and subtle examples of self-sabotage especially as they relate to the actor. When it comes to finding what goals you really want to pursue,Jenn goes into the negative results of self-sabotage, but she also details some of the benefits of self-sabotage. Sharing tips for diagnosing your own attempts to sabotage yourself, Jenn goes into the possibilities for actors who overcome their self-sabotage. Finally, Jenn talks about her program FIVE Minutes to FREEDOM, which includes downloadable meditations on self-sabotage and other topics.
Actor Aleisha Force talks with host Ben Hauck about how being a person first and an actor second helps to organize her life and finances as an actor. In the interview, Aleisha shares how she categorizes and organizes her various "person" and "actor" expenses, as well as how she prioritizes what categories she spends her money on. She also explains how keeping her financial situation in order primes her for promoting her acting work. Aleisha gives advice on when to spend on luxury items or things that make her a more satisfied and fascinating person, which can in effect bolster interest in her as an actor. Her dramatic story of moving from Texas to New York City had serious financial implications, but her spending principles helped keep her balanced and focused while recovering in the new and more expensive professional market. But as Aleisha divulges, she's not the only advocate of being a person first and an actor second, as others in the industry mirror her sentiment.
Host Ben Hauck was called "professional" on a set -- but what did it mean? In this episode, Ben covers several meanings of the term "professional" when it comes to your acting career, contrasting dictionary and union definitions of the term with his own personal definition which has nothing to do with compensation or union membership.
Actor Gianmarco Soresi talks with host Ben Hauck about his incredible year of paying for workshops with casting directors, agents, and managers. In the interview, Gianmarco shares what strategies he used as he spent a large amount of money on workshops and how those strategies evolved as he figured out their function in his acting career. His goals evolved too, and Gianmarco walks Ben through his evolution from focusing on legit theatrical work to focusing on commercials, and from focusing on casting directors to focusing on agents and managers. Gianmarco gives great insight on choosing and researching workshops, finding package deals to make your dollar go farther, working as a reader in these workshops, keeping in touch with industry professionals, and handling schedule conflicts on days you have a workshop. He even covers some of the ethical issues that surround workshops. All in all, Gianmarco offers up the lessons he learned from his year-long experience in workshops with casting directors, agents, and managers so that you can spend less money and better strategize your approach to them. Ben concludes the episode with a plug for The Infinite Need, a 2012 fully improvised web series which satirizes casting director workshops.
Actor Sarah Ittner talks with host Ben Hauck about how her work as a network marketer for Arbonne funds her acting career. In the interview, Sarah explains Arbonne and the range of health and wellness products it offers, and what makes network marketing a great business for actors. She details how her sales -- seeming more like product recommendations -- lead to commissions and additional compensation, and what those commissions and additional compensation are. Sarah also shares the financial investments of working as a network marketer for Arbonne, not to mention its time investments. Her acting skills well suit her Arbonne presentations and networking, Sarah explains, and should other actors sell Arbonne products in the same territory, Sarah describes why there is little conflict. She also covers how long it may take to turn network marketing for Arbonne into a primary source of income, and just how her acting career and personal growth evolved after joining Arbonne. Sarah offers tips for building a network of people to whom to market Arbonne's products, and she shares why actors are well suited for this kind of work, which can be both flexible and lucrative. Listen in for Sarah's special offer and how to learn more information about network marketing for Arbonne.
Host Ben Hauck recaps Episodes 11 through 19 of The Acting Income Podcast. In the episode, in addition to summarizing each episode, Ben adds anecdotes about the episodes and explains what he's learned in the process of producing them. Ben concludes with insights about acting and his transformation as an actor that came over these past episodes.
Host Ben Hauck opens up about his personal decision as an actor to declare financial core status within his union, SAG-AFTRA. In the episode, Ben describes his journey to becoming fi-core, his process in determining whether fi-core was right for him as an actor, and why he made the difficult choice. He also shares what SAG-AFTRA might do to better prevent its members from resigning their union membership and exercising their financial core rights. Concluding the episode, Ben introduces The Fi-Core Workbook, available from Fi-Core Central, a downloadable ebook aimed at helping screen actors weigh the decision whether financial core is right for them.
