The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

actorsguidepodcast
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

  1. 16h ago

    50,000 AI Shows Were Produced in One Month — and the Industry Is Collapsing

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 91!  This is a must listen if you're an actor - the Vertical Micro-drama boom has taken a turn... China just produced 50,000 completely AI-generated shows in a single month — more than all of 2025 combined — and it's already gutting an industry that is supposed to be Hollywood's next big thing. We break down the current status of an industry that's estimated to be 4 billion in the US by 2030, and whether the same demise is coming for American sets next. Also, the World Cup last month left us with a lot of feelings, mostly        E-Kan, the ignorant and new football fan. Rían, football player and fan,  gives his perspective on what E-Kan calls a "classless" final, and how he didn't sleep the night of the World Cup final.  And of course, we tease The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's monstrous hit that we can't wait to talk about, until Rían can finally get an IMAX ticket in Los Angeles. Stick around and you'll here which is the very best theater in Los Angeles to see it.  Keeping culture alive in a ever changing entertainment landscape, welcome to the party.  Previous episodes on Vertical Micro-dramas -  Episode 66 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaQ5fYktOK8 audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%2426-billion-taye-diggs-and-the-vertical-drama-takeover/id1776516950?i=1000747822418 Dante Rusciolelli Vertical Drama video -https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ_AFBOyS3W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==   The Wrap makes a spoof vertical drama for $150- https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/tech/off-campus-ai-microdrama-see-the-results-storeel/ Vertical Dramas used AI to put actors in sexual situations - https://www.businessinsider.com/actors-sexualized-fake-ads-promote-micro-dramas-tiktok-meta-2026-5   Hidden Gems:  Matt Kallish photographer - @mattkallish Emily Wilson's The Odyssey translation- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393089053?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:24) The World Cup Drama (07:41) The Odyssey  (08:49) The best theater to watch The Odyssey in LA (10:17) Launching The Odyssey Book Club (11:50) The Vertical Drama might... bust? (13:12) SAG Contracts for the Verticals are a problem (19:05) Shows are putting their actors in sex scenes using AI (19:40) China produced 50,000 shows using AI in one month (20:49) Famous Chinese actor leaves industry to sell vegetables  (23:31) The industry is becoming unsustainable (24:48) Reporter makes a micro-drama for $150 using AI (27:00) Hidden Gems

  2. Jul 23

    What'd He Do If Money Was No Object? Not What I Expected.

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 90!  We're back after a small hiatus, and this one goes deeper than we expected. Rían just did his first stage show in years — and we get into what actually changes when you go from screen to stage: no cuts, no second takes, and what it feels like when your scene partner drops their line. That story turns into something bigger — an honest conversation about the illusion of "planning" a career, why we changed our mind about a piece of advice we used to swear by, and what it means to actually be in service of the work instead of the other way around. Then comes the big question: E-Kan and Rían answer what if money and time weren't an issue, what would you actually be doing with your life? The answer wasn't what either of us expected..  Funny, honest, and always full of surprises. Welcome back. Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: Ethan Hawke interview- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B34ncZbahw Shaan Sharma episode- ep 45 - youtube.com/watch?v=tVcU1eMet00&feature=youtu.be Distress Signals Project - https://www.instagram.com/distresssignalsproject/ Hidden Gems: Young Playwrights Festival - https://www.theblank.com/ypf LA Compost at Sherman Oaks Farmers Market- https://www.lacompost.org/events-1/y88ptsz8dhxmsty-4nfpe-y3dbe-jdbwr-6px5h-tzwjy-bxrk4-jzjz6-4wh2z   Time stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:13) Getting back on stage after 20 years (05:00) Dealing with a short rehearsal process (06:00) Working with the best young playwrights in the country (09:22) Constructing your career is an illusion (10:25) This is the best environment we love to work in (16:09) Ethan Hawke and being in service to the art (18:43) Does focusing an acting career need a balance? (21:15) We never know how good we have it (23:18) What adjustments did you need to make on stage? (25:25) Handling dropping your lines on stage (27:05) What would you do with your life if money was no object? (37:31) Hidden Gems

