Acting

Neil Jaye love your question! Personally i like scripts where the characters have a lot of depth and nuance and quirkiness and are not just driven by the plot. For example the characters in Mike Leigh films. I also relish scripts which are about the relationship between characters and how individuals go about getting their needs and wants met by others.

It's simple Neil Jaye good writing. The script is everything.

I personally don't find self tapes hard. I also, wouldn't say something is hard because if you think it is, then it is.

The Ring series

Suzanne Bronson that was the first movie I was cast in! (the American ring) but it was for a really quick scene that flashes worms that turn into people (I would have been covered in goop wearing nothing but a g string slithering over other people so my dad wouldn't let me in the end lol)

Japanese horror films are creepy AF

Um, now that Halloween has passed, I have to say I don't have a favorite. Jaws and Alien cured me of enjoying horror. Still, any horror I might attempt to watch has to have comedy to it. Those little bit of moments to shake off the tension. One of my friends made a good one, A Halloween Feast (Guile Branco writer/actor/producer). It's as it sounds, people eating people. But, it's hilarious. Which is a good thing since he is a friend and I had to attend his premiere. He even gave me one of the prop ears. Looks good, but it's an ear. Ugh.

Brittany Christine hope you enjoyed your horror movie binge. What did you end up watching? A bit late to the party but i prefer horrors that are more of the psychological genre. An oldy but a goody was The Blair Witch Project

Ok... gonna make some enemies on this one. Buuuuuut, here we go.

Generally, I'm against it. Because what usually happens is that when they switch it out, usually for a "girl boss" type character, she has no flaws and thus her "arc" is boring. Nothing is learned, the character is the same as they were in the beginning. I hate that in any case but especially when there's a swap of some sort from the original IP.

However, as a super fan of Battlestar Galactica, I LOVED her as Starbuck! The reason is exactly what you pointed it out in your post. She was flawed. As a fighter pilot, she was often undisciplined and bucked authority. She wasn't perfect...which is what made her perfect.

That’s such a great point, Maurice Vaughan, it really does come down to intention and execution. When there’s a clear creative or thematic reason behind a gender swap, it can open the door to new perspectives and performances that breathe fresh life into an existing story. But if it feels like a marketing move rather than a storytelling one, audiences can sense that disconnect immediately.

It’s such a fine balance between honoring legacy and pushing creative boundaries, and when it works, like Katee Sackhoff’s Battlestar Galactica Starbuck, it can redefine what’s possible for a character.

I actually really appreciate that take, Brandon Keeton, and I think a lot of people quietly agree with you. When gender-swapping is done without depth or vulnerability, it can feel more like a statement than storytelling. What made Katee Sackhoff’s Starbuck so unforgettable was exactly what you described. That’s the difference between representation that feels real and representation that feels manufactured. When writers allow characters, regardless of gender, to be messy, complicated, and imperfect, that’s when audiences connect on a genuine level.

First of all, BATTLESTAR GALATICA is one of my favorite shows. Yes, I am old enough to have watched the original and I thought it was awesome that Starbuck was going to be female. It's a sign of the times. Plus it takes place in the future, so to not treat women as just as capable wouldn't fit That goes with Brandon's point, the gender swap serves a purpose. I would also like to point out that Boomer was also reimagined as an Asian woman, for some reason no one seems as upset about.

It does give actors more creative opportunity. Ronald D Moore as he did Star Trek not surprised he made those changes to BG. Some characters are written for a man, but are really genderless and oftentimes, casting does cast a woman for a part that was written for a man.

But, the question is about established IP. I don't know how many people are aware of this, but Neil Simon wrote a female version of THE ODD COUPLE. You didn't know that? That's my point. It's not as funny. Which brings to mind, Ashley Renee Smith how do you feel about the all female OCEAN"S ELEVEN?

I'm going to have to watch it. I loved the original and skipped the remake, because it's a remake. I love Katee Sackkhoff's work. Just now I had to look at her IMDb to see where the Battlestar Gallactica gig came into play. I'm good with the gender switch. I get why the comic-com faithful were upset. Every little change up can trigger them. And they worry about characters and franchises straying from their intension. I'm glad they eventually saw the light. Anyway, thank you for the link. And I highly recommend Katee's podcast.

Great tips, Aaron Marcus!

Thank you, Maurice. Hope a lot of other people also find it helpful.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

Thank you for sharing Aaron Marcus

You are very welcome. I hope this is helpful to you.

Pat Alexander thanks for sharing. Love hearing about on-set experiences. Sounds like Bruce was very supportive. Makes me like him even more.

What did you think of Jeremy Allen White's performance Pat Alexander ?

I haven't seen it just yet! But I hope to check it out this weekend. Will report back :)

Thanks, Brittany Christine. Are you joining November Write Club? It's not just for writers.

Maurice Vaughan Too busy with front of camera work and an online course atm, (do not see that changing for a while)

I'm looking forward to seeing the movies/shows, Brittany Christine!

I hosted Hocus Pocus themed trivia and I dressed as Binx. It got me thinking though, what if I dressed as a black cat on a random day? Not in October. How would people react? Great social experiment.

Suzanne Bronson I love a good theme/excuse to try a new character, even if just for myself and not a social gathering! I say DO IT

You're welcome, Matthew Gross. Congratulations on the role!

