Acting

Sigourney Weaver is one of my favorite actors, Ashley Renee Smith. I've heard of actors reading scripts over and over to understand their characters, the other characters, and the story. And memorize their lines.

Ashley Renee Smith Sigourney Weaver is such a wonderful actor, and a strong, grounded woman, no b-s, and total frankness when it comes to the lessons she has learned, the industry, and her job on a set as an actor. Completely love this article on her take on things, and absolutely agree: as an actor, our job is to be ready. Show up, and understand we are responsible for our part, and what we need to for the story...total responsibility. And, if you're prepared, you are so free to play, and it's just wondrous.

So many incredible movies and shows, Sam Rivera! It's going to be hard picking wins!

Fantastic post, Dan Martin Roesch! You're right. Acting is a journey. And any career in the industry. Treating fellow passengers with respect is important! A person can be talented, popular, and driven, but people won't want to work with them if they're disrespectful.

Dan Martin Roesch The analogy of the train is so apt for the new year, the new energy coming in, and the opportunity we have everyday, of choosing gratitude, and awareness vs ego. I love acting, and it's now coming center stage for me, but naturally, as if my own readiness and experiences are now steering, and it knows: it's time. I resonate with this profoundly, and really thank you for this post. It's a quiet, but soulful time for me right now, internal, peaceful, but very active deep within.

Great post, Dan! I remember having lots of early supporters during the first two years that I was doing open mic nights, first sharing poetry, then later on comedy. Over the past year and a half, the crowd at open mic nights changed. The crowd got younger and I felt like the older person in the open mic spaces. It wasn't only that, but the rise of antisemitism has slowly grown in the past few years in the open mic spaces which made me feel very alone. Now I feel like I've been cast out on my own, set adrift and having to find my own way, whether that is build my own comedy troupe or perform my own show, I'm leaning more towards the latter. I've been on a break from performing at open mics since around the autumn, so it has given me lots of time to think about how important art is to me and I know it's something I really enjoy doing. I don't know where my final station will be either, all I know is I have lots of stories I still want to tell, comedy I want to perform and I'm not quite finished with my journey yet.

This is beautifully said, Dan Martin Roesch! I especially love the idea of “luggage” being filled not with weight, but with value. That feels like the truest measure of a creative life: not how long someone stays beside us, but whether we left each other braver, wiser, or more seen than before.

It’s also such an important reminder that divergence doesn’t equal failure. Sometimes people are still on the same train, just in a different car, moving at a different rhythm and that can be just as meaningful as sitting side by side.

Fantastic tips, Aaron Marcus! Must-watch video for actors!

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here, Maurice. Always appreciate your wonderful ideas and comments.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

Excellent tips, Aaron! When I think of modeling, I usually think of fashion in magazines, but this video reminded me that I often see models on ads on bus stop benches, too.

Thanks, Haley. Most people immediately think of fashion modeling as soon as they hear the word modeling. But, what many people don't know is that there is a lot more work as a commercial model than in fashion. And, unlike the fashion world, commercial models don't have the height, weight or looks restrictions that fashion has.

I view commercial modeling jobs as acting jobs without lines. So glad you liked the video. Let me know if you have any additional commercial modeling questions.

Hi jesssica putnam I understand how you feel. The journey can be tough, especially when things don’t work out the way we hope.

But you’re not alone — many of us here are fighting for our dream every day.

What matters is that you’re still trying, still learning, still showing up. That already makes you stronger than you think.

Wishing you strength and motivation — keep going! We’re all here to support each other.

One of my favourite radio dramas to listen to is The Charles Paris series, starring Bill Nighy. He plays an often out of work aging actor who has a penchant for solving mysteries. The character talks a lot about what life is like to be an actor and about the business. The series can be found on Archive.org or on YouTube. It’s worth a listen.

Hi Jessica,

Sorry for the late response.

Ten Tips (out of a million) to Write a Better Screenplay:

https://blog.celtx.com/screenwriting-tips/

Start with a Solid Outline

Know Your (lead) Characters

Use a Script Writing Software (free Writer Duet version,?)

Re-Write Your Script

Raise the Stakes

Avoid Common Cliches

Read Other Screenplays!!!!!!!

Finish Your Script

Write Visually

Enjoy the Process

Envision the above first before you check the link.

Bonus tips:

(1) Every scfne starts with a scene heade, study thgm as hell ( aldi check The Hollywoid Standard.

Qua format, avoid screenplay transitions like "CUT TO", "DISSOLVE TO" as less as possible, only use them if they really add something to the story.

Buy books on screenwriting

(1) The Hollywood Standard (formatting screenplay)

(2) Save the cat (story structure)

(3) Your screenplay sucks (100 ways to make it betrer)

Swap screenplays and practice what you learned by studying.

Best, Rutger

Take breaks and rest when you need it and keep showing up for you!

Hi Jessica. I'm in a bit of a rut, too these days. I've felt ostracized from my open mic community and I'm planning to edit/rewrite my own material and hope to put on a comedy show this summer. Maybe you could write your own play and make your own movie or put on a theatrical production at your local theater?

