Acting

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https://www.castingnetworks.com/news/casting-director-anthony-j-kraus-au...

I just watched Keke Palmer's Vanity Fair rewatch of her career, and it's such a beautiful reflection on what it actually means to grow up in this industry and build a career that lasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSG3d7dNmZA

She walks through Akeelah and the Bee, True Jackson VP, Hustlers, Nope, One of Them Days, I Love Boosters, and the infamous "Sorry to this man" moment, and I couldn't stop taking notes about the craft, mentorship, and mindset that has kept her working for over 20 years.

Here are the takeaways that stood out to me most:

On mentorship and connecting to emotion: She talks about how Angela Bassett helped her cry in a scene as a child by drawing a parallel between the character's life and Keke's own relationship with her mom. She calls Angela and Laurence Fishburne "my first teachers in the industry," and you can hear how deeply that shaped her approach to acting.

On growing up on set: She's honest about how hard it was to have kid feelings suppressed in a professional workplace as a child actor. "As a kid you are supposed to be able to be unreasonably angry, unreasonably sad, but because it was so much at stake, I just couldn't do it." It's such a raw, vulnerable admission about the cost of the career.

On listening as an actor: She says she hears lines as music and always tries to serve the scene by listening to what instrument her scene partner is playing, then supporting it. That framework alone is worth the whole video.

On reinventing across career stages: Hustlers was a full "reintroduction" for her as an adult, and she's honest about how difficult the transition from kid star to adult actor really is. The auditions get harder, the feedback slows down, and you have to rebuild everything.

Which brings me to my question for all of you actors out there: Which working actor's career retrospective, interview, or masterclass has taught you the most about your craft?

What did they say that stuck with you? Whether it's Meryl at the Actors Studio, Denzel talking about faith and preparation, Viola talking about vulnerability, or a Keke Palmer sit-down like this one, share the moments that shaped how you approach your work. And drop a link or clip in the comments!

What is one thing that keeps you motivated in this crazy and competitive industry?

A friend and fellow performer and I were reminiscing last night, agreeing that in some way we miss the days where we actually had to print out resumes, order copies of black-and-white pictures, scour the physical copy of BackStage for casting notices, physically send copies of pics and resumes to the casting offices, and go audition in person.

Yes, I can definitely appreciate that it is much easier (and cheaper) now that things are done electronically, but there is something to be said for actually reading for a part in front of the person, instead of recording the audition at home. Yes, I know the latter grants more access to more performers (which is a good thing!), but the thrill of pounding the pavement and going sides in the same room as other actors all going out for Bartender #3 does have its charm.

Don't get me wrong...I like the ease of attaching JPGs and PDFs and hitting SEND when submitting. But, it also feels a bit less personal. This same accessible technology has also made it easier to make our own movies and shorts, giving us greater opportunities to be seen by those who are looking for people to be in their next projects.

But, again, there is something about the in-person experience that tends to give us more grit. More drive. More hunger.

Do you think 'typecasting' is a helpful tool to get your foot in the door, or a trap that limits your artistic growth?"

7 Apps Every Actor Must Use Right Now

https://youtu.be/asx_vsCTXJU

Learn about 7 apps and free programs that could completely change the way you run your acting career.

Let us know if you use any of them or what apps have helped your acting career.

Your information will be invaluable to fellow actors. I'll read and respond to each one.

What is one piece of acting advice you have received that has helped you in your journey?

Acting is weird. I think we can all agree...for many reasons.

There are also a lot of superstitions, traditions, and rituals we all engage in, some of which we don't even know why.

There is a tradition in the theater not to whistle backstage. This actually has roots in history, as many times sailors and riggers, who had not read the play, signaled when to drop sandbags, scenery, etc. by whistling. Whistle at the wrong time, and someone could get injured.

There is also the ghost light, set out on a dark stage in order to ward off the ghost (because every theater has a ghost, right?) This also has practical origins...as it can be dangerous to enter into a completely dark theater.

And most of us are familiar with the need to refer to that one play as "The Scottish Play" backstage, lest you curse the show. There are a few remedies should this happen, including reciting any line from any other Shakespeare play, spinning around and offer an insult, or even more. Obviously if you are performing in...uh...The Scottish Play...then you are allowed to say the name in the theater.

However, some performers have certain rituals, superstitions, traditions, etc. that they indulge in for their own well-being...and if they don't do them, then the show won't go well. Legend has it that James Marsters, when he was Spike on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, carried a Spider-Man action figure around with him. Kit Harrington from GAME OF THRONES reportedly kisses the stage three times. Ariana Grande used to eat chocolate donuts before important auditions for luck.

When I was doing community theater, I would always arrive before call time (usually fifteen minutes or more) and walk the stage. If I didn't touch every inch of exposed floor onstage, it didn't sit right with me. I still walk the stage before my improv shows before we open the house (though I don't need to touch every inch). I also have a pre-show ritual of four breath mints, taken two at a time...though that is also done as a courtesy for my fellow cast members. And, in one show I did. it was a ritual where another cast member and I used to give each other the middle finger right before going onstage. Hey, we always had a good show, so who am I to judge what works, right?

What are some of your pre-show rituals, traditions, or superstitions?

What is one of your favorite performances you watch to feel inspired to keep going on your acting journey?

Tony Leung is one of my favourite actors and I’d love the opportunity to work with him. (One hope for the future!)

Chunking Express and In the Mood for Love are my favourites. I love the intensity he brings to a character, by what may seem a very restrained and understated acting style.

And his process for ‘Silent Friend’ is also interesting:

“To inhabit a neuroscientist, Leung spent six months reading books on plants and neurobiology and visiting laboratories to observe experiments firsthand. Around the third or fourth month, he said, the scientist’s mindset took hold without him consciously trying. He described thorough preparation as the condition for freedom on set, noting that the more prepared he was, the more shooting felt like play rather than obligation.”

What are your favourite Tony Leung films? What is your process for getting in character?

https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/tony-leung-silent-friend-shangha...