Advice
The first common mistake that will lead you down a very bad path is judging the character. To me, the root of all pr... More »
If you are emotionally blocked, please be aware that such blockage is not your natural emotional state. The natural ... More »
Veteran casting director Fern Champion launched her career more than 30 years ago in New York, casting for Sidney Lum... More »
Advice Columns
THE CRAFT
Playing Iconic Roles
Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov, Williams, Miller—all these playwrights and many more wrote memorable roles that over time have become iconic. More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Finding an Agent: Timing
For unrepresented actors—or those wishing to change agencies—this is the most wonderful time of the year for finding your champion. More »
ASK A PROFESSIONAL
How Can You Use Improvisation in Preparing for a Role?
"Improvisation is the art of finding your freedom within a moment. Acting in film is about creating and shaping moments for the camera.One cannot create and shape moments without freedom." More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Worshiping a Technique and/or Teacher (aka The Cult Factor)
"Everything I say is right. Everything I say is wrong. There are many conflicting opinions in this industry. Don't take one person's word as gospel. Including my own. Take what works for you." More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Publicity Blunders
Fame and attention. Nouns conjoined, the two desires are often borne from one source: insecurity. It's a "Someone, anyone, please pay attention to me!" syndrome. More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Innovative Marketing Tool for the Actor
In my 30-year career as a director, casting director and former actor, I have never once come across an actor who had a reduced, easy-to-pocket, up-to-date resume on them at all times. More »
THE WORKING ACTOR
Residual Reassurance, Group Dynamic
"If my son has a credited principal role in a major motion picture, will he still get residuals if he's nonunion?" More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Headshots: Border or Not?
Recently a reader sent me a question about the latest headshot trends: whether a headshot should have a border or be full bleed. Every five or so years the "in" headshot format alters. More »
THE WORKING ACTOR
Papa Was a Working Actor
"I was wondering if you had any success stories about being a parent and an actor and somehow maintaining sanity." More »
ADVICE
The Not-So-Starving Actor
According to L.A.-based nutritionist and certified personal trainer Thomas Roe, avoiding the junk food from craft services can be difficult for everyone on set, not just the actors. More »
ASK A PROFESSIONAL
A Day In Your Office
"If you are able, I recommend that every actor should intern at an agent's office for at least a week. I started in this business as an actor interning for the agency who represented me." More »
DANCE MOVEMENT
A Pioneer in Representing Dancers
"I had a really bad knee injury and basically had to reinvent my life," explains Julie McDonald of McDonald/Selznick Associates, a talent agency that specializes in dancers and choreographers. More »
ASK A PROFESSIONAL
Should I Sign with a Rep?
"Be wise to those who coast on their reputations, are always looking backward, or hold themselves out as a friend. You want a friend, get a dog." More »
THE WORKING ACTOR
Flash in the Pan, Unkindest Cut
"I have a question that is too tough to ask of people in a position to hire me, so I beg for your help!" More »
THE CRAFT
Crying on Cue
12 techniques to help you explore other ways to release your character's pent-up emotion. More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
They're Just Neil and Oliver to Her
Over the course of her two-decade career, Los Angeles–based casting director Heidi Levitt has worked with everyone from blockbuster king Michael Bay ("The Rock") to indie darlings like Wim Wenders ("Don't Come Knocking"). More »
VOCAL EASE
Audition Tension
Nancy Mayans thinks about what happens to the body as concern mounts. She worries that the result could be the actor's body tightening before an audition. More »
ADVICE
It's (Ouch!) Shoe Time
Shoes with 6-inch stiletto heels or sharp toes or flat soles without arch support may not be a big deal when worn for a short time, but what if you're cast in a role that requires them? More »
ACTORS ASSETS
Radical Solutions
The acting world is not a kind one. Variations in income are a regular fact of life. But what if your steady but variable income takes a big hit? Like in half. How do you address that? More »
ASK A PROFESSIONAL
Typed Out?
I want to stretch, to play parts that challenge me, but I seem instead to always be cast in similar roles. It's undermining my self-confidence. Am I kidding myself about my acting talent? More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Acting Job Opportunities Lost and Won
This actor knew that here was an opportunity to introduce himself to gate keepers. He was right to begin a conversation. Where did he go wrong? More »
THE WORKING ACTOR
Bathing Suits, Onscreen Looks
I've never, ever had this happen before. Have you ever been asked to bring a bathing suit to change into at a first audition, since the role calls for it? Is this a scam? More »
THE CRAFT
Playing Farce in the 21st Century
Have the excesses of reality TV and the distractions of the digital age upped the ante for farce, a time-honored type of comedy usually characterized by slamming doors, mistaken identities, broad characterizations, and physical mayhem? More »
CASTING DIRECTORS
Actor Mailings to Agents: Frequency
"How often should an actor send a submission to an agent when seeking representation?" That was the question that came flying at me during a recent class. More »
DANCE MOVEMENT
Improvising Dance
When you think of improvisation in dance, you probably imagine either young clubbers out on the dance floor inventing moves to the latest pop tunes or postmodern artists engaged in contact improv. More »
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