Podcast Summary
Acting careers require unexpected projects and adaptability: Actors must adapt to new looks and marketing guidelines for casting, leading to a disconnect between real-life and on-screen personas.
Acting careers involve unexpected projects and unconventional appearances, as revealed in Arashilelani's experience with a conservative dating app commercial. The industry often requires actors to adapt to new looks for casting purposes, which can be time-consuming and involve taking new headshots. This can lead to a disconnect between an actor's real-life appearance and their on-screen persona. Additionally, marketing executives and casting directors often have specific guidelines for how actors should present themselves, which can be quite different from everyday life. Overall, the acting industry requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability from its professionals.
Navigating wardrobe choices for work: Finding a balance between following rules and expressing individuality is key in dressing for work, while acknowledging practical realities.
Dressing for a specific role or job can be challenging and require significant investment, but sometimes the pressure to conform can lead to creativity and unique expressions. The discussion revealed that wardrobe choices can be a source of stress, especially when trying to avoid repeating outfits or dressing for unpredictable temperatures. However, some people find that focusing on other aspects of their appearance, like hair, can be more important to them. Ultimately, the conversation highlighted the importance of finding a balance between following rules and expressing individuality while acknowledging the practical realities of dressing for a job.
Appearance and casting in the acting industry: One's appearance can impact their opportunities in the acting industry, but it's crucial to be true to oneself and adapt to industry expectations while staying comfortable and authentic.
People's appearances, including their hairstyles, can significantly impact how they are perceived and the roles they are offered, especially in the acting industry. However, it's essential to ensure that one's appearance aligns with their personality and comfort level. The speaker shares that she has had experiences where her long hair was preferred by agents and managers, but she eventually decided to change her look, leading to new opportunities and roles. The discussion also reveals that the speaker would consider shaving her head for a significant amount of money, acknowledging the impact of her appearance on her career. Ultimately, it's a reminder that one's appearance can open doors or limit opportunities, but it's essential to be true to oneself while being adaptable to industry expectations.
Personal transformations: Shaving heads and pursuing acting careers: Courage and self-confidence lead to significant personal transformations, whether it's shaving one's head or pursuing a career in acting.
Personal transformations, whether it be shaving one's head or pursuing a career in acting, can be overwhelming but ultimately rewarding. The speaker expresses her curiosity about shaving her head, acknowledging the rapid growth of her hair and the potential financial gain, but ultimately expresses apprehension due to the perceived overwhelming nature of such a drastic change. In the realm of acting, both speakers share their personal experiences of starting young and pursuing their craft with determination, despite initial challenges and lack of connections. They moved to Los Angeles to fully commit to their careers and found success through hard work and perseverance. Personal transformations, be it physical or professional, require courage and a strong sense of self, but the potential rewards can be significant.
Unexpected opportunities can lead to valuable experiences and career growth: Stay open to new experiences and seize opportunities, even if they don't align with initial goals, as they can lead to unexpected career growth.
Sometimes unexpected opportunities can lead to valuable experiences and career growth, even if they don't align perfectly with your initial goals. The speaker shared her story of being rejected as an actor at Boston Casting but being offered a stand-in gig instead. Though not the role she had hoped for, this experience gave her a behind-the-scenes look at a professional Hollywood set and ignited her passion for acting. She went on to move to LA and eventually landed acting roles, but the stand-in job was a crucial stepping stone. It's essential to remain open to new experiences and seize opportunities, even if they don't fit the mold of what we initially envision for ourselves.
The value of experiences and connections in the entertainment industry: Persistently pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry, even if they're unpaid, for the valuable experiences and connections gained.
The entertainment industry can be unpredictable and forgetful, but the experiences and connections made along the way are invaluable. The speaker shared an anecdote about working on a movie set where the director forgot her name multiple times but was kind and eventually remembered her. This experience, though initially frustrating, ultimately led her to pursue acting full-time in Los Angeles. Her journey began with small steps, such as auditioning for student films and improv classes, and eventually led her to the renowned Groundlings comedy theater. The path was long and unpaid, but the connections and skills gained were priceless. Overall, the speaker emphasized the importance of staying persistent and open to new opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Lessons learned at the Groundlings theater: Through hard work and dedication, one can overcome obstacles and follow their dreams, ignited by childhood experiences and natural abilities, leading to lifelong friendships and a deep love for comedy and acting.
Shane's experience in pursuing a career in acting through the Groundlings theater taught him invaluable lessons and pushed him beyond his limits. Despite facing challenges such as long waitlists and intense performance requirements, he discovered a deep love for comedy and acting, and made lifelong friends along the way. His passion for performing was ignited during his childhood when he auditioned for and landed the role of Willy Wonka in a school play. This experience, combined with his natural comedic abilities, led him to pursue acting further, ultimately leading him to the Groundlings. Through hard work and dedication, Shane was able to overcome obstacles and follow his dreams, inspiring us all to take chances and persist in the face of adversity.
Challenges of Starting a Career in Acting as a Teen: Starting a career in acting as a teen involves hard work, long hours, unpaid work, safety concerns, and reliance on luck.
Starting a career in acting as a teenager, even with early success, comes with significant challenges and risks. The speaker shared his experience of getting an agent at 13 in Arizona, where competition was less fierce, but faced numerous issues such as long filming times, unpaid work, and even safety concerns. He emphasized that he was lucky to have booked SAG-eligible jobs early on, but it took years of hard work, paying for workshops, and flying out for auditions before landing his first major role in iCarly. The speaker advises against pushing children into acting careers at a young age and acknowledges that luck plays a significant role in success in the industry.
Manage subscriptions to save money: Using a personal finance app can help identify and cancel unwanted subscriptions, saving an average of $720 per year. Pursue acting with passion, not financial gain.