Actor Tom Coll talks with Ben Hauck about supplementing his acting career with work as a hotel concierge. In the interview, Tom lists the range of tasks he manages as a hotel concierge in New York City. He also narrates his history in the hotel industry and his route to landing work as a concierge at the same time he started his acting career. As Tom explains, many entertainers work as concierges and the job is flexible, so concierge work is well suited for actors. Tom reveals why he chose the schedule he works as a concierge and how that schedule complements his acting work. He also reveals how he manages the occasional audition or independent film that conflicts with his hotel work. It turns out that in addition to hotels hiring concierges directly, some companies rent out concierge desks and staff the desks with their own concierges. While those arrangements aren't as lucrative, Tom says, he does get into detail about what a concierge may expect in terms of hours and pay rate, not to mention tips, commissions, benefits, and other perqs. He also breaks down how unions operate in hotels and whether concierge jobs are unionized. Tom talks about how he stays professional when guests from the entertainment industry stay at his hotel, not letting his acting pursuits conflict with his hotel duties. That said, he mentions how fun the work is, a sharp contrast to the activity of the front desk where customers go when they have problems. Tom especially thrives when guests have unusual requests that he tries to fulfill, even sharing one particular request he had at an odd hour.
Life and career coach Jenn Lederer talks with Ben Hauck about money. In the interview, Jenn reveals what she learned about her relationship with money when working as the weekend nanny for a famous real-estate mogul (and U.S. Presidential candidate!), and also when working as a talent manager. Jenn has seen both extremes when it comes to people's relationships with money, and she details how she arrived at having a neutral perspective about money in order to experience happiness, relax, and even seek out financial advice despite the amount in her bank account. She shares how as a talent manager she heard actors' helpful and harmful attitudes about money and how those attitudes affected their business decisions. She also recommends how actors should see money when it comes to the expenses they rack up in their career pursuits, and also how they should see money for the benefit of their souls and creativity. Jenn provides a great response to the cynical expense of money to, say, meet casting directors. Jenn now sees money as energy -- and gives thanks when she gets to spend it. She gets into how these new relationships with money have helped her. In all, Jenn advocates that what's more important than the amount of money in your bank account is your relationship with money -- because your reaction to money is the only thing you can control. Her web series, Weekly Alignment™, provides other insights on money, and her business as a life and career coach provides one-on-one attention for many types of creative entrepreneurs. Jenn rounds out the interview with her thoughts for actors on the key to success, and Ben summarizes the interview, including a link to download his saving sheet.
Actor and singer Angie Atkinson talks with Ben Hauck about how she supports her dual careers in acting and singing with income from nannying, sketching, and singing backup. In the interview, Angie describes her jobs, their responsibilities, and the kinds of money they provide. For nannying, she details how she balances nannying with her life and other work, and she also details how she negotiated a better wage for herself. For sketching, Angie explains how she accidentally fell into it as an income source after posting her drawings on social media. She also reveals the money her work has commanded. For singing backup, she shares how she found the opportunity, how her ego shifts between singing lead in her band and singing backup in another band, and how she prices her backup singing. Angie follows each reply with live acoustic renditions of her songs "Ukulele Love Song" and "This Rollin' Wave," as well as the debut of her (as of this interview, unfinished) song "Restless." Ben concludes with information on how to get MP3s of the songs from the podcast plus an MP3 of the first live band performance of "Restless."
In this two-part series on the explosive documentary film An Open Secret, former child actor Evan Henzi talks with Ben Hauck about his involvement in this important film about victims of sexual abuse and pedophiles in the entertainment industry.
In this brave interview, Evan shares in detail when he met Martin Weiss, his former manager who was convicted for child molestation, and how Weiss's sexual abuse of Evan evolved. Evan explains how he eventually awakened to his having been sexually assaulted by Weiss and what steps he took to address it criminally.
Evan gives shocking details about the lead-up to Weiss's arrest and the plea deal that led to Weiss's having to register as a sex offender. He also explains the confusing relationship Evan's cousin continues to have with Weiss. While offering advice to parents of child actors who might be victims of sexual abuse, Evan also explains how his parents' support was critical to his addressing his own case of abuse.
