Where Working Actors Talk

Where Working Actors Talk

#Whereworkingactorstalk: An illuminating, entertaining, no bullsh*t look into the entertainment industry. Each episode features a candid chat between the SKS staff and a variety of Film and TV professionals ranging from seasoned actors to casting directors, talent representatives and directors as they share their experiences, provide advice and discuss issues that are pertinent to actors today. Follow us on Instagram @StanKirschStudios and go to www.StanKirschStudios.com

  1. Eps 38: Melissa Blue (Rock Your Reel, Blue Lit Studios) on Actor Footage, Branding, and Reels

    24 jun

    Eps 38: Melissa Blue (Rock Your Reel, Blue Lit Studios) on Actor Footage, Branding, and Reels

    Angela Fornero sits down with Melissa Blue, owner of Rock Your Reel and Bluelit Studios, to talk through actor branding. From demo reels to headshots, they dive into the pros and cons of using self-tapes versus creating footage and how actors can “level up” their packages depending on where they are in their careers. Melissa shares her path from musical theater to on-camera acting, headshot photography, writing, and building a reel business in LA. They also talk about how your acting materials should teach Hollywood how to cast you, align with what you truly play, and match shows that are currently airing right now. Melissa shares her process and how she likes to identify  archetypes, analyze favorite shows for patterns, research into current cinematography techniques and sets, and why class is so important. With Rock Your Reel, she talks about taking actors through the entire process of brainstorming, pitching, scripting, rehearsing, shooting, and editing, and how it is all a part of reclaiming our careers.  00:00 Career Corner Setup 00:34 Footage Confusion Today 01:19 Meet Melissa Blue 03:03 From Headshots to Reels 07:10 Listening to the Signs 08:46 Branding Without Fear 12:10 Specific Materials That Cast 14:39 Find Your Shows and Tone 16:15 Archetypes and Cheat Sheets 18:09 Target Shows With Patterns 23:49 Community and Class Benefits 28:32 New vs Seasoned Actors 33:55 Self Tape Quality Bar 35:32 Branding Through Demo Reels 36:21 Footage Paths Explained 38:23 DIY Footage Pitfalls 41:25 Cheap/Fast/Good Rule 42:50 Waiting Pays Off 46:08 Rock Your Reel Process 55:00 Shoot Day and Timeline 56:30 IMDb and Signature Scenes 59:29 Seasoned Actor Tips 01:02:20 Creative Fulfillment  01:07:16 Lessons From Producing 01:10:51 Final Advice & Next Steps EPISODE LINKS: · Rock Your Reel  · Blue Lit Studios · Melissa’s IMDb · Follow Melissa on IG @melissablueward Host: Angela Fornero Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    1 h 14 min
  2. Eps 38: Laura Niemi on Theater, Audition Craft, Reinvention, and Building a Long Acting Career

    10 jun

    Eps 38: Laura Niemi on Theater, Audition Craft, Reinvention, and Building a Long Acting Career

    We are thrilled to welcome long time SKS'er Laura Niemi. With over 60 IMDB credits, and an extensive background in theatre (The Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep, The Taper just to name a few) - she knows what it takes to put in the work and navigate this wild industry. From Laura’s theater roots where she created her own theater company to her recurring role on NBC’s This is Us, they dive into every aspect of Laura’s journey.  Laura talks about how theater strengthened her craft, her reps and rehearsal process, the value of community, rehearsal partners, and the belief that there’s no single “right” way to play a role. Laura also reflects on how pivotal Stan and SKS was in her life, and how at every turn she was able to pivot and pave her own way forward through the connections she established throughout her lifelong career. 00:00 Old Friends Reconnect 00:21 Glass Menagerie Breakthrough 01:02 Theater Pay Reality Check 01:47 Cracking Big Stages 03:00 Why Plays Level You Up 05:03 Rehearsal Builds Chemistry 06:43 Rehearsal Friendships 09:06 No One Right Take 11:12 Finding Stan’s Studio 14:17 Safe Space Culture 15:36 Audition Prep That Books 20:59 Staying Inspired Today 22:43 Hobbies Fuel The Work 25:02 Branding and Typecasting 27:40 Reinventing Through Creating 30:20 Writing Your Own Series 31:08 Stop Overbranding Yourself 32:00 Utility Actor Mindset 33:25 Stars vs Theater Casting 35:10 Frustration Into Action 38:28 This Is Us Audition Journey 42:42 Chemistry and Method Choices 45:33 Betting on Yourself 47:24 Red Carpet Reps Practice 52:20 Finding the Right Reps 55:33 Choosing Reps Authentically 59:39 Stan Legacy Farewell EPISODE LINKS: · Laura Niemi’s IMDb · Follow Laura on IG @lauraniemi  · Keep up with Laura here Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠ Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    1 h 3 min
  3. Eps 37: Finding Her Voice: Loren Escandón on Art, Culture, and Resilience

