Books that have changed my life.

Hi there! Here are some resources for artists during this crazy-ass time. We all need to look out for each other and help each other out. If you can hire an artist or buy their work, please do!

In my Audition Game Pro class with Wendy Davis, we self-tape an audition every week. On Saturdays we review our work over Zoom with actors from around the country. The class gives me a clear process to prepare for an audition which means less procrastination for me! I love that it’s not only a class on how to break down a TV scene from the writer’s perspective, but a crash course on self-taping!

I really had to up my self-tape game for this class. Wendy doesn’t take, “Well, it’s just for class,” as an excuse! Makeup, hair, lighting, sound, and acting all have to be PRO level every week!

There are many ways to self-tape, but here’s what I got:

I really had to up my self-tape equipment game for this class. Wendy wouldn’t take, “Well, it’s just for class,” as an excuse! Makeup, hair, lighting, sound, and acting all have to be PRO level!

There are many ways to self-tape, but here’s what I got.

As a recurring character on a network television show and an acting coach, I get a lot of emails from people asking what they can expect their first day on set for an episodic.

I remember my first day on a network TV set, as “EMT #1” on Chicago Fire. I was excited, but mostly nervous. It was a hot Saturday in July. Most people I knew were at Lollapalooza and I was on 290 in an ambulance.

This year’s gift guide is here! In addition to ideas for casting directors and agents, I’ve included you in the guide this year! Whether you are treating yourself or have someone who needs a gift idea for you, why not take your business to the next level? Coaching might just be the boost you need to book that next job. You’re a business. Invest in yourself!

There are two significant fears everyone has:

1. You are not enough
2. You won’t be loved

These fears show up differently for everyone. “Don’t you think you’re too unattractive for that role?” your gremlin might suggest. “All the other girls in this room are prettier than you.”

“Why would anyone want to hear your story? It’s nothing special.”

“You should just stay home today. Just skip this audition. No one will care.”

“That casting director hates you.”

Sound familiar?

A lot of people ask me what’s the best way to get started in voice over. Everyone from fellow actors to a guy sitting next to me on a plane have asked me for advice. So, to make it easy for me and you I wrote a blog about it.

The first thing you have to do is get coaching. There is a technique to this. It’s not just about how your voice sounds.  It’s about breaking down the script, it’s about visualizing the commercial, it’s about giving variety, etc. A lot of people think they should do voice over because they have that “voice over-y” (not be confused with “voice ovaries”) sound, and everyone says, “Oh, you have a great voice. You should do voice over.” It’s more than that. 

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you already know that I’m not a fan of the title, “starving artist” . Sure, it’s funny to joke about moving to the city and being a starving artist when you’re in school. But after say, oh, a year or so of “starving,” it becomes not so fun.

It’s not necessary to starve in order to make art that you’re passionate about, that fuels your fire and makes you jump out of bed in the morning!

In my work with clients, I have found that there are 3 key skills to develop in order to dump the “starving artist” gig – for good. Read on to find out more...

Just like that, December rolled around and it’s time to send off some holiday gifts to your industry contacts. Of course, we all want to acknowledge our hard-working agents and managers, and who could forget about the casting directors who called you in over and over again this year? 

I get this question from actors all the time: what is an appropriate gift for my agent/manager/publicist/that awesome CD who booked my first co-star role? 

So, I decided to go directly to the source and ask some of my industry contacts what they enjoy receiving as gifts during the holidays. Check out their comments below for some great ideas! 

This time of year, feeling grateful is all the rage. Thanksgiving nearly sneaks up on us in the middle of a busy fourth quarter and the very nature of the holiday encourages us to slow down, take a breath, and look at all the incredible people and situations we have in our lives. 

As artists, we have an especially poignant reason to be grateful: we are living our dreams as reality! Okay, so maybe you didn’t book all the roles you wanted this quarter, but the mere fact that you were able to pursue them speaks to how purely you honor your life’s calling. 

Now there’s something for which to be grateful!

In my experience as a Clarity Coach, I’ve seen tremendous things happen for actors as soon as they step into a space of gratitude. Sometimes it’s a challenge to remember why gratitude is important, so in case you need a reminder, here are the top 4 ways an attitude of gratitude will boost your acting career...

Okay, I admit it. I used to be insanely jealous of other actors who were having more success than me. I was unhappy with my career and I thought I should be further along than I was.

The funny thing is, the more I focused on lack and comparing myself to others, the harder it became to allow new opportunities and growth to come into my life.

Ever been there?

...Are you there now?

It sucks, doesn’t it?!

When it comes to money or opportunities, a “lack” mindset can really keep you feeling like crap.  Energetically, there’s no room for growth or success in that space.