Have you ever heard of a McGuffin? McGuffin: an object in a movie or book that serves merely as a trigger for the plot. For further context, below is paraphrased from this article: Alfred Hitchcock described it as the linchpin of the mystery; the motivating or primal force behind the narrative. It’s the device, the […] Read more…
No more struggling actors! đŞđź Let’s talk about three mistakes actors make that slow them down. I’ll admit it, I did these for years. But all that matters is where we go from here. âď¸ So I’m inviting you to stop running on your lilâ hamster wheel đand get a strategy that works for your unique career and […] Read more…
I know youâve been there. Minding your own business when BANG! Youâve got an audition. Only instead of doing your happy dance, youâre doing your panic dance. Your stomach starts turning, your throat is dry. You call your best friend, Nancy, for advice. YOU I have an audition and they want me to speak Spanish! […] Read more…
I donât need to tell you that you need professional headshots to be a professional actor. Unless you have friends who are directing or producing their own work and casting you, itâs the very first thing you need to get to submit yourself for acting jobs. The problem? They are so dang expensive! Worse yet, […] Read more…
“I wish there was a way to know youâre in the âgood old daysâ before youâve actually left them.” – Andy Bernard, The Office Winning an Oscar sure would be cool, right? I mean⌠thatâs the dream for most of us. Tons of money in the bank, designer clothes and jewelry, being recognized as “the […] Read more…
Background work can be beneficial for actors whoâve just arrived in Los Angeles. In this post, Iâll lay out the pros and cons so you can decide if itâs right for you. PROS OF DOING BACKGROUND WORK: Itâs a quick way to start earning money. The barrier to entry for background work is quite low. […] Read more…
How many reels do you need, really? Should you have one all-encompassing reel? Or separate ones for comedy & drama? Here are some general guidelines to help you decide. Important note: All agents and managers will have their own preferences, so please ask yours if youâve got âem! If youâre flying solo or they arenât […] Read more…
Sick of writing at Starbucks with that super-loud jazz blasting in the background? Here are 5 non-coffee shop places to write your masterpiece! 1. Hotel Lobbies Most hotels have free wifi and wide-open lobbies where you can work for hours without being interrupted. Bonus points for a bar-area that offers snacks and cocktails if thatâs […] Read more…
After youâve worked so hard to book that job and delivered a flawless performance on set, youâre gonna want that footage! If not for your demo reel, at least for the memories! Getting your footage isnât always easy. No matter your situation, I hope I can help here. PLANNING AHEAD The best way to set […] Read more…
âTristenâs got a checklist for everything!â My friends often tease me for my love of The Container Store, new Iphone apps, and checklists. They think I LOVE to be organized. But Iâll share my dirty little secret. I donât love to be organized – Iâm actually a bit of a mess. But I absolutely HATE […] Read more…