Acting

That's a great idea, Alexandra Stevens! I'm not an actor, but I plan on trying it when I develop characters for my scripts. Thanks for the post and sharing the video.

Thank you for the share!!!

Absolutely do Alexandra Stevens. I listen to a ton of soundtracks and modern orchestral (Audiomachine). For Haven from "Haven of Dante", I listened to "Gap" from the Dark Phoenix soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. For "Agents of C.O.W." I listened to "Colony" by Audiomachine. I grew up as an orchestral musician so that's most of what I know. I also write an screenplay around one song.

I think music is such a powerful motivator as an actor to prepare to get into character. What would my character listen to? What mindset would she be in and what would be in her airpods while she's doing this? It adds emotional complexity to planning as an actor.

Using music to develop your character's biography was one of the things suggested in acting class. I know that there are actors who make a playlist for the character and listen to while in hair and makeup.

I listened to a portion of it Ashley Renee Smith but seriously think that all actors should stop and listen. I wish I had advocated more for myself when I negotiated my graphic novel contract with the publisher. Live and learn.

Matthew Cornwell I definitely agree with you that life experience has the potential to make you a better actor. And 'willingness to commit' in improv is so important and that takes a lot of guts. I think I am better at improv now than when i was younger (and feel i have a way to go). I wonder, have there been any particular improv exercises or moments in your training that unlocked something emotionally surprising for you? Or anyone else here—what's helped you access emotional depth in unexpected ways?

Mark Deuce and do you have any hopes or plans to play a serial killer ;)

Alexandra Stevens there are several classic improv games that manipulate your emotions or states of being. Being "forced" to organically switch emotions that you wouldn't have naturally thought of becomes an interesting training ground. Yes, when you first play these games, the emotions are only surface level. They're arguably "for the laugh". But over time, as you submit to these types of games/exercises, your walls come down and you find yourself going deeper more easily.

Again, if your sole reason for doing improv is to make a crowd laugh on a Friday night, you'll likely stay in that surface level of emotions. But if you're exploring improv as a way to become a better actor, it can be an amazing tool.

Hi Alexandra Stevens, Thank you for your comments and question. I'm really aware of my own energy and that of others and how that affects me. Simply put, by using the chakra system, creative visualisation and intention setting you can clear out your system of what you don't want an dkeep what serves you.

? Alexandra Stevens

You’re right, Aaron Marcus. Putting pre-audition and post-audition stuff in a self tape looks unprofessional. A quick-tip video on basic editing is a great idea.

Thank you, Maurice.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

Aaron Marcus thanks again for generously sharing these tips. As you say, it should seem pretty obvious to not show anything except right before the scene. But I guess if someone is in a rush or feeling lazy or unclear on how to edit, it happens. I think a video on how to edit could be helpful. I also like the reminder to ‘keep it simple’ rather than trying to be fancy with music etc

Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, Alexandra. Some people just don't know what CD's want and expect. I might do a video at some point just showing how to do this basic edit. Thank you again for taking the time to share your inisghts.

I love this and thanks for posting Matthew Cornwell thermometer or a thermostat? Wowsers!!

Matthew Cornwell, thank you for sharing this with the community! That mindset shift from being reactive to taking ownership of your performance is so important, especially in self-tapes and auditions where confidence and individuality can make all the difference. I also love that you highlight the nuance; it’s not just about being bold for the sake of standing out but about knowing who you are as a performer and bringing a grounded, intentional take to the role.

Ashley Renee Smith yes! Actors can also get so caught up in "standing out" or making "bold choices", that they lose themselves in the process by getting gimmicky. In an effort to be seen, you actually lose your authenticity, which is the only thing that WILL make you stand out. It's not an easy concept, because it feels so elusive.

Matthew Cornwell thanks for this great advice! Especially from someone who runs a taping business. You must see a lot of performances: good and bad. You rightly say it takes years of experience and training to know what your signature performance is. Any advice to less experienced actors about additional ways ti figure out their signature?

Alexandra Stevens Hmm. I'm afraid that it's not very simple. Because when you're new, if someone were to simply tell you, you'd either (a) reject them because you don't like what they said, or (b) not question them at all based on their perceived importance.

It's a question of how to be authentic. In full disclosure, part of our business is offering a 4-day process that DOES answer this for you. But it's rigorous. You must collect lots of data on how you perceive yourself, and then hold that up against LOTS of data from the surrounding world on how you are perceived by them. "Them" can mean friends, strangers, and most importantly, CASTING.