Evan highlights The BizParentz Foundation as a resource to help child actors in case they are the victims of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. In light of his experience, Evan also urges victims to come forward and provides insight into the emotional benefits of coming forward now as opposed to keeping the abuse private. In concluding the interview, Evan talks about the song featured in An Open Secret that he co-wrote with the band Snow Patrol and what he has in his future.
In this two-part series on the explosive documentary film An Open Secret, co-executive producer and entertainment lawyer Matthew Valentinas talks with Ben Hauck about his involvement in this important film about victims of sexual abuse and pedophiles in the entertainment industry.
In the interview, Matthew details how he brought on a production team and director Amy Berg, the social change for which the documentary the aims, and the story of An Open Secret through his eyes. He shares how difficult it is for victims to substantiate their claims of sexual abuse, and he explains that the studios, networks, production companies, and SAG-AFTRA are not doing enough to protect children from sexual abuse.
Matthew strongly recommends parents and families to take responsibility in taking care of their children in light of evident pedophilia in the industry, describing the processes of pedophiles and how their methods of building trust and "grooming" involve not just the children but also the parents. He outlines what quick steps children should take should they be the victims of inappropriate sexual conduct from people in the entertainment industry, urging them to come forward immediately when victimized. Matthew also addresses why unrelated credibility issues around one courageous victim chronicled in the film neither undermine the film nor undermine that victim's claims of sexual abuse.
As Matthew reveals, the profits Esponda Productions makes from the film go toward the Courage to Act Foundation which aims to help the cause, and The BizParentz Foundation is another resource for children and parents looking for help in the entertainment industry. Rounding out the interview, Matthew shares where An Open Secret is currently playing and what the documentary's future is theatrically and digitally (as of June 2015). He concludes with a call to action for victims to get in touch if they need help in dealing with sexual abuse.
Host and spokesperson Lucy Norris talks with Ben Hauck about her growth from actor to independent host to sought-after spokesperson for brands and shopping channels. In the interview, Lucy shares about her on-the-job training in England as a producer and host, how her acting and promotional experience aided her commercial hosting work, and how she built up her hosting credits in New York City. She explains how her own show On Deck with Lucy was born from the desire to showcase her hosting talents, and she provides details on how she set up the brand and developed the series into a television show. Lucy gives insight into how she landed appearances on QVC and HSN and what it is like doing live broadcasts versus live onstage hosting. Of particular note, Lucy reveals what kind of money hosts may earn for their work at various levels and how to find hosting opportunities. She concludes the episode with tips on finding production companies, negotiating deals to make production more affordable, and conducting interviews.
Actor and comedian Shannon DeVido talks with Ben Hauck on the many facets of working as an actor who also has a disability. In the interview, Shannon covers the topic of marketing herself as an actor versus as an actor with a disability, what "PWD" means on a résumé, and what to show (or not to show) in a headshot. She shares what kinds of roles she auditions for as well as the logistics involved when auditioning in a wheelchair. Shannon also offers advice for breaking out of being seen as a disabled actor and more primarily as an actor. She shares other ways she makes money outside of acting, not to mention how doing a web series increased her visibility as an actor. Shannon concludes the interview with her opinions on the need for the industry to open their minds to disabled actors when it comes to casting. Ben rounds out the episode with information on Inclusion in the Arts, which has a database of performers with disabilities.
Actor and stand-in Sara DeRosa shares with Ben Hauck how she discovered her income from Sessions Payroll was not reported to the Social Security Administration, and how the discrepancies she found in her total and reported income could have decreased her retirement benefits and pension and health eligibility. In the interview, Sara explains what steps she took to remedy the discrepancies in her income, and what to do if you have received a W-2 from Sessions Payroll or from any companies related to it (Firsthand Productions, Inc., RE Productions, Century Employer Organization, LLC, or Vast c/o Sessions). She offers instructions on how to determine if your wages were not reported to the SSA, SAG Pension & Health, or AFTRA Health & Retirement. Sara also shares where you can download her in-depth guide on the issue, how you can take responsibility in fixing the problem if it affects you, and how you can get the word out to other actors about the issue. The episode concludes with Ben's own trip to the Social Security office to address the issues he saw after talking with Sara, as well as instructions to get a free worksheet for figuring out whether you too have unreported income.