It's essential to monitor and manage your subscriptions to avoid unnecessary expenses. Inevitably, many people end up paying for multiple subscriptions unknowingly. Using a personal finance app like Rocket Money can help identify and cancel unwanted subscriptions, saving an average of $720 per year. Meanwhile, in other news, acting is a journey that requires a burning desire and resilience. Actors face numerous rejections and long periods of waiting for auditions. Preparation for auditions involves time, effort, and resources, often without financial compensation. Therefore, pursuing acting as a career should be driven by passion rather than financial gain.
Staying Committed to Creative Pursuits: Overlook challenges, maintain hobbies, and embrace change to stay motivated in creative endeavors.
Passion and resilience are key to pursuing creative endeavors, such as acting. The speaker emphasizes the importance of overlooking challenges and staying committed, even when faced with difficult times or long periods without work. She also highlights the importance of having hobbies and interests outside of the primary passion to maintain mental wellbeing. The speaker shares her personal experience of the mental gymnastics involved in maintaining motivation and encourages spreading love and acceptance throughout different aspects of life. The industry's emphasis on youth and appearances can create pressure and a sense of urgency, but the speaker encourages embracing the ever-changing nature of artistic pursuits and viewing each year as a new opportunity.
Embracing self-acceptance and happiness in acting career: Accepting oneself and enjoying the present moment leads to greater understanding and strength as an actor. Trust your own performance during auditions and avoid comparison to others. Parents' support and authentic representation on screen are also crucial.
Happiness and self-acceptance are key to a successful acting career. Shane West discussed how accepting himself and enjoying the present moment has led to greater understanding and strength as an actor. He also emphasized the importance of trusting one's own performance during auditions and avoiding comparison to others. West shared that his parents were initially hesitant about his acting aspirations but became supportive once he moved to Los Angeles and pursued his dream. Additionally, he touched on the industry's focus on appearance and the importance of promoting authentic representation on screen. Overall, West's insights highlight the importance of self-confidence, mindfulness, and authenticity in the acting world.
Parental support and skepticism in pursuing dreams: Parents' initial doubts can delay one's journey in following their dreams, but validation from successes can change their perspective. Adaptability is crucial in the unpredictable entertainment industry.
The support and belief of loved ones can significantly impact one's journey in pursuing their dreams. The speaker shared how their parents' initial skepticism towards their acting aspirations delayed their entry into the industry. However, after securing small roles and gaining validation from their successes, their parents came to understand and accept their career choice. Additionally, the speaker highlighted the unpredictability and diversity of jobs in the entertainment industry, sharing an anecdote about unknowingly auditioning for a politically-charged commercial. Despite the unexpected nature of the project, the speaker learned to adapt and approach each opportunity professionally.
Navigating Unforeseen Controversy in the Entertainment Industry: Unforeseen controversies can arise in the entertainment industry, and it's important to stay calm, trust in your support system, and be prepared to address any potential fallout.
Sometimes, we unknowingly become part of projects or situations that later turn out to be controversial or problematic. In this case, the speaker shared an experience of filming a commercial without fully understanding its context, only to find out months later that it had sparked negative attention online. Despite initial panic and concerns about making a statement, her manager advised against it and reassured her that most people would understand she didn't know the true nature of the project. The speaker learned that not all projects reveal their full context during the audition or filming process, and that sometimes, we can't control the public perception of our work. However, she also recognized the importance of being prepared to address any potential fallout if and when it arises. Ultimately, the experience served as a reminder to stay calm, trust in the support system around her, and embrace the unexpected twists and turns that come with being a part of the entertainment industry.
Working in the entertainment industry: stories of the unexpected: Maintain a positive attitude and focus on production value despite unexpected challenges and unprofessional behavior in the entertainment industry.
The entertainment industry can be unpredictable and sometimes unprofessional. From forgotten lines to unexpected encounters, the experience of working on sets can vary greatly. Shane and Arasho shared stories of miscommunications, misunderstandings, and even unexpected drug use during production. Despite these challenges, they emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on the production value. Arasho's experience of feeling excluded from a dating app commercial led to a conversation about the industry's tendency to prioritize certain demographics. Shane shared a story of a student film where he was handed drugs on set and was expected to use them. These stories illustrate the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and maintaining professionalism in a sometimes chaotic industry.
Unexpected celebrity encounters and blurred lines between reality and fantasy: Celebrity encounters can be surreal and unexpected, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Stay focused on your goals and be gracious in unexpected interactions.
Celebrity encounters can be unexpected and surreal. The speaker shared an experience of mistaking a famous actor for someone she knew, only to discover later that he was actually a well-known television star. Despite her initial embarrassment, the actor was gracious and unfazed by the encounter. This experience highlights the blurred lines between reality and fantasy in the entertainment industry and the unexpected nature of celebrity encounters. Additionally, the speaker shared a childhood story of attending an acting workshop and encountering future stars Austin Butler and Sterling Knight, showcasing the serendipitous nature of the entertainment industry and the importance of staying focused on one's own goals despite comparisons to others.
Experiencing Culture Shock in India: Be prepared to adapt to new cultural norms and prioritize basic needs when traveling to unfamiliar places.
Cultural differences can lead to unexpected challenges. The speaker, who went to India for the first time as a conscious person at the age of 14, was shocked by the cultural differences and experienced a complete culture shock. One of the things that she found particularly challenging was the lack of modern toilets in some parts of India and her reluctance to adapt to squatting to defecate. This led her to hold her poop in for seven days until she reached a place with a toilet. The experience was so intense that it caused a stir in India and even ruined her aunt's bath. The speaker's advice for someone going to India for the first time is to take care of their basic needs as soon as they arrive, even if it means pooping in a public toilet. Overall, the experience taught the speaker to be more adaptable and open-minded to cultural differences.