Matthew Gross my heart goes out to you, I feel so sad reading this. May your wonderful mother rest in peace. And bravo to you for not only continuing with the filming but also continuing to post here! I like what you said about not by-passing grief but letting the work be the mirror. Glad Elliot was of help and hope you have lots of actual people around to support you at this time too. I've have acted during periods of grief and , coincidentally (or not) was given parts to play where the character was grieving.so I was able to channel it in that way.

Matthew Gross my heartfelt prayers and condolences to you and your family. You are such an inspiration - thank you for sharing.

Great question Matthew Gross This is very ap pro po as I just went through this myself. Not the loss of my mother, but the loss of a relationship. While I by no means missed the person, I was grieving something I had high hopes for.. My therapist said I was grieving what that relationship stood for. The hopes and dreams I had. Yet, "the show must go on." I still had to host trivia three nights a week, which requires a lot of upbeat energy.. There were times I found myself wanting to cry while I was driving to work. I would focus on my breathing and my driving. I told myself, I can cry all I want when I get home, but I need to get through the next three hours. Which is what I did. I would get out of the car, big smile on my face and be present. Then sob uncontrollably when I got home. It's like going on stage with the flu. Throw up when you step off :)

May your dear mother rest in peace, Matthieu.

My deepest condolences. I lost my grandfather, and it’s something you never truly forget, but we learn to live for them.

Thank you for reminding me that my own mother is still here, that time is not infinite, and that our hearts will one day stop beating.

Let’s all stay strong and cherish the moments we still have.

I’m sure that from up there, she sees you, walking among the stars, guiding your steps.

That’s such a thoughtful question , Alexandra Stevens, and one that hits close to home for so many actors. The line between performance and personal emotion can get blurry, especially when you’re building chemistry, trust, and vulnerability on set or in training. Everyone’s boundaries look a little different, but what matters most is awareness and communication. Knowing where your emotional limits are, and having the self-awareness to pause before crossing them, can make all the difference.

Well, that’s funny how you say that me considering the industry I worked in which is in the adult industry. Mostly all producers and directors strongly would agree with me that keeping it strictly professional nothing on setsoffset should be an automatically rather it’s not on an adult film or somewhere else.. having a relationship on site can ultimately cause problems and other altercations that have happened. Most of the producer, & directors that I worked with do not accept a boyfriend or girlfriends on site.. They won’t work with couples but that’s my side of the industry the other side I can’t tell you, but with my experience absolutely not I couldn’t

.

Crystal Rollen that's interesting to hear your perspective from having had experience in the adult industry. I'm not familiar at all with that aspect of the business. It certainly makes sense not to allow actors to become couples. The stakes are probably even higher than in that type of scenario.

Ashley Renee Smith and yours is such a thoughtful answer. Absolutely it is about awareness and communication, as you say rather than assuming.

there are literally BILLIONS of other people in the world that you can date and not have it effect your current job or any future jobs, so I chose the, "don't sh*t where you eat" mindset lol

I would say government agencies, law enforcement, and medical schools are probably the best bet. Most corporate videos I have had to watch don't use real people. They're all AI generated.

Emily Barber I got it through my Agent in Atlanta

There is a whole other type of work for actors called Standardized Patient work. This is when medical schools and teaching hospitals hire actors to portray patients. This gives the doc's practice in doing exams. I know a number of actors who love doing this work. On my website, I sell a video- 44 Ideal Side Jobs For Actors that discuss many different types of great side hustle jobs for actors. You can find it on:howtoactandmodel.com - click on the Video Library tab and scroll down to premium videos. There are a number of really helpful videos there.

Brandon Keeton I'm in Atlanta too! Haven't received any of those auditions through my agent yet, but that's good to know :).

Emily, you can always ask your agent if he/she gets this type of work. If you are looking to find things on your own, you can also check out Role Playing jobs. For instance, there are some attorneys who want to present a case to an actor (as if they were on a jury) to get your thoughts. Here is a link to look into this more: http://www.ejury.com/

I make sure my work is of a very high standard before putting it out, Alexandra Stevens.

You asked two different questions Alexandra Stevens I do think that having a very standard before I put my work out in the world, is more important than just putting it out there. It's my name on the page and I want it to be something to be proud of. I am not sure how much of an impact it will have if it's less that then best I can do.

The answer to your header: no I do not wait for perfect conditions before I start a project, otherwise I would never get started. Having "all your ducks is a row" is a misnomer. Mama walks, then the ducklings line up. "If you build it, they will come,"

I have to agree with Suzanne Bronson on this one. I think you might be asking two different questions. For a finished film, I like to make sure it is as perfect as I can make it before putting it out there. For something I'm working on, like the script, I'll jump into it not knowing where it'll take me.

Suzanne Bronson and Brandon Keeton oops, yes I see I did pose two questions, probably indicative that my 'good enough will do' stance doesn't always serve me ;).

Maurice Vaughan I’m with you on this one. If it’s not ready it will never see light of day. You only have one shot to make an impact on someone’s soul before they decide to stay or move on.

This resonates totally.... do something you're proud of and that feeds your soul and chances are you'll end up broke. Very interesting conversation.

Thanks for sharing the video, Pat Alexander. I've been there. Chasing money. I wrote scripts and took jobs fot the money. They weren't projects that I was excited about or pushed me creatively, and I could've been working on my projects instead. But I needed the money at the time. So, it depends.

"Do what you love, and the money will follow."