Host Ben Hauck recaps the first nine episodes of The Acting Income Podcast, which made iTunes' list of New & Noteworthy Podcasts upon its debut. In this recap episode, in addition to summarizing each episode, Ben adds anecdotes about the episodes and explains what he's learned in the process of producing them. As he goes along, he divulges his own crossroads with respect to his acting career and how these episodes have had a profound impact on how he currently sees himself as an actor.
Actor Eric S. Robertson talks with Ben Hauck all about his choice to stay a non-union actor (for the time being) within SAG-AFTRA jurisdiction. In the interview, Eric covers his acting career aspirations, the choice between money vs. acting work, and the high quality of non-union work these days. A frequent auditioner with an extensive non-union résumé, he shares his experience asking casting directors whether union status matters as well as his opinions about those who join the union without a reel. Eric details what kind of money he makes as a non-union actor and what supplements his acting income. He also explains what would motivate him to join the union, what career fears he faces should he join, and what other non-union actors should consider before going union. Lastly, Eric reacts to the recent strategy of SAG-AFTRA to call non-union actors like him "pre-members."
Actor and model Elizabeth Ann Corkum (AKA "Coach Corky") talks with Ben Hauck about her progression to becoming a top running coach and how her acting and modeling career works with her business. In the interview, Elizabeth shares about the explosion of running and the demand for running coaches these days, as well as the certifications she has and the programs she offers as a coach. Quite an accomplished runner, "Coach Corky" explains how she charges for her services and how she balances her coaching sessions with sudden bookings, not to mention her own personal running. Elizabeth concludes with recommendations for actors interested in being a running coach in their respective cities.
Actor Ricardo Lori talks with Ben Hauck about his experiences working as a financial core actor. In the interview, Ricardo shares what motivated his move to "go fi-core" and how he went about declaring the status to his union, SAG-AFTRA. He explains what he gained and what he lost in becoming a "fee-paying non-member," and what changes when you submit, audition, and work as a fi-core actor. Ricardo also covers why you should or shouldn't declare financial core status, even detailing what it would take for him to re-join the union. Ben introduces the interview with information on the history of the term "financial core" and how it is a right backed by the United States Supreme Court.
Actor and freelance writer Anne DeAcetis talks candidly with Ben Hauck about how writing supplements her income as an actor. In the interview, Anne shares in detail the kinds of writing projects she takes on, how she is able to generate writing work, and how she charges for her services. She explains how she balances acting, auditioning, and writing jobs, and how writing complements her acting pursuits both creatively and financially. Anne also offers up specific advice for actors interested in pursuing writing on the side, including recommendations on writing samples, what books to get, and what to have on a writer website.
Ben Hauck offers instruction on how to think statistically as an actor, especially at times when you aren't working. He explains how to measure your past acting work to determine your booking statistics for better gauging of your future acting work. However, he disclaims there are no sure things in terms of future work, and you may need to revise your statistics from time to time. You may also use them to incite you to improve your statistics.
Ben Hauck defines and clarifies the meanings of the abstract word "success" so that success may be easily measured in your pursuits as an actor. In so doing, he challenges you to lay down goals for your acting career in order to better measure your success.
Ben Hauck explains in detail how he figured out his monthly spending right after college in order to save up for a move to New York City to pursue an acting career. Using a saving sheet he designed and all of the receipts he collected over a month, he was able to group his various expenses into categories and precisely figure out where his money was going and whether he was saving money or losing it. Still employing the procedure to this day -- and preferring to do it longhand -- he calls this process "the secret" to his success.
Ben Hauck draws from his experience as a long-form improv student and teacher in sorting out all of the various rules you'll be taught to follow as an actor -- whether they come from acting teachers, casting directors, agents, managers, or even fellow actors. He defines what instructions are, distinguishes between rules and principles, and recommends how to take the advice you hear in the pursuit of your acting career.
Ben Hauck shares his evolution as an actor since graduating college to today in New York City, how he makes an income as an actor, and what inspired The Acting Income Podcast. He touches on working as an extra and stand-in, and what he recently found out with respect to the status of that kind of work under the 2005 SAG Basic Agreement under which he frequently works. Finally, he invites the audience to pitch ideas and stories related to earning an income as an actor for discussion in future episodes of the podcast.