Bonnie J. Wallace is the author of Young Hollywood Actors and The Hollywood Parents Guide, and mother of Emmy Award winning actress Dove Cameron. In each of the 132 episodes over 6 seasons she shares an intimate conversation with a guest from the TV/film/music world. Inspiring, entertaining & educational.
Episodes
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
EP 112: Krisha Bullock, Casting Director
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Today my guest on the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Los Angeles casting director Krisha Bullock, of Bullock and Snow Casting.
Listen to the first 10 minutes here for free, or become a Friend of the Podcast for access to the full interview, as well as access to the entire collection of over 100 other inspiring and educational episodes designed to help you succeed in the entertainment industry.
It’s easy! In your browser bar, go to https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/ and for just $5 a month—about the price of latte– become a member.
Your support allows me to continue to do the work that supports you, and the dreams of your child, or even your own dreams. Thank you!
Krisha Bullock is a multi-award winning Casting Director and nominee with over 19 year of casting experience, specializing in youth programming. She has been nominated for dozens of Artios awards by the Casting Society of America, and is a several time winner of the Seymour Heller Award for Television Casting Director of the Year. She is ridiculously proud of her mentorship of thousands of hopeful young people, helping them break into the industry by navigating them toward a professional career.
Krisha is best known for casting All That, Keenan and Kel, Zoey 101, True Jackson VP, iCarly, Victorious, Sam & Cat, DeGrassi: the Next Generation, Game Shakers, and Henry Danger, among other hit shows. She is a member of the Casting Society of America.
We talk about how actors can take control of their auditions, how they can best prepare for success when production opens up again after the pandemic, and so much more. Join us!
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “The best actors act from the inside out.”
- “It is such a joy to make that phone call, and virtually make somebody’s dreams come true.”
- “Multicamera came from theater.”
- “We are looking for someone to walk in and show us how the ole should be done.”
- “I am looking for someone to come in and play the scene exactly the way they would play the scene on set.”
- “The time that you’re in the room is the time to teach us who you are, & who you’re going to be as a professional on stage.”
- “We want them to be amazing. We want them to book the role.”
- “Casting isn’t an adversary; we’re actually part of your team.”
- “I wish actors would watch their tapes back.”
- “We are ultimately hiring human beings to be on our set.”
- “We champion you. Not just for this particular role, but for every role.”
- “Parents should be like the Secret Service on set. They’re there to protect, and disappear.”
- “Acting is one of the very few things you can do from birth to death.”
Follow Krisha Bullock here:
Website: https://bullockandsnowcasting.com/
Twitter: @BullockAndSnow
Facebook: @BullockAndSnowCasting
Krisha Bullock shared a career’s worth of insight in her interview, and still we only scratched the surface of her wisdom. Imagine what you could learn in an hour of one-on-one with an acting career expert? If you could use some help getting started in an acting career, or jump-starting one that has stalled, book a consultation with me. A single session can save you months and years of frustration, time and money. I look forward to talking with you!
Wednesday May 20, 2020
EP 111: Diane Christiansen, Master Acting Teacher
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Diane Christiansen. Diane is an award-winning acting teacher, and founder of Diane Christiansen Coaching in Los Angeles, as well as the new Christiansen Acting Academy in nearby Agora Hills.
Her schools offer weekly classes to actors from age three to adult, broken down by age and focus—and including scene study, audition, technique, Improv, and character development, as well as offering commercial classes, casting director workshops, demo reels, and private coaching.
Diane Christiansen’s students over nearly 30 years teaching have included Hailee Steinfeld, Miranda May, David Henrie, Spencer Daniels, Danielle Panabaker, Jason Dolley, Amy Bruckner, and more. This is actually Diane’s second time on the podcast! She was on 3 years ago, on episode 36.
We discuss her new school, some of the latest developments in auditions, Method acting, the importance of branding and reinvention to actors, and much more.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “Branding is probably the hardest thing for an actor to do themselves.”
- “Anybody can make a self-tape look good.”
- “Reinvent, reinvent, reinvent.”
- “You’re going to find that a lot of The Method techniques cross over into all the other sensibilities taught out there, because the 5 American Masters all came from Stanislavski.”
- “The thing that I think The Method helps people learn the most about is themselves.”
- “We have a lot of Meisner with television actors, and we have a lot of Method with feature film actors.”
- “The most successful people I’ve trained are training with two or three people.”
- “When you get into the Network testing for series regulars, it gets very gritty.”
- “I think knowing what NOT to do is just as important.”
- “Start training as consistently as possible.”
- “Build a team, and find a way.”
- “Whenever you don’t feel like you’re going forward, keep training.”
- “Reinvent yourself. Rebrand yourself. Recreate what you’re doing.”
Find Diane Christiansen HERE:
Website: http://www.TheChristiansenActingAcademy.com
Instagram: @TheChristiansenActingAcademy
Twitter: @ActUpDi
Facebook: @DianeChristiansenCoaching
Master Talent Teachers online acting classes: http://www.mastertalentteachers.com/
Wednesday May 06, 2020
EP 110: Haydn Jones, Commercial Talent Agent
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Wednesday May 06, 2020
Today my guest on the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Haydn Jones. Haydn is head of the Youth Commercial Division at A3 Artists Agency, formerly known as Abrams Artists Agency.
