Advertise on podcast: Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo

Create the character. Load it up with your soul. Leave a piece of your soul behind in that audition, and they will feel it. Most aspiring actors walk into an audition hoping they don't forget their lines and somebody likes them enough to give them a call. However, if you make the right choices, you can maximize your chances of getting the part. In today's solo episode, I share tips and advice to uncover your star power and transform your next audition into a mere formality before getting your next gig. You'll hear about the importance of creating a life for your character, think about his motives, fears, and desires, what questions you should ask yourself when preparing for the role you'll audition for, and more.  Tune in to Episode 98 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover how being truthful will help you land more roles than acting.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: Separate yourself from the rest as soon as you get the script (2:40)Asking the right questions is crucial (4:20)Make big bold choices (8:10)How creating a backstory for your character will set you apart from the rest (16:30)Be consistent. The benefits of honing your craft constantly (21:10)How to uncover your star power (24:20) Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What I love about the stories of how people become actors is that we were filling wounds, and when we get underneath, we understand there are subconscious beliefs that brought us here. Anastasia Griffith is a film and TV Actress and an Empowerment Coach for Actresses, known for starring in the award-winning dramas "Damages" and "Once Upon A Time." Despite her success in Hollywood and the UK, where she masterfully embodied all kinds of roles from CIA villains to fairy tale princesses, Anastasia considers being a single mom to her 8-year-old son her most prominent role. Her passion for psychology and interest in understanding the self-sabotage component, always present in her personal life and professional career, led her to become a coach and focus on supporting and empowering other actors to step into their power and live their greatest potential.  Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Anastasia's journey into acting, the moment she was recognized in the streets of London after her first performance that started everything, and the transformation she underwent many years after realizing she wasn't happy even though she was "living the dream."  You'll also hear about Anastasia's new facet, her work as an Empowerment Coach, how she sees acting, and what makes people become actors. Additionally, Anastasia shares practical tips to overcome pre-audition anxiety, her thoughts on the power of visualization, and more. Tune in to Episode 97 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover how accepting you as the co-author of your story can help you take your power back. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Anastasia discovered she wanted to be an actress (2:40)Most actors are seeking to fill a wound (7:10)Anastasia talks about the retreat that changed her perception of the world (15:40)How to use your body to connect with your subconscious mind (22:00)Owning who you really are is the cherry on top (33:00)What resources can actors rely on to deal with pre-audition anxiety (43:00)Anastasia talks about the best way to deal with self-sabotage (52:10) Connect with Anastasia: WebsiteInstagramIMDb Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They're not really accidents at all. It's not some lightning strike of good fortune that's bashing you in the head; it's a result of your being on a journey. John Frank Levey didn't know it, but his life was about to radically change the afternoon his mother took him to the theatre. He was a confused 12-year-old boy, unsure of his role in his family, school, and friendships, and emotionally unstable as he helplessly saw his parents' marriage falling apart. When the curtains opened, and the lights hit the stage, he knew he wanted to be part of the storytelling art. Fast forward many years, John became a four-time Emmy Award-winning casting director; he worked in iconic TV shows like China Beach, ER, The West Wing, and Shameless. He is also a five-time winner of the Casting Society of America's Artios Award, the recipient of its prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award, and recently published his debut book, "Right for the Role." Throughout our conversation, John gifted us a casting director's perspective on live auditions, self-tapes, and demo reels, and he also shared his thoughts on the pros and cons of technology for auditions and how self-tapes transformed the casting process. John also talked about his journey in the industry and how learning the language of actors, directors, and playwrights helped him hone his craft as a casting director.  Additionally, you'll hear how he handled the process of writing a book, the importance of headshots, what every actor should bring into an audition, the things that turn him off as a casting director, and much more. Tune in to Episode 96 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover what happens on the other side of an audition. In This Episode, You Will Learn: It's not just dreaming about it; you must put the work in (2:20)How John figured he wanted to be a casting director (10:10)Don't bring your needs into an audition (22:20)People have fun playing the darkest roles (27:00)How self-tapes transformed the audition process (32:10)Let your performance surprise you (42:00)How important is a good headshot? (49:20) Connect with John: WebsiteInstagramIMDbGet John's book, Right for the Role Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I don't teach acting; I don't want to see anybody act. I want to see you be real. The camera is a lie detector, but it's also a truth detector.  