  3. Jul 16

    Don't Quit Before the Miracle Happens - The Actor's Mindset Reset

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the Podcast, Episode 89! We will be getting back to brand new episode THIS WEEK - but until then, another throwback to our favorites. Someone posted on Reddit: "13 years and it might be time to face reality." No breakout role. No big moment. Just years of almost. And the big question looms- am I wasting my time? What starts as one actor's crisis turned into a real, unfiltered conversation about doubt, delusional belief, and things get real.  Along the way: incredible Jim Carrey story that'll change how you think about writing your own future, an honest admission of "am I even good at this," and another great reminder how any small job or audition can turn into something much larger. Then E-Kan's recent conversation with a Lyft driver inspires him and sparks an incredible lesson learned in one of our favorite bits from Episode 10 where we talk about the "super power" to balancing the side hustle with our creative passion that  Silicon Valley figured out that most actors never do. But of course it's not as easy as it sounds. Also you'll hear why Rían used to hate the phrase "I'm living the life beyond my wildest dreams.." but not anymore. If you've ever needed a reminder that the no's don't get the last word — this one's for you. All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: Reddit Post episode- #61 - youtube.com/watch?v=dxUrrb1BRS4&feature=youtu.be Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-actors-crisis-when-is-it-actually-time-to-give-up/id1776516950?i=1000743246046 Silicon Valley episode - Episode #10 -Video -youtube.com/watch?v=GYmTk39YFUU&feature=youtu.be https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affleck-ai-and-the-secret-to-juggling-your-side-hustle/id1776516950?i=1000682170883 Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:24) Reddit Post that started it all - Should I give up? (05:12) Don't Quit Before The Miracle Happens (11:46) What is out of our control as an actor? (15:10) Waiting is the worst (19:00) The Best Jim Carrey Story (23:52) The Question is the Problem (26:29) The small audition that led to working opposite Brad Pitt (27:44) The Uber Driver's daughter inspired E-Kan (30:03) Not expecting your art to pay for your life (30:47) This Silicon Valley hack would make actors unstoppable (36:50) E-Kan's father was embarrassed he was an actor (39:01) Desi Lydic didn't put her life on hold for Daily Show (41:43) Rían used to hate the phrase "Living Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

  4. Jul 8

    What It Actually Takes for Actors to Not Give Up

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 88! This is another thematic episode- we all been there, it's just easier to quit than to keep pushing on. But this one is our favorite, most inspirational bits from actors and former guests from the other side - and why it's worth it.  We start with the five words Denzel Washington told a struggling Delroy Lindo — advice that stuck for 48 years and this year he was nominated for an Oscar. Then former guest Mel Rodriguez takes us through the power of "delusional belief" (his words), the wild, almost-too-crazy-to-be-true life changing story where everything changed for him, and the personal fitness transformation that came after.  We also get into what it really means to "own the room" in the digital age of acting— including some wisdom passed down through Jacob Elordi (yes our favorite Jacob), Robert Redford's blunt advice on the secret to having a long acting career, and why you don't want to emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim. And we close on the power of damaging limiting beliefs, a gem from Colman Domingo - how Rían and E-Kan battled doubt, and how "5,000 Yellowstones and not enough of Asians on TV" turned into E-Kan "making my own." If you need a reminder that the no's don't get the last word — this one's for you. All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Denzel's advice to Delroy Lindo - Episode #67)- Video - https://studio.youtube.com/video/qjqA9_jIYnw/edit Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/denzel-told-him-dont-quit-48-years-ago-now-hes-oscar/id1776516950?i=1000749164995 Mel Rodriguez's Episode #78 - Video- https://youtu.be/4zxSzGYkjfI Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/will-forte-bob-odenkirk-and-why-he-almost-left/id1776516950?i=1000764213545   Audition Mindset - Episode #77 - Video- https://youtu.be/UUVrDszSXPw Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Limiting Beliefs - Episode #73 -Video - https://youtu.be/UfozV6YTktI https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/these-beliefs-held-my-acting-career-back-for-years/id1776516950?i=1000757217259   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) Denzel Washington's Advice to Delroy Lindo (03:46) Mel Rodriguez on the moment that his career changed (05:05) Take the bitter with the sweet (06:40) You need to have Delusional Belief (08:35) How Mel Rodriguez lost 175 pounds (13:45) Be the Air Conditioner, Not the Thermostat (16:25) Assume everyone's on your side (18:05) Don't emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim (21:03) Irreverent Reverence and Jacob Elordi (22:50) Robert Redford's secret to an acting career (23:30) Be one of the crazy ones (25:12) These beliefs held me back for years (26:12) Try to enjoy every bit of it (27:40) What's the story you're telling yourself?

