Nicole Dambro is a native Floridian, born and raised with a beach no more than 15 minutes away. Always a huge fan of the performing arts, she was heavily into theater, dance, and art in high school. After receiving a full academic scholarship to the University of Florida, Nicole studied Advertising and Management while pursuing her dance studies on the side. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science degree. Immediately upon graduating, Nicole relocated to Miami to audition for the NBA’s Miami HEAT Dancers.

During her 2 seasons as a member of the Miami HEAT Dancers, Nicole danced for the NBA Finals, represented the NBA in Thailand as a HEAT ambassador, and was awarded “Rookie of the Year” during her first season. She also was also dancing in her second season when the HEAT won the 2012 NBA Championship.

In addition to being a member of the Miami HEAT Dancers, Nicole was also a fitness model and dancer for live and television performances with artists such as Pitbull, J.Lo, Chino y Nacho, Ivy Queen, and other well-known Latin artists.

After leaving the Miami HEAT Dancers, Nicole decided to move to Los Angeles to focus on building her acting career. In her short time in LA, she has already booked lead in over 8 independent films and has appeared in over 14 projects.

Currently Nicole is the lead in an online show called “CON” for 2 seasons. The first season is being nominated for an Emmy Award in for best College Television series. She’s recently finished shooting a horror film called PITCHFORK which was directed by Glenn Douglas Packard.

When she’s not in front of the camera she’s in the studio perfecting her craft. She currently studies with CM Acting Studio, where she writes original material and studies audition technique and improv. She also dabbles in the occasional stand-up comedy.

Nicole enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, staying fit, going to the beach, Gator Football, Heat Basketball, art art ART!, movies, witty banter and all different kinds of music. She also donates to breast cancer research and cystic fibrosis research, two causes that are very close to her heart.

Connect with Nicole on social media:

FACEBOOK: Nicole Dambro

TWITTER: @thenikkidee

INSTAGRAM: @thenikkidee

REPRESENTATION: The Brogan Agency

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While having the talent and ambition to succeed in the acting industry is very important, it means nothing if you can’t land roles that you audition for. Casting directors play a very vital role in moving an actor’s career forward; <!–more—> they are responsible for selecting the suitable characters for any project be it TV, movies, theatre, music video and many more. Wow them at an audition and you start to get more call-backs, and land your favorite roles. Therefore, to stand out of the crowd and make a good first impression, here are 5 ways to make a CASTING DIRECTORS HAPPY from MRP.

1. Your audition begins as soon as you walk into the room. Dress your best and enter the room with confidence.
2. Leave all personal baggage at the door. This is work and you need to be focused solely on being professional.
3. Show the directors that you really want the part. Carry out all research and find out any pertinent information about the story, the characters and anything else you can think of.
4. You are there to show your talent and should be prepared with the brief you received. However, be open to receiving directions from the casting crew and follow them gracefully.
5. Don’t apologize. If you stumble or make a mistake, maintain your poise. Do not blame anyone or anything and keep going.

In conclusion, if you can you are confident, professional, well prepared and ready to follow direction, you are well on your way to standing out and getting noticed during casting calls and upping your chances of getting that favorite phone call, “You booked it!”

Oh and remember to say thank you to the casting director(s) at the end of the audition.

Be sure to sign up now for our new promotion. SPRING SOCAL!!! Share one of our post or repost on Instagram and get $50 off and a free retouch on your headshot.

The post 5 ways to make CASTING DIRECTORS HAPPY appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tahnee Harrison began dancing, singing and playing the piano at the tender age of 5. By 15 years old, she was well on the way to stardom and was crowned Miss Nevada Teen USA in 2001. She went on to graduate from the Johns Hopkins University with a major in English and a Minor in Voice at the Peabody Conservatory.

She was accepted to study Medicine at the University Of Nevada School Of Medicine but was drawn back to her first love, acting. She left after one semester to pursue her dreams. She moved to Los Angeles to jumpstart her acting career and has since appeared in several commercials and short films. She is known for roles in The Born Assassin (2014), Gun Fu (2014) and Answer That (2015). She has also trained in multiple acting studios.

The post MRP SPOTLIGHT: TAHNEE HARRISON appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Company

Bill Goldberg, casting dir.

Description

Seeking a stunning and sexy spokes model to represent a chic social network internet site (i.e. Playboy Playmate, Ex- Penthouse Pet, or featured model).

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

Works June 1-Dec. 1, 2016 in L.A.

Compensation

Pays: $2000/mo., plus bonuses.

APPLY HERE

The post CASTING CALL: GORGEOUS FEMALE MODEL appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

It’s your first day on the show’s set and your heart is pounding with anxiety and excitement.  The good news is that’s completely normal.  The daunting news is that your work has just begun and your job is to impress and have a good impression on everyone you meet.

