The Modern Actor Podcast The Modern Actor

From humble beginnings in Buffalo, NY, Selina Kaye found her love for acting by chance. It was because of an extra credit assignment that Selina was inspired to travel across the country to Los Angeles and pursue acting. 
For Selina, acting is a true love affair. In Episode 2, Kaye tells us about her love for self-tapes. She goes through the ins and outs of the self-tape and what it’s like to succeed without even being seen in person. 
Selina is a true enthusiast of acting. 
You can’t speak to her without being infected by her genuine lust for working and creating full characters for every audition she gets. Her love for the CW network is charming and her down-to-earth perspective on the business makes this interview one of my favorites by far.
Selina opens up about where she is today in her career. You won’t be able to watch or listen to this interview, without coming to the conclusion that Selina’s definition of success isn’t confined to just booking, but rather, relishing in the entire experience itself. 
Her mantra is simple “That’s your time, make sure you leave there knowing you did your best possible work.”
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Selina’s start as a radio VJ in Buffalo, NY to an actress in Los Angeles.
Selina’s positive experience with casting workshops and why she thinks it’s a great way to get reps and start out as an actor.
Why Selena chooses to do really good scenes over a monologue.
How to figure out your brand and type.
The decision to have reps in Atlanta and Los Angeles.
How to change your mindset about self-tapes and taking back control of your career.
The tact needed to ask for feedback on your self-tapes from your agents and managers.
The tools you need to complete a Self-Tape audition from start to finish.
How to produce top-level quality in your self-tapes.
How to book a self-tape audition.
The secrets and tips being an acting coach have taught her about her own performance.
Her advice to young actors just starting out.
If you dig the show and want to give back, share this with someone who could use it and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, so more people can find this show and benefit from this conversation.
SHOW LINKS:
THE MODERN ACTOR E-BOOK
JOIN THE MODERN ACTOR FAMILY
FOLLOW EDDIE ON SOCIAL
FOLLOW RONAK ON SOCIAL
GUEST LINKS:
INSTAGRAM (@selinakaye)
IMDB FILM/TV CREDITS

Phillip Garcia is an American actor born and raised in San Jose, California. Since 2012, he has appeared in over 30 National commercials including most recently two Super Bowl spots for McDonald’s and Anheuser-Busch, the latter was executive-producer by David Fincher. Some of his TV credits include Criminal Minds, Scandal, and Animal Kingdom. Recently he’s appeared on single episodes of ABC’s The Rookie, Station 19, Mayans MC, and NCIS LA. He will be guest-starring in episode #415 CBS’s S.W.A.T as the robin-hood style bank robber Jon Hardy. Phillip Garcia is an actor’s actor and lives by the mantra “I’m easy to work with and I’m happy to be here.”
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:
Phillip’s personal journey from aspiring child actor to deciding to wait until after college to officially start his career.
How an acting showcase can help you obtain your first reps.
How he approaches auditions from the moment he gets his sides to the moment he walks out of the room.
The best way to navigate the conversation with your agents about turning down a role.
An important distinction to do a co-star on The Mayan’s while he was only taking roles Guest-Star roles and higher.
What it’s like to do a Super-Bowl commercial.
The best way to approach a commercial audition: Let go and have a good time.
The importance of loving and trusting yourself as an actor and how to do that.
How Phillip’s musical inclination keeps him artistically fulfilled.
Why Phillip decided to make his self-tape set up more elaborate than others, and it’s clearly working.
If you dig the show and want to give back, share this with someone who could use it and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, so more people can find this show and benefit from this conversation.
SOCIAL LINKS:
THE MODERN ACTOR EBOOK
JOIN THE MODERN ACTOR FAMILY
FOLLOW EDDIE ON SOCIAL
FOLLOW RONAK ON SOCIAL
GUEST LINKS:
PHILIP GARCIA
INSTAGRAM (@phillipagarcia)
TWITTER: (@phillipagarcia)
IMDB FILM/TV CREDITS

I had a chance to speak to a producer on my last film and here’s what he said about my self-tape.
A little backstory:
I booked the lead role in a movie! This is a major accomplishment for me because It’s been a while since that has happened. It’s also pretty huge, considering I booked it off a self-tape! The dreaded self-tape has now become an industry norm since the pandemic, and the “right way” to do one has been up for debate.
Till now.
Read More: Your Complete Guide To Self Tapes (For 2021)
As I sat down for dinner and drinks with Matt (one of the producers) on the film, we got to talking about everyone’s booking story. I was especially curious due to the fact that I had only been hired four days before the shoot.























































































































Clearly, something worked, but what??
As Matt worked his way around the dinner table telling the actors the behind the scenes story of their booking, he finally got to mine. He said it was a combination of two things. I was the right fit for the role and my self-tape was really good.
But it wasn’t just my performance...






























He went into length about how my reader was good...the quality of the footage was great, including sound and lighting. (I go to a self-tape studio, see maps below for my NYC and LA choices) This really made a huge difference when standing out amongst the other actors who went out for my role. This conversation reconfirmed some of my beliefs about taping but also taught me some new valuable lessons.






























