Montreal-based Casting Director, Andrea Kenyon shares her journey of becoming a casting director and the daily process of casting a show. She emphasizes the importance of the audition breakdown and how it inspires agents and actors to suggest and portray the right characters. Andrea also highlights the collaboration between casting directors and actors, debunking the misconception of conflict between the two. She expresses her passion for the industry and the constant growth and learning that comes with being a casting director. She shares insights and advice for actors. She emphasizes the importance of understanding tone and doing thorough preparation for auditions. Andrea also discusses the role of casting directors in championing actors and making the casting process a positive experience. She shares memorable moments in her career where she made a difference in casting decisions. Andrea advises actors to have a passion for the craft, constantly grow and learn, and not tie their self-worth to audition results.
Takeaways
Casting directors are champions for actors, constantly working to get them hired and supporting their growth and success.
Collaboration between casting directors and actors is essential, and casting directors strive to provide actors with the tools and opportunities to shine.
Understanding tone is crucial for actors
Don't tie your self-worth to audition results
Constantly grow, learn, and have a passion for the craft
EP 138: Mark Herschberg: Networking Scientist/Stand-Up Comedian/Ballroom Dancer
Season 1 · Episode 138
Friday, September 6, 2024 • Duration 01:08:37
HAPPY TIFF!!! Time to network...FOR YOUR LIFE!! I'm kidding...but this episode is for all you nerds out there who struggle with networking authentically (me, hello).
I chat with M.I.T professor, Mark Herschberg. He teaches networking at M.I.T...you might've heard of this little school... He emphasizes the need to focus on the relationship rather than the outcome when networking and provides practical tips for maintaining connections. The conversation also challenges the notion of overnight success and highlights the importance of putting in the work and continuously improving. He encourages actors to learn negotiation skills and take control of their careers. Mark also shares his experiences with ballroom dancing and stand-up comedy, highlighting the benefits of structure and practice in honing creative skills.
Takeaways
Focus on the relationship rather than the outcome when networking.
Maintain connections by reaching out on special occasions or sharing relevant information.
Be cautious of transactional networking and be aware of people's intentions.
Success often requires putting in the work and continuous improvement. Focus on building relationships rather than immediate transactions in networking.
Learn negotiation skills and take control of your career as an actor or creative.
Apologies for the audio issues...my whole recording set-up is on ye olde FRITZ. Je ne comprend pas technology but I'll fiddle once I recover from PRIDE WEEKEND
Join us on an inspiring journey as we explore the career of ANDREW MEIKLE!
Listen in as we navigate the unpredictability of the film industry, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation also touches on the sense of community within the Toronto film scene and the importance of mutual support to compete with industry giants like LA and New York. We also reflect on the potential of revisiting early projects with new resources.
Andrew has a ton of practical advice for aspiring creators and the power of networking. Learn how to leverage everyday tools to create content, and hear tips on seizing networking opportunities, even in unexpected places. We also share behind-the-scenes insights from the creation of the web series "Two Brothers," discussing the journey from a micro-budget first season to a more resourceful second season. Hear heartwarming stories of camaraderie on set and the recognition the series has received. Lastly, we celebrate the relationships and memorable moments that fuel the passion for filmmaking, leaving you with words of wisdom and encouragement for your own creative pursuits.
On this episode of Second Act Actors, I sit down with Will, who’s a lovely, stable, positive person who’s also an actor and a teacher. Will’s a first act actor, having attended theatre school in Toronto, and today he acts and teaches other actors to have a positive mindset and to value themselves so they can truly put themselves into the character they’re playing.
Will tells me what he did and didn’t learn at theatre school and how he eventually made up for his lack of knowledge by taking on a mentor and shifting his mindset. He reveals the low point that he went through after leaving theatre school and the work that he had to do to overcome it. Will also dives into the fallacy of the ‘starving artist’ mentality and how it can be dangerous to young actors in the industry, and he paints his alternative vision of being a ‘thriving artist’.
This episode of Second Act Actors is an uplifting listen that’s full of great advice about what it actually takes to become an actor. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend or online to spread the message about valuing yourself, even in a famously tough industry.
Timestamps
[0:15] How struggling in music class made Will want to be an actor
[2:38] What did Will’s parents think of him becoming an actor?
