Episodes
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Working in the entertainment industry is brutal. Successisnât linear and you hear no more than yes. As Leanna Adams says in this episode, we as actors âeat rejection for breakfastâŠsometimes lunch, and dinnertoo.â Leanna Adams and Kristinia Arjona sat down and spoke to me about the process of making their independent film: Christmas With Jerks released on Prime in December 2023. Throughout our conversation they kept going back to the fact that you have to ask people around you for help. As Kristina said, âno one can help you if they donât know what you need.â
They emphasized leaning on their community and the need to be kind. âIf you donât have money, you have to be kind,â Kristina said. In the Indie world she says, âyou canât get away with being rude and poor! From a production standpoint, thereâs no longevity there.â
For many of us, fear prevents us from taking that first step. Kristina encourages everyone listening to send that email, reach out to that one person who will be honestand kind. Leanna said she âstarted this project with so much fear.â It was fear of the unknown and fear of failure. But for her, learning was also key. So, as Leanna says, âIf your goal is to learn, you canât fail.â
Leanna and Kristina's first feature, "Christmas with Jerks" was written, shot and sold in less than a year and is now on streamers. Leanna's feature scripts have been optioned and have also earned a Nicholl QF, various âBest ofs,â and aspot at The 2020 Lab at the Athena Film Fest. Her short films have screened around North America, some airing on Fox and TBS. Leanna loves action comediesthe most.
Kristina Arjona is a certified Intimacy Coordinator through Intimacy Professionals Association. Kristina spent 10 years working in the Atlanta film industry as anactor, director, and 1st AD before moving into intimacy coordinating. She graduated with a BFA in Acting and BA in Theatrical Design and Production from Elon University before moving into film and now works in both Atlanta andWilmington.
Kristina uses her skills on both sides of the lens to increase effective communication and safety for everyone involved. Proudly queer and Latina, Kristina is particularly passionate about working with material involving queer stories, BIPOC characters, and trauma-informed care insexual violence-related scenes.
Learn more about Leanna Adamshttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1568405/
https://www.leannaadams.com/
Follow on IG @leannaadams
Learn more about Kristina Arjona
https://www.kristinaarjona.com
https://www.atlintimacycoordinator.com
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm6223011/about
Follow her on IG @Kristina.Arjona &@ATLIntimacyCoordinator
Connect with me:IG: @tarmeydanielle
TikTok: @danielletarmey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle
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Before I talk about the amazing conversation that Heidi Dean was gracious enough to have with me, I need to add a quick note that this conversation was recorded before Twitter changed its name to X. Now most of you probably know that Heidi Dean is known in the industry as the top social media strategist for actors. She has also recently published a book, Social Media for Actors, 100 essential tips to grow, thrive, and survive online. When I was trying to figure out how to introduce this episode, I realized that I always seem to say the same thing about my guests: how they are passionate about what they do, how they love to help actors, and how they have given me great information to share. But itâs true every single time! And Heidi Dean is no exception. So if you are like me and have a love/hate relationship with social media then you will get a lot out of this conversation. If you are part of the, âI hate Social Mediaâ club, Heidi gets it! She too, was once part of that club. That is, until she started to understand the power it had to connect her to people. And it isnât about the numbers. As she says, social media enabled her, âto connect with the right people on my own terms.â Over a decade later, it has become her career, her mission, her passion to help as many actors as possible optimize their use of social media for their careers. While she steers away from saying we, as actors, âshouldâ use social media, she does wonder why we wouldnât. Itâs free, itâs creative, and itâs not going away. I gave her a whole host of reasons why some of us donât want to use it, donât like it, donât want to learn and she came back with a whole host of reasons why that is, and how to change our mindset. And it is a change in mindset that, as this conversation shows, could help our careers. So I hope you enjoy my conversation with social media guru, Heidi Dean. Heidi Dean is known as the industryâs top social media strategist for actors and the creator of Marketing4actors.com. Sheâs a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, conferences, podcasts and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, casting directors, voice actors and audiobook narrators. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS! Connect with Heidi Dean:Website: www.Marketing4actors.comJoin her Community: www.TechSavvyActors.comInstagram & TikTok: @Marketing4actorsX/Twitter: @marketing4actorYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@heididean30 Post Ideas: https://marketing4actors.com/30posts/Heidi's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Social-Media-Actors-Essential-Survive/dp/B0CVHMQRCFConnect with me: IG: @tarmeydanielleTikTok: @danielletarmeyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle
