One Broke Actress

Sam Valentine
  • 4.9 (446)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Financially, mentally, physically or otherwise...most actors are at least a little broke. Host/actress Sam Valentine brings you advice, tips, and real stories (of success & failure) from people in and around the acting industry. So you feel a little more “whole” and a little less alone in Hollywood. From auditions and the day-to-day life of working actors to getting agents/managers, we cover it all. While this podcast is not currently running, please check out the bonus eps via the Patreon Pod for current episodes!

THE PATREON PODCAST

Subscriber only episodes every other week!

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  1. 6d ago • Subscribers Only

    self tape TRAPS you may not even realize you're stuck in (with coach & actor Vas from the Online Actor) *part 1*

    vas from the online actor (coach, actor, and certified TM member who's been in my dms since day one...we don't talk about it) brought a list of 10 self tape traps he's clocked from thousands of self tapes and coaching sessions, this is part one of two! we're talking: -line locked: why you keep saying the wrong words even when the script is right in front of you and how to break out of word perfect brain -pattern locked: the muscle memory trap that makes every take feel identical and how to force new choices on purpose -prep guilt: why feeling like you didn't "prepare enough" is a lie your brain tells you and what actually counts as prep -performance perfectionism: chasing a perfect take that doesn't exist instead of exploring different levels (the goldilocks method: too little, too much, just right) -cycle of self consciousness: the spiral of "am i believable" that pulls you out of the scene and into your own head, plus the four types of on set consciousness (actor, character, process, subconscious) PLUS a full q&a on how to actually get a rep's attention when you have zero credits, including the tier system for agencies and why signing too early can hurt you resources: the 10 self tape traps (pdf): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2rik0kv2fejadt7q2fhwf/10-Self-Tape-Traps-and-how-to-escape-them-v2.pdf?rlkey=dvxhfuwf6l0yv0pa5q6je5i6u&st=1j2wopih&dl=0 vas saranga, the online actor: https://theonlineactor.com/ (discount code SAM20 for 20% off coaching in july and august) submit your questions here!: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    self tape TRAPS you may not even realize you're stuck in (with coach & actor Vas from the Online Actor) *part 1*

  2. Jun 26 • Subscribers Only

    exact numbers of being a local hire for a commercial (buckle up)

    i am fresh off a commercial shoot in ATL, and we are talking: - the exact breakdown of what it costs to (theoretically) fly to atlanta, rent a car, find a place to stay, and eat for 10 days as a local hire - what i actually made on this commercial, fitting fee, session fee, overtime, meal penalties, per diem, all of it - what's left after agent, manager, and taxes take their cut - residuals math estimates Q&A: is a blank wall and a ring light still enough for self-tapes, or do you need studio lighting now? anonymous wants to know, and i have thoughts. --- resources: three-point lighting youtube breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SVesm1p8Bg&t=2s 2026 commercial contract: https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/2025 Commercials Contract Rate Sheet - Year 2.pdf video from this episode for apple: https://share.descript.com/view/7UQxI7lYrM0 submit your Q&A questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    exact numbers of being a local hire for a commercial (buckle up)

  3. Jun 10 • Subscribers Only

    the out-of-your-market show strategy your rep doesn't have time to explain

    i got a Q&A from an actress asking whether it was even worth tracking shows that film outside her particular market (including Canada)...let's deep dive: we're talking: - why filming location and casting location are not the same thing - how to use imdbpro to research any show in ~20 minutes and know exactly where the cast is coming from - the LA actor / NY show situation and when you actually need another agent - international productions in Canada and the real info you need the headshot class (use the code in the episode!): https://www.themembership.co/checkout/the-headshot-class-2026 drop your q&a questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    the out-of-your-market show strategy your rep doesn't have time to explain

  4. May 20 • Subscribers Only

    how much is 'too much' in auditions + should you tell casting your age.

    folks have been sliding into my dms every time i post an audition and saying some version of "sam... isn't that too much work?" so today we're actually talking about it. the audition landscape has shifted in some real and specific ways, and i want to break down what's actually different. topics covered: -the vibe shift: what's actually changed -the new formats multiplying on us -the pendulum swing -what's actually working right now -the identity part (and this is the real stuff) -Q&A- sarah asks about a casting database form from damian bao casting that's asking for date of birth. we look at the form live. drop your q&a questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    how much is 'too much' in auditions + should you tell casting your age.

