The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

actorsguidepodcast
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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

  1. MAY 12

    Does the SAG Deal Prove Actors Have No Power?

    Welcome to The Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 80! This one is packed, and we have new developments for the podcast as well.  The SAG-AFTRA deal is heading to a member vote — and before you cast yours, you need to hear this episode. We recorded this before the SAG-AFTRA National Board approved the tentative agreement, which makes everything we break down here an essential primer for what actors are actually being asked to sign off on. The streaming bonus structure, the 90-day window, the $40 million that never materialized — we get into the mechanics of why actors had problems with the financial terms in the contract in 2023 and why that matters to actors TODAY. The biggest questions: Did actors have any fight left? And do they have any leverage right now? Judging from the details of the new deal, we're not so sure.  E-Kan and Rían also talk about what taking power looks like - Issa Rae's new vertical is blowing up, and it might be a big sign of things to come with verticals and how it's shaping the entertainment industry. Part 2 of the SAG-AFTRA contract drops next week. We're going deeper on the vote, what's at stake, and what actors should actually be asking before they decide. This is your homework. Listen before you vote. As for the podcast, this is a soft launch of Season 2 because why not? Also, we launched a Patreon link if you want to support the podcast. Any donations will help us keep doing it and help us make it better. If you can't support, either way we appreciate you for listening and coming along for the ride. We will continue to put out the podcast for FREE everywhere you find your podcasts, and all video. Thanks for joining us!  Follow @actorsguidepodcast @ekansoong @riansheehykelly Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidetotheEndoftheWorldPodcast LINKS: https://deadline.com/2026/05/sag-aftra-board-approves-four-year-amptp-deal-1236898612/ Issa Rae Microdrama got 45 Mill views in a week: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/tiktok-bolsters-micro-series-content-with-first-of-its-kind-partnership-with-hoorae?lang=en  https://tappedinculture.substack.com/p/issa-raes-tiktok-microdrama-screentime https://www.tiktok.com/@hooraemedia/video/7626496879328595213 Hidden Gems:  Mickey O'Sullivan (acting classes, coaching, tapings in Chicago) - https://mickeyosullivan.com/ Monarch Nursery @monarchnursery (Plant Nursery in Santa Monica, CA) Time stamps: (00:00) Intro (1:34) Season 2 launch (01:57) SAG-AFTRA tentative deal (08:24) Why many members are worried (11:51) The Streaming Bonus is a problem (19:18) Why the 2023 Contract is still relevant (26:02) Take the bitter with the sweet (28:20) Issa Rae Vertical hits 45 mill views (37:37) RIP Quibi (41:50) Hidden Gems

    47 min

  2. MAY 6

    I Shot My Own Show and It Changed How I See Casting

    Welcome to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 79! E-Kan and Rían unpack some lessons of wisdom and inspiration from the conversation with Mel Rodriguez last week, including how he found balance in such a chaotic industry. From there, deep questions arise, like "Have you ever gotten to the breaking point of quitting acting?, "Do you feel like you're 'one foot in, one foot out' of acting?, and "Do you place too much of your self worth on your career?" The guys also talk about the independent filmmaking spirit sweeping our industry, including how E-Kan started shooting a project he co-created, co-wrote, co-directing and starring in, this week.  He has many lessons and revelations after this experience, like how it might be a direction he wants to pursue more.  And the biggest revelation - if he was a casting director, actors might hate him. He’ll get into how he discovered and hired an actor for his project from a voicemail he left. This is a good one, guys, and there are many lessons learned, including maybe don't have a private Instagram if you're an actor... New episodes every week, wherever you find your podcasts.  Follow @actorsguidepodcast on social media for more during the week. Leave a review and share with a friend if you want to support the podcast!   Hidden Gems:  @peachy_parrot - Fun, colorful housewares Path of the Lost Star Wars fan-film by @roryross - https://youtu.be/t3IuiGOWzgs?si=N2WM6GZfMplv1g-y   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:07) Mel Rodriguez's wisdom (02:45) On the verge of giving up (04:25) What's better - Having diversified interests or singular focus on acting (08:35) The independent filmmaking boom (12:20) Listener's success story- Star Wars fan film (15:00) E-Kan's recent project he co-created and co-wrote (20:15) The stakes of creating your own project (29:00) E-Kan's crazy casting story (38:00) Hidden Gems