Here at MRP we are committed to helping you thrive in the industry so we have interviewed and polled experts to find out the 3 most common mistakes on set and how to avoid them.

1. Stage Fright

The first time you take the stage can be terrifying. You have probably rehearsed so far alone or with friends/family as an audience. Here you are faced with strangers expecting you to do something. Anything! This can easily make a beginning actor, and sometimes even the more seasoned ones freeze.

Solution

Stage fright gets easier the more you get in front of an audience. Start performing in front of small groups to build your confidence. However, sometimes it doesn’t always go away. You may need to learn some calming techniques such as breathing exercises. It could also be a case of feeling not adequate enough, but remember you got the part and that means the casting director saw potential in you at the audition! So leave those fears behind and once you get into the groove of things, you will wonder why you were ever afraid in the first place.

2. Breaking character

This art requires a lot of concentration and sometimes you may lose focus and stumble on your line, lose your place and cause an awkward silence. More experienced actors know they have to get back on track asap and gracefully, while a beginner will probably break out of character to apologize *cringe*.

Solution

Practice practice practice. In different settings, different situations that might throw you out of line. Practice till you hone that focus. And if you do end up losing your line, develop a technique to get back on it without breaking character. An audience would never know you made a mistake unless you break character or apologize. Also do not cause the yawning awkward silence, no one will solve your problem, you have to take charge and get back in line.

3. Making Excuses

This is similar to the tip above but also a general life lesson. You are on set, everyone is stressed out, on a tight schedule and want things to be perfect. However, everybody is prone to making mistakes. It is how you deal with it that sets you apart and shows your professionalism. Mistakes rarely become compounded unless you make it worse by trying to give a million excuses. This is a huge no-no on set.

Solution

You are a professional actor and professional behaviour is expected from you. When you make a mistake, take responsibility for it, don’t come up with excuses or blame someone else for it. You will only make matters worse and probably lose the respect and trust of those around you.

These tips are useful for both your professional and personal life. Being on a film set can be stressful, with emotions flying and everyone working really hard and fast to achieve one goal. You can quickly get overwhelmed or carried away. But if you do your homework beforehand and follow our tips at MRP,  you will be able to build and navigate your successful acting career.

The post 3 MISTAKES TO AVOID ON SET appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Our spotlight of the week combines both beauty and brains in a gorgeous package. Discovered at the age of 15, Amy has gone on to conquer the showbiz industry with several beauty pageant titles under her belt.

Born in Bristol, England, she started her modelling career in 2001 after being scouted by Kate Marshall of Room 3 Agency on a normal shopping trip with her sister. By 17 years old, Amy won Miss Bristol, continued on to bag the Miss Bath title in 2011 and Miss London in 2012. She placed top 5 in the Miss England pageant.

Amy has also appeared on major catwalks all over the world for brands such as Guess and has been the face of Sure and Slendertone. In 2013, Amy was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe 2013 contest in Russia. She finished in the top 10, becoming the first UK contestant in 30 years to achieve this feat.

Alongside her modelling achievements, Amy also has a very successful TV career. She began covering events for Fashion TV as a teenager and is well known for competing in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! She made 5^th place and became a household name across Britain.

Her stunning bombshell looks comes complete with a soft heart. Amy was an ambassador for St Christopher’s School on the Downs where her autistic brother, Ross, attended. She ran the London Marathon in 2014 to raise money for charity. In 2016, she hosted an Oscars viewing party for the Children Uniting Nations charity.

Amy has recently relocated to LA and when asked in a recent interview about her future plans, she remarked,

“We can’t control the future. I think you have to let go of plans if you want to live the life that’s waiting for you.”

The post MRP SPOTLIGHT: AMY WILLERTON appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

No successful acting career was built in a day.  It’s a game of perseverance and learning to keep your head up high despite continual rejection.

The top actors of today will tell you they all faced and still face rejection.  So when inspiration fails, when you are tempted to give up, remember even your favorite actors went through this process.  In fact, almost all of the actors that we researched attributed a great deal of their success to how they learned to deal with rejection.

Check out our top 10 inspirational quotes from our favorite actors about dealing with rejection to keep you motivated for your next big role.

As an actor, you need to be able to deal with disappointments and rejection. Think of rejection as speed bumps on the road to success.  We hope we have been able to encourage you to keep going. So you didn’t get the part today? Be excited because you have more auditions to look forward to tomorrow and a chance to hone your skills and be ready to land that breakout role!!

The post 10 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES TO HELP ACTORS DEAL WITH REJECTION appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Chae is an actor, producer, model and comedian based in Los Angeles, California. He is well known for roles in The Unexpected Thought (2014), Dakota Falling (2015) and Emerson Falls (2016).

