Advice

Let's face it. As actors we all want the same thing - to work! We want the chance to joyously share our talents and we dream of being able to make huge artistic contributions in film, TV and theatre. But how many actors set specific goals? Do you know exactly WHO YOU ARE as an actor and what specific movies or TV shows you are right for...and why? If not, you're not alone. I've done guest stars with faces you'd recognize. I'm always amazed that when I speak with these other actors on set...

Stage 32 member, Forris Day Jr. asked me to be a guest on his terrific podcast, Scared Straight Reviews. We discussed the origins and future of Stage 32, recent success stories, and how members of the community can get the most out of the site. My thanks to Forris for the opportunity... I enjoyed every minute. Here's a link to the streaming audio: http://chirb.it/255t6E Also, it came to our attention that my HeadshotCafé interview with Ajay from Argentum Photo Labs had been knocked o...

Training?! Isn’t There An App For That? I went to a film premiere recently and a very young, very handsome guy asked if I was an actress. I said, "Yes". He said, "Great! Can I sit next to you?" In the next few minutes, this total stranger gave me a brief but detailed spin of his life: yes, he was an actor, but unemployed. He'd had a series, but it was cancelled. Now, his manager wouldn't return his calls, and his auditions recently had been awful and unnerving. I casually suggested that he m...

One of the most frequent comments I get is, "Acting? Oh my God, I could never do that. All that rejection! The daily dust-off from pounding pavement is discouraging and I can only pass on the things I eventually learned to survive it myself. One of the secrets to tenacity is reverse psychology - I choose to look pragmatically at all facets of the cycle as opportunities. These things keep me grounded: "ENERGY BREEDS ENERGY" Energy breeds energy, it's a law of physics. The business side of...

One of the amazing things about Stage 32 is that, with so many creative people in one place, you're very likely to interact with potential collaborators and partners. But will these interactions develop into valuable, long-term relationships? A lot depends on how professionally you pitch your ideas. The first time I stepped on a movie set, it was as an unpaid intern on the movie Titanic. I was a senior in college and though connections at Carnegie Mellon, I had arranged for an internship...

NYC is where theatre lives and breathes; where most actors go when they want to, first and foremost, pursue the theatre. Although auditions have unfortunately dwindled due to the economic climate, this is still where most theatres across the country come to hire professional actors. There is a mecca of opportunity for the theatre performer with auditions for cabarets, revues, national tours and, of course, Broadway. But there are also thousands of theatre actors, all at the top of their game, co...

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ajay Jhaveri, founder of Headshot Café, for a wide ranging interview regarding Stage 32's origins, what the site has to offer creatives from around the world, and the present and future plans for the community. Before we get to the video, my thanks to the multi-talented actor, writer, producer, Christian Meoli, for his comprehensive coverage of Stage 32 - and yours truly - for Yahoo Entertainment and Yahoo Tech. You can read Christian's article...

Some weekend reading. Our CEO, Richard Botto, was recently interviewed by Stage 32 member Melissa Smith. RB touches on a number of subjects, from the history and future of 32 to why filmmakers and producers need to hone their marketing skills if they want to find success. Check out the interview here: Stage 32: The Inspired and Inspiring Enjoy and have a terrific weekend. - The Stage 32 Staff

Emily Shaules: Congratulations on a wonderful career and thank you so much for answering our questions. What is the one piece of advice you would give yourself if you could go back to the beginning of your career? TS: I guess at the outset I mistook the lock for the key; mistaking fame for craft. Having said that, when I began meeting masters of the art like Ustinov, Wyler, and Fellini I realized the real nature of the jewel. Unsatisfied with red glass, I focused on the star ruby. Valeri...

Guy Goldstein: Hello Mr. Stamp, What an honor to have an actor of your caliber here. Thank you so much. I would like to ask you about the importance of read-through rehearsals. I know every actor has to practice lines, etc., but how much of that is actual out loud practice, and is it better to read-through a script with other actors who are reading the other parts? How much time should actors devote to this? I'm looking forward to reading your book. TS: The learning of lines is something not...