Acting

Damaa Grace

Screenwriter

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

Is it's possible

Just wondering how it would be, to write your own screenplay, takes part in the directing and playing a role in the movie. Hope you understand me?

Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- David Horton
- Suzanne Bronson
4 months ago

Hi, Damaa Grace. I met an actress on Stage 32 who wrote, produced, directed, and starred in scenes so she could add them to her acting reel.

Dan Martin Roesch

Acting Teacher, Actor, Author, Crew, Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Security Specialist, Singer, Stunt Coordinator, Stunt Performer, Voice Actor, Weapons Specialist

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

The First Stone – A Manifesto For Momentum

THE FIRST STONE – A MANIFESTO FOR MOMENTUM

Why mastery begins the moment we stop waiting.

THE FIRST STONE – A MANIFESTO FOR MOMENTUM

Why mastery begins the moment we stop waiting.

Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern — not only in my own journey, but in countless conversations with actors, writers, directors, and producers across different countries and markets. Most of us don’t get stuck because we lack talent. We get stuck because we were trained to wait. We wait for permission, we wait for representation, we wait for the one role that is supposed to “change everything.” Waiting feels reasonable. It even feels professional. And yet, while we wait, nothing really moves.

I’ve seen incredibly gifted artists spend years in this quiet loop: hoping circumstances will shift, hoping the system will notice, hoping someone else will finally open the door. What makes this especially frustrating is that the external world often does change — new platforms emerge, formats evolve, opportunities multiply — but the internal pattern stays exactly the same. At some point, a difficult realization sets in: hope alone is passive. Not useless, but insufficient. Momentum is not granted. It is created.

I think of a career as a chain of dominoes. The industry teaches us to see ourselves as one stone somewhere in the middle — motionless, waiting to be pushed by a casting director, an agent, or a producer. But real agency begins when we understand something fundamental: we have to be the first stone. A single domino has the physical ability to knock over another that is significantly larger than itself. Its power is not in its size, but in the decision to move. Progress rarely starts with a dramatic leap. It starts with one conscious, deliberate step.

That step is uncomfortable. There is no applause for it. No guarantee. No immediate validation. But once it happens, something shifts internally — not because the industry suddenly becomes fair, but because you are no longer frozen inside it. From that moment on, you’re no longer waiting to be chosen. You are choosing to move.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success is not an accident. You don’t arrive where you want to be by chance — not in your career, not in your relationships, not in your life. Without intention and planning, you drift. And drift always has a direction, even if you didn’t choose it. Actorpreneurship isn’t about fear, control, or turning art into a sales pitch. It’s about conscious design: knowing where you are, knowing where you want to go, and being willing to take the next step — not all steps at once, just the one that’s required now.

Trying to change everything at once overwhelms most people. Momentum grows differently. Step by step. With clarity. With patience. With respect for your own capacity. When action aligns with intention, doors don’t need to be forced. They open because direction and timing finally match. Responsibility often gets mistaken for pressure. In reality, responsibility is freedom. It allows you to stop begging and start collaborating, to listen instead of chasing, and to enter rooms without needing to prove anything — because you are already in motion. From that place, conversations change. And relationships do too.

I’ll be in Los Angeles between March 31 and April 5, and it would genuinely be meaningful to continue this conversation beyond the screen — quietly, colleague to colleague. There’s a place in Hollywood, the Formosa Café, with a long history of exactly these kinds of exchanges: writers, actors, directors, producers sitting together without an agenda, simply talking craft, reality, and the work. If you’re around during that window and feel like continuing this dialogue over a coffee, I’d welcome the exchange.

Which brings me to something I’d genuinely love to hear from this community: At what point did you realize that taking full responsibility for your own momentum was unavoidable — even when it felt uncomfortable? And maybe even more important: what was your first stone this week?

Dan Martin Roesch

https://imdb.me/danmartin.imdb

Maurice Vaughan

4
4 people like this
4 months ago

Must-read post, Dan Martin Roesch! That's one reason I've been thinking about writing and making my own audio dramas.

Juliana Philippi

4
4 people like this
4 months ago

Dan Martin Roesch Fantastic post Dan...and this week, my first stone was owning the fact, that there is actual, visible momentum, and instead of panicking, shrinking myself, or letting doubt turn into...

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Matthew Cornwell

Works at Get Taped, LLC ♦ Actor, Editor, Producer, Screenwriter

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

In search of the PERFECT audition take

As an actor, I used to fall victim to this all the time. Namely, "what does casting want?" or "what does the director want?"

In all honesty, I still can go down that rabbit hole. But what I've come to learn from experience (including running a taping service for 15+ years) is that it's a fool's erra...

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Matthew Cornwell

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Anyone know why the thumbnails for YouTube videos get squished? I've noticed this for years on this website.

Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Matthew Cornwell
4 months ago

Must-watch video for actors, Matthew Cornwell! Thanks for sharing it.

Heidi Schussman

3
3 people like this
4 months ago

Very interesting. I'm not an actor, but I still found this to be valuable.

Suzanne Bronson

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

I have no answer to that Matthew Cornwell didn't really notice. Thank you for sharing.

Amanda Toney

Managing Director at Stage 32 ♦ Producer

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

SAG-AFTRA Chief Won’t “Rule Out A Strike” Heading Into Contract Talks With Studios & Streamers Next Month

https://deadline.com/2026/01/actors-strike-possible-2026-1236676773/

SAG-AFTRA Chief Won't "Rule Out A Strike" Heading Into Contract Talks With Studios & Streamers Next Month

https://deadline.com/2026/01/actors-strike-possible-2026-1236676773/

SAG-AFTRA Duncan Crabtree-Ireland "Won't Rule Out A Strike" Ahead Of Contract Talks With Studios

Suzanne Bronson

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

ICYMI SAG_AFTRA president Sean Astin is at CES checking out the AI situation.

Matthew Cornwell

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Thanks for sharing!

I love how they make the headline seem so scandalous. The threat of a strike is the only real leverage we have as a union, so of course he would never rule it out months ahead of the deadline.

Pat Alexander

Writer Liaison at Stage 32 ♦ Screenwriter, Producer

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

Jennifer Lawrence & Martin Scorsese In Conversation | DIE MY LOVE

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpaUpINYdPQ)

Aaron Marcus

Actor

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

3 Steps to Getting An Agent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WD5jCqZPjA

How did you get your agent? Let us know by sharing your thoughts here.

Florin Şumălan

Filmmaker, Actor, Director

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

When Criticism Almost Made Me Quit — and How I Found My Focus Again - Wendy Alane Wright

https://youtu.be/fSKvmXRAVLg

Suzanne Bronson

Voice Over Artist, Voice Actor, Host/Presenter, Production Assistant, Actor, Craft Services

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

Inspiring Role

As actors, we bring ourselves to the characters we play. We find what resonates and go all in. Some parts are easier than others. Some really stretch us, some parts we are tempted to phone in. Then, there is the really wonderful occasion where we put our blood, sweat and tears into a role, thinking...

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Juliana Philippi

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Suzanne Bronson Love this post Suzanne, and every role actually is a chance to learn something about being a sentient, vulnerable, and real, living, breathing human. I'm inspired to be able to be some...

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Michael Stair

Works at Self Employed ♦ Musician

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

Do Ya Like Short Stories? It Really Happened.

It was a surprise opportunity for a young guy who felt he could do anything in the entertainment field, and of course that included great acting. I was making day trips to Allentown Pennsylvania from Mountaintop and one summer day stumbled on an ad in the local town newspaper which basically said "A...

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Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Suzanne Bronson
4 months ago

Hi, Michael Stair. Great to meet you. Thanks for sharing the story. You did the right thing in my opinion. It's a lesson for actors, writers, directors, etc. We don't have to take jobs if they involve...

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Amanda Toney

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Wow, what a crisis of conscious you went through, but if the artistic expression of the story didn't resonate with you you should feel confident in the choice you made. Now that just means it opens you up for another terrific role more in your wheelhouse!

Michael Stair

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Or it means I didn't go to acting school. I now realize that portraying a character is just a job. You

step into a role and become that character. Then at the end of the day you step out of the role.

Pe...

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Suzanne Bronson

1
1 person likes this
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

I totally disagree Maurice Vaughan For me, acting is about getting to do things I, Suzanne wouldn't do, and be people I am not. I love playing a villain. Would I in real life plot the murder of my hus...

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Michael Stair

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Thanks for the advice Suzanne Bronson, and I totally agree with your thoughts. I've matured considerably since then, and now believe I can professionally explore vistas of the performing arts while st...

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Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal

Student

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

Directors re-hire actors who bring love to what they do

I have been lucky enough to work with the same actors over and over again in my projects. And a notice a similar theme. Just like Wes Anderson and too many other directors to count, there's a reason we directors go back to working with the same teams. And I WANT TO HELP ACTORS KNOW WHY - ESPECIALLY...

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Maurice Vaughan

1
1 person likes this
- Suzanne Bronson
4 months ago

I relate to developing a short hand as a writer working with directors and producers, Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal. And I like seeing directors working with the same actors sometimes, like Jordan Peele...

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Crystal Rollen

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

2 short hand 110% with a motivating message between two different people. we both had two ideas of what it takes to be a successful creator rather your filming or selling, and acting. I was the actor...

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Rutger Oosterhoff

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

... Nice! I dig that!