  5. Jul 1

    Ben Affleck Said AI Is Just a Tool. Then He Sold His AI Company to Netflix.

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 87! This is another change of pace - Rían is busy in rehearsals for getting on stage, and    E-Kan is producing a series but have no fear, new recordings will be coming soon. Until then, this is a super mashup - unreleased segments and previous bits we feel are relevant to this week's topic - AI in Hollywood, but specifically with the many voices from celebrities and AI experts - who can we trust?  Guillermo del Toro and Tilda Swinton loudly proclaimed at Cannes, AI has no place in cinema, while Ethan Hawke says it's devoid of the very soul that is in art and creativity.  Our recent guest Heather-Ashley Boyer, LA Sag-Aftra board member and AI Safety expert tells us about dangers Hollywood isn't even aware of yet. Then of course, we have the many celebrity voices, also with financial stake in the technology, the loudest of which is Ben Affleck, who just sold his AI company to Netflix for $600 million.  So where will you stand?  All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Ethan Hawke on AI- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DT8tKRNFEBx/ Heather-Ashley Boyer full conversation (Episode 83)- YouTube -https://youtu.be/hgbDY6cuG-o?si=1QVA-kivkrpyR6E6 Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-picket-lines-to-the-united-nations-actor/id1776516950?i=1000771101672 AI Simulation Disaster Forbes article- https://fortune.com/2026/05/28/ai-model-simulation-claude-chatgpt-grok-gemini/ Claude's latest model pulled- https://www.wired.com/story/anthropic-says-us-government-ordered-it-to-shut-down-mythos-models/    Ben Affleck AI thoughts (2024)- https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/11/13/ai-doesnat-stand-a-chance-against-actors-or-shakespeare-ben-affleck-says.html Full Ben Affleck AI, Episode 10- youtube.com/watch?v=GYmTk39YFUU&feature=youtu.be Audio-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affleck-ai-and-the-secret-to-juggling-your-side-hustle/id1776516950?i=1000682170883 Affleck sells AI company - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-1236521806/ Full conversation - Episode 77 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVrDszSXPw&feature=youtu.be audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:44) Is AI just a novelty? (04:08) Ethan Hawke on AI (04:50) "The Oppenheimer of AI" (09:17) Government pulls latest AI model for security risk (09:34) Reese Witherspoon's take on AI is trash (12:46) Ben Affleck says AI is a tool (17:25) Ben Affleck sells his AI company to Netflix for $600M (20:10) His AI company might gut the Hollywood workforce (23:40) Who's going to protect Hollywood workers?

  6. Jun 23

    Hollywood's Obsession Pay Problem? This Indie Film Already Solved It

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 86! This is not a typical episode, but incredibly timely. Last week, E-Kan and Rían dove into the viral story of the art director of "Obsession", a massive success that has taken over Hollywood. Sally Choi blows the whistle on low film crew rates and opens a very important conversation on the financial stability of the indie film industry. She made $300 a day, "Obsession" makes over $250 million. Is this fair? (Links to all the episodes below.) So we wanted to bring back some previous segments that are more relevant to this conversation than ever.  First, the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo led "Sing Sing" that paid everyone, cast and crew the same and gave them shares of equity. And "Obsession" is also about how YouTube filmmakers can gain acceptance and credibility outside the studio system. We discuss YouTube giant Markiplier who self-distributed his own feature "Iron Lung" in theaters to massive success. On the studio scale, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck struck a Netflix deal for their feature "The Rip" and offered performance bonuses to the crew if they had success on the streamer. Will this be a sign of the times? E-Kan was skeptical, but you're going to have to hear it for yourself. Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Obsession’s Hollywood Pay Problem (Episode 85) - Sing Sing’s new pay model (Episode 21) - Markiplier’s Self Distributes - (Episode 70)-youtube.com/watch?v=ssD0nQCEb_c&feature=youtu.be Affleck Damon Netflix Deal (Episode 64) -   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) "Sing Sing" reinvents the indie film model (06:09) YouTuber Markiplier self-distributes massive film release (17:09) Affleck and Damon get performance bonus for crew (21:28) Update on Affleck Damon deal