[4:00] Will on making his own back-up plan and teaching acting to others
[5:24] Will’s experience of theatre school
[8:00] “There’s a lot missing from the educational world”: What you don’t learn at theatre school
[10:00] Camera experience, mentors, mindset shifts: How Will made up for his knowledge deficit
[13:46] Will’s post-theatre school low point
[17:40] Gaining a breakthrough by working on your mindset
EP 38: Robyn Deverett: Physiotherapist & Actor
Season 1 · Episode 38
Friday, October 7, 2022 • Duration 01:06:36
Today’s guest on the Second Act Actors podcast is the funny, quirky and lovely Robyn Deverett, the self-styled ‘Acting Physiotherapist’. Robyn acted in a lot of school plays but eventually decided to pursue a career in physiotherapy. However, being Robyn, she found a way to combine the two and uses her acting and comedy skills to provide education on physiotherapy and particularly on the importance of exercising your pelvic floor. She regularly shares videos about pelvic floor and other essential physio-recommended exercises.
We discuss the problems of working in the healthcare system today and how acting can be an escape from your first act career burnout. Robyn shares some great tips with me on how to access your emotions and tells me how she learnt to cry on command in auditions. We also talk about why actors need to keep supporting other actors, despite the competitive nature of the industry.
To hear other fun, entertaining interviews with passionate actors, make sure that you subscribe or follow the Second Act Actors podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
EP 37: Kristin Duffy: Fashion Designer Turned Actor
Season 1 · Episode 37
Friday, September 30, 2022 • Duration 47:14
Kristin Duffy is my guest on this episode of the Second Act Actors podcastand she’s here to tell me about switching from fashion to acting, how triathlons were formative for her and her experiences of being an American in London.
Kristin was the oldest of six children and was interested in acting from a young age, but decided to study fashion and landed a design role for a major chain based in New York. However, she became unsatisfied with her career and made the switch to studying acting in London. Together we discuss whether we put too much pressure on ourselves to make our first career work out. As the host of The Second Chapter Podcast, Kristin interviews women over 35 who made huge career changes so she has plenty to say about this!
We also compare notes on how society treats women, especially women over the age of 40, and how aging in the UK compares to ageing in the US. Kristin tells me about her thoughts on living in London and how triathlons can be like having a baby.
If this episode struck a chord with you and encouraged you to go for a big life change, please share it on your go-to social media channel and subscribe to The Second Act Actors podcast.
Timestamps
[2:20] Kristin talks about her childhood and her career in fashion
[5:43] Kristin on the roots of her creativity
[7:30] How science-y is fashion design?
[9:22] Getting inspired to become a triathlete
[13:57] Kristin and I talk building a community around your hobbies
[15:37] “It’s kind of like having a baby”: Kristin tells me about her first triathlon
EP 36: Tony Cauch: Banker Turned Actor
Season 1 · Episode 36
Friday, September 23, 2022 • Duration 30:46
Banker, reggae musician, MC and actor Tony Cauch is my guest on this episode of Second Act Actors. Tony’s embraced many careers in his life and has now retired from banking to pursue his creative passions full time, as he tells me in our interview.
Tony and I discuss why he chose banking over music earlier in his life and whether the millennial generation felt obligated to choose ‘traditional’ careers because they grew up seeing their parents hate their jobs. Tony tells me what surprised him about starting to work as an actor and the ‘culture shock’ that he experienced when he realised that he was no longer the decision-maker in the room.
We then talk about the importance of creativity and how uniquely human it is to be driven by the desire to create and enjoy art, music, and theatre, and Tony shares his words of wisdom to anyone who feels stuck in their day job.
To find out what other Second Act Actors are up to and how they’re breaking into the acting world, subscribe or follow the Second Act Actors podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Timestamps
[0:37] Tony’s career in acting, MC’ing, and banking
[3:30] The ‘look at me!’ bug and why Tony went into banking
[5:20] What Tony’s brought from banking to acting
[6:40] How Tony made a gradual switch from banking into acting
[8:30] What made Tony feel comfortable enough to pursue acting in the ‘second stage’ of his life?
[9:30] Tony describes the ‘culture shock’ of starting to work as an actor
[10:45] “I wasn’t really all that serious about it”: Tony’s formal acting training and the difficulty of acting in an accent
EP 35: Maya Ritter: Talent Agent
Season 1 · Episode 35
Friday, September 16, 2022 • Duration 52:04
Today I’m lifting the veil of secrecy off one of the most misunderstood jobs in the acting industry: the talent agent. I chat with my talent agent and lovely human Maya Ritter, from Ritter Talent Agency. Maya tells me about how she became an agent after having worked as a child actor and busts some of the biggest myths about agents, actors and what they’re supposed to do for each other.