    01/10/2025

    Eps 37: Finding Her Voice: Loren Escandón on Art, Culture, and Resilience

    In this episode, award-winning Afro-Latina actress and filmmaker Loren Escandón shares her inspiring journey from Cali, Colombia, to Hollywood. Growing up surrounded by cartel violence, Loren’s mother enrolled her in ballet to keep her safe, which sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling. She shares how her early training in ballet, tango, and jazz eventually led her to theater and television, as well as the challenges of navigating cultural shifts and learning to embrace her accent. Loren has appeared in hit series including Gentefied, 9-1-1, S.W.A.T., Selena: The Series, Truth Be Told, and Freevee’s Casa Grande. She is best known for her breakout role as Marisol in Netflix’s Purple Hearts. Beyond acting, Loren is an accomplished director and writer. Her debut, Phone Tales, premiered at multiple festivals, and her latest short, Los Patines, has won numerous awards including Best Short at the San Pedro International Film Festival and Best Latino Short and Director at the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival. Throughout the conversation, Loren emphasizes resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in storytelling. She offers insights into her creative process, her experiences navigating multiple cities and cultures, and her vision for what’s coming next. 00:00 Introduction and Early Life  00:25 Discovering Ballet and Storytelling  01:32 Transition to Acting and Moving to the US  02:27 Navigating the Acting Industry  03:48 First TV Role and Learning the Ropes  05:49 Settling in LA and Finding Representation  11:24 Audition Challenges and Self-Acceptance  16:59 The Importance of Training and Comedy  25:17 Wardrobe and Character Embodiment  26:50 Collaborative Costume Design  27:22 Realism in Acting  28:57 Transition to Directing  31:57 Creating Los Patina  34:50 Challenges and Triumphs  39:34 Future Projects and Aspirations  46:44 Reflections and Inspirations  49:46 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions EPISODE LINKS: · Loren’s IMDb · Follow Loren on IG @lorenescandon Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠ Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    55 min
  4. Eps 36: Meet the Newest Acting Coach at SKS: Award-Winning Writer/Actor A.J. Castro (Will and Grace, NCIS, 9-1-1)

    17/09/2025

    Eps 36: Meet the Newest Acting Coach at SKS: Award-Winning Writer/Actor A.J. Castro (Will and Grace, NCIS, 9-1-1)

    A.J. Castro was born in Costa Rica and raised in Miami, where he quickly found his love of acting. He sits down with host Colleen Foy to talk about his journey in the industry and finding his place as a Latino in Hollywood. From studying at CSULA to booking Will & Grace and 9-1-1, A.J.’s journey has now led him to becoming a coach at SKS. He shares his early career struggles, his entry into Hollywood through perseverance and community support, living a lifelong career with shifting goals over time, finding writing, and how being a father has shaped his stories. A.J. also shares insights about adapting to the industry’s demands, and how he found Stan Kirsch Studios right when he needed it. You’ll learn the importance of having a process, finding joy in the creative journey, and giving yourself grace in your creative process.  00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:09 AJ's Journey to the Studio  01:22 Moving to LA: The Early Years  02:34 Finding Footing in LA  02:49 Acting Beginnings in Miami  06:25 Challenges and Growth in Acting  07:50 The Importance of Goals and Consistency  14:48 Navigating the Acting Industry  30:00 Booking 911 & The Payoff of Consistency  30:56 Overcoming Intimidation and Self-Doubt  33:19 The Importance of Casting and Perseverance  35:06 Branding and Marketing as an Actor  36:54 Discovering and Embracing Your Type  43:15 Writing as a Creative Outlet 46:54 Balancing Acting and Writing 52:51 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions  57:12 Final Thoughts and Aspirations EPISODE LINKS: · AJ Castro’s IMDb · Follow AJ on IG @realajcastro  · AJ’s Links · Learn More about AJ’s Classes at SKS Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠ Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    59 min
  5. Eps 35: Navigating the Actor's Journey with Allen Theosky Rowe: From Bombshells to Breakthroughs

