Acting

Juanma Mallen thanks for sharing this. I like your open-minded and positive attitude about embracing what we can from AI rather than fearing the worst. You give helpful and relevant examples of past technologies that were feared but are now considered non-threatening. I'm wondering if you are currently on a project/film where this topic is relevant?

Thank you for your comment, Alexandra .And yes, I’m currently in the middle of filming a movie that deals with these topics, as well as the relevance of the modern artist in society—especially influencers, singers, models, and actors, who are handpicked to follow the agendas of governments and high-level economic groups.

Would you allow for an AI model of you to be a performer in a TV series? Your image, your voice, but not actually you? Would love to know everyone's thoughts on this and if so for what price point?

Thank you for sharing this Aaron! There are multiple posts in this lounge about self tape. It's much appreciated.

So glad you found this helpful.

This is such valuable, no-nonsense insight, Stephen Folker, thank you for taking the time to share it from the director’s perspective. I’ve had several actor friends tell me how much they appreciate when directors and producers are transparent like this. It sets clear expectations and opens the door for more respectful collaborations.

Great tips for actors Stephen Folker, and some of them are generally for all of us! Good points :))

Sandra Isabel Correia - thanks!

Stephen Folker great advice, Stephen. Thanks for sharing.

Geoff Hall thanks for checking it out! :)

Love this question, Suzanne Bronson! And Laura is a very difficult role. I was the technical director for a Community Theater run of The Glass Menagerie when I was in high school. It's a deep and nuanced show.

Suzanne Bronson This really resonated with me, Suzanne. I had a similar struggle playing Celeste from Big Little Lies. On paper, I thought I’d be able to connect with her—she’s intelligent, composed, and trying to hold her family together—but I kept hitting a wall emotionally. I couldn’t fully grasp how someone so accomplished could stay in a relationship where she was being hurt. I judged her 'weakness' without realizing I was missing the nuance of trauma bonding, shame, and how love can be entangled with fear.

Looking back, I think if I’d worked more somatically—maybe explored how the body holds conflicting truths, or tapped into the push-pull of desire and dread—I might’ve accessed her world more truthfully.

Thank you for sharing that Alexandra Stevens . Abusive relationships are difficult for outsiders to understand. The question always asked of the victim is , "why did you stay?" The reality is, domestic violence is not black and white. You get it. Love and fear are two sides of the same coin and the reason anyone does anything. And two things can be true at the sametime. I like how you said our body tells the story. To your point that you misjudged Celeste- that's a mistake beginning actors make. We cannot judge our character, only seek to understand why they make the choices they make. That was the best advice I have ever gotten regarding embodying a character. A villian doesn't see themselves as a villian. They are simply a human being making choices that they really believe are to the benefit of themselves and humanity. It's the only way to play it. Celeste is doing the best she can with what she has in that moment, just like everyone else. You also bring up a good reminder that body work is just as important as mental work when it comes to connecting with a character. That was what changed for me with Laura, really focusing on how she could not use her legs and this suitor is asking her to sit on the floor!

I would love to hear from other actors. Please share what turned the corner for you.

Florin Şumălan thanks for sharing. A very interesting listen! The shift towards self-taping and the importance of staying connected in our community are crucial takeaways. Would love to hear your thoughts on how you're navigating these changes!"

I think too it's very interesting. I like this podcast.

Regarding these changes, at this moment I just listen, I hear these things, keep myself informed of how things work and maybe I find some answers about what can I do from the situation I am in.

"Get inspired, inspire yourself", "create your own content" - these are two things that I think are appropriate.

I think also hearing that you don't have to move to Los Angeles or other movie industry city, gives you some kind of freedom.

If I remember well, RB too said something similar (that you can live anywhere in the world and be a filmmaker) in the "Ask Me Anything: The Current State of the Industry".

Alexandra Stevens , what do you think about self-taping vs in-person auditions?

What do you think about some changes in the industry? Which of them do you find useful, which of them do you find maybe inconvenient?

Florin Şumălan yes I also really like 'get inspired, inspire yourself' and 'create your own content' This really reminds me to take responsability for my creative dreams rather than being passive. Yes RB did say that Hollywood is no longer what it was and hasn't been for a long time so yes, it's possible and advantageous to make movies elsewhere. This is definitely a change in the industry I embrace. I am excited about any process that redistributes the power out of the hands of the studios and gatekeepers and into the hands of indy film makers for example Sean Baker. What I don't like is that streaming companies decide what to stream based on algorithms and that there are less and less funds for those $5–15 million films that used to allow character-driven stories to breathe. That affects opportunities for actors, writers, and directors alike. Mostly though I agree with what RB said in his 'State of the Industry' webinar that it's about having the right attitude and not using the state of the industry as an excuse to not try and attain your creative goals. What about you Florin Şumălan what do you find useful and not useful about the industry at the moment?

