Acting

I wish I could answer this question Ashley Renée Smith Unfortunately, I don't have any recent experience or enough experience to answer this. I would love to play someone like that. I have had plenty encounters with real life people like that.

I've never roleplayed, but if I could I would love to, thanks for sharing Ashley.

Sorry to hear that happened, Matthew Gross. You're right. Your health matters—even when the cameras are rolling. Health and safety above everything else. Congratulations on the role!

I am glad you found a work around Matthew. I hope it works out for you. Yes, that is something to think about especially if you have long days on set. Unfortunately, the film industry isn't the most flexible when it comes to working around people's health, even if you are one of the stars of the show. Jennifer Esposito has been very outspoken about this topic. She has celiac disease, and says that is why she was fired from Blue Bloods.

When I did extra work, I would take granola bars, or anything I could put in my pocket from crafty to set because often times you are sitting on set for hours. They would give you bottled water, you can hide items under your chair. Extras are always sneaking bites between takes. haha

Matthew Gross sorry to hear about that episode and glad you have found a work-around. Not the same but I remember last year I was doing online acting classes which lasted 3 hours and I was pregnant with gestational diabetes. The teacher was understanding but I had to break away from training at times to test my blood sugar or have a snack

Matthew Gross Thank you so much for sharing this; it’s such an important reminder. The demands of production can be so intense that we sometimes forget we can and should advocate for our health needs. I’m really glad you’re okay and taking steps to protect yourself moving forward. I hope this post helps others in our community feel more empowered to speak up or plan ahead.

Jennifer Ford what a great pick! I love the sassiness and energy rolling off the computer screen as I read this. Could be a great opportunity to play with authority, frustration, and underlying compassion all at once. I absolutely loved Breaking Bad. Don't get me started on "Better Call Saul' as I would no doubt binge watch too. Would love to see your version of it one day

Hi Jennifer! It's awesome you connected with the piece, if you want to practice it for yourself, but I don't recommend putting it in a reel. For reels, I suggest using a piece from a play, or a monologue from a novel or something. It's not a good idea to recreate scenes from well known movies or tv shows, as the casting directors, et al will just be comparing you to the actor who did the original part and you don't want that. It's better to use unfamiliar pieces for reels.

I do like Better Call Saul but haven't finished the series. I constantly stop and get distracted elsewhere. I got to the early episodes of season 4 last time I believe.

If you want another brilliant and strong female character, look no further than Maggie Siff as Wendy Rhodes in Billions. The character is one of my favourites in the series next to Axelrod and Mike Waxman. Some of the confrontations between Rhodes and Axelrod when her husband investigates his hedge fund, are so awesome.

That's horrible, Aaron Marcus. My condolences to his family and friends. Thanks for making this post and video. Sharing horrible experiences in the industry can be hard, but it can help others avoid them.

Thanks. It was a horrible experience. Poor family. Husband goes off off to work and never comes home. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus. I was thinking the same thing. If I had horrible experiences to share, I definitely would.

I haven't had an experience so traumatic but I have seen and been in dangerous situations on set. One movie had us background artists, probably 50+ running full bore at each other with actual rakes, pitch forks, etc. on a back lot. The small group I was with, just tried to stay out of the way. I have no idea how there were no injuries.

I also fell flat on my face once on the blacktop on a different show, but that was because the contacts I had on, I could barely see out of. All kinds of not entirely legal things happen when you are non union. Even on Union gigs.

Thanks for sharing this, Suzanne. It is really important to be careful when on sets. I am so glad to hear you never encountered anything traumatic on a set.

Must-read article and great tips, Alicia McClendon!

Thanks so much for sharing this, Alicia McClendon! I’m always thrilled to see actors giving back by sharing what they’ve learned, it’s such a powerful way to uplift others in the industry.

Your point about taking a class is so important, but I love that you’re also offering insight for those who may not have access right now. And if you’re interested in digging deeper into technique, audition prep, or industry insight, our Acting Education page is packed with resources: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting

Thank you for sharing Alicia McClendon

Thank you! Suzanne Bronson

Some of the directors on my dream list are Steven Spielberg, Jordan Peele, Zach Cregger, Lana & Lilly Wachowski, Zack Snyder, and Kathryn Bigelow, Suzanne Bronson.