    03/09/2025

    Eps 35: Navigating the Actor's Journey with Allen Theosky Rowe: From Bombshells to Breakthroughs

    Allen Rowe (FBI Most Wanted, The Last Ship, Hawaii Five-0, ) has been a long time student of Stan Kirsch Studios. In this episode, he joins his mentor Colleen Foy to look back on his unique journey as an actor. Allen shares his early struggles, including flying between San Francisco and Los Angeles for auditions and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Born in Taipei, Taiwan and being of Chinese descent meant that Allen had to deal with a lack of roles that he saw himself in early on. It was because of his community and classes at studios like SKS that kept him going and allowed him to craft his iconic, memorable auditions that led to roles on shows like 'Monk' and 'CSI Cyber.' Allen also discusses his experience working in Asia as a series regular on Tou Du (Wei Xian lu Cheng) and what he’s hoping for in the future. If you’ve been looking for motivation to keep going and remain resilient, this is the episode for you. 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Allen 00:24 Early Acting Struggles and Auditions  01:15 Breakthrough and Career Milestones  02:04 Challenges and Learning in Acting Classes  06:04 Memorable Audition Stories  07:29 Dealing with Rejection and Staying Active  10:58 Script Analysis and Preparation Techniques  20:17 On-Set Experiences and Networking 24:09 Reflecting on Early Career Experiences  24:25 Navigating the One-Hour Drama Auditions  25:43 Transitioning to Acting in Asia  27:36 Challenges and Successes in China 28:37 Returning to the US and Building Connections  31:06 Aspirations for a Series Regular Role  33:41 Exploring Different Genres and Roles  34:25 Portraying My Grandfather  36:40 Representation and Diversity in Acting  41:30 The Art of Self-Taping  43:44 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions EPISODE LINKS: · Allen’s IMDb · Follow Allen on IG @theosky8 Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠ Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    49 min
  6. Eps 34: Navigating Dreams, Reality, and Burn-Out: The Acting Lifestyle with Audrey Moore

    20/08/2025

    Eps 34: Navigating Dreams, Reality, and Burn-Out: The Acting Lifestyle with Audrey Moore

    Audrey Helps Actors meets the Working Actor Podcast. This week actress Audrey Moore takes a look back on her career, how she navigates acting as a lifestyle, and the magical thinking to burnout loop that every actor faces. As she and host Colleen Foy  dive into the intricacies of Audrey's career and her experiences in the acting industry, they discuss what it was like to being Emmy-nominated to the daily realities and challenges actors face. Audrey shares valuable insights into the audition process, leveraging relationships in the industry, and managing the highs and lows of the profession. You will leave this episode knowing the importance of sustaining your  passion, dealing with rejection, and navigating the fine line between fantasy and reality throughout your entire career.  00:00 — Introduction and Welcoming Audrey  00:45 — Audrey's Emmy Experience  04:54 — Audition Stories and Acting Insights  11:38 — The Reality of Acting Careers  17:54 — Magical Thinking to Burnout  26:35 — The “Fantasy of the Dress” Metaphor 27:10 — The Reality Check  27:35 — Emotional Experiences and Self-Worth  28:47 — Magical Thinking in Careers  29:57 — Live Tweeting and Fan Connection  30:53 — Navigating Industry Expectations  35:03 — The Green Light Game  39:58 — Career Levels and Networking  43:40 — Balancing Information and Burnout  44:20 — Maintaining Relationships with Reps  50:47 — Final Thoughts and Gratitude EPISODE LINKS: · Listen to the Audrey Helps Actors Podcast · Audrey Moore’s IMDb · Follow Audrey on IG @audreyscoresmoore · Follow the Audrey Helps Actors IG @audreyhelpsactorspodcast · The Audrey Helps Actors Website Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠ Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠ Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠ ⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠ Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

    53 min
  7. Eps 33: Director Aprill Winney on Directing Television, Her Casting Process, and Giving Adjustments

    06/08/2025

    Eps 33: Director Aprill Winney on Directing Television, Her Casting Process, and Giving Adjustments