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When I think of curators of film festivals, I often think of them the same way I used to think of casting directors: as the gatekeepers to our success. But during my conversation with Angie Reza Tures from the Femme Frontera Showcase and Mary Dossinger from the RiverRun International Film Festival it became very apparent that the curators, just like casting directors, are rooting for us and our films. When I asked Angie and Mary what they were (or werenât) looking for, the question caused them to hesitate. Both said they didnât want to limit what might be submitted. What is really exciting for both of them is when filmmakers take a âpaint by numbersâ storyline and then play with the form. As Angie says, âWe like to see our filmmakers take risks and push themselves, but the story has to be the strongest component.â Mary adds that she is always looking for, âfilms that blow your mind and make you question the artform in general.â And they both recognize how difficult this is to do, and do well. But the take away for me was that it gives us permission to play. That again, we need to create without thinking, âwhat do they want?â and create with the mindset, âwhat story do I want to tell?â Mary Dossinger is the Director for the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, NC and just took part in her 16th Festival in 2023. As Program Director, Mary oversees all aspects of the film program, festival schedule and all filmmaker correspondence. Prior to joining the team at RiverRun, Mary received her Masters in Fine Arts in Contemporary Cinema Cultures from The University of London â Kingâs College London in 2007. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and minor in film studies at Emory University in 2000. She has had a varied career, starting as a Program Assistant at CNN and Turner Broadcasting and then moving on to Capitol Hill where she worked as an Executive Assistant at an international lobbying firm, the American Council of Life Insurers. She has moved all over the world, thanks to a father who worked for Exxon. She was born in Guildford, England and lived in Athens, Greece; Houston, TX; Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC. Angie Reza Tures has worked in independent film since 2003 after graduating from the University of San Francisco with a B.A. in Media Studies and a minor in Music. For twelve years, she worked as a producer, director, and editor in the Bay Area mentoring under Oscar-nominated and Sundance award-winning documentary filmmakers. Since 2011, Angie has lived and worked in El Paso, Texas. She founded the Femme Frontera Filmmaker Showcase in 2016 and serves as Executive Director of Femme Frontera. In 2021, Angie will complete her first feature narrative script. She is a 2022 Rockwood Documentary Leaders Fellow, a fellowship supported by the Ford Foundation. Find out more about the Femme Frontera Showcase: https://www.femmefrontera.orgIG: @femme_fronteraFind out more about the RiverRun International Film Festival:https://riverrunfilm.com/https://www.facebook.com/riverrunfilm/IG: @riverfunfilm If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site. Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielleqyCpCacyTSkDlG0ltqoc
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I recently attended a film appreciation class with Dale Pollock, called Senior Moments. And yes, as the name suggests, it was a look into how the film industry, Hollywood in particular, has treated aging. Not surprisingly it has not done a stellar job. When I asked Dale to tell me more about how the industry has changed, he said weâve come a long way from depicting older characters as simply being the crazy old biddy or the wise decrepit grandfather. Especially when you look at a film like âGood Luck to you Leo Grande,â with Emma Thompson.He believes that advances in science and technology with regards aging will inform filmmaking and stories. When I ask Dale if there is anything that actors, filmmakers, and the industry in general can do to improve accurate and authentic representation of older characters, he points to three main things. The first is, as actors we must embrace our older selves. His second point is that directors, who are typically ârisk averseâ, need to be more willing to cast 50-year-old characters who actually look 50. He also says those teaching in the many film schools around the country have to continue to move towards a more generous view of aging. He says, only then will filmmakers fully realize the dramatic and comedic potential of aging. Dale M. Pollock received a BA in Anthropology from Brandeis University in 1972 and MS in Communications from San Jose State University. In 1977, he became the head film critic for the Daily Variety until he was hired by the Los Angeles Times to be their chief entertainment correspondent. He was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in the early 1980s and wrote Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas in 1984, which has sold more than 150,000 copies and remains in print. In 1985, Pollock joined David Geffenâs company as a development executive, where he discovered the scripts for Beetlejuice, The Burbs and Universal Soldier. He joined A&M Films as vice president in charge of production, and was named president in 1990, producing such films as The Beast, The Mighty Quinn, A Midnight Clear and Mrs. Winterbourne. Pollock ran his own film company Peak Productions for 10 years, producing the box office hit Set It Off. He co-founded the producing program at the American Film Institute in 1995. In 1999 he became Dean of the School of Filmmaking at the (then) North Carolina School of the Arts, stepping down in 2006 to become Professor of Cinema Studies. He was awarded Emeritus status in 2019 and served as Interim Dean for nine months in 2021. Pollock was awarded an Endowed Professorship in Film in his name at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking and is the 2016 recipient of the UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence. He also received the 2020 Arts Council of Winston Salemâs Annual Award, its highest honor. Pollock's first work of fiction, Chopped: A Novel will be published in February 2023, and he is at work on a book about how Hollywood has treated aging in the movies. Learn more about Dale Pollockhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689645/https://dalempollock.com If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/and visit the group site. Follow me on: IG: @tarmeydanielle Twitter: @TarmeyDanielle
