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    The Actor's Helpline

    The Actor's Helpline is a weekly podcast about the craft and business of acting. Hosts Michael Cassidy and Laura Holloway answer questions and talk to guests about everything from "How do you memorize lines?" to "How do you handle rejection?" Join the conversation at theactorshelpline.com!
    en28 Episodes

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    Episodes (28)

    How to get into voiceover with Zach Hoffman

    How to get into voiceover with Zach Hoffman

    Today on The Actor's Helpline, Tanya calls in to ask how to get back into voiceover. So we brought in an absolute TITAN of the voiceover world to  get us started on our VO careers. Zach Hoffman joins the Helpline to talk about how he went from working for someone else to working for himself. Enjoy! Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    The Actor's Helpline
    enMarch 06, 2024

    What is "Method" acting?

    What is "Method" acting?

    This week, Laura and Michael nerd out about what the phrase "Method Acting" refers to. We differentiate between preparation or research and "getting into character." We talk about how to get the crew and your family members to call you by your character's name (no we don't). We share our experience with comparing our inner experience of craft to profiles of movie stars. Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    The Actor's Helpline
    enFebruary 28, 2024

    How do you deal with fear and uncertainty?

    How do you deal with fear and uncertainty?

    Pollyanna McIntosh from The Walking Dead joins The Helpline to talk about fear uncertainty about the future. We discuss surrender, commitment, and paying your bills. Ask YOUR question at theactorshelpline.com. Click on the microphone and let it rip!

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    Why isn't my preparation working?

    Why isn't my preparation working?

    In this episode of the The Actor's Helpline, we talk about preparation for in-person auditions and self tapes. How to prepare efficiently. How to pay attention to what distracts you. Michael tells a painful audition story. Laura falls asleep. Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    How to focus on set

    How to focus on set

    What does a day on set look like? How do you focus on set? Laura and Michael give a primer on "how to stay in it" on set. We talk about emotional moments, warm-ups, what to pay attention to, how to stay out of the way of the crew. There's a ton of stuff to cover here, so hit us up with your thoughts and questions about set/filming stuff. Click on the microphone at theactorshelpline.com  

     

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    How to practice alone/What you look like/Surprise direction

    How to practice alone/What you look like/Surprise direction

    Three quick questions for two long-winded people! This week on The Actor's Helpline we talk about what happens when the director has a different plan than yours, how important is your physical appearance, and how to stay sharp alone. The Helpline is ringing off the hook and we are stoked to hear from you! Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com!

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    How does an actor become a filmmaker with Josh Ruben

    How does an actor become a filmmaker with Josh Ruben

    This week, our guest is delightful multi-hyphenate talent and longtime friend of Michael..Josh Ruben! Josh is the writer director of feature films Scare Me and Werewolves Within. He has directed 100s of commercials and shorts. He is still very much an actor and a regular guest on the improv show Make Some Noise. Josh joins the Helpline to talk about going from serious acting student to seriously funny performer and mega prolific director. 

    Leave a question, comment, or just a message of total silence on the Helpline at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    What do agents do?

    What do agents do?

    This week on The Actor's Helpline, we talk all about the casting process. How do acting parts become available? How do actors get a shot at them? How do agents get their clients auditions? What determines the projects an actor auditions for? You can leave a message for Laura and Michael at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    How do you get an agent?

    How do you get an agent?

    This week, Eli reaches out to The Actor's Helpline with the BIG BIG question: "How do you get an agent?" We tackle all the things actors can do to try to get their first agent. We talk about headshots, mailings, reels and how to think of your acting as a business. Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

    How do you define success?

    How do you define success?

    This week on The Actor's Helpline, Laura and Michael talk about the idea of success as an actor.  We talk about our goals, projections and narratives and how they've changed over the years. And then Michael solicits messages from young people who think he's stupid. Please record those comments and all other tv/film/acting inquiries at theactorshelpline.com!

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

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    On-screen Intimacy with Alice Wetterlund

    On-screen Intimacy with Alice Wetterlund

    Alice Wetterlund from SyFy's Resident Alien joins The Actor's Helpline to talk about onscreen intimacy. Ooooh... We chat about how our work affects our off-screen relationships, filming sex scenes, and falling in love with your scene partner.  Leave a rating and follow the show in your pod app. And ask your question at theactorshelpline.com!

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    Are casting director workshops worth the money?

    Are casting director workshops worth the money?

    This week on The Actor's Helpline, Laura shares a WEALTH of experience on casting director workshops. Casting director workshops are acting classes or meet and greets with a working casting director.  If you want to know HOW they work, IF they work, and if you should DO one, we have you covered! Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    How do you deal with rejection?

    How do you deal with rejection?

    What do you do when they pick someone else? This week we share experience coping with rejection. It's unavoidable.  It's sewn into the fabric of the gig.  And yet... you guessed it: it's an inside job.  Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com! Click on the microphone there and record with your phone, tablet, laptop.

    Thank you for your great support these first couple months!  Keep the questions coming!  Rate and subscribe in your app.  Hit us up on Instagram and tell us your thoughts.  What do you want to hear more of?  We appreciate you!

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    A Life in the Theater with Michael Rahhal

    A Life in the Theater with Michael Rahhal

    This week, The Actor's Helpline welcomes Blue Man, Gazillionaire, and ACTUAL CLOWN Michael Rahhal!  Michael is the most employed actor in the history of live performance.  His career has taken him around the world and across the seven seas. Check this episode out for a look at a unique, successful actor's life.  Ask us a question at theactorshelpline.com

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    One Lesson from a Mentor

    One Lesson from a Mentor

    In honor of Halloween, The Actor's Helpline starts with a chat about honoring the dead.  Then, we each share "one lesson from a mentor that has been of inestimable value in our acting journeys". This one is short and sweet. Enjoy! Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com!

    In this episode, we talk about two of our great teachers:

    Scott Zigler

    Mike Nichols

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    How do you pick an acting class?

    How do you pick an acting class?

    How do you pick an acting class/teacher? How do you get the most out of it? We've got you. Laura is an acting teacher! The Actor's Helpline has BAGS of suggestions, experience, and giggles for you this week.  Ask YOUR question at theactorshelpline.com

    We talk about red flags and green flags look for when you audit a new studio.  We talk about teaching versus directing.  We talk about ASTROLOGY. 

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

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    Social Media for Actors with Bourke Floyd

    Social Media for Actors with Bourke Floyd

    Should actors build their social media following? If so, how? Actor Bourke Floyd joins Laura and Michael to talk about building social media, kindness and erectile dysfunction.  Bourke is a Treasured Person. Enjoy! Ask us your question at theactorshelpline.com

     

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    question via Haley Ringo Price

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    No compare-sies!

    No compare-sies!

    How do you avoid comparison with others? "Compare and despair" as the saying goes. Laura and Michael share tips to stay in your own journey as an artist.   We also show our true colors and almost break up over Laura's opinion of hammocks.  Hanging by a thread here, gang!  Ask your question at theactorshelpline.com

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele

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    How do you like to be directed?

    How do you like to be directed?

    "What is your most favorite way to be directed? What is your least favorite way to be directed?"  Laura and Michael share some stories, tips, and painful memories about the relationship between actor and director.  We also, and you're not going to believe this, talk about our spouses and families.  Ask your question for the pod at theactorshelpline.com

    Our question this week comes from filmmaker/actor/graphic novelist Josh Ruben.  

    In this episode Michael name drops: 

    Ken Marino

    the Dowdle brothers

    Breckin Meyer

     

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

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    Theme music by Matty Alger

    Pod art by Jamie Skeele