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5 Ways Yoga and Movement Helps My Acting Career by Maurice Vaughan  •  last post Aug 31st

In today’s blog, Sara Quiriconi shares how yoga and movement have amplified her acting career and creative pursuits.


www.stage32.com/blog/5-ways-yoga-and-movement-helps-my-acting-career-3842

Nicole Kidman keeps it original by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 30th

I can't remember Nicole Kidman doing a sequel - other than Season 2 of Big Little Lies. She pushes the envelope and supports directors who make original material. Kudos. What's your favorite Nicold Kidman project? https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/nicole-kidman-babygirl-venice-standing-ovation-harris-dickinson-1236116549/

Angelina Jolie makes a comeback by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 29th

Sometimes we get caught up in the TMZ of it all but when an artist does good work it always bring me back to what it’s all about. Not defending the public drama but always glad to see someone digging in and letting their talent do the talking. What do you think? https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/angelina-jolie-weeps-maria-venice-standing-ovation-pablo-larrain-oscar-buzz-1236115537/

Actor Dialects Are A Skill To Perfect by Tammy Hunt  •  last post Aug 29th

How to Teach Yourself a Dialect, According to a Voice Coach


Jim Johnson teaches voice and dialects at the University of Houston and has coached actors including Aidan Quinn and Hal Holbrook. He also runs AccentHelp, one of the leading resources for dialect training at home.

He recommends that the first thing a student does is listen to native speakers. “Just get used to hearing it, without trying to listen for anything specific,” he says. There are a number of resources for listening to authentic dialects, including Johnson’s AccentHelp courses and the International Dialects of English Archive, a website Johnson highly recommends. “It’s free, and a number of people, including myself, contribute recordings,” he adds.

After a few initial listenings, he says, students can then get into the details: “Start listening for sound changes, trying to get the intonation down. Get the rhythm of it, where the pitch moves.”

To incorporate the “musicality” of a dialect, Johnson will often have students use physical actions to follow the movement of pitch and rhythm, such as moving their arms up and down with the pitch or tapping out the rhythms. He finds this helps speed up the learning process. “Hopefully, they’re not just feeling it, but they’re seeing it as well,” he says. “They learn it through auditory, kinesthetic, and visual means.”

Exaggerate the dialect, study vowel sounds, record yourself, keep practicing, and use your acting skills: In the end, Johnson thinks the most important element in a believable dialect is great acting, with the ability to sell it.

 #actor #voice #dialect

Today's AMA guest in the acting lounge is the talented Kym Jackson! by Omari Washington  •  last post Aug 28th

Kym Jackson, Actress, Producer, Author, & Stage 32 Thought Leader (The Hollywood Survival Guide For Actors, THIS IS US, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, N.C.I.S), will be hosting a 24-Hour Ask Me Anything ("AMA") from Wednesday 8/28 to Thursday 8/29 in the Acting Lounge, focused on "Mastering The Art Of The Self-Tape". https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting/Ask-Me-Anything-AMA-Wednesday-8-28-to-Thursday-8-29-Mastering-The-Art-Of-The-Self-Tape

SAG-AFTRA Chief’s Pay Tops $1 Million, Highest Among Hollywood Unions by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 28th

I am of two minds here. This is a big job for an industry that produces a lot of revenue. That said, I served on some AEA committees in my time. Broadway generates billions and the Executive Director made nowhere near that much. 
Curious as to your thoughts on this.


https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/sag-aftra-duncan-crabtree-ireland-one-million-pay-unions-1236105854/

Ask Me Anything (AMA) Wednesday 8/28 to Thursday 8/29- Mastering The Art Of The Self-Tape by Kym Jackson  •  last post Aug 27th

Heya actors!  