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Anthony Meindl is an acting coach and has published several books about acting, such as Book The F*cking Job and his latest, Unstuck. Anthony is also the host of a podcast for actors, âIn The Momentâ, and there is a reason he calls it that. Throughout our conversation that was a phrase that came up again and again: actors have to be in the moment, they have to live in the moment. And as actors, we know full well that means we have to listen, truly listen. Anthony will tell you, âIf youâre not listening to your partner then youâre never going to act.â But he goes on to explain that the listening isnât the hard part. All of us can do that. He says, âthe listening opens up the feelings and the expressing of those feelings is hard.â That, he says, takes courage, takes bravery, and it takes choosing yourself. Anthony Meindl is an award-winning director, writer, actor, acting coach, entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker. As an acting teacher, heâs known for revolutionizing a more modern understanding of acting training. He founded Anthony Meindl's Actor Workshop in 1997 and has schools in 10 cities around the world: Los Angeles, New York, London, Vancouver, Toronto, Atlanta, Sydney, Chicago, Copenhagen and Cape Town. He has been the guest acting teacher for directing at David Lynchâs Master of Filmmaking Program, and has guest lectured at the prestigious Moscow Arts Theatre, The National Theatre School of Ireland, The Actors Centre London, and many more. He has been an inspirational speaker, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Jim Carrey, Jack Kornfield, and Tom Shadyac. As a filmmaker, Anthony has received a number of awards and acclaim. His latest feature film, Where We Go From Here is available on HULU. The film premiered at Outfest, won the âBest Screenplayâ award at Q-Films Long Beach, and the âJury Awardâ at NYCâs East Village Queer Film Festival. He is the author of five books, including best-sellers, At Left Brain Turn Right and Book the F*cking Job and his latest book, Unstuck, was released July 2022. To follow or connect with Anthony Meindl: IG: @anthonymeindl, @amawstudios in Los Angeles, @amawatl in AtlantaWebsite: https://www.anthonymeindl.comIf you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/and visit the group site. Follow me on: IG: @tarmeydanielle Twitter: @TarmeyDanielle
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If you have ever seen any of Erica S. Breamâs posts on Instagram or Twitter, you know that she is an actorâs casting director. She says herself she uses social media as a way to, âdispel myths and provide some transparencyâ for actors. She also says that we, as actors, often feel casting directors are the gatekeepers of our careers. Erica goes on to say we would be shocked by how much work casting directors do behind the scenes to get us hired. âWe are your collaboratorsâŠyour biggest cheerleadersâŠtalking about you all the time.â In this episode you will also hear Ericaâs take on auditions, labeling, and slates. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Erica as much as I did. ERICA S. BREAM is in her twenty-first year as a film, television and theatreCasting Director. Recent credits include ORDINARY JOE (NBC), TELL MEYOUR SECRETS (Amazon), ALTERED CARBON (Netflix), and the upcomingseries ECHOES (Netflix), THE WINCHESTERS (CW) and more. Notably, Breamhas co-cast thirteen seasons of the prestigious Young Playwrights Festival forThe Blank Theatre Company. To follow or connect with Erica S. Bream: Website: https://ericasbreamcasting.comIMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2083259?s=78c12da0-d0c8-93d7-ed61-7efb59992821&site_preference=normalIG: @ericasbreamcastTwitter: @ericasbreamcast Watch the Hangry Dead: The Biggest Instagram Movie Ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjhU5zmJjqo If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/and visit the group site. Follow me on:IG: @tarmeydanielle Twitter: @TarmeyDanielleIMDb: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm1368938?s=eac12db9-28e5-c89e-05ec-124904cd4bfe&site_preference=normal
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Towards the end of my conversation with Kristina Arjona, she said, âNothing has hit me on the spiritual level that intimacy coordinating has.â And I believed her because I had just spent the last hour and 45 minutes talking to her about her role in the industry. It quickly became clear that she is so very passionate about what she does. She is on a mission to empower actors and to increase the sense of safety for all on set. As she says, âletâs make sure that everyone can go home feeling empowered by what theyâre doing.