    In this episode, host Colleen Foy interviews television director April Winney, discussing her career trajectory from theater to becoming a sought-after director known for her rapport with actors. They delve into April's isolated upbringing in the Sequoia National Forest, her shift from acting to directing in college, and her pivotal years in Chicago's theater scene. April shares her journey into film and TV, working as a script supervisor for 15 years, and eventually directing for shows like 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D' and ‘Tracker’. They also explore her experiences in casting, the importance of authenticity in auditions, and navigating the challenges of directing. April's passion for mentoring actors and teaching them how to excel as guest stars on TV sets highlights her commitment to the craft and her supportive nature.   00:00 — Introduction and Celebrity Doppelgangers  01:10 — Growing Up in Sequoia National Forest  03:27 — Journey to Becoming a Director  04:18 — From Theater to Film and TV  05:01 — Learning on the Job: Script Supervisor to Director  09:24 — Breaking into TV Directing  10:34 — Directing on Different Shows  10:49 — The ABC Disney Program and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  13:16 — Directing on Tracker and Location Scouting  19:02 — Teaching Guest Stars: Workshops and Classes  25:55 — Technical Tips for Actors  26:44 — Respect and Challenges for Actors  27:31 — Casting Decisions and Positivity  29:23 — The Casting Process  31:43 — What Directors Look for in Self-Tapes  34:12 — The Importance of Slates  42:52 — Balancing Emotions in Performances  46:46 — Maintaining Well-being During Shoots 48:14 — Navigating Industry Changes  49:57 — Final Thoughts and Upcoming Classes EPISODE LINKS: · Aprill Winney IMDb · Follow Aprill on IG @aprillwinney · Acting with the Director with Aprill Winney Host: Colleen Foy Producer: Kristyn Daniel Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? Visit Our Website Here. Catch up on the podcast here. Follow SKS on IG @stankirschstudios

    52 min
  8. An Industry Tell-All with Colleen’s Manager Paulo Andres 

    30/07/2025

    An Industry Tell-All with Colleen’s Manager Paulo Andres 

    Host Colleen Foy speaks with her talent manager Paulo Andres about his 23-year career in the industry. They delve into Paulo's journey from aspiring actor to successful manager, highlighting the transition and his dedication to his clients. Paulo shares why he signed Colleen, what stands out in submissions, how to find joy in the industry, and why he believes all actors need to pursue their career full-time. From personal anecdotes from his time as an actor to discussing how he approaches manages his clients, Paulo shares how he has adapted to the changes in the business over the years and the importance of perseverance. This episode is a valuable resource for everyone who is looking for a rep, and for all those looking for the motivation to keep going.   00:00 — Introduction and Background 00:26 — Early Career Struggles  01:36 — Finding the Right Manager  02:29 — Building a Career in Acting  03:00 — The Importance of Hard Work and Persistence  04:26 — Navigating the Industry  05:55 — The Role of a Manager  08:09 — Personalized Client Management  10:35 — Challenges and Insights  23:53 — Pitching and Networking  25:48 — Crafting Effective Pitches  26:18 — The Role of a Manager  26:44 — The Importance of Submissions  27:41 — Challenges in the Industry  29:47 — Self-Tapes and Auditions  38:51 — Adapting to Industry Changes  42:24 — Maintaining Creativity and Community  45:36 — The Blank Theater Involvement  49:45 — Navigating Representation Challenges  56:17 — The Personal Side of Management EPISODE LINKS: · Follow Paulo on Instagram @thepaoloandres · Paulo’s IMDb Pro · The Blank Theater · Follow The Blank Theater on Instagram @theblanktheater Host: Colleen Foy Producer: Kristyn Daniel Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing ________________ Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? Visit Our Website Here. Catch up on the podcast here. Follow SKS on IG @stankirschstudios

    58 min
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#Whereworkingactorstalk: An illuminating, entertaining, no bullsh*t look into the entertainment industry. Each episode features a candid chat between the SKS staff and a variety of Film and TV professionals ranging from seasoned actors to casting directors, talent representatives and directors as they share their experiences, provide advice and discuss issues that are pertinent to actors today. Follow us on Instagram @StanKirschStudios and go to www.StanKirschStudios.com

Información

  • Creador
    Where Working Actors Talk
  • Años de actividad
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodios
    39
  • Clasificación
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Where Working Actors Talk
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Where Working Actors Talk

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