NYC Self Tapes



























 


Self Taping LA



























 


Here are the 3 lessons I learned from our dinner conversation:
LESSON #1 - You invest in good quality. Oftentimes people aim to reduce costs in their business. But when the potential value of the final product is made greater by a service, it’s a no-brainer. I.e coaching or going to a self-tape studio.
LESSON #2 - Not every reader is made the same. Just because someone can read for you, doesn’t mean they should. A reader does more than just read the other character’s lines. From a technical standpoint, they need to be able to come in on their cues but more importantly, they can elevate your performance if they can bring some energy as well. This is easier said than done.
LESSON #3 - Don’t assume casting can see past a badly produced self-tape. Word around the campfire is that CDs and directors will look past a poorly produced tape but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact of the matter is, you’re really taking your chances if you think you can send in a grainy video or a video with horrible sound. (I try to only shoot commercial auditions with my iPhone)
Have you explored going to a self-tape studio?
Do you have any success stories with this method?



























 


Quote that’s got me thinking: "Find your purpose and fling your life out to it. Find a way or make one. Try with all your might. Self-made or never made.” ~ Orison Swett Marden



























 





























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“Even though my passion is acting, that’s what I want to do, I have to keep myself open to everything because you never know what way your career is going to take off.”
— NATALIA OCHOA
When driven by a lifelong goal, the most resilient person will find the means to achieve that goal if they truly want it. They will make "Nutella sandwiches", move across the country, and become so proactive that their presence is undeniable. That is what Natalia Ochoa, actress, writer, producer, and director from Miami, FL did to get to where she is today. It doesn't matter if you haven't heard of Natalia before, but if you are familiar with what it takes to produce a web-series and network successfully, then you will undoubtedly respect her journey. 
While most actors are seeking work through auditioning alone, she has devised a balance between auditioning and creating her own projects. Therefore, it will come to you as no surprise that I was in a web-series created by Natalia in 2016.
I am very eager to share this eye-opening interview with you on what it takes to stay driven on a road that is full of twists and turns. 
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:The most important factors when it comes to networking
Who are the right people to work with when thinking about creating a web-series
Why you're not getting the work you want and what you can do about it
& so much more!
Connect with Natalia on her website, Instagram and Facebook 

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“It’s about the number of impressions you make. First you build the quantity and then you can show them [casting] the quality.”
— HERMIE CASTILLO
In Episode 2, we featured Hermie Castillo, actor, Navy Sailor, comedy sketch writer, and postcard embracer. 
Ask yourself, how many times you have wracked your brain about delivering a Co-Star one liner? 
As an actor who received his first Co-Star credit without the help from an agent or manager and seven Co-Stars in seven months, it seems like Hermie Castillo might be able to provide an answer to that. Luckily for us, and our listeners, he was much more interested in sharing his tips on getting on an agent’s radar and his philosophy on acting.
If you haven’t heard of Hermie Castillo, you have probably heard of Scandal, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, and Mom which are just some of the show he’s been on. Each one has been a stepping stone for Hermie’s career in the right direction. 
The secret behind Castillo’s success is simple, he just reminds himself, “I always have to learn.”
For Hermie, there’s much more than just surviving in this industry. There’s making “impressions” and having those impressions put a smile on the face on the faces of casting directors and the professionals he works with.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:How to work on Co-Star auditions
The best types of cold emails to send agents
Why the number of impressions you make on a casting director is essential
How to send post-cards to casting director and agents
& much more!
I am very excited for you to hear this interview with actor on the rise Hermie Castillo!
Connect with Hermie on Instagram

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“Allow yourself to have all the emotions in the world”
— SELINA KAYE
From humble beginnings in Buffalo, NY, Selina Kaye found her love for acting by chance. It was because of an extra credit assignment that Selina was inspired to travel across the country to Los Angeles and pursue acting. 
For Selina, acting is a true love affair. In Episode 3, Kaye tells us about her love for self-tapes. She goes through the ins and outs of the self-tape and what it’s like to succeed without even being seen in person. 
Selina is a true enthusiast of acting. 
You can’t speak to her without be infected by her genuine lust towards working and creating full characters for every audition she gets. Her love for the CW network is charming and her down to earth perspective on the business makes this interview one of my favorites by far.
Selina opens up about where she is today in her career and admits that at the time this episode was recorded she hadn’t booked a job. But I believe Selina is unfazed by the natural ups and downs of this industry. You won’t be able to watch or listen to this interview, without coming to the conclusion that Selina’s definition of success isn’t confined to just booking, but rather, relishing in the entire experience itself. 
Her mantra is simple “That’s your time, make sure you leave there knowing you did your best possible work.”
IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:The tools you need to complete a Self-Tape audition from start to finish
How to produce top level quality in your self-tapes
How to book a self-tape audition
What to do to make your bi-costal team happy
& much more!
I am very excited for you to hear this interview with modern actor Selina Kaye!
Connect with Selina on Instagram.