â When she says everyone, she means it. It doesnât matter who you are, what you look like, or even how big of a star you are. Kristina is there for all of us. Honestly her passion is contagious, and I know that with her presence (or the presence of any certified intimacy coordinator) on set we can all breathe a sigh of relief. So, I hope that you enjoy my conversation with Kristina as much as I did. About KristinaKristina Arjona is a certified Intimacy Coordinator through Intimacy Professionals Association. Her latest credits include "George & Tammy" (starring Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon) and "One True Loves" (starring Simu Liu and Phillipa Soo). Kristina spent 10 years working in the Atlanta film industry as an actor, director, and 1st AD before moving into intimacy coordinating. She graduated with a BFA in Acting and BA in Theatrical Design and Production from Elon University before moving into film and now works in both Atlanta and Wilmington. Kristina is deeply passionate about protecting and educating actors about their rights in intimate scenes, as well as educating filmmakers and universities on industry standards regarding intimate scenes. She uses her skills on both sides of the lens to increase effective communication and safety for everyone involved. Proudly queer and Latina, Kristina is particularly passionate about working with material involving queer stories, BIPOC characters, and trauma-informed care in sexual violence-related scenes. Learn more about Kristina Arjonahttps://www.kristinaarjona.comhttps://www.atlintimacycoordinator.comhttps://pro.imdb.com/name/nm6223011/aboutFollow her on IG @Kristina.Arjona & @ATLIntimacyCoordinator Intimacy Coordinator workshops and traininghttps://www.intimacyprofessionalsassociation.comhttps://www.intimacyprofessionalsassociation.com SAG/AFTRA Resourceshttps://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/SAG-AFTRA_quickguide_intimscenes_F2.pdfhttps://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/Sex_Nudity_and_You_FINAL.pdfhttps://www.sagaftra.org/videos/intimacy-coordinators-updatehttps://www.sagaftra.org/files/sa_documents/SA_IntimacyCoord.pdf If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446862949543735 and visit the group site. Follow me:IG @tarmeydanielle Twitter @TarmeyDanielle imdb.me/danielletarmey
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When I was talking to headshot photographer and actor, Tara Gulledge, the word âessenceâ came up a lot. The whole point of a headshot is to capture our essence in the shot. Tara and I talked about how that can be difficult because headshot sessions are stressful. She is the one who took my first official headshots, so she knows how I get. We, as actors, know that our headshots are supposed to look like us; however, we also know that the headshot is what gets us the audition with the casting directors. For Tara, she says that if we (as actors) are thinking real thoughts and feeling real emotions, we must trust that our face will do what it needs to do. Throughout our conversation, she gave tips on how best to prepare for the session, what to bring, and how she works to make the client feel safe and comfortable with her. She goes on to say something that we have all heard before, âThe best thing you have to offer is you.â She says, âThereâs magic in seeing someone be authentically them.â Tara Gulledge is a portrait and headshot photographer based in Atlanta, GA. Capturing someoneâs essence is her superpower. With 10 years of experience in photography and 12 years acting, Tara knows what casting directors are looking for and how to take stand out shots that actors can be proud of. Her background as an actor allows her to coach actors during sessions, taking them through scenarios and exercises to get that real, honest emotion that will take their headshots from good to great. To learn more about Tara, or to book a photo session, go to:https://www.theactorheadshot.com/www.taragulledgephotography.comImdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4832596/ IG: @theactorheadshot If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446862949543735 and visit the group site. Follow me:IG @tarmeydanielle Twitter @TarmeyDanielle imdb.me/danielletarmey
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Please note there is some language in this episode. The one good thing that has come out of the pandemic (for me) is that I have been given the opportunity to expand my acting community outside of my physical location. I have taken classes at the BGB Studios in LA and have joined the Arvold Warner Studios membership in Atlanta. This means I get to talk to even more people about craft. Today I asked Ashley Rideaux from BGB and Ellie Clark and Evan Bergman of the Arvold Warner Studios to talk to me about the Meisner Repetition exercise.So many classes include repetition as part of the class, even if they donât include any of the other Meisner activities, that I wanted to know why. The basic premise of the Repetition exercise is that you are focusing on the behavior of your scene partner and not focused on the words you are saying. The words are essentially unimportant. âItâs an exercise in subtext. What weâre saying isnât what matters. Ashley, Ellie, and Evan all talk about the importance of speaking your truth and putting your attention on the other person. As Evan says, âWhen you put your attention on the other person, they become more important than your discomfort.â Ashley points out that the exercise is a way to prevent you from planning a map for yourself in the scene. She says, âIf you canât bring truth and yourself to what it is youâre offering in a scene then nobody caresâŠYouâve got to show up and be a real actualized human engaging with another person.â For her the repetition exercise helps you achieve that. For Ellie, âit is setting you up to actually get to the art of doing and crafting and specificity.â I hope you enjoy my conversation with these wonderful teaching artists as much as I did. After graduating from SMUâs Meadows School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting, Ashley did what some would call the impossible, and supported herself for years performing on regional theatre stages across the country. A few of her favorite roles include the titular role in ANTIGONE, Paulina from THE WINTERâS TALE, Ruth Younger in A RAISIN IN THE SUN, and Malcolm (among several other characters) in a six-person, all-female cast of MACBETH. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has appeared in numerous national commercials, indie projects, Annapurna Interactiveâs live action video game, TELLING LIES, THE AFFAIR, and most recently 9-1-1 and AMERICAN CRIME STORY: IMPEACHMENT. Currently she is wearing the hat of producer, writer, and content creator, and had her first digital series optioned a few years ago. Ashley is a champion of diversity, truth, and finding strength through vulnerability. When sheâs not acting, writing, or producing, you can find her teaching yoga, meditation, pranayama, philosophy classes, teacher trainings, workshops, and retreats all over the world. Find out more about Ashley RideauxThe BGB Studios: https://www.bramongarciabraun.com/bgb-teachers/ashley-rideauxIG: @ashleyrideauxhttps://www.yoga-with-ashley.com/blank-mpvle Ellie Clark is an Atlanta-based actress and teaching artist. Her most recent credits include The Wonder Yearson ABC, First Wives Club on BET, and a recurring role on Tyler Perryâs Sistas. She has performed throughout the United States and across the pond in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her most notable credits include Antony & Cleopatra (Cleopatra), Pride & Prejudice (Elizabeth Bennet), A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella), Marie Antoinette (Marie), Dancing at Lughnasa (Agnes), and A Chorus Line (Sheila). Ellie has taught acting and physical actor training for 20+ years. She is the co-Artistic Director of Arvold Warner Studio in Atlanta, a training ground for artists pursuing film and TV. She is co-founder of Voices Amplified, an arts activism initiative that cranks up the volume on under-represented and mis-represented voices. She also acts as the Chair of Drama for the Kentucky Governorâs School for (continued)
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Every time I interview somebody in the industry, I learn something new. My conversation with Heidi Rew and Mike Stoudt was no exception. Heidi and Mike are the co-founders/co-owners of Atlanta Voiceover Studio, which they opened in 2016. Not only do they run the studio, they are themselves full-time voiceover actors, podcast hosts, and on-camera actors. They have a YouTube channel with great videos that cover many aspects of the Voiceover industry and they also have an online training program at Provoiceovertraining.com. During our conversation we talked about several things, from home studio set up to key mistakes voice actors make. What I loved most was their passion and enthusiasm for the industry and their craft. Heidi thinks, âthe cool thing about VO is that all voices are needed.â But quickly adds, âit isnât just about the voice.â Mike wants actors to know, âItâs a process, youâre going to fail and thatâs OK. Give yourself time to learn and grow.â He also says, âIf this is what you want to do, do it.â You can probably guess who voiced the NIKE ad. Heidi Rew is a voiceover talent, actress, host, co-owner of Atlanta Voiceover Studio and former radio DJ. She can be heard in commercials for various companies, including Autonation, GE, Hallmark, Jiffy Lube, Build-a-Bear, Subway, and Belk, to name a few. Mike has more than 21 years experience in broadcast radio, with the bulk of his time working in one of the nationâs top markets, Atlanta, Georgia. Heâs been a voice actor for about that long, as well. In addition to being a nationally recognized voice talent, heâs also worked as an actor since 2005. Whether itâs radio, film or TV, you might have heard or seen Mike at some point. His voiceover body of work includes promos for The Talking Dead (on-going), Warby Parker (on-going), NIKE, Sour Patch Kids, Budweiser, Monroe Shocks, and hundreds more.Learn more about their classes, the resources they offer, and to listen to their podcast go to: https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.comhttps://provoiceovertraining.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYwd8G0-JJP-wi9Sd56JWjw/abouthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atlanta-voiceover-studio/id1455893244To learn more about them: https://heidirew.comhttps://www.mikestoudt.comFollow them on IG and FB by going to: @atlantavoiceoverstudioIf you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446862949543735 and visit the group site. Follow me:IG @tarmeydanielle Twitter @TarmeyDanielle imdb.me/danielletarmey
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One of the things I love about doing this podcast is the opportunity it gives me to talk to experts in the field. This episode, again, did not disappoint. It was such a pleasure to talk to four-time Emmy nominated writer, Vera Herbert, who is best known for her work on THIS IS US. Vera had advice for both writers who want to break into the field and for actors. She said that itâs always a good idea for writers to get a chance to act, even just one line. She says it gives them an understanding of everything that the actors have to juggle while on set. Conversely, she feels it is important for actors to consider the writerâs role. She said it was important for actors to consider the whole of the script or the whole of the story. Actors need to trust that the writers know what they are doing. According to Vera, it is important to know more about everyone elseâs job. Why? Because, âit enables you to be more empathetic and more collaborativeâ and, ultimately will lead to a better project. Vera is a four-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer, most recently known for her work on THIS IS US. She won the 2017 Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Writing for Episodic Drama for her THIS IS US episode âThe Tripâ and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series for her episode âStill Hereâ in 2018. Her original screenplay DONâT MAKE ME GO was produced this summer as a feature film for Amazon directed by Hannah Marks and starring John Cho; it is currently in post-production, set to be released in 2022. She started her career as a writer on MTVâs AWKWARD. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and lives in Burbank with her husband. If you would like to learn more about Verahttps://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3418687?s=60bee507-cf25-3a5d-7e1e-08bbc25827be&site_preference=normalIf you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/and visit the group site. Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle and on Twitter @TarmeyDanielleimdb.me/danielletarmey
