Acting

Great answers everyone!

Suzanne Bronson From an actors POV in a class - paying attention while other actors are performing their work (no texting, chatting, etc) punctuality, familiarity with the material you will be performing, listening to the acting teacher when he/she is talking. Just a few pet peeves as I have experienced them.

being able to work s part of a team, being able ti coloboirate with others abd bringing their ideas to the table, inmag8ination in terms of characater development whilst paotrying them.These ar definitely the most important things i have found when colobrating with client representataives. Trust is another,

I can relate David Horton

Actor ualities go!

Suzanne Bronson Not yet!

I wish ! :) Suzanne Bronson . How about you?

I have but on a much smaller scale. And maybe not what you're looking for for an answer but it was something I produced.

My first feature film "Turbo Cola" (currently available wherever you go to watch movies! Had to get that plug in there! Lol!). We made a really good Indie film. It won Best Comedy and Best Indie Film of the Year for 2023 (according to Film Threat) and I got to act in it in a small role.

Mind you, I had only been acting for 6 months when this thing was made. I had, maybe, three other IMDb credits at the time. Fast forward a few years and I'm STILL talking about this film. But because I took a chance on me and Produced a film, it led to sooooo many other acting gigs.

I've been told on sets (usually non union commercials) that they picked me, not only because I had the look that they were going for, but that I had been in a feature film that did well. On three separate occasions the Directors of these commercials, I had met on our festival circuit.

Sometimes, the thing that changes your life is when you take a chance at making your own stuff.

Thanks for this question!

On the flip side, has not getting a role changed the trajectory of your career? I was listening to the Bones rewatch podcast, and the director of the pilot said that Jonah Hill was in serious contention for the role of Zach Addy. The network loved him, Hart Hanson said he wasn't right. Jonah Hill's whole career is because he did not get cast in BONES.

Something to remember when you don't get a part you really wanted.

bumping this up

Suzanne Bronson yes so simple and yet no so simple in my experience

https://pro.imdb.com/videoproembed/vi4036345625?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Is that a memorable moment for you Jack Teague ? What made it so?

My apologies, Suzanne, didn't see your response until now. It was for me. IMO, it seemed potentially reflective of conversations hetero parents have with gay children who have been ostracized, capturing remorse, seeking understanding. Being totally outside my personal experience, I had to find that emotion.

Hey what are some memorable moments?

I think it's great that Lucy Liu stood up for her worth, Alexandra Stevens!

Some producers, directors, writers, etc. embrace diversity in the industry, and I think it should be done a lot more.

I think the name of a character should be changed if a person of a different race takes over the role (sometimes). Sometimes names aren't just names in stories. They have meanings, and some of those meanings are cultural.

I guess that's up to all involved. I agree with Maurice Vaughan Sometimes it matters, sometimes it doesn't. Really depends on the writer. I don't see the problem with the name in Lucy Liu's case. Since she said she didn't want to change it to an Asian name, I think that's great. I know Hispanics with non Latino names. I have an ex who is Hispanic, but has a Swedish last name, as that was the name of his step father and his step father raised him. I think it's great if they don't even explain in the movie why she has the last name Slevin.

Interesting that Lucy Liu said she was tired of being seen as the Dragon Lady from Kill Bill. I have forgotten all about that. I remember her as playing Dr. Watson on ELEMENTARY. Which, btw, is another iconic gender reversal and ethnic recast. (See previous post in this lounge for reference.)

I agree, Suzanne Bronson. I use names for different races sometimes, like Brian. And I think it's great if they don't even explain in the movie why she has the last name Slevin. Everything doesn't need to be explained, and it could create some mystery in the story for the audience.

Everything Everywhere All At Once, Ashley Renee Smith. Michelle Yeoh is incredible in that film! Her role inspires me to write better characters. I need to rewatch the movie, especially to study her character and Stephanie Hsu's character.

Thanks for the insight and advice, Dan Martin Roesch. "Your niche isn’t invented. It’s uncovered.
 It’s your identity — your cinematic fingerprint." I never thought of it that way, but you're right. My niche is writing Horror scripts and Action scripts. I didn't realize it until I started writing those genres. Hope you have a great time and make connections at Create Your Actorpreneur Brand — BUSINESS EXPO 2026 × Hollywood Networking Week!

In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast

https://www.backstage.com/podcasts/

Thanks for sharing the podcast, Florin Şumălan. Javier Bardem is an incredible actor! He said:

"Believe me, I respect everybody’s method, as long as those methods respect everybody’s process. You want to be in character 24/7? Absolutely fine. You want me to call you by your character’s name? Absolutely fine. You want me to give you my lines out of camera, dressed as the character? Fine, absolutely; you’ll have me. But in the moment where I see you behaving improperly and inappropriate with somebody—not me precisely, but somebody else in the crew, in the team, the actors, fellow actors—because that’s the way the character does it? No, I’m not gonna allow that. I don’t think that’s art. I think that’s abuse.”

I agree. Safety and respect are really important. Someone's acting shouldn't harm others, put them in danger, or disrespect them.