    41 min

  3. APR 29

    Will Forte, Bob Odenkirk, and Why He Almost Left Hollywood | Mel Rodriguez

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 78 with special guest, Actor and Writer Mel Rodriguez (The Residence, Better Call Saul, Last Man On Earth). E-Kan and Rían talk to the hilarious Mel Rodriguez who shares about his storied career, including the time he had to drive away from Hollywood with his wife when a phone call changed everything.  He landed the HBO cult favorite Getting On and turned things around. In this episode, Mel opens up about four seasons working alongside Will Forte on Last Man on Earth, how generous Bob Odenkirk was on Better Call Saul, learning from geniuses like Laurie Metcalf and Niecy Nash, and why the Shonda Rhimes set of The Residence felt like an oasis. Plus the audition tip that changed his process forever and how he dropped 170 pounds and was featured on Men's Health and Men's Journal.  Hint: It started with one walk around the block. And the circle just kept getting bigger.   This conversation is packed with inspiration, practical acting wisdom and a lot of laughs. Enjoy!  Follow @actorsguidepodcast, new episodes every week and on all social media. Share with a friend if you want to help the podcast!  Follow @realmelrodriguez  @ekansoong @riansheehykelly Mel Rodriguez - Men's Health -https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a70606667/mel-rodriguez-workout/ Men's Journal - https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a70606667/mel-rodriguez-workout/ Hidden Gems:  Barnsdall Art Park  Kahnversations at Lesly Kahn- intimate Q/As every month with industry professionals in LA - (free for students, $20/general) Nap-a-latte-Coffee Hack, for a quick recharge Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:20) Mel Rodriguez (03:00) E-Kan interned at Mel’s manager (04:40) Mel’s start in acting (06:00) Why he chose acting (08:05) Mel’s first break in NYC (10:20) Finding balance as an actor (11:05) The influence of his parents (13:52) How Mel found peace at a low point (16:50) Mel has a lot of stories to tell (22:00) The time Mel left Los Angeles (27:15) Building relationships and hard work pays off (29:00) Will Forte wrote a role for him (32:05) Bob Odenkirk (35:00) Lessons to his younger self (36:00 The Residence was an incredible experience (45:25) Sarah’s Oil (50:35) Men’s Health and the fitness journey (52:40) Was there pressure not to lose the weight? (55:52) Hidden Gems

    1h 1m

  4. APR 22

    How to Own Your Audition When the Room Gives You Nothing

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 77!  This week we break down what's really happening to the working actor right now.  Over 2000 filmmakers and actors including Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh and David Fincher signed a petition to block the Paramount-Warner Bros merger. E-Kan and Rían discuss why Damon Lindelof's brutally honest post about why he was afraid to sign it — and did anyway. Ben Affleck secretly built an AI company since 2022 and just sold it to Netflix for $600 million. We have the numbers — and they're not pretty for below-the-line workers. The irony isn't lost on us either how his model is to focus on the humanity behind filmmaking. To add to it, USC just launched an AI "institute" for actors. Who exactly is that serving and how is the youngest generation going to learn the craft?  And a practical real world story from an actor who showed up to an in-person callback only to realize the casting directors were Zooming in from another room down the hall as they stood alone in a room with a computer screen. It sparked a bigger question every actor needs to hear: How do you keep your power when the room gives you nothing? The guys also dig into the power of  "reverent irreverence", why you might not want to learn how to swim from Michael Phelps, Robert Redford's advice for not gripping on to tight, and why E-Kan’s parents are the coolest. New episodes every week, follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts and on all social media. Share with friend if you want to help the podcast, thanks! Hidden Gems:  Two Irish horror films - The Mummy, out now by Lee Cronin Hokum, starring Adam Scott  Romanaccia Pizza (just opened in Hollywood, CA) @romanacciapizza

    49 min

  5. APR 15

    Turning Personal Crisis Into a Hit Show- The Making of "Crackhead" w/ Holly Shervey and Emmett Skilton