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To say that Erica Arvold is passionate about what she does is an understatement. Most actors know her as a casting director but, as she likes to point out, she is so much more than that. She is a producer, a director, and a committed educator. But one of the things that I most appreciate about Erica is how she loves learning about other people. If youâve auditioned for Erica you know that during Covid she started the 30 second stories where actors got to share 30 seconds about themselves that was not related to acting. And at the end of our conversation, she asked me a question. That has never happened. Now you wonât hear that part as I edited it out because the podcast is not about me. What it did show is that, for Erica, it is as much about the other person as it is about herself. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Erica Arvold as much as I did. Erica Arvold, owner and CEO of Arvold, has spent 30 years as a casting director, educator, speaker, producer, writer, director and an advocate for screen artists. Erica has contributed to, participated in, or helmed the making of over 140 films, 85 television shows, and countless multimedia & commercial projects. Casting credits include The Black Phone, Red Notice, Dopesick, Swagger, The Good Lord Bird, House of Cards, Charm City Kings, Harriet, and Lincoln. Erica directed the short films Thursday and Here Today, for which she won âBest First Time Directorâ at Indie Short Fest Los Angeles. She has served as a producer on projects including Coming Through the Rye, Elemental, House Hunting, Josephine, Texas Rein, Time Machine Guitar, and Wish You Well. She has been nominated for CSAâs Artios Award five times, inducted into First Lady of Virginiaâs Opportunity Hall of Fame for contributing to the economic growth in the state. In 2010, Erica founded Arvold.Education to cultivate artistic growth in actors and filmmakers, which quickly expanded into offering classes for all humans. Her collaboration with master teacher/actor/director Richard Warner is now Arvold Warner Studio, and focuses on actor & multi-hyphenate screen artist training. Ericaâs career is so full and extensive that you can learn more at her website https://www.arvold.com/casting/ On IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0038145/on IG: https://www.instagram.com/arvoldofficialon Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvoldofficial If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/and visit the group site. Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle and on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
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I was so excited to have the opportunity to talk to Risa Bramon Garcia, co-founder and master teacher of The BGB Studio in LA. I wanted to know why it was so important to her to empower the actors in her studio and around the world. "There is a big difference between the actor who takes ownership of their talent and the actor who does not," she says. Risa goes on to explain that when actors do the work for its own sake, then they feel like they belong.
We also talked about the importance for actors to write and the need for more varied stories to be told.
Risa's passion for all that she does in the industry was clear throughout. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Risa as much as I did.
In addition to being co-founder and master teacher at The BGB Studio, Risa has worked consistently as a director, producer, casting director, and writer. She's had the great fortune to have collaborated with some of the most talented, passionate, and groundbreaking artists in the world both in theatre and film/TV.
Risa's passion for teaching and coaching has lead to her collaboration with Steve Braun in The BGB Studio, a creative space and community they created as an artistic home for actors, writers, directors, filmmakers, and casting directors. Here she gets to do it all!
You can read more about Risa and The BGB Studio on their website: https://bramongarciabraun.com
You can listen to their podcast which is full of great information for actors: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-acting-podcast/id1203009952
5 Self-Care Practices: https://5-self-care-practices.bramongarciabraun.com
Meditation bundle: https://bramongarciabraun.com/train-online/3-in-1-challenge-bundle/
Follow Risa on IG @risabg
Follow The BGB Studio on IG @bgbstudio
On Twitter @BGBStudio
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to the FB group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/446862949543735
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle
on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle -
Not letting the script push you around is something that Burgess Jenkins says in class a lot. But, as actors, we are also told to honor the writing. So, what exactly does Burgess mean? Do we not stick to the writing and the stage directions? For him it’s more about opening up the possibilities that are inherently in the script.