He went on to attend York Preparatory School in NYC,where he received the Drama Award and then went on to receiving a scholarship to study at the Whittier College in Los Angeles. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Whittier College under his belt, he has an exceptional foundation in Business and Art.

Chae is an accomplished method actor focused on lead roles in feature films and TV. He maintains a top-notch level of fitness and possesses extraordinary discipline that allows him to modify his physique to fit into any role.

He is currently producing Iron Sights, an independent short film, as well as filming Season 2 of the Emmy Award-Winning webseries CON.

The post MRP SPOTLIGHT: CHAE TALLEY appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Company

white clothing, white kyle, FASHION SHOOT

Production Description

Models are needed for a magazine paid shoot, this shoot is for you to display the latest fashion in vogue, your pictures will be used on the back cover of the magazine, main page of the magazine, online and billboard, dancers, singers, actors and actresses can also apply for this shoot, it will help to increase your portfolio and also show you to the word, interested persons should send message to gig.cameronramsey001-at-outlook-dot-come for more details…

Roles

Fashion shoot (Lead) Males & Females, 18+
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Required Media: Headshot/Photo

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

No rehearsal is required, the shoot will be in May

Compensation & Union Contract Details

Key Details

Seeking talent:

Nationwide/Worldwide

The post CASTING CALL: MALE & FEMALE MODELS WANTED appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Company

International Beauty Movement
International Beauty Movement, Casting Director

Production Description

Girl 9 Bikini Magazine Model Casting Calls 2016 is now holding its official 2016 Bikini and Lingerie Calendar Model Search Worldwide.
Would you like to be a Female Lingerie Calendar Model or Bikini Model Calendar Girl Featured In the internationally known Girl 9 Bikini Magazine for Men that is read by thousands of men and women daily worldwide and has over a million readers?
Girl 9 Magazine will be selecting 12 beautiful female lingerie and bikini models
with the sexiest photo submission to feature as 2016 magazine calendar models in the Spring 2016 issue of Girl 9 Magazine.

This is the biggest fashion industry international modeling casting call of the year for beautiful aspiring bikini models and lingerie models worldwide that have a beautiful face with beautiful clear skin, and a great fit hot body that you would love to show off in an internationally known bikini magazine for men.

Girl 9 Magazine is seeking a select group of eye catching hot and beautiful lingerie and bikini models posing in their hottest lingerie and bikini wear to feature and promote worldwide in our hot and heavily anticipated 2016 Summer Calendar Girl Issue.
This is one modeling opportunity you don’t want to miss if you are serious about taking your modeling career to the next level.

Are you a beautiful aspiring bikini model, lingerie model, vixen model, artistic nude model, implied nude model, or fitness model ages 18-35 that would love the opportunity to be promoted by the International Beauty Movement as a featured Calendar Model in the internationally known Girl 9 Magazine 2016 Calendar Issue that will be published just in time for the Spring 2016?

If you are a beautiful female aspiring bikini model or lingerie model ages 18-35 that looks irresistible in a sexy bikini or sexy lingerie and you are searching for a legitimate major fashion industry modeling opportunity that will give you an excellent opportunity to build or expand your modeling career, build a reputable magazine print model portfolio, and establish a name for yourself by becoming a published print model in an international fashion and beauty magazine, then this is chance for you have been looking for to show off your beauty face and curves as a print model in a popular internationally known online bikini magazine.
Girl 9 Magazine is published by the International Beauty Movement and read by thousands of people each day, including top modeling agencies looking for new faces worldwide, TV and Movie Casting Directors, Fashion and Style Directors, entertainment insiders, and fashion event coordinators.

The time to take your modeling career
to amazing new levels starts here!

What are you waiting for?

Submit yourself today for your big shot to be featured as a calendar magazine model in the 2016 Summer issue of Girl 9 Magazine For Men.

Girl 9 Magazine is now accepting photo portfolios from Asian models, Indonesian models, Ethnic models, African models, European models, Latina models, Indian models, Polynesian models, Russian models, African American models, White models, Italian models, Bi-racial models, erotic models, exotic models, vixen models, artistic nude models, fitness models, bikini models, inked models, nude models, and beautiful females with fit sexy bodies that want to apply for this worldwide magazine print modeling opportunity of the year.
If you are a beautiful female model that’s ready to get your modeling career started or take your modeling career to the next level as a possible featured calendar print magazine model in the Spring issue of Girl 9 Magazine, then you want to respond to this casting call immediately by submitting a bio with your name, city and state, email address, phone number, your height, weight, and measurements and also submit 12-20 of your hottest recent professional high resolution full body photos in your hottest bikini or lingerie that are no older than 12 months with no photographer logos or watermarks.
Submit 12-20 recent professional hi resolution full body photos in bikini or lingerie, and a cover letter or bio with your measurements, age, email address, and phone number.

All photos submitted by lingerie and bikini models will be judged on their hair and makeup, creative sexy posing quality, and photo shoot location.