For the past 10 years, I've been working with, teaching classes and seminars for actors.  I've helped thousands of actors make consistent progress in their career and to strengthen their mental fortitude and mindset along the way.  In part, because so many working actors and industry pro's helped me along my way when I was first starting out - and still do today!  We all need a little guidance sometimes. :) 

Tomorrow, I'm doing an Ask Me Anything for Stage 32 and I'd love to know if there's a challenge, goal, or problem you'd like some guidance, input or suggestions on.  Or if there are just questions you have about 'how things work' in the industry, pop them here and I'd love to answer! 

Here are two of my prior classes for Stage 32: 

https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Kym+Jackson&h=actors-the-8-steps-to-booking-more-work 

and 

https://www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Kym+Jackson&h=actors-master-the-art-of-your-self-tape

See you on set!
- Kym Jackson

Want to Fire Your Agent - Try Saying This Instead by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Aug 27th

Want to Fire Your Agent - Try Saying This Instead

https://youtu.be/slBGuzjm4Kk

If you ever thought about firing an agent (I have left a few agents) you might want to use the words I share in the video before you make that decision.

There are times when it is essential that a change in representation happens, but make sure you are making this decision for the right reasons.

Have you ever fired an agent? If so, share your experience with us.

O Griet sy's Droog by Karin van der Laag  •  last post Aug 27th

I am so excited for the premiere of a short movie I performed in called O Griet Sy's Droog. It opens tomorrow at the Silwerskerm Fees (Silver Screen Festival) at the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay. Hoping it receives great reviews.

Gemstones stunt performers rock! by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 26th

I loved reading this and being reminded just how much stunt performers enhance storytelling from action films (obvious) to comedies. What's the best stunt you ever saw in a comedy? https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/the-righteous-gemstones-stunt-coordinator-interview-monster-truck-1235983768/

Discovering your Signature Performance by Matthew Cornwell  •  last post Aug 24th

My mentor, the late Sam Christensen (Casting Director for MASH, Clash of the Titans, etc), cared so deeply about actors, but what plagued him was how few of us knew how to "relax", "do less", and "just be yourself" in the audition.


If you're an actor, you've heard phrases like that before. In class, in a live audition, or on set. Jack Lemmon famously told a story from early in his screen career where the director kept telling him to "do less" and he finally shouted “If I do any less, I won’t be doing anything at all!” 

Exactly.

To be clear, you MUST have craft. You must have training. But that's the part of our careers that is more obvious. What makes us unique is something different. What makes our version of Hamlet or Ophelia so different from every other one is what Sam would call your SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE.

And as Jack Lemmon discovered that fateful day, you have to get out of your own way to let that signature performance shine through. It's a paradox for most of us. Because we want to DO something when we hear ACTION. We want to SHOW the director, the audience, how well we can put on that character. Oftentimes we want to show the work we've put into it, the years of training we've had...

The truth is that in the moment we hear ACTION, it's about letting go and letting the uniqueness of ourselves shine.

Sounds so simple, but it's so hard to embrace when the time comes. Quite honestly, we're bored with ourselves. That person you see in the mirror... with all those flaws and "boring" traits.... who wants to see THEM on screen, right?

I'd love to chat more about this very topic. If you're still reading, and you're curious, I'll be hosting a Zoom call this Wednesday, August 28, at 7pm EDT/4pm PDT to talk about Sam Christensen and the 4-day process he created as his life's work. We already have about 40 RSVPs, so you can keep your camera and mic off if you just want to be a fly on the wall. That said, we will have a Q&A at the end. 

I'll leave you with a question: Can you, with specificity, identify what makes you unique? Not just the characters you play, but what part of humanity you bring to those characters. If you're struggling to find your place in this industry, we can help...

You can learn more and RSVP for the free Zoom call here: https://www.get-taped.com/sam-christensen

What’s the Best Way to Cast in the US? by Sam Iwata Aka Liu  •  last post Aug 24th

Hey there, it’s Sam from the Far East Land!

For the past twenty years, I’ve been crafting TV commercials for names like Estee Lauder, Filorga, and Piaget and dabbling in short films across Asia (mostly China). Shooting a short or feature film in the States is the ultimate dream, but since I’m still a fresh face in that market, I’ll probably have to roll with my own scripts.