  5. May 5 • Subscribers Only

    q&a: agents, verticals, paying previous reps, and actually getting seen

    this episode is a full YOUR q&a and we cover a lot of ground, so buckle up. we're talking: why submission reports can mess with your head (and what to actually do with them) LLCs vs. S corps for actors and whether you even need one yet verticals: do you owe your agent commission on jobs they didn't submit you for? paying residual commission to reps you've already left how to get seen by reps in LA when cold submissions just aren't landing a breakdown of how i actually hit my SAG health insurance earnings this year resources: SAG-AFTRA earnings benefit manager: sagaftra.org california LLC registration: ftb.ca.gov legalzoom: legalzoom.com submit your questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    q&a: agents, verticals, paying previous reps, and actually getting seen

  6. Apr 23 • Subscribers Only

    actor spring cleaning - part 2

    This is the fun one. Part one was the more important work, but this is the part where you actually get to see a difference: today we're getting into your physical space, your gear, your wardrobe, and what's actually worth keeping around. Download your Part 2 Checklist here: https://sam-valentine.notion.site/the-actor-spring-cleaning-checklist-2 We're talking: - Filing and digitizing pay stubs, contracts, and tax forms (and the app that makes it painless) - Audition space assessment: lighting, spike tape tricks, and setting your space up so it's actually ready to go - Prop box edit: what's worth keeping and what needs to leave - Desk and workspace clutter and why it matters more than you think - Your life bag: what should actually be in there, including the very unglamorous Ziploc method - Hair and makeup streamlining: go-to products only, labeled brushes, and what to donate - Wardrobe audit: trying on your go-to looks, the packed box method for the stuff you can't let go of, and getting honest about what's still serving you **Q&A:** Nick asks about reaching out to southeast agents when you already have non-inclusive rep in the region, and whether to loop in your current agent. **Resources:** CamScan (free app for digitizing documents): https://www.camscanner.com/ Out of the Closet (LA thrift/donation): https://outofthecloset.org/ Submit your questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    actor spring cleaning - part 2

  7. Apr 15 • Subscribers Only

    actor spring cleaning (with a full checklist) - part 1

    i genuinely did not realize how much of my actor life was living in random dropboxes and cloud folders i was paying for until i started thinking about this topic, and now i can't stop. this episode is part 1: the digital reset. get your downloadable spring cleaning pdf checklist: https://sam-valentine.notion.site/the-actor-s-digital-spring-cleaning-checklist-1 we're talking... personal audit of your content/materials cleaning up your self-tape drives, phone storage, and editing apps setting up inbox filters and a rep contact label to make bookout season way easier and social media clean up too spring cleaning part 2 is coming next week, we're going physical next time (self-tape setup, wardrobe, the whole thing). q&a: mel asked about where to start when writing your own content mel's thinking about writing a short or micro-short that fits her casting and wants to know how to get started when inspiration isn't striking yet. submit your q&a questions: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp headshot class patreon discount - use code PATREON75 - https://the-membership-ee5120.circle.so/checkout/the-headshot-class mentions: audition tracking episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1-audition-56639832?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link peerspace (for scouting shoot locations): peerspace.com

    actor spring cleaning (with a full checklist) - part 1

  8. Mar 30 • Subscribers Only

    market research *part 2* why applying the info to YOUR specific casting matters + getting union auditions in a right to work state.

    **wait first, send me your questions! i'm out!** https://shorturl.at/dHVZp we're getting into the part of market research that actually requires you to look in the mirror and assessing where *you* fit into your market and who's already working in it. it's less about gathering info and more about knowing what to do with it. specifically: - why your "type" might shift depending on what market you're in - auditing your materials (headshots, reel, resume) against what's actually casting in your area - how training and credits can be strategically mapped to your market - why one of these whole step should be skipped if you're in a spiral and yes, part two only makes sense if you've done part one! --- **q&a: union work in right to work states** shannon asks about being SAG eligible in the southeast, getting almost zero union commercial auditions, and whether to start declining non-union work to push the needle toward more union jobs. 📧 shaine griffin: shainegriffin@sagaftra.org submit your q&a: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

    market research *part 2* why applying the info to YOUR specific casting matters + getting union auditions in a right to work state.
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Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
446 Ratings

About

Financially, mentally, physically or otherwise...most actors are at least a little broke. Host/actress Sam Valentine brings you advice, tips, and real stories (of success & failure) from people in and around the acting industry. So you feel a little more “whole” and a little less alone in Hollywood. From auditions and the day-to-day life of working actors to getting agents/managers, we cover it all. While this podcast is not currently running, please check out the bonus eps via the Patreon Pod for current episodes!

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Valentine
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    342
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sam Valentine
  • Show Website
    One Broke Actress
  • Provider
    Samantha Valentine