In today's episode, the last one before the end-of-the-year break, I take a moment to look back at the fantastic things we've accomplished with this pod, thank every one of you, the audience, for supporting and sharing the show, and review some of the most valuable tips we've learned from the almost a hundred interviews with the talented actors, acting students, producers, writers, and directors that visited us.  Today's show is also a reminder that accomplishing whatever you dream to achieve depends solely on you, on writing down your goals and going after them with a vengeance; stop wasting time strolling anywhere on social media and working on your instrument every single day. Tune in to Episode 95 of Hollywood Dream Maker, take some time to set your goals, believe in them, see them become true, and go after them like you mean it.  Resources Mentioned: Episode #44 - From the Manhattan Actor Studio to Landing Hollywood Roles with Robert Zoppo and Hunter Shigley In This Episode, You Will Learn: Burn the boats. Get used to rejection and never take it personally (2:50)There are plenty of FREE resources to hone your craft; use them (6:00)Why it is crucial to write down your goals (9:50)Acting requires you to give your 100% (13:00)Use the acting studio in your pocket (17:50)Safe is boring, don't be safe, be dangerous, be truthful (19:00) Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you really want something, do it, and then just keep doing it, and doing it until you get really good at it. Born in New York and raised in Chicago, David Llauger Meiselman grew up in a gypsy, artsy-fartsy environment that heavily influenced him, so after he turned 18, he went back to New York to "do theatre" out there. The Big Apple was just too much for him, so he tried LA, where he found the place to evolve his art and realized he wanted to direct, not act. His first project, a Blair Witch type of material "no one ever saw" called "LA River Stories," taught him dozens of valuable lessons, experience, and the conviction that he wouldn't stop until making it. He has produced and directed plays, poetry slams, television pilots, radio shows, documentaries, and animated series. He produced and directed "El Matadero," "1st Strike" and "Strike One" with Danny Trejo and Billy Gallo, and the TV series, "Paris Falls." His most recent work, "The Tunnel: Interview with a Moster," produced and directed by him, is a short based on his first project, "LA River Stories." David is also a founding member and present American Latino Theatre artistic director.  Throughout this episode, David shares his thoughts on the importance of resilience and tenacity to succeed in Hollywood, whether as an actor, director, or producer. You'll learn about his particular way of chasing his dreams, his passion for writing and directing horror films, and his relentless attitude of constantly honing his craft. We also talk about our experiences working with the legend Danny Trejo, what David looks for in an actor during an audition, and much more.  Tune in to Episode 94 of Hollywood Dream Maker and get David's fine advice to becoming a successful director and producer.  In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about David's upbringing and his passion for theatre (2:50)Work leads to work (11:30)David talks about the multiple advantages of the entertainment industry present (23:50)David explains what he looks for in an actor during a casting (29:40)What is the American Latino Theatre, and how David got into it (40:20) Connect with David: IMDbTwitter Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attack the roles that are easy to get, make your name, and once you've made a mark, tell your agent, Hey, give me some opportunities that I can use to stretch myself creatively. Actor and Director Maximilian Carlo Martini was born in New York. His father was a Roman sculptor and Doctor of Philosophy and Phenomenology, and his mother was a law enforcement officer in Texas. Curiously enough, Max Martini's trajectory in Hollywood was strongly influenced by both parents, his father instilling curiosity for all things creative, and his mother inspiring him for law enforcement and military roles, in which he made his name on the big screen. A few frustrating experiences as a young actor got Max coming in and out of acting, so he decided to focus on his love for fine arts and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he received his BFA in painting and sculpture. After college, although he was working on movies and TV, he wasn't emotionally invested in becoming a successful actor. With that mindset, he disdainfully attended a casting and landed his first massive role in the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, and James Wood, directed by Robert Zemeckis.  Max starred in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan," the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, David Mamet's "Red Belt," Guillermo Del Toro's "Pacific Rim," and Paul Greengrass' "Captain Phillips," and the TV series "The Purge," to name some titles of his extensive career. He is also heavily involved in charitable work benefiting veterans and works closely with Warriors Heart Addiction and PTSD Treatment Center and the Special Operations Charity Network. Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Max's upbringing and relationship with acting, which initially had several ups and downs. You'll also hear how identifying his castability catapulted Max's career and his thoughts on self-tapes, AI, and negative feedback. In addition, Max shares valuable tips on how to own a room during auditions, how he would approach the industry if he were a young actor today, and much more. Tune in to Episode 93 of Hollywood Dream Maker and get Max's precious insight on how to make your mark in Hollywood.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: About Max's first steps in acting (2:30)Don't take negative feedback personally (12:50)Know your castability. Hollywood is a business, so what are you selling? (23:10)How would Max approach the industry if he were a starting actor today (28:00)How to own a room (40:00)Max shares his thoughts on AI and the Writers Guild strike (1:00:00) Connect with Max: IMDbInstagram Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, we celebrate the life of Cedric "Beastie" Jones. Cedric was a loving father and husband, a caring son, a supportive brother, a leader in his community, a father figure to many, a friend, and a true inspiration.  He moved to L.A. to become an actor, and as he didn't know the meaning of the word "quit," he simply never stopped believing, went after his dreams with a vengeance, and eventually made it. Cedric faced homelessness shortly after arriving in L.A., yet the compassion a total stranger showed him opened his eyes to the true meaning of kindness. Alongside his partner Tommy Cassano, he founded Beastie Boxing, where he inspired and coached people to elevate their bodies and minds to a whole new level through fitness. Yet Cedric's passion for helping others took form after he founded his beloved BMoved Foundation, a true sanctuary dedicated to helping underserved kids, and through fitness and positive thinking, convincing them they can change their future, regardless of their circumstances.  Lives like Cedric's are a true testament to the strength of willpower, perseverance, kindness, and courage, and looking at those who were lucky enough to love and be around him, we can have a taste of how better the world would be if more Cedrics were around.   In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about Cedric's love for helping others (2:30)A true local hero (6:10) Resources: Remembering Cedric & Supporting the Jones Family GofundmeStrong, Gracious, and Resilient, Beastie Co-owner Cedric Jones Knows the Power of Kindness - Article published on SouthbayCedric's InstagramCedric's IMDbBeastie Boxing websiteBMoved websiteIn Loving Memory Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Find out what makes you happy and walk towards it. Then run towards it. Then chase it. Then, hold on and never let go! Then you'll be happy." Zavian Monegan grew up in South Central LA, where gang violence, prostitution, and drug abuse were just an unavoidable part of the landscape. Although a quiet, timid part of himself wholeheartedly knew that life was more than being hood rich or having hood fame, the environment he grew up in absorbed him for decades. After suffering multiple losses and facing the fact that street life never ends well, Zavian decided to bet on himself, chase his dreams, and become a positive influence in his community: a positive role model for kids to look up to. A phone rang at a certain Actor Studio in Manhattan, and a new chapter in Zavian's life started.   In this episode, the talented actor, writer, producer, and Manhattan Actor Studio student Zavian Monegan joins us to share his extraordinary story. You'll hear about Zavian's tough upbringing, the moment he decided to get out of the streets and figure out the things that bring joy, and how acting and writing helped him find a positive sense of self. You'll also hear about the tragedies that hit Zavian's life, his gratitude for his loved ones, who helped him keep pushing, his massive progress since he joined Billy's studio, the importance of finding purpose, and more.  Tune in to Episode 91 of Hollywood Dream Maker, get inspired by Zavian's extraordinary story, and find a new excuse to go after your dreams with a vengeance.  In This Episode, You Will Learn: About Zavian's upbringing (1:30)Don't be afraid of sharing your talents (6:00)Things in life don't happen to you; they happen for you (13:10)You can always put yourself in a better zone (21:50)Know your why (28:20) Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Keywords: Find Out What Makes You Happy - Life Happens For You - Go After Your Dreams With A Vengeance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Voiceover used to be such a niche profession. Now, because of technology, it's very inexpensive, and anybody can go out and make a demo. Still, in my opinion, cream rises to the top." Alyson Steel is a professional Voiceover Actor known for her extraordinary vocal range. She graduated from the HS of Performing Arts in NYC, received her BA from Queens College while doing recurring work on the soap opera "Another World" and on-camera commercials, and earned an MFA in Dramaturgy from SUNY Stony Brook. Alyson worked on hundreds of TV and radio commercial campaigns for Volvo, Walmart, Pandora, and Spotify, and her voice can be heard on promos for E, FOX, ABC, Hallmark Channel, ID Discovery Network, and more.  