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 76! Holly Shervey and Emmett Skilton, friends of the show and the creative force behind “Crackhead”, the New Zealand hit series now streaming on HBO Max. The show, which Holly stars in and wrote while Emmett directed, is based on Holly’s personal experience in a psychiatric clinic early in her life and has been getting rave reviews, sitting at the top of the charts alongside “The Pitt” and “Euphoria”. This episode, E-Kan and Rían get a treat and hear the entire journey, before the network deals, the cold call pitch to Warner Bros, how Holly and Emmett self produced TWO hit series, “Auckward Love” and “Millennial Jenny” before tackling the riskier and uncompromising “Crackhead”. This is a valuable lesson in creating your own content, finding the story that only you can tell, and why budget doesn’t mean “fu** all”. And how this creative dynamic duo discovered verticals before they were even a thing. On top of it all, Holly and Emmett just had their first child within weeks of their show premiering. This is an even better love story- you’ll also hear how Emmett was one of the things on Holly’s vision board that came true… This is a master class in finding your truth and listening to your gut.  Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts, including YouTube and Substack! New episodes every week! Follow @hollyshervey @emmettskilton @crackhead_2026 @ekansoong @riansheehykelly Hidden Gems: "Deadloch" -Amazon Prime TV show "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"- a Game of Thrones spin-off Alan Trinca VO demos- https://www.voicedemodude.com/ Free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (00:39) "Crackhead" is top of the charts (03:24) Start of their acting careers (06:45) Holly's early experience in psychiatric care (07:45) Emmett was on Holly's vision board (08:15) First jobs in New Zealand (10:00) Best lesson starting out (11:50) Their training ground for "Crackhead" (13:40) The actor is a very small cog (16:23) They got locations paying them to shoot there (17:40) They shooted the vertical before it was a thing (19:49) How they made it out to Los Angeles and fell in love (24:30) The training at Lesly Kahn and Los Angeles (26:45) The pitch to Warner Bros for "Crackhead" (28:30) Making people care (32:40) Taking shame away about mental health (36:00) "Crackhead" was a dream situation creatively (44:14) Bringing it back to what's real and true (50:40) Why Emmett was a "frame fu**** and a perfect director (51:40) The biggest challenges working together (55:35) Lessons from parenthood (56:42) Biggest tips for aspiring creators (59:08) Hidden Gems

    1h 3m

  6. APR 7

    Jonathan Majors' movie is a disaster, AI Performers, and is Hollywood replacing its workforce?

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 75! There is Jonathan Majors’ drama on his latest movie for, wait for it, Daily Wire..? Jonathan Majors and his costar fall through a window which highlights the importance of safety measures taken on set, labor rights, and sparks a larger conversation about working in today’s film industry. E-Kan and Rían dive into the drama, including a crew walk out and retaliation by the producers. Meanwhile, we have a SAG-Aftra negotiations update and breaking news for the WGA (the writers guild) and what exactly is the Tilly Tax? The guys have an honest conversation about the industry as an actor right now. What can an actor do right now? And how important it is to let your voice be heard to SAG's leaders.  To add to the mix - the very first completely AI generated TV series just got launched.. and not one actor had to go to set. How valuable are its performers and crafts people in Hollywood right now? E-Kan also brings up how many actors regret giving their likeness to AI companies after finding their faces on ads they had no idea about. This is what you need to know right now as an actor in Hollywood.  Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts, and on all social media. @ekansoong @riansheehkelly   LINKS- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jonathan-majors-falls-window-daily-wire-movie-set-1236555831/ https://deadline.com/2026/04/iatse-strike-jonathan-majors-daily-wire-film-1236772506/ https://deadline.com/2026/04/jonathan-majors-falls-through-window-crew-strike-daily-wire-1236773038/ https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/hollywood-labor-talks-sag-aftra-wga-amptp-daily-variety-1236686156/ https://deadline.com/2026/03/sag-aftra-extends-negotiations-amptp-june-1236750573/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/writers-guild-tentative-four-year-deal-studios-1236555949/#:~:text=The%20provisional%20agreement%2C%20reached%20after,that%20those%20details%20are%20accurate. https://petapixel.com/2025/04/23/actors-are-regretting-licensing-their-likeness-to-ai-companies/ AI Tilly Norwood's Music Video is Trash-https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV1I2u1jzpB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/04/regrets-actors-who-sold-ai-avatars-stuck-in-black-mirror-esque-dystopia/ Hidden Gems:  SAG Conservatory (free classes for members)- Mary Gallagher (Stand Up Classes)  Myfriendmary.com Masters of Taste Food Event (April 19th, Rose Bowl, Pasadena) - proceeds to Union Station Homeless Services - https://mastersoftastela.com/   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:24) Jonathan Majors drama on set (04:30) Crew walks out, producer responds (05:44) The power of saying "No" as an actor (08:44) SAG-Aftra contract updates, WGA gets deal (10:27) The cost of using AI to replace actors (14:58) The first AI generated TV show just released (17:54) Actors regret giving their likeness to AI (25:24) Hidden Gems