Philip Lee

Director, Screenwriter, Producer

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

The Economics of Stupidity

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"Hey! I owe my success and my wealth to my customer base except, I'm not trying to make them happy. I'm so talented that no matter how much I insult you or tell you what I think is the correct way to think and the only way to think even if half of the country disagree with me. My acting is so spectacular, that you have no choice but to spend your hard earned money to see me work my craft. You just can't take your eyes off of me and are helpless to watch everything I'm hired to act in."

I kind of think that's what modern day actors think of themselves. This philosophy is completely counterproductive to what they want to achieve. Theaters are pricing themselves out of existence and soon will go the way of the phone booth. You may find one, but it's so damaged, it won't work anymore and no one will spend the money to fix it. Howeve, while they are still around, the idea is to make people want to leave their homes and buy a ticket to see your over-priced and overpaid work because investors risked their money on you to hope your "talent" will help them get a reliable ROI. So WHY do you exhibit behavior to hurt your earning potential? I really don't think Robert De Niro upped his stock with his unhinged Trump rant. He has lost any sense of dignity. Ruffalo doesn't seem to have any real concept of what is going in the world right now and can't seem to separate the difference between fact and fiction. Maybe he's just mad because he's not listed on the cast list of Avengers: Doomsday not that his rant would help sell tickets.

The point is there is absolutely no upside to saying your political views when you are not part of congress. You're not making decisions. You're not coming up with solutions and you just come off looking hypocritical or worse, like a dumb-ass. Neither one of these is a proven method for increased ticket sales. It totally makes no sense and continues to show the stupidity of celebrities and their disdain for their customer base. Maybe A.I. actors will ultimately be the salvation of film because actors don't seem to want anyone to admire them anymore. Why would you want to see anyone's talent and support their lifestyle when they call someone horrible names but still work with people that are guilty of more heinous acts than what the person of their hatred is accused of? No matter what side of the fence you're on, you can't deny the logic of questioning this detrimental behavior.

If a cobbler makes uncomfortable shoes, he won't be a cobbler much longer. If you do not make a reasonable ROI for what investors are paying you, it might be hard to even get SAG scale on a project.

I really think Hollywood finds no profit in making a profit anymore.

Amanda Toney

3
3 people like this
4 months ago

I think part of being an artist is being passionate about many things. You find that many actors utilize their platform to express their passions (political and otherwise) and that's been going on sin...

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Suzanne Bronson

Voice Over Artist, Voice Actor, Host/Presenter, Production Assistant, Actor, Craft Services

posted in Acting Sign in to subscribe

4 months ago

2026 Mindset

I would like to start the conversation about what is your mindset for the New Year? Not a resolution or a goal even, more like a title card. New year, new chapter. Midway through 2025 I had to do a course correction. So I decided I was going all in. That I would stop getting sidetracked with other p...

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Maurice Vaughan

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Juliana Philippi
4 months ago

That's great, Suzanne Bronson! Congratulations! Glad to hear it! My mindset is finish unfinished projects and stop getting sidetracked with new projects and things (one reason I haven't finished some...

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Juliana Philippi

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Suzanne Bronson YES!!!! Believing is seeing, feeling is being...so happy about this : ) "I am the embers of light within me", that's where I am beginning. I am the beauty, what is wanted, and needed,...

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Ashley Renée Smith!

2
2 people like this
- Suzanne Bronson
- Maurice Vaughan
4 months ago

Suzanne Bronson That mindset shift from “trying” to being is powerful, and you can feel how intentional your course correction has been. You didn’t just declare it, you're backing it up with action, t...

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Is it's possible

2 people like this

The First Stone – A Manifesto For Momentum

4 people like this

4 people like this

In search of the PERFECT audition take

2 people like this

2 people like this

3 people like this

1 person likes this

SAG-AFTRA Chief Won’t “Rule Out A Strike” Heading Into Contract Talks With Studios & Streamers Next Month

SAG-AFTRA Chief Won't "Rule Out A Strike" Heading Into Contract Talks With Studios & Streamers Next Month

1 person likes this

2 people like this

Jennifer Lawrence & Martin Scorsese In Conversation | DIE MY LOVE

3 Steps to Getting An Agent

When Criticism Almost Made Me Quit — and How I Found My Focus Again - Wendy Alane Wright

Inspiring Role

2 people like this

Do Ya Like Short Stories? It Really Happened.

1 person likes this

2 people like this

2 people like this

1 person likes this

2 people like this

Directors re-hire actors who bring love to what they do

1 person likes this

2 people like this

2 people like this

The Economics of Stupidity

3 people like this

2026 Mindset

2 people like this

2 people like this

2 people like this

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CRAFT AND BUSINESS

GENERAL DISCUSSION

PROMOTION

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Top Contributors

CRAFT AND BUSINESS

GENERAL DISCUSSION

PROMOTION