Please read model photo submission guidelines carefully below:

We do not accept photos that are older than 12 months, we do not accept less than 12 recent high resolution professional photos, we do not accept camera phone photos, we do not accept photos with more than one model in it, we do not accept photos posted on other websites, we do not accept low resolution photos, we do not accept comp cards, we do not accept photos with writing on them, logos, or photographer signatures, and we do not accept personal photos or photos that are taken in your home, we do not accept photos that are collages or have effects, or have borders added to them, so please do not submit none of the above or your photos will not be considered.

DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS CASTING CALL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
12 OR MORE RECENT PROFESSIONAL HIGH RESOLUTION FULL BODY PHOTOS WITH NO WRITING OR WATERMARKS ON THEM THAT ARE NO OLDER THAN 12 MONTHS.

International Beauty Movement Web Site:
http://internationalbeaut.wix.com/internationalbeauty

Click Link Below To Become A Member of the International Beauty Movement:

PLEASE CLICK LINKS BELOW TO VIEW OUR MAGAZINES ONLINE:
Please visit our casting call link to view all of our current casting calls for female models and stylists at: http://rippingrunways.blogspot.com/

Roles

Bikini – Lingerie Model: Female, 18-35
Submit 12 -20 recent full body high resolution professional photos of you uniquely posing in bikini swimwear or lingerie and bio with contact information including email and phone number.
Ethnicity: All Ethnicities
Required Media: Headshot/Photo, Cover Letter

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

We will be selecting the most beautiful and sexiest bikini and lingerie models worldwide from all worldwide photo portfolios submissions to feature in our Summer 2016 Issue of Girl 9 Magazine that will be published for millions of readers in August 2016.

Key Details

Seeking talent:
Nationwide/Worldwide

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The post Casting Call: Girl 9 Bikini Magazine Print Model appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Company

GXP Productions
Jonathan Buckhouse & Stacee Myers, coords.

Production Description

Casting “Lockwood,” a series in which ten high schoolers obtain knowledge about a dark secret hidden in their town, causing them to form an unlikely alliance in order to protect themselves.

Roles

Stephen Kyle (Supporting): Male, 18-25

Frankie Chandler (Lead): Male, 18-25

Robert Hines (Lead): Male, 18-26

Christian Rockwell (Lead): Male, 18-25

Aria Grady (Lead): Female, 18-25

Ian Fullerton (Supporting): Male, 18-28

Tesla Cummings (Lead): Female, 18-24

Damien (Lead): Male, 25-35

Zach (Supporting): Male, 18-26

Allan (Supporting): Male, 35-45

Malcolm McCoy (Lead): Male, 18-27

Miranda (Lead): Female, 18-25

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

Shoots end of July in L.A.
Compensation & Union Contract Details
Pay is TBD. Must be able to self-report to L.A.; travel expenses will not be provided. Producers plan to apply for a SAG-AFTRA contract/agreement.

Key Details

Seeking talent from:
Los Angeles, CA

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The post CASTING CALL: ACTORS & ACTRESSES appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Company

Phaedra Harris Extras Casting
Sheela Sharma, casting dir.

Production Description

Casting a scene at a sports bar for a “major” music-based reality show.

Roles

Attractive Bar Patrons (Background / Extra): Males & Females, 21-35

Rehearsal and Production Dates & Locations

Shoots Apr. 26, 10 a.m. in Sherman Oaks.

Compensation & Union Contract Details

No pay.

Key Details

Seeking talent from:
Los Angeles, CA

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The post CASTING CALL: MUSIC BASED REALITY SHOW appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

Starting out in Hollywood can be filled with mixed emotions, especially if you’re new to Los Angeles. You nail a few auditions but never hear back. You tell everyone you’re an actor, but your bank account says otherwise. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with one of the five fastest (and avoidable) career killers for struggling actors.

1. Losing your optimism.

The first year as an actor is always the toughest. Fresh out of college, you know the real world is going to be hard, but you never imagined it would be this hard. The truth is that the struggle won’t be much easier until you’ve landed your first great role and feel like you’ve finally done something right. You will be rejected. You will be asked to leave. You will wait for phone calls that never come. If you let this affect your outlook and become bitter, the tables will never turn. Hollywood hates negativity, and the city is overflowing with people eager to accomplish the same goals as you. Why would anyone choose to work with someone who brings everyone down when there are so many people ready for work who can remain positive? Losing hope and having a bad attitude or seeming miserable will put a thorn in your efforts to move up in this business.