Being a non-US citizen makes getting a work visa in our industry a real challenge, so a non-union shoot might be my only option. But I don’t want to leave a bad mark in the land of dreams. So, it’s either I get the visa, or I’ll have to take my project elsewhere.

Production is pretty universal, so it shouldn’t be too different. But the casting part keeps bothering me. In China, I brief my casting director, and they bring me a list of talents. I’m not sure how it works in the US, especially if I want to cast union actors. Should I go to a casting company or hire a freelance casting director to handle it?

As I said, shooting in the US is a dream, but it’s not entirely up to me. So, my backup plan is to fly actors to China, Thailand, or Australia for my projects. My question is, how does that work?

I’d really appreciate any insights you can share.

PS: You can check out some of my work here:: https://vimeo.com/iwatasam.

James Spader Sets Marvel Return as Ultron in ‘Vision’ Series by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 23rd

I loved Spader as Ultron (one of the few good things about the movie). I would watch him read a phone book. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/james-spader-ultron-vision-series-marvel-1236116657/

Free Actor Web Design - Looking to help a few actors by Michael Karpienski  •  last post Aug 23rd

Hi Fellow Actors, 


I am looking to help a couple actors on here and willing to build a few actor websites for free to get some new web design examples in my portfolio. If interested, shoot me a text or email me to discuss a possible partnership! Thanks!

Actor Web Design Examples:
https://graycetoon.com/
https://iamrissa.com/
https://kirageiger.com/
https://megsands.com/

‪(201) 380-1019‬
hello@michaelkarpienski.com

Thanks!
Michael Karpienski

Headshots Tip by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 22nd

It is important to remember that your headshot is the first piece of marketing casting sees, so it needs to do two things:
1 Sell your brand
2. Grab their attention

The first part is up to you, but the second part is up to your photographer, and it is no small feat. Not every photographer knows how to shoot actor headshots. They may be great at nature photography, or even corporate headshots, but neither of those things have anything to do with a great actor headshot.
Just like you wouldn't get heart surgery from a podiatrist, nor should you get headshots from someone who does not specialize in actor headshots. They are probably more expensive, but that is because more people are trying to book with them because they are good at what they do, so the price goes up. They may cost you  $500 more than the lady from your hometown who shoots mostly weddings, but they will be worth every penny. 
If you have questions about headshots, leave them in the comments below.

Actors create worlds by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 21st

Even in the palm of their hand.

Anaconda with Black and Rudd? by Sam Sokolow  •  last post Aug 21st

I am not a huge fan of Anaconda or creature features of most kinds but I would watch these two do anything together. What do you think? https://deadline.com/2024/08/anaconda-movie-jack-black-paul-rudd-1236046679/

The Secrets Behind Casting the 'House of the Dragon' Actors by Ashley Renee Smith  •  last post Aug 20th

House of the Dragon casting director Kate Rhodes James takes us through her casting process in the below video! Did any of the insights that she shared about her goals and choices surprise you?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Otw2LuO6lnI

Are Actors Wasting Time and Money At Acting Schools by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Aug 20th

Are actors wasting time and money attending acting school? This is a very complicated question and a difficult decision. Watch the video https://youtu.be/bZNskI1IUtw  to help you decide which is best for you.

Were you a theater major, studied at a conservatory, worked with someone privately or took local acting classes? If so, without naming the places, please share your experiences with us.

Michael Keaton “Didn’t Care One Way Or Another” About ‘Batgirl’ Cancellation: “Big, Fun, Nice Check” by Tom Lapke  •  last post Aug 19th

I just found his quote funny. Reminded me of the famous Micahel Cane quote about Jaws 4 , when he said he never saw the movie, but he did see the house it bought him, and it is lovely (paraphrasing). https://deadline.com/2024/08/michael-keaton-batgirl-cancellation-1236043928/