This episode is a great listen for anyone who’s been signed by a talent agency or who’s starting to look for an agent. You’ll hear Maya and I discuss how you can get an acting career off the ground, what Maya would have done differently as an actor and how you can make your agent’s life easier. Maya also runs through a day in the life of a talent agent and gives advice on how to navigate difficult conversations with your agent such as asking to take a career break and what to say if you think your agent is letting you down.
If you learnt something from this episode of Second Act Actors, please share it in your community and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts.
Timestamps
[0:05] Maya tells me how she became a child actor
[3:22] Maya’s existential crisis, backpacking through Asia and her revelation of wanting to start her own talent agency
[6:18] What difference does it make if your agent has also acted professionally?
[9:16] Maya’s advice on how to get started as an actor
[11:00] What would Maya have done differently in her acting career?
[15:04] “So-and-so isn’t doing enough for me”: The misconception that some actors have about the role of their agent
[18:42] Had a challenging time with a previous agent? Here’s how Maya would handle it
[21:24] “It’s a relationship”: Maya on the bond between an actor and an agent
EP 34: Diane Sargent: Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Turned Actor
Season 1 · Episode 34
Friday, September 9, 2022 • Duration 01:00:11
On this episode of Second Act Actors, I’m interviewing an actor with a life story like no other. Diane grew up in South Africa, sailed to the United States on a boat with her family, landed in San Diego and helped her parents to set up an ostrich farm. She was passionate about acting from a young age but then became a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Diane and I talk about how she rediscovered acting and what her life has been like since.
Diane talks about going up against the statistics of how many actors really ‘make it’ and how she keeps herself motivated in the face of such a challenge. She explains why it’s important to her that she calls acting her “vocation” and gives advice to other people who are considering starting out in the industry. We also dive into the financial burden of acting and our feelings around being financially independent. Listen to the end of the episode to find out why Diane’s amazing new headshot didn’t book her any roles and how that changed when she opted for a different photo!
To hear more words of wisdom from second act actors in the industry, subscribe to the Second Act Actors podcast. You can also give the show a boost by leaving a rating and review.
Timestamps
[1:35] Diane’s life story of growing up on a South African gold mine, sailing to the United States and then living on an ostrich farm
[3:10] Why Diane decided not to become an actor
[5:17] Taking an acting class and getting signed by an agent
[6:57] What were Diane’s parents like?
[8:30] The overlaps between acupuncture and acting
[11:27] “The challenge is real”: Diane breaks down the statistics about how much a typical actor earns and roles available for women and men
EP 33: Lisa Riesner: Journalist Turned Actor
Season 1 · Episode 33
Friday, September 2, 2022 • Duration 48:39
On this episode of the Second Act Actors podcast, I interview the inspiring Lisa Riesner, who started out in the acting industry after a career in journalism. She tried out acting at the age of 25 by joining a circus class with some friends and fell in love with it, but she didn’t make the leap into acting full-time until she tragically lost a close friend. This shock made her want to pursue her dreams and since then she’s put all of her efforts into acting, writing and directing.
In our conversation, we touch on the fact that it’s so hard to tell people that you’re an actor but why you should do it anyway. Lisa shares some great pearls of wisdom about having the power to determine your own life and why she’s making her own films rather than waiting for casting directors to find her. She also unpacks the film industry in Europe and what makes it different from working as an actor in Hollywood or Toronto.
I loved talking with Lisa and got so much out of our conversation, as you’ll hear on this episode! If you enjoyed the episode and learnt something from Lisa, please subscribe to the Second Act Actors podcast.
Timestamps
[2:09] Lisa explains her route to full-time acting via journalism
[6:37] It’s hard to say out loud that you’re an actor!
[9:17] “I’m gonna make it happen for myself”
[12:10] How Lisa’s journalism skills have helped her to advance her acting career
[14:02] Lisa’s advice to people who want to change their lives
[17:00] “What ego??!”
[18:40] Every actor needs an ego
[20:16] Having life experience frees you up to be more playful
[24:17] Lisa explains the European film industry
[18:55] What a truly great teacher can do for your confidence and your acting career
[24:33] What’s the difference between a first act actor and a second act actor?
[25:53] The danger of the ‘starving artist’ mentality
[28:40] How to stop being a starving artist and to start being a thriving artist
[30:23] Will’s crazy on-stage story from a production of Hamlet
[35:55] How Will’s family and friends would describe his job
[37:03] The new business: What Will’s excited about for this year
[38:23] “You are enough”: Will’s final words of wisdom
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