This is great Matthew Gross and an example how AI can help us in our journey. I use AI also and it’s a great partnership. Please, share your experience through a blog and inspire many of us. Congratulations for that and I am cheering for you.

Matthew Gross, as Amanda said, I'd love to work with you to share this story as a Stage 32 Blog. Please do email me at Blog@Stage32.com!

Ashley Renee Smith There's not much more I can say beyond what's in this post.

Hi Matthew Gross I don't think you are understanding, You don't need to share more. Just share this post written as a blog about how AI has helped you. It's a great way to share your experience beyond this lounge. I think it will get the conversation going with people in other disciplines talking about how AI has helped them as well.

I had never thought of using AI this way. How innovative!

Richard Antie I love that! Music is so, so powerful, it transports you to the place your heart wants to be, when you are playing a certain character, well being them...love this so much.

Excellent question! My approach shifts based on the role's needs, but I have a few go-to techniques.

For dramas, I work with music and imagery. I ask the AD for a two-minute warning before we shoot, pop in my AirPods, and let a curated playlist and visuals pull me into the emotional world of the scene.

For comedies, I lean more on internal monologue. When I played the butler in a Hallmark Christmas movie the other year and had to address a room full of guests, I didn't try to pump myself up with confidence 'cause it was an intimidating scene to do. That can actually be a trap. If your character isn't confident, why should you be? Instead, I kept a quiet internal dialogue running that matched my character's mood as a disgruntled employee, building whatever energy the scene required.

A friend once told me she was nervous about a big audition for a breakup scene. I said, "It's not an audition. You're going to break up with your boyfriend of five years. That's all you're doing. You're not getting a job, you're not trying to impress anyone. You're going to break up with your boyfriend. Start that conversation in your head on the way there." She stayed professional, smiled, said hi when she arrived, but she walked in already in it. That helped her win the audition.

Joshua Young Fantastic!!! I love the different approaches, because you are absolutely right, it all depends on the role, the situation, and the moment. It's so funny how comedy vs drama works for us as instruments of the emotions and story. And I love that about your friend, exactly...you're going to break up with your boyfriend. Sometimes the nerves and the "Oh, I must impress these people in the room" completely derails us...we should just focus on the scene, our purpose in it, and go. Forget about everyone else, in that moment, our moment, all they want is for us to shine. Happy 2026!!!

My approach differs depending on what I'm doing. If I'm going to be recording music with a friend I'll spend a few hours a day singing to music to get my voice warmed up. I also like to go through my comedy material the day of an open mic performance to decide on which jokes I want to do. That way, I'd know which five jokes I'd want to perform by the evening.

Haley Mary That’s so logical and just on point: vocal warming , it’s so simple but we often forget! And yes, comedy is so technical and almost mechanical. Going through material like greasing the engine. When I work on comedy characters and roles I definitely go through the scenes and realize which pauses and faces and moments land and which ones to toss.

Hi Hermina, congratulations on your career. That is great about the project. I was not sure, are you writing the script or acting in the film? If you ever have an industry question, always feel free to reach out. You can sign up to be on my special mailing list where I send out helpful industry information - howtoactandmodel.com and you should subscribe to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/aaronmarcusactingandmodelingquicktips

You will find over 500 incredibly helpful videos there.

Welcome to my acting family.

Aron Marcus thank you so much for your kind words and advice! I’m currently writing a fantasy-romantic script, and my goal is to also play the lead role. I’m learning and developing every aspect of the project, from story to characters, and I would love to connect and get guidance whenever possible. I’ll definitely check out your channel and mailing list – very excited to learn more about the industry!

Thanks for letting me know. I can't help you with the writing part, but I am sure there are people at STAGE32 who can give you advice, but yes, for the acting part, always glad to help.

• Aaron Marcus thank you so much! I truly appreciate your offer to help with the acting part. I’m currently working on my screenplay and am really excited to learn and improve my craft. I believe that as an actor, it’s essential to fully step into the character and connect deeply with their emotional world — that’s when authentic emotions can truly be seen on screen.

I agree. And, you are very welcome. I wish I had people willing to help me when I first got started.

Hi, Hermina Orcsik! Stage 32 has Acting Blogs and Acting Education.

www.stage32.com/blog/tags/acting-9

www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Acting

Maurice Vaughan thank you very much im cheking it

You're welcome, Hermina Orcsik. Great. Hope they help!

Maurice Vaughan Yes, you’ve really been a big help to me, I really appreciate it tank you so much

You're welcome, Hermina Orcsik. Glad to help!

I work on a project or network every day, but I try to take some time off during the day to rest and relax for my mental health and physical health, Ashley Renee Smith.

“What resonates with me about EJAE is her perseverance. I don’t give up when I truly want something. As a mother, pursuing acting isn’t easy, but it’s possible. I’m currently writing, working on myself, and believing in my journey just like she did. My motto has always been: never give up.”

• I’m very interested in Korea, especially the film industry and K-dramas. If you have any experience in this field, I’d be happy to hear about it. I’d also be open to a private message if you’re willing to share anything related to this.