Jonah Nolan and Lisa Joy are HIGH up on my list. As are Phil Lord and Chris Miller!

Great question Suzanne Bronson . I would love to work with British director Mike Leigh. He gets actors to improvise the film rather than writing. a script. Would also love to work with Jane Campion due to the emotional depth she prefers. I also love Sophia Coppola because she creates such delicate, atmospheric worlds and really gives space for characters’ inner lives to come through.

Oh yes Alexandra Stevens I totally get what you mean about Jane Campion. She would be on my list as well as Greta Gerwig

So I came across this article today, and I thought I would share it, as it is relevant to this discussion. Melissa Navia discussing acting with practical effects and AR.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1959211/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-3-...

Minh Nguyen yes i feel similarly to you. How magical it must be

Ashley Renée Smith yes i think sharpening one's imagination is true mastery. I'm in awe of actors who seem completely 'in' their imaginative world. I sometimes wish I still had the same imagination i had as a child and I also believe it can be reclaimed.

Suzanne Bronson oh that's really interesting to learn that often these days a combination of effects are used including digital and traditional. I can see how projecting video on the surrounding backgrounds would help the actors. At the same time the puppeteering and costume work makes sense for the. Gorn itself.

I completely understand, Alexandra Stevens!

Ryan OL say more. about your prep process in other dimensions?

This is such a powerful and insightful topic, Alexandra Stevens thank you for bringing it into the space! Exploring attachment styles in the context of acting opens up a whole new layer of self-awareness that can deeply impact our process.

Your point about the fear of being “submerged” really resonated. For actors with avoidant tendencies, the vulnerability required to fully embody a character (especially in emotionally intense scenes) can feel like a threat to their internal stability. And on the flip side, anxious attachment might show up as a need for constant reassurance from directors or scene partners, making it hard to feel grounded in your own instincts.

Alexandra Stevens, I am going to try a new attachment style which involves super glue. Wish me luck.

Wyman Brent could be painful ;) Hope you're well

Ashley Renée Smith I think you are spot on with what you say about how avoidant and anxious attachment styles could show up. Thanks for appreciating the question

You're welcome, Brittany Christine. Looking forward to hearing how it goes!

Hey Brittany Christine, have a nice time and others who will attend

You're lucky, enjoy!

Enjoy and hope it is a fruitful networking event. I look forward to seeing your pics on the Gram :)

You’ll have to bring all the great insights that you get back here to us in the lounge! We need to live vicariously through you, Brittany Christine!

Thanks for sharing your excitement Ashley Renée Smith . That. makes two of us:)

ya!!! oh this is the best news I’ve had in some time, yes! Alexandra Stevens I love this movie, it’s so inspiring and full of positive and possibility energy, o wills definitely be playing Jess when I was that age, total underdog and going against the grain.

ooh i like your enthusiastic response Julianna! I just read your interesting profile. How did you end up in Austen after having travelled all around and been a nomad for a while?

Thanks Alexandra Stevens , the universe's eternal wisdom brought me here, via the pandemic, and when I thought it was all, like the phrase says, " over for me", well, that is when everything was happening for me too, and after having lived a lot of different experiences, after having given up on myself, I just started slowly, but surely, believing in "what if" I can do it, and…here I am, it's a long story, actually wrote a novel inspired by my past life!

Juliana Philippi this is such an inspiring story. It makes me think of the power of letting go of control but not letting go of hope

Thank you for sharing Juliana Philippi that is a very in depth technique. I will remember that if I need to learn an accent again.

I have never been able to try to play a role, or to do an accent, but if I could I would do it with joy!

I needed to learn a dialect and I used a cassette (I'm old) from Acting with an Accent by David Alan Stern. Just like learning lines, I went through the script and made notes and just repeated the dialogue until I felt comfortable with it.

Sounds like a cool challenge! I have yet to experience this and fear I would find it harder now than when I was younger. Seem to feel more self-conscious about trying foreign languages now

I hate heavy accents in film. So, as an example, I introduce my "Shamrock" Kelly character in "The Boss of Hampton Beach" crime script as having a face that resembles the map of Ireland and when he first speaks: Shamrock ( with a very light brogue)

Aye, Danny.