    30 min

  7. APR 1

    Is AI Slop Dead? Disney's AI Deal Was Killed in 3 Months

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 74! A Los Angeles jury found Meta and YouTube liable for knowingly designing addictive platforms that harmed children — and with 1,500 similar cases waiting in the wings, this verdict is just the beginning. E-Kan and Rían break down what it actually means, why this might be Big Tobacco all over again, and what actors need to know about it.  Then — OpenAI quietly pulled the plug on Sora 2, their AI video platform, taking down a billion dollar Disney partnership with it. The guys will discuss why this is a signal, not just a headline and the many reasons why this venture bombed. Plus, our first ever FAQ segment, answering burning questions actors are actually asking right now, like what’s a fair cut that agents and managers should take, why no one’s talking about some that are charging 20%, and the actual number of actors that are going up for a role. We are getting to the bottom of it this week.  Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all platforms, and social media.  @ekansoong @riansheehykelly https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/jury-verdict-us-first-social-media-addiction-trial-meta-youtube https://mashable.com/article/openai-sora-shutting-down Hidden Gems: Hollywood Boulders, @hollywoodboulders The AI Doc: or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, @theaidoc Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:20) YouTube and Meta lose historic lawsuit (08:45) Why social media companies are in trouble (09:40) Open AI shuts down Sora 2 (10:23) Disney loses their billion dollar deal (14:05) What are agents and managers charging for commission? (21:11) The startling trend happening in commercial agency contracts (26:45) How many actors go up for a role?  (36:00) The most important takeaways about self-tapes (39:28) Hidden Gems

    44 min

  8. MAR 25

    These Beliefs Held My Acting Career Back for Years

    Welcome to the Actor’s Guide to the End of World, Episode 73! E-Kan and Rían go DEEP this episode, and even talk affirmations and mindset. But before we go down the rabbit hole, we have word about a possible U.S. federal film tv tax credit. The guys will break down everything you need to know as well as why U.S. might need one, and what Noah Wyle has to say about it. Meanwhile across the pond, UK just committed 9 billion in production just last year, and Ireland is booming with indie films, including Ethan Hawke's "Blue Moon" this Oscars' season. The plot thickens. E-Kan and Rian then talk mindset and how limiting beliefs are quietly (and not quietly) killing careers. Coleman Domingo never once believed he was a struggling actor while waiting tables- so why should you? Rian gives us an update on the Artists way journey, how it’s changed how he looks at creativity, and why David Bowie is the ultimate inspiration and E-Kan shares how one conversation about his hair changed everything for him. You’ll also hear one new way of doing affirmations E-Kan started using. Practical wisdom. Real stories. No fluff. Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack! @ekansoong @riansheehykelly Ireland film tax credits- https://deadline.com/2025/03/sxsw-ireland-film-tv-tax-credit-drop-blue-moon-the-astronaut-1236323489/   Ireland film tax credits https://deadline.com/2025/03/sxsw-ireland-film-tv-tax-credit-drop-blue-moon-the-astronaut-1236323489/ Noah Wyle video-https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWHwbNCkcLh/ Colman Domingo video-https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK2UYFLuTz_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==   Hidden Gems: Brokentalkers "Bellow" show https://brokentalkers.ie/whats-on/bellow-national-tour/ Affirmations Method   Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:12) Federal Tax Credit? (4:05) What it’s like to work on the Pitt (06:05) How do Film/TV Tax Credits work and Why Ireland is tough to beat (10:40) Los Angeles Irish Film Festival (14:18) What are some limiting beliefs I had? (15:40)The Italian guy who has no fear (18:50) E-Kan’s negative story he got rid of (20:24) Zooming in and zooming out (22:18) Colman Domingo story (23:21) So what do you do about it? E-Kan is going to do it himself (25:37)Cynics are always right but never win (26:36)The Artists Way is eye opening (32:36) Why Rian loves David Bowie (34:00) Rian finds a hobby (36:40) Hidden Gems (38:40) Hunting Jacob Elordi (40:14) E-Kan and the haircut that changed everything

    43 min
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About

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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