  7. Jun 17

    What Everyone's Missing About the Obsession Viral Post

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 85! E-Kan and Rían dive into the viral story of the art director of "Obsession", a massive success that has taken over Hollywood. Sally Choi blows the whistle on low film crew rates and it cut right to the heart of the dangers of independent film. Was her post misguided?  They break down the post, what it means to "flip" the production, the tricky line of speaking your truth while being an independent artist, and what this might mean for independent film models. And why "Sing Sing" is becoming more and more relevant.  E-Kan is a year older and wiser and found himself getting into fights online. Not sure if that's how it works but he's going to try. He shares feedback and comments about the recent SAG-AFTRA deal that only had 19 percent of members turnout to vote. E-Kan also got into a heated debate about a casting director's post on Fi-Core and the guys have an honest conversation about the dirty word and get into the nuances of why it's becoming more and more popular among our union members and what we should do about it.  Is the industry cracking? Everyone has an opinion. But who's showing up? And they also discuss how a community college in Arizona had AI to read graduation names that failed miserably. Good times.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Hidden Gems:  Great Headshots in Los Angeles - @keoniphotoco E-Kan's BDay freebies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa8sf2E2-A&t=176s Panera Bakery treat - Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Cookies LINKS: AI Graduation disaster- https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/ai-name-reader-skips-hundreds-at-graduation-ceremony Art Director Obsession viral post - https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLeFTmSEh2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:24) Community College used AI at graduation (04:17) Actor responses to poor SAG voting turnout (06:40) Should actors go Fi-core? (20:51) The “Obsession” Art Director controversy (34:41) Is this a response to the Millenial Career Crisis? (44:41) Hidden Gems

  8. Jun 12

    YouTube Filmmakers Take Over Hollywood While Actors Stay Home

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 84!  SAG-AFTRA just approved a new contract with a 91 percent approval rate — but only 19 percent of members voted. What does that level of disengagement actually say about where actors are right now? E-Kan and Rían fresh off an inspiring conversation with SAG-AFTRA board member and AI safety advocate Heather-Ashley Boyer, discuss - What can actors learn from her story of taking her frustration and taking action?  Then the conversation shifts to what might be Hollywood's biggest wake-up call in years. YouTube filmmakers Kane Parsons and Curry Barker just delivered two of the biggest theatrical hits of the year — and Hollywood is now actively hunting for the next one. We break down what that actually means for working actors and filmmakers, and what these directors understood about craft and persistence that traditional Hollywood keeps forgetting.  The thread connecting all of it: the actors and filmmakers winning right now all figured out what they stood for and went for it. Is this the wake-up Hollywood needs? More importantly — is it yours? And why on Earth does Rían continue to watch horror films yet is horrified by them?  Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Hidden Gems:  E-Kan's BDay freebies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa8sf2E2-A&t=176s Aloha snack bars - https://aloha.com/collections/protein-bars?srsltid=AfmBOoo9V8EbV69spqkDCGOoFiqe0pZe1tu4rMEFoTuqMmqOg-jXJHS- LINKS: Backrooms No. 1, A24 film- https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/backrooms-a24-highest-grossing-movie-overtaking-marty-supreme-1236768950/ Obsession- https://www.aol.com/articles/obsession-aims-break-even-more-181946000.html Curry Barker interview- https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLM7bNlTRC/ Markiplier interview - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVhF7fjFSvT/ Dylan Clark - https://deadline.com/2025/12/portrait-of-god-movie-jordan-peele-sam-raimi-in-works-1236631767/ Dylan Clark "Portrait of God" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9fKfX5V68 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (02:03) SAG-Aftra Voting turnout was disaster (08:25) What we can learn from Heather-Ashley Boyer SAG Board Member (10:17) YouTube takes over Hollywood with "Obsession" and "Backrooms" (19:40) Is there a distinction of YouTube filmmakers vs filmmakers? (22:01) What actors can learn from Curry Barker (27:00) Find what you enjoy and do it (31:25) Theater is a place where actors can get reps (32:35) Rían is a glutton for punishment (36:12) Hidden Gems

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Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

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