2. Not looking like your headshot.

Entertainers have a creative side, and sometimes that means changing looks every couple months. We will only say this once: you are jeopardizing your career if you cannot stick to one look for a long period of time. “When the person I am meeting with doesn’t look like their pictures, a number of red flags go up that cause assumptions and put doubts in my mind about offering this person representation,” says Ashley Partington, an agent based in Los Angeles. In addition to not being taken seriously, not having updated photos also risks your agent’s reputation. Ashley admits she’s received a handful of calls from casting directors who felt disrespected and didn’t take her as seriously when a client arrived at an audition looking like a whole other person. Keep up-to-date headshots at all times; your career isn’t the only one that will benefit.

3. Trying to be James Bond when your style screams Steve Urkel.

Partington also warns against trying to be something you aren’t or not knowing your type. Until you’re famous, you have to find out the roles that already work for your presence. This can go hand-in-hand with not looking like your headshot. If you’re a technology geek using a photo that makes you look sexy or auditioning for a role that requires being sexy, you have to be sexy. If you’re a fun-loving dork like most of Zooey Deschanel’s characters, you have to audition for those roles and not try to be “the hot girl.” If you really are sexy, don’t audition for characters who are supposed to be the average nerd. “I’m in the business of getting people work, and I can’t do that if they don’t who they are and how to represent themselves when they go into an audition room,” Partington explains. “I promise you’ll book like crazy if you have a grasp on your type.”

4. Wasting time between auditions instead of staying productive.

There’s one guaranteed way to stop yourself from moving forward: do nothing. As Samuel L. Jackson says, “The actor’s job is finding work. The fringe benefit of our job is that we get to act.” Most actors use weeks without any auditions lined up to relax and take a break, but don’t be one of them! Doing nothing for a week sounds like a good time, but it’s actually good time wasted. Use this time to find a play, web series, or independent film to join. Even better, why not take an acting class to better hone your skills before your next big audition? You can even use this time to work on branding yourself. It’s your time to do what you want: continue progressing in your acting career or don’t.

5. Not caring what you post on social media.

Great headshots, a clean website, and a pristine resumé aren’t enough to make it in this industry. You need to have a golden reputation, and social media can kill it. Nothing is private any more, and someday a hardcore fan may accidentally dig up a negative post that could tarnish your positive image and branding. For that reason, you should never post negative thoughts about your coworkers. In general, posting negative statuses is frowned upon in any industry. Save the photos of you and your gang partying last weekend for Snapchat; nothing says “I have no responsibility” like a timeline filled with party photos. You should also never spoil fans about the project you’re working on or ask random internet “friends” to do you a favor. For a full list of social media don’ts, Backstage offers this list of 10 Things an Actor Should Never Do on Social Media.

With these items in mind, it’s time to do better work! For staying inspired, we suggest reading these 10 inspirational quotes from actors who know your situation. If you’re afraid that bad headshots are holding you back, you’re already in the right place! Call Michael Roud at 818-506-4700 or email info@michaelroud.com for details.

The post 5 Career Killers for Struggling Actors appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

You know Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye in Avengers, Aaron Cross in the Bourne movies, and William Brandt in recent Mission: Impossible films. The man behind these characters is an actor, house flipper, and interior designer who started from nothing and made it to the top. In a new interview with The Guardian, Renner dished on the qualities that separate him from other Hollywood stars and shared valuable lessons for fellow actors.

1. Use the stage to manage your emotions.

Renner first discovered acting while trying new methods to manage his emotions. As the oldest of five siblings, he was expected to follow in his father’s lead as man of the house, and showing signs of sadness or defeat wasn’t allowed. As we mentioned in 5 Career Killers Struggling Actors Should Avoid, negative emotions are also not appropriate on set, so this lesson applies to all actors.

“The stage was a safe place for me as a man with a lot of feelings inside which I had not exposed before… I held everything in,” Renner said. “Playing characters gave me the freedom to have all those feelings, that rage or sadness, in a safe way.”

2. If you need to complain, do it — just don’t step on anyone’s toes.

Renner admits that he was left wanting more from his character in the first Avengers movie, in which Hawkeye is brainwashed by the enemy for over an hour of the film. He eventually told writer and director Joss Whedon that he was disappointed with not having a chance to really become the character. The ability to vent your frustrations on set at the right time — when no one will be hurt by your complaints — is a valuable tool and a much better option than letting anger build up.

“It was frustrating. I don’t even know at that point how the guy walks and talks, ‘cos he got turned in this other dude. Joss was really apologetic. He had an impossible task trying to fit all those characters into one movie,” Renner said.

3. There’s no room for drama or passive aggressive behavior on a set.

When co-stars collide, the work environment can feel tense and unwelcome. The best decision is to lay everything out on the table and talk through problems until everyone reaches an understanding and can work together without emotional distractions. While this shouldn’t be any sole cast member’s responsibility, someone has to volunteer to lead the team when relationships start to interfere with good work.

“I command excellence from everybody around me. If you’re passive, nothing improves. It’s the squeaky wheel thing. If you don’t talk about something, nothing changes, nothing gets done,” he said.