He says, too often, beginners typically box themselves in with one single idea based on what the script says. That will make it difficult for actors to be more fluid or flexible and they won’t be able to internalize notes given by casting directors or directors. We have to remember that If it says, “he/she slaps the table in anger”, each of us displays our anger differently.
Burgess says the writer is simply trying to convey the emotions of the scene to the reader. You have to bring your version of what the writer is saying. For him it goes back to the difference between executing ideas and “finding the greatness in the work that is underneath.”
So do you want to be like everyone else, slapping the table? Or do you want to be the actor that has internalized the emotional context of the scene and taken ownership? Hopefully this episode will guide you towards being an original.
Burgess has been in a myriad of projects ranging from arthouse independents to blockbuster films. He is best known for his role as Ray Budds, in Remember the Titans, opposite Denzel Washington. He was Hilary Swank’s husband in The Reaping and most recently worked with Shirley McClean and Mira Sorvino. He’s had several recurring roles on such shows as the Young and the Restless, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill.
When he is not acting, he is an instructor at the Actors Group studio in Winston-Salem, which is a training ground for film and television actors.
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site.
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle
on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
Find out more about Actors Group: https://www.actorsgroup.net/
Find out more about Burgess Jenkins: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420792/ -
When I asked the founders of the Atlanta Actors Collective what they hoped the future of their organization would be, Kevon Pryce didnât hesitate, âI want to take over the world. I want us to be THE Actors Collective.â It is clear throughout our conversation that it isnât for any kind of self-aggrandizement purposes that he says this. He, along with Sarah Toran and Rashal James, started the AAC to create a community for actors and creatives based in the Atlanta market. Their goal was, and still is, to strengthen the sense of community and to provide the resources and help that they didnât have when they moved to Atlanta. It is clear when talking to these young people, they believe that in helping each other we all succeed. As they say, âThereâs power in collaboration. Thereâs power in community.â Sarah Toran is a model, actor and voiceover artist from Chicago, IL; where she trained at Second City. She moved to Atlanta to continue to pursue her acting career in a warmer climate. She has met so many other talented creatives in the tv & film industry through classes, intensives, workshops, events and of course on-set. She has been in numerous short films and television shows and is excited about the new projects she is working on. Kevon Pryce is a writer and filmmaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. He writes film news, short stories, poems, and screenplays. His films have screened at festivals across the southeast such as Atlanta Film Festival, Rome International Film Festival, and Sidewalk Film Festival. Rashal James is a trained Actor/Voice Actor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally starting out in the music industry as a rapper he then decided to pursue a career in film. He trained with a few instructors and soon found like-minded individuals who shared his enthusiasm for acting and helping other actors find resources to hone their skills. Catch Rashalâs work on Disney +, The CW, and Lifetime Movie Network. Together they co-founded the Atlanta Actors Collective. A group focused on building relationships between tv & film industry creatives and is an informational resource for the acting community in Atlanta. If you want to find out more about the Atlanta Actors Collective: Follow them on IG @atlantaactorscollectivehttps://www.facebook.com/atlantaactorscollectiveIf you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site. Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielleon Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
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Passionate is one of the first descriptors that comes to mind when talking about casting director, Rhavynn Drummer. She is passionate about her job and about working with actors.
Our conversation covered topics ranging from auditioning, taking risks, to advice she has for actors of color. To actors and creatives of color she says, “Don’t wait for me.”
She wants all actors to trust their gift because she relies on our artistry. She tells us, “Take risks…show me your artistry.”
Rhavynn Drummer is an award-winning producer, director, and casting director who has always had a love for actors and great performances. She began her career in casting at Tyler Perry Studios in 2007 and continues to cast all of his films, plays, and TV shows.
She has directed and produced such projects as Good Girls and Brooklyn.Blue.Sky and was recently hired as an adjunct professor in the theatre and communication studies department at Clark Atlanta University.
(bio extracted in part from her website)
You can connect with Rhayvnn on most social media platforms.
Website: rhayvnndrummer.com
IG @rhavynn
Twitter @RhavynnDrummer
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site.