Congratulations on taking the leap and committing to your acting career full-time, Matthew Gross! Glad you're starting to get the hang of self-tape auditions! I remember seeing you in an episode of All American. Looking forward to seeing you in more shows and movies!

Maurice Vaughan My goal is to be a working day player. I'm auditioning for lots of doctor roles. Thanks for the encouragement.

You're welcome, Matthew Gross. I'm rooting you on to be a working day player and get a lot of doctor roles! I can see you playing doctors.

Hi Matthew! There are several actors who who have posted in this lounge regarding self tape. I highly recommend you scroll through previous posts to find them. They also have YouTube channels with all kinds of advice. I know they address everything you just said.

Matthew Gross good for you for committing to acting as a full-time career. I admire and applaud your courage. It sounds like you are learning a lot as you make the shifts you are describing in your self-tape process. I trust you will get to where you want to be. Curious about using a cassette recorder as a reader. Are you more comfortable using that then say an app like Cold Read where you don't have to worry about getting your line in before the reader comes in with their next line?

It's terrible that this happens, Juanma Mallen. I agree with you. Talking about this is not an attack on cinema, but a call for transformation. Stage 32 published a blog called "5 Warning Signs For Parents Of Child/Young Adult Actors" I think everyone should read (www.stage32.com/blog/5-warning-signs-for-parents-of-childyoung-adult-act...).

This is such an important and sobering reflection, and I really appreciate you putting it into words, Juanma Mallen. You’re absolutely right, calling out abuse is an act of love for the industry and a call for it to live up to its highest potential. Stage 32 has so many members who want to change that, and conversations like this help keep the spotlight on the work still left to do. Thank you for using your voice.

Juanma Mallen I agree with Maurice Vaughan and Ashley Renee Smith that this shadow side of the industry needs to be talked about. Individuals need to know about this and feel able to speak up and get support if they're not being treated properly. It's important to talk about for those have been affected and for all of us who love this industry and want it to be a space of genuine creativity and respect.

Juanma Mallen thanks for sharing your experience. Speaking about the value of inclusion without tokenism is powerful—and needed. Hopefully more and more challenging the industry will help it to grow beyond its fears and assumptions. What was most eye-opening about it for you?

"The most revealing thing was discovering the creative freedom they have, compared to other actors who are more concerned about their image and much more afraid of looking ridiculous."

Juanma Mallen, This is such a powerful reflection, and I’m so glad you shared it. Inclusion shouldn’t be viewed as a risk. It’s an opportunity to deepen our storytelling and expand the heart of our industry. When we make space for artists of all abilities, we enrich the creative process and challenge ourselves to become better collaborators, communicators, and humans.

There’s so much to learn when we stop assuming what someone can or cannot bring to the table.

Juanma Mallen that is certainly inspiring to hear and a good reminder to me to care less about how I come across when acting

Oh, I have a classmate with intelectuall dissablity! I just had a film idea inspired by her!

Ashley Renee Smith love this question which I missed seeing earlier so sorry about that. I"m going to check out that play. I"ve used Camille in Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau and Shirley from Shirley Valentine. They both suit as i'm often cast as a mum and offer the opportunity to show range and raw emotion which i like.

I had a couple when I was in my twenties, that I used again and again. Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw for a dramatic piece and Getting Out by Marsha Norman. Now that I am 49 I cannot use those. I am in the process of reading plays to find some age appropriate ones, though I do have Lady Macbeth and Beatrice and the ready if I need classical pieces. I am going to check out that play Ashley Renee Smith

Alexandra Stevens, Definitely let me know what you think if you end up reading Almost, Maine! It’s such a gem for scene work and monologues, especially for actors who want to explore nuanced, character-driven moments.

Suzanne Bronson, Lady Macbeth and Beatrice are iconic, and I’m sure you bring incredible depth to both. Definitely let me know what you think if you dive into Almost, Maine!

Hi Suzanne Bronson great to have you on Stage 32 Community

Suzanne Bronson ooh looks like lots of fun. I hope we get to meet in-person one day too