4. You may be offered a role that’s a better opportunity than you’ve had before, but that doesn’t mean you should take it.

Before his success as an actor, Jeremy Renner turned down the chance to be in a 90’s boy band. He never regretted the decision and to this day won’t reveal which band the offer was for. Had he been in the band, he would’ve missed his chance to become the great example of a successful actor that he is today. The moral of the story is: if it doesn’t feel right or if it’s not what you’re interested in doing, don’t be afraid to say no.

Jeremy Renner’s attitude on set may not be right for you, but his confidence is inspiring! Are there any questions you’ve been asking yourself about your acting career so far? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to help in a future post.

The post Jeremy Renner’s Advice to Actors appeared first on Michael Roud Photography.

If you’ve attended an acting class, you already know that there are enough variations of acting techniques for every actor to have his or her own. It’s important for actors to develop a unique understanding of the craft and discover which methods work best. To start, every actor should know these six most common acting techniques from 20th century scholars and actors.

1. Stanislavski’s System

This method designed by Constantin Stanislavski between 1911 to 1916 uses emotional memory, physical actions, and self-analysis to trigger a character’s emotions on stage. Stanislavski’s work changed acting in the early 20th century and paved the way for new techniques. Lord Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud are two famous actors from the 1900’s who built their careers on the Stanislavski system. Santa Monica College has an excellent online resource to help familiarize yourself with this method.

2. The Strasburg Method

Lee Strasburg expanded on Stanislavski’s system by creating his character’s experiences in his own life. Strasburg believed that experiencing the emotions that would have to be portrayed in a character would intensify the performance and the actor’s connection to the role. Today, we call this Method acting. James Dean, Alec Baldwin, and Marilyn Monroe, among other famous stars, trained under Strasburg, and his technique is popular with Angelina Jolie, Scarlett Johansson, and others. Join the list by getting started at the website for The Lee Strasburg Theatre & Film Institute here.

3. Stella Adler’s technique

Stella Adler was an American actress in the time of Strasburg and Stanislavski’s but was uncomfortable with the intensity of their methods. “Drawing on the emotions I experienced—for example, when my mother died—to create a role is sick and schizophrenic. If that is acting, I don’t want to do it,” she once said. To improve her acting without dwelling on past experiences, Adler tweaked the two previous techniques to include a strong focus on imagination. Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Benecio Del Toro, Mark Ruffalo, and Melanie Griffith all trained under Adler. Learn how to use imagination effectively at the Stella Adler Studio Of Acting.

4. The Meisner Technique

Also a hybrid of the methods before it, the Meisner technique is one of the most talked about techniques in the industry today. Sanford “Sandy” Meisner developed the technique in the 1930’s while working with Lee Strasburg and Stella Adler. Meisner’s approach centers on truthful acting — behaving as a character the same way a real person would if the circumstances were real. This approach combines the behavioral realism of Adler’s technique with Strasburg’s psychological realism to train actors to behave as real people, not caricatures. Famous Meisner students include Robert Duvall, Grace Kelly, and Diane Keaton. Elizabeth Mestnik provides a great overview of Meisner at her website here.

5. The Chekhov Technique

Michael Chekhov was an actor and one of Stanislavski’s star pupils. Chekhov combined Stanislavski’s system with added emphasis on the actor’s physical presence and the body as an instrument. If actors could learn to develop both their emotional and physical responses, using both the brain and body to portray unique characters, they could better reach their highest potential and bring characters to life. Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, and Anthony Hopkins are students of the Chekhov technique. To better understand Chekhov’s practices, visit the Michael Chekhov Acting Studio here.

6. Practical Aesthetics

Practical Aesthetics was developed by David Mamet and William H. Macy and, unlike previous techniques, relies more on individual scenes than on developing a character long-term. To apply practical aesthetics, actors must analyze a scene in four steps to understand the scenario, each character’s intentions, and what the actor will do to make those intentions clear to viewers. This technique incorporates the teachings of Meisner and Stanislovski by teaching actors to associate scenes with real life experiences and seem more convincing. William H Macy, Felicity Huffman, Jessica Alba, and Clark Gregg studied practical aesthetics.

Ready to dive in?

Understanding each of these techniques is essential to finding the method — or combination of methods — that works best for you. Pieces of each technique that work for you may not work for others and vice versa. But be careful not to take method acting too seriously. Playing a superhero does not mean you should jump in front of a gun or attempt to swing from a web. If you do that, the world will think you’re crazy.

Take your technique training to the next level by learning from the teachers who molded the art with books from Chekhov, Stanislavski, Meisner and more. Click here for the list.