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle
on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
NOTE: There were a few technical glitches in this episode that I did my best to clean up. I apologize for the small echoes heard occasionally and the clothing hitting the mic sounds. -
In this episode I talk to Burgess Jenkins about the importance of investing in the other person in your scene. Even if you have good ideas that you want to put on "display", you can never leave the other person out because that is when âthe ride begins.â Actors have to overcome the fear or anxiety of not knowing what is coming next. Burgess says that you can book and be a good actor âexecutingâ the work, but you will never be great if you donât take the other person in and react to what they are giving you. He says, âyou should not be working when the camera comes on. You should be free to experience it with the other person and go dance.âBurgess has been in a myriad of projects ranging from arthouse independents to blockbuster films. He is best known for his role as Ray Budds, in Remember the Titans, opposite Denzel Washington. He was Hilary Swankâs husband in The Reaping and most recently worked with Shirley McClean and Mira Sorvino. Heâs had several recurring roles on such shows as the Young and the Restless, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. When he is not acting, he is an instructor at the Actors Group studio in Winston-Salem, which is a training ground for film and television actors. If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site. Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle, on Twitter @TarmeyDanielleFind out more about Actors Group: https://www.actorsgroup.net/Find out more about Burgess Jenkins: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420792/ ykMu6yUD5Fk8AOH97peO
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For Burgess Jenkins, the work of an actor is mostly in the preparation. Your prep is what launches you into any scene and enables you to live the experience. He says once you’ve done the work in your preparation and created your “bridge” to the character fully, then it’s time to play.” All too often Burgess says he sees actors try to control the scene while they are in it. If you do that, then it’s impossible to be artistic and creative “in a big way” and where is the fun in that?
Burgess has been in a myriad of projects ranging from arthouse independents to blockbuster films. He is best known for his role as Ray Budds, in Remember the Titans, opposite Denzel Washington. He was Hilary Swank’s husband in The Reaping and most recently worked with Shirley McClean and Mira Sorvino. He’s had several recurring roles on such shows as the Young and the Restless, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill.
When he is not acting, he is an instructor at the Actors Group studio in Winston-Salem, which is a training ground for film and television actors.
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group site.
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle, on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
Find out more about Actors Group: https://www.actorsgroup.net/
Find out more about Burgess Jenkins: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420792/ -
In the final installment of my conversations on how people stayed creative during the time of COVID, I spoke to Dr. Joseph Mills, Charis Jeffers, and Noelle Mills-Tarmey.
Joe Mills stated creativity looks a lot like wandering, but what he’s really doing is collecting material. He says the creative person has to, “be willing to let yourself have leisure to collect the material to be able to work with it.” For him there is a distinct difference between creativity and productivity. It is important to separate the two as the pressure to be productive can stifle the creativity.
For Charis, my second guest, it was important to keep working. As she says, “I need to be in that creative space so that I don’t lose that mindset.” The many monologue challenges offered by casting directors gave her an emotional outlet. It helped that there were deadlines attached, otherwise she claims she would never have completed any of the challenges and writng opportunities that were offered.
Noelle
When Noelle responded to my question, I thought it would be interesting to get the perspective of a teenager going through this. According to her, writing letters, making lists, creating a YouTube channel were activities that helped keep her mind of the fact that she was stuck at home on her own (well, with her parents).
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group page.
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle, on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
Find out more about writer and poet Dr. Joseph Mills
https://www.josephrobertmills.com
Follow on IG @josephrmills
On FB https://www.facebook.com/joe.mills.334
Find out more about Charis:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4949626/
Follow her on IG @carrots_jeffers
Website https://www.charisjeffers.com/
Noelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHjDO_C0xIo -
These are interesting times we are living. In March all of our lives were disrupted. As states open up and the film/tv industry tries to find a new normal, I wanted to know what fellow creatives had been doing to stay creative during quarantine. In the next several episodes you will hear from actors, a school receptionist, a poet, and a teen. Each of them giving some insight into how they dealt with quarantine and the loss of their normal routines.
In today’s episode I talk to my friend and fellow actor, June Dare. She has always been involved in artistic endeavors, whether it is singing in choirs or with her sisters, acting in and co-producing theater productions, as well as appearing in several film, TV, and commercial works. With in-person events being shuttered June turned back to writing and singing with her sister in Nashville.
My second guest is actor and friend, Rodney Williams who used his downtime to study films more closely and try his own hand at writing, specifically in the thriller genre.
My last guest on this episode is a familiar one, Burgess Jenkins. Instead of imparting pearls of wisdom about the craft of acting he talks about trying his hand at a completely new creative endeavor: cutting hair.
Enjoy part II of Creativity in the time of COVID.
If you want to chat or ask questions about the episode go to FB: https://www.facebook.com/tarmeydanielle/ and visit the group page.
Follow me on IG @tarmeydanielle, on Twitter @TarmeyDanielle
Find out more about June Dare
@actorjunedare on IG
Actor June Dare on FB
IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3993982/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Find out more about Rodney Williams
@_noexcuses_begreat on IG
Rodney Williams on FB
IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10257800/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Find out more about Burgess Jenkins
@bjenkins34 on IG
IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420792/ - Show more