How does a casting director perceive you the INSTANT you show up on a self-tape? How is it they they've made most of their decision about you within 10 seconds of the start of your tape (sometimes within 4 sec)?

You can't solve this riddle simply. You CAN send out questionnaires to your social network to get some of this data, but if you don't know how to process it, you won't get to the answer as easily.

Case in point: I had a student once who came up to me after class, and she was lamenting because when she would submit for certain roles in indie films, they instead would always request her to read for the seductress, the less savory females, the villains, etc. She HATED it. She point blank said "I don't want to be a hooker." But ANYONE who saw her headshot would immediately make the same assessment of where she fits amongst a cast of characters that included one of these "darker" females.

So, she was running from what the world perceived about her, because she felt like it was an attack on her personal character. So many of us are fighting against some sort of unfair perception, but if the whole world is going to continue to make this perception about you, you MUST figure out a way to reconcile it.

Sorry for the novel. This is a topic I'm extremely passionate about. Like I said, this is part of the work I do. My wife and I own the Sam Christensen Image Process, which was created over 30 years ago to address this problem.

Amanda Toney I have to admit I hadn't heard of betootaadvocate so had to google them and learned they make satirical posts that aren't true but are nevertheless making a valid indirect point about the industry (as I understand). I think the headline you posted does raise the issue of where we draw the line, in the industry, between artistic expression and problematic portrayals, particularly concerning race and cultural representation. Emelia Perez comes to mind. I wonder what others think?

Thats wild, Amanda Toney! That monologue cracked me up. Or I guess more accurately, Walton's reactions during the monologue had me busting out in laughter.

Hi, Alexandra Stevens. I'm excited for this AMA! I already posted a question, and I'm going to try and think of some more.

Maurice Vaughan Good idea! I'm going to head over there right now and ask mine :)

I just saw your comment on Rob's post, Alexandra Stevens. Great questions!

I totally agree Alexandra Stevens A24 and others are filling the void of Hollywood´s epic failures, and A24 & other Indie studios will do nothing but become like Netflix soon. It is going to be epic!!

Pamela De Nicolo thanks for sharing what you're working on. I'm certain that you are perfectly capable as you say. That's exactly it, the negative limiting beliefs are irrational and unfounded. And as you say, we've picked them up unawares from parents, important others and/or society. It's the unpicking of them that can be a bit more tricky. But as Jung says, "the gold is in the dark'. That self-awareness can fuel the creative process.

Mark Deuce and how do you feel about that prediction that A24 will become like Netflix.? Do you think they will manage to retain their edge?

Yes, i sure do, because Hollywood is collapsing upon itself right now as we speak and with Ai coming on super strong, this is spelling the end of an era and a new one rising now and A24 and other Indie Studios as will and are donimating. Unless hollywood and the big studios can make a quick change, which is unlikely.

Mark Deuce exciting times potentially! Do you have any films you'd like A24 to snap up? I just hope A24 hold on to their edge. How do you think they can do that? I mean Netflix started off as a disruptor too and now it's more on the safe side.

Great tips, Tammy Hunt! What type of events should actors volunteer at?

Thanks for these grounded and useful tips Tammy Hunt I particularly liked what you said about keeping on learning and about staying grounded . What really resonated was not pausing your life for your acting career. I agree that people, places and passion feed your spirit. I would go so far as to say all of our life experiences shape us as actors so the more rich and varied our life experience is, the more depth and richness we can bring to our acting

Hi Tammy Hunt ! Thanks for sharing this insight from a casting director and creative team’s perspective. It’s good to know what might be going through their mind. Especially for a relatively new actor like me for whom a casting director might feel like a scary foreign entity ;)

what stayed with me is remembering to practice lots of different ways of saying the lines beforehand

This is such valuable advice, Tammy Hunt! Thank you for breaking it down so clearly. I especially love the reminder not to get locked into your choices.

Helpful advice and insight, Tammy Hunt! Has it ever happened where actors don't get the roles, but they still get called back during production? Maybe because the actors who got the roles dropped out for some reason.

Yes Maurice Vaughan it does happen sometimes.

That's great for actors, Tammy Hunt! Thanks.

Thanks for sharing, Alexandra Stevens! These blogs have been so cool!