Maurice Vaughan , I like that part too. I found this podcast recently and I think these episodes - interviews are helpful to understand better some things about acting and actors: their craft, how they approach some of their roles, their techniques, their thinking, philosophies...

I haven't heard those Brittany Christine but at parties people ask me to whip out a monologue like I'm a trained monkey there for their amusement. To which I say, "That's like asking a lawyer to do his summation here on the spot for our amusement."

The bizarrest that I have been told, was at 15 when I told my father I wanted to be an actress. His response, "You may as well become a prostitute then." Still have no idea what he meant by that but does give you insight as what type of people my parents are.

I haven't had any strange responses from men I've dated.

I am always amused though when I receive unsolicited advice from strangers/coworkers especially men. Like, "You should trade in your car, and pay a little more and get a 4door so you can drive Uber." (This was after I just purchased my very first new car a 2017 FIAT that I wanted. I wanted that specific car that's why I bought it, now a 27 co worker is giving me advice I didn't ask for because he wants to drive Uber.)

Between your comments and mine, I think we got a stand up routine.

I've been told by friends of the family and peers over the years that I should have kids, even though I've never had the desire to be a mother. I've had a family friend tell me that I would change my mind when I'm older. Well, that was in my late teens, early twenties. I'm in my forties now and still don't want kids. I have a cat ladies joke that I would perform at open mic nights and it's crazy to see how the younger men react to that. I find that the older men (Gen X and Boomers), don't care and can laugh at it, but the younger generations (Millennial and Gen Z men) act really offended that I don't want to have kids and they ask me, what if you meet someone who wants kids? I told the Gen Z guy, well he wouldn't be the one, Sir. lol!

Me too Haley Mary I think it's funny how everyone has an opinion on how someone else should live their life (I've been told what city NOT to live in because of politics) when they can't even get their own life together. I tell people, "I already have a dad. And you're not him."

Suzanne Bronson I'd like to see your father try to say the same thing to any of my actress/model friends in Los Angeles- they are some of the hardest working women I know, and beautiful inside to out. They eat healthy, work out regularly, are spiritually sound, emotionally open & vulnerable, intelligent in different ways wether it be street smart or book smart or naturally curious, because all this shows up on camera when the lense points your way! Also most are total prudes so it would make more sense to be compared to nuns!

Haley Mary as a comedian, this is gold for material. I would 100% be making fun of that group on stage-funny how big of a difference that makes when trying to get people to understand, it's like, "now that I have your attention, here's why that's unfair" :P I always joke to my guy friends, careful how you treat me, I'll end up making a movie about it LOL

For any acting class, I would ask if they allow auditing - either free or for a small fee.

Aaron Marcus posts often in the Acting Lounge. He has a YouTube channel which is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/@theactorcareercenter3748

So I'm not sure if it's anything like the UK but sites like mandy, backstage, starnow, actors access could be good starting points.

That’s a great question, Janeen Stokes, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling that way. Starting out in a smaller market can be tough, but there are still a lot of ways to build momentum from where you are.

First, make sure you have strong, professional headshots and a clear résumé that highlights your strengths and any training or on-camera experience, even student films or local projects. You can also look into casting sites like Backstage, Actors Access, and Casting Networks, which post opportunities nationwide, including self-tape auditions that allow you to submit from anywhere.

Networking is another powerful tool. Join online communities like right here in the Stage 32 Acting Lounge and the other Stage 32 Lounges to connect with filmmakers, writers, and producers who might be developing projects that need emerging talent. You can also explore short film or student film collaborations by reaching out to nearby schools & universities—many filmmakers are looking for actors to bring their stories to life, and it’s a great way to gain credits and footage for your reel.

If you’d like to build more skills and confidence, Stage 32 has some fantastic acting education available here: https://www.stage32.com/education/collections/acting

You’re already doing the right thing by asking and getting involved. Keep putting yourself out there and building relationships, and the work will start to come your way!

It is IYW and this the chance to build relationships. Head on over to the Introduce Yourself Lounge and network.

Thank you for sharing Penelope Ann Miller's insights into the process of building an indie feature. It is inspiring to see how she approached the material from both a craft perspective and a practical one. Stories like this remind us that acting is as much about patience and collaboration as it is about performance. I look forward to the AMA session and to learning more about the challenges and discoveries that shaped the film.

You're welcome, Eric Charran. Stories like Penelope's inspire, encourage, and teach actors, writers, filmmakers, and so on. And they help us avoid mistakes.

I love hearing actors reflect on the moments in their careers that still inspire them and the romantic comedies that shaped their tastes. Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell are both fearless in their choices and their new film looks like it embraces that adventurous spirit. When performers share what moves them it reminds us that storytelling is about connection and joy. I am curious to see Colin tackle a musical and to see how their chemistry shines in this project.

Rose Byrne has always had a remarkable range, from intense dramas to quirky comedies, so it is encouraging to see a project like this that gives her a complex central role. I appreciate that A24 continues to support stories about motherhood that are neither saccharine nor sensationalized. If the film builds on the tension and momentum of its predecessor while offering a fresh perspective it could resonate with audiences and awards voters alike.