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When Netflix first launched unlimited streaming in 2008, the world was introduced to the future of television. A recent study found that most Netflix subscribers actually spend more time watching the streaming service — at least 100 minutes each day — than hanging out with friends, reading, and exercising combined. With more than 75 million dedicated subscribers, it’s no surprise that actors are eager to land a role on a Netflix original series. If you’re one of them, this list is for you.

Project Casting is a small but worthwhile resource for all actors. The website provides advice and tips from Hollywood celebs, industry news, and casting calls. Compared to similar websites, Project Casting is quick to publish information about upcoming auditions for Netflix roles. Click this link (and bookmark it for later) to see their most recent posts about Netflix.

Auditions Finder is another resource for actors who’d jump for a chance to be seen on Netflix. Though the website is not updated as often as Project Casting, Auditions Finder often reports on upcoming auditions that other websites don’t see or don’t publish. See for yourself, here.

Backstage posts casting calls, helpful resources, advice from industry leaders, and more. Unlike Project Casting and Auditions Finder, Backstage’s “Casting Calls” section lets you search auditions in your area using parameters such as age, ethnicity, and union vs. non-union roles. If you’re feeling social, use Backstage’s forums to discuss the craft with other actors.

Now that you know where to learn about upcoming auditions for Netflix shows, it’s time to get real. Just having the information doesn’t guarantee an audition. For that, you really have to join a website such as Actors Access or LA Casting, which provide hundreds of new casting calls each day with online tools to submit your profile to casting directors.

Sweeten your chances of landing a role by avoiding these five career killers for fresh talent. Good luck at auditions, and we’ll see you on Orange Is The New Black next year!

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Corey Fogelmanis, 16, is an actor, photographer, and student most recognized for his current portrayal of Farkle Minkus on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World. Corey was born and raised in California, where he entered the theatre scene at six years old.

Since beginning acting 10 years ago, Corey has performed in at least 18 live productions, including the Pasadena Playhouse’s Peter Pan & Tinkerbell: A Pirate Christmas last December. The production starred Corey Fogelmanis and Girl Meets World co-stars Sabrina Carpenter and August Maturo as the Darling siblings.

Corey’s filmed works begin with 2011’s The Maiden and the Princess, a live-action and independent short in which a fairytale princess kisses another girl and must decide whether or not feelings are inappropriate. His stage presence and acting ability shine so bright that he was picked up as a Disney Channel regular after only three guest spots on TV shows, according to IMDb.

Outside of Girl Meets World, Corey can be found hanging with family, playing with his two dogs Thunder and Sunshine, or taking photos (see on Instagram). His next role is in the upcoming R.L. Stine movie Mostly Ghostly 3: One Night in Doom House as main character Max Doyle.

Though he won’t have time to return to the stage soon, Corey says he hopes to get a big break on Broadway in the future.

“I think Pippin is such a brilliantly written show and I would love to be able to do that at some point. Jack Kelly in Newsies is another one on my list,” he told LADYGUNN. “Originating a role would be an incredible experience.”

Keep up with Corey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Interested in a personal spotlight on our website? Book with industry-trusted, Backstage.com expert Michael Roud, here!

Having a blast in the studio today with @coreyfogelmanis #headshots #mrp #actorheadshots #actorslife #girlmeetsworld /// Male grooming by Tara Daniels, @taradidmymakeup

A photo posted by Michael Roud (@michaelroud) on May 5, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

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There’s a unique excitement in playing a new character, but every role comes with a bit of research and studying. This is especially true for characters who speak differently than you. With some focus, patience, and these six quick tips, learning an accent for your character can be simple, fun, and rewarding.

1. Mimic Until It Hurts

The simplest way to develop a new accent is to mimic other people who speak in that accent. Don’t be embarrassed to even imitate people around you in public. After all, your authentic accent, the way you speak today, was picked up by mimicking the adults around you as a child. Develop your accent even faster by watching YouTube videos, shows, or news reports from the area where your desired accent originates from. Repeat every line you can. Find your inner parrot, and mimic until it hurts.

2. Ask A Friend to Read The Rainbow Passage

The Rainbow Passage is a script used to help students improve their speech, reading comprehension, and accents. Find someone who can read The Rainbow Passage for you in the accent you’d like to learn, then record them and play it back as often as possible. Of course, you’ll still want to mimic the recording, but this may be a much faster process than with a newscast. Depending on the accent, you could also search YouTube for videos of someone reading the passage.

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: The Mouth

Listening and imitating are great when you’re first beginning to learn an accent, but the trick to separating one dialect from another is often in the face. Watching the movement of a person’s lips, cheeks, teeth, tongue, and jaws is invaluable when learning an accent. Notice the pace, movement, and inflections required to nail the accent. If it helps, use a mirror to copy the speaker you’re watching.