In this episode, Alyson shares her experiences as a voiceover artist and actor, talks about her passion for mentoring and coaching future voiceover actors, and describes her relationship with on-camera work. We delve into the specificities of VO work, the equipment needed, the time it takes to start making money, and how students can discover their range and castability. Alyson also shares her thoughts on how AI affects the industry, the union vs. non-union discussion, what it takes to become a VO actor, and more. Tune in to Episode 90 of Hollywood Dream Maker and learn everything you need to know to become a voiceover actor. In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about Alyson's background and her decision to become a voiceover actor (1:30)How can voiceover actors discover and work on their range (9:00)Alyson shares tips and advice for aspiring voiceover actors (16:10)The use of AI for voiceover gigs (21:20)Alyson shares some scary and fun experiences as a VO actor (24:10) Resources: Voice Actor WebsitesEdge StudioiSpot Connect with Alyson: WebsiteInstagramFacebook Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you want to become an actor and have no idea where to start?  Today's episode is a step-by-step guide to getting into the film industry. If you dream of being part of massive Hollywood productions or sharing the set with your favorite actors, this guide is all you need to get yourself in the game. When I got to Hollywood with $200 bucks in my pocket and a one-way ticket in the 80s, creating footage with a cellphone or finding agents online wasn't possible. It took more work for unknown actors to get in front of casting directors. In the digital era, that changed; everyone walks around with a movie studio in their back pocket. Still, one thing hasn't changed: if you want to become an actor, you must be relentless, accumulate as many nos as you can, and take massive action.    Tune in to Episode 89 of Hollywood Dream Maker, follow this guide, and make your dream a reality. See you in Hollywood! In This Episode, You Will Learn:  Know yourself; know your castability. You're selling a product (1:50)Demo reels vs. Self-tapes. What has changed and how to use it to your advantage (6:10)How to create a piece of footage that showcases your castability (8:20)Make sure your skills and what makes you unique stand out (10:30)"Meet" Bill Brook and how he helped Billy make it to Hollywood (15:10)Why you should be creating your own projects (18:20) Resources: Episode 5 - How to Prepare for the AuditionEpisode 50 - The Art of Self Tapes Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More effort doesn't necessarily mean better. There's always a smarter way to work in the arts.  Patrick Muldoon grew up in San Pedro, 20 miles south of Hollywood. His father was a lawyer who dreamed of starting the Muldoon & Muldoon Law Firm, but after his first acting class, Patrick knew he would never be a lawyer; he wanted to be an actor. Patrick landed huge parts early in his career; he started in "Days of Our Lives" and "Melrose Place," and he famously got his brains sucked in the cult classic "Starship Troopers." He starred in over 50 productions for film and television, and in 2008, Patrick took his first steps as an Executive Producer. As a producer, he was involved in multiple projects for megastars like Gerrard Butler, Salma Hayek, Martin Sheen, Mena Suvari, and Jeniffer Garner. More recently, Patrick produced and starred in "The Comeback Trail" alongside Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, Morgan Freeman, Zack Braff, and Eddie Griffin. In this episode, Patrick talks about the moment he realized he wanted to be an actor, his first acting job, and how he dealt with the fame that came early in his career. He also shares his approach to acting, how he gets ready before a scene or an audition, and how he dealt with rejection throughout his career.  We also talk about fear and how actors can use it as fuel for performing better, Patrick's transition to the production side of Hollywood, what it takes to become a producer in the filming industry, and much more.  Tune in to Episode 88 of Hollywood Dream Maker to hear Patrick's views on the difference between being hardworking and doing things the hard way.  In This Episode, You Will Hear:  About how Patrick discovered he wanted to be an actor (2:40)Patrick talks about his first acting job (9:10)How to deal with rejection in Hollywood (18:00)There's no finish line in acting (24:10)Patrick talks about how he handled fame early in his career (27:20)If you don't fear before acting, you are in trouble (33:00)Patrick and his transition to production (44:00)Patrick's advice to his younger self (54:10) Connect with Patrick: IMDbInstagram Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the writers and actors strike in Hollywood continues and there is "no end in sight," this hiatus in the industry doesn't mean you should transform into a couch potato and wait for the phone to ring.   In today's episode, I share tips and advice on transforming this "break" into preparation for your next audition, role, or script. You'll hear how visualizing served me throughout my life, the magic I saw commitment and perseverance made in the lives of actors like Robert Downey Jr, Johnny Deep, and Ray Liotta, and much more.  In This Episode, You Will Learn: What is the Screen Actors Guild protecting actors from (1:20)Visualize to achieve your dreams (4:20)Why you should always bet in the long haul (5:40)Flip that phone around and start filming yourself (8:50) Let's Connect:  Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.