4. Research and Use Slang Words You Aren’t Familiar With

English teachers can’t stress enough that students should look up words they aren’t familiar with. The same is important for learning an accent. If the role requires you to play a character from Ireland, for example, you should know the difference between “bollocks” and “bolloxed.” (The former refers to someone you don’t like, and the latter means someone is very wasted). Even with a well-developed accent, your hard work can be derailed if you don’t know common words to use with an accent.

5. Pay Your Way or Download Free Help

When all else fails, there are plenty of accent coaches out there waiting for a client like you! A quick Google search will return millions of results. Thanks to the 21st century, you can save some time and money by giving an app a chance, first. The Real Accent App teaches 10 accents with instructions and lessons from native speakers. The app even has quizzes to grade your understanding of the accents you study. This is just one of several apps available on Apple and Android devices.

6. Try On Your Character’s Shoes

Now that you’re on your way to learning a new accent, don’t forget your character! You are an actor, not a voice magician, and your character has to develop with the accent. Once you’re confident in your learning, start over in your character’s shoes. The learning will be much faster since you’re already in the thick of it. Consider your character’s age, sex, class, education, and any other factors that would play into the dialect your character should use.

Behind every great study session is concentration and patience, so don’t be blinkered or get brassed off. Keep these six tips handy when you’re ready to start learning, and you’ll be gobsmacked at how easily you can develop accents in the future.

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Last week, we shared the six acting techniques every actor needs to know. It’s common for actors to use these techniques to develop their own system, but some of our favorite stars say they don’t use any technique to prepare for roles. In the words of Laurence Olivier, some actors need only to “keep their eyes open and get on with it.”

Comedian and Comedy Central show-runner Amy Schumer told Backstage magazine that, even though she did attend a Meisner acting class, she doesn’t need time to learn a character before becoming one.

“The way I audition now, I just treat it like a rehearsal. I treat it like I already have the role and I’m just going to rehearsal,” Schumer said.

When asked about his chosen methods for stepping into a role, Nice Guys star Russell Crowe quipped that he’s not even sure what different techniques most actors use.

“I use the Russell Crowe method,” Crowe told a crowd at the Cannes film festival this month. “I have never been to drama school.”

“I don’t even know what the Stanislavsky method may be,” he continued, “and I don’t care to know… Seriously, it’s not that complicated. If you want to be an actor, work it out yourselves.”

Surprisingly, Susan Sarandon’s personal technique also has nothing to do with formal acting. The 69-year-old told Interview that she needs a peaceful moment to transform into a character, which she likes to call “mooding up.”

“I never really studied acting so I kind of kiddingly talk about ‘building your circle’ and ‘mooding up,’ because I really didn’t learn any technique. But sometimes when you have to go into something, unless you’re gifted and can just turn it on and off like a jukebox, you find someplace where there’s nothing going on to get yourself into whatever state your character is entering into,” Sarandon said.

Sarandon doesn’t take her work home with her. She believes that, unless you’re memorizing lines, there’s no need to focus on a character when you aren’t on set.

“I don’t think you can plan. I don’t like to plan. Very often, for me, acting is like loving; it’s using the muscle that you use in loving, in that your heart feels open. Physically, you feel open. And so therefore your job is to enter, open, and listen. And see what happens.”

Unless you’re Susan Sarandon — and the odds aren’t in your favor — you should still study these six essential techniques every actor can learn and develop from. And if for some reason  they don’t feel authentic then perhaps you should try “mooding up,” Susan Sarandon style.

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Mitch Westphal, 28, is an actor who moved to Los Angeles in 2010 from his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He starred as the male lead in 2014’s My Name Is Vivienne, winner of Best Debut Feature at Canada’s Female Film Festival.

Mitch recently wrapped up work on Writer’s Block, a horror film that is expected to hit festivals later this year, and begins work on another feature in June; details are under wraps. His most recent release, Her Ring (2015), saw Mitch in his first leading role: an illustrator tortured by hallucinations after his pregnant wife is found in a coma.

Before moving to LA, Mitch attended a small college in Illinois where he played basketball and studied marketing. About a week after his last game, he felt inspired to pursue his dreams and decided he would make it in Hollywood.

For his continuous success, Mitch thanks his family back home. “I came out here with no money and nowhere to live,” he told us after our shoot. “I knew nothing about the city or the industry. I literally had to figure everything out as I was doing it.” When he told his family that he wanted to move on such short notice, they were nothing but supportive. Even though they had never seen him act, they trusted his decision and did everything they could to make it an easy one. Four years later, Mitch invited them to a screening of My Name Is Vivienne.

“They never saw me act before,” Mitch tells us. “I thought, ‘if this sucks and I suck, this is going to go south.’ We showed the movie, and the audience clapped, they laughed, and they stood at the end. Seeing that and having my family there… That was probably the most inspiring moment of my life so far.”

My Name is Vivienne was picked up by IndieFlix, a streaming service for independent films. Watch the trailer below.

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