This is the very first Commercial Agent interview on the podcast and I’m so excited to share it with you!
We discuss how actors can get started in the industry, how to get a commercial agent’s attention, why commercials can be the gateway to an acting career, how commercial casting is different than theatrical casting, what actors can do during the COVID shutdown, and much more.
Become a Friend of the Podcast and listen to the full interview, as well as get access to the entire collection of over 100 other inspiring and educational episodes designed to help you succeed in the entertainment industry.
It’s easy! In your browser bar, go to https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/
and for just $5 a month—about the price of latte-- become a member.
Your support allows me to continue to do the work that supports you, and the dreams of your child, or even your own dreams. Thank you!
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “A commercial agent is always trying to piece together someone else’s vision board.”
- “This industry grows a youth actor to be ready for many, many aspects and challenges of life.”
- “Even when you start kids really young, it’s still a great experience.”
- “Acting is behavioral training, it’s a cognitive training, it’s a self-esteem builder.”
- “A commercial audition is the biggest room of play. You get to be yourself in front of other people.”
- “Auditions are our Olympics.”
- “My age categories, and what I’m looking for, changes daily.”
- “There’s never a bad time for me to look for potential new clients. Commercials are year-round.”
- “Commercial is the stepping-stone into the Theatrical world.”
- “Be open to the commercials, because that can begin everything for an actor’s career.”
- “Being an actor is a job. It takes a certain discipline. It’s not for everyone, and that’s OK.”
On the COVID-19 shutdown:
- “Keep up with your special skills. You should still be practicing every skill in your arsenal.”
- “Staying creative is what’s important. It doesn’t have to be memorizing a Shakespearean monologue every day.”
- “If you want to write and create your own story, now is the time!”
“Show off your dance moves, recite your poems, and tell your stories.” - “Get really, really good at self-taping. If this is the new normal, then a lot of the auditions will be remote.”
Follow Haydn Jones HERE:
Instagram: @TRIFIREFLY25
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
EP 109: Harriet Greenspan, Hollywood Casting Director
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Become a member! Friends of Hometown to Hollywood get the full version of the interview, plus complete access to my archive—sign up here: https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/
(If you’re already a Friend, thanks for your support! Find the latest episode and your podcast feed here: https://hometowntohollywood.supportingcast.fm/subscription/ )
My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood Podcast is Los Angeles casting director Harriet Greenspan.
Harriet has six Artios Award nominations by the Casting Society of America, with one win for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. She is the author of the book Auditionology, and also coaches actors and teaches workshops.
Film and TV projects Harriet Greenspan has cast over her three decades-plus career include Knight Squad, Alex & Me, Pure Country, True Jackson V.P., Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Unfabulous, Scooby Doo, and Mean Girls 2. She is a member of The Casting Society of America and the National Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Harriet shares some very useful inside information on how the entire casting process works, including different things actors can do to increase their odds of callbacks and bookings.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “Each actor brings a different tone… so much of who you are is in the role you play.”
- “I think that you can’t get enough training.”
- “The biggest thing is being grounded. Being real.”
- “Take what’s on the page and make it your own. Be creative.”
- “We want to see what you can do with that material that’s different than the other 59 people who just left my office.”
- “Read the scene over and over again… each time you read it, you see something you didn’t see before.”
- “Drama is passion. Drama comes from the heart.”
- “Comedy is a rhythm.”
- “Don’t chew gum, don’t wear hats, don’t wear sunglasses, don’t use props.”
- “Send a few takes of each scene to your agent or manager, and let them choose what they like.”
- “Each project is different. Each producer is different. Each role is different. Keep going in, they want to see you because they like you.”
- “If this is what you really want, don’t stop.”
- “Make sure whatever you put on your resume is accurate.”
- “Be yourself. Don’t try to be cool, because being cool is not going to get you the job.”
Follow Harriet Greenspan here:
Website: http://www.harrietgreenspan.com
Email: harrietgreenspancasting@gmail.com
Facebook: @HarrietGreenspanCSA
Buy her book here:
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
EP 108: Diane Burroughs, TV Writer, Showrunner
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
Wednesday Apr 01, 2020
My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is producer, writer, and show runner Diane Burroughs. Diane is best known for This is What Democracy Looks Like, Still Standing, Rita Rocks, Yes Dear, and The Drew Carey Show.
Diane shares her years of experience generously and speaks very directly about how actors both fail and succeed in this industry, including sharing audition advice, advice for parents of actors, thoughts for writers, and general excellent insight for anyone who wants to work in entertainment.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “I do think it’s important to have your own website, and have a social presence.”
- “Don’t come in and say, ‘Hey, I’ve never seen this show. Can you tell me something about it?’”
- “Why would you tell me, ‘I don’t watch sitcoms’ when you’re auditioning for a sitcom?”
- “Multicamera sitcom acting is way different than single-camera, or feature film, or even being on a stage.”
- “Remember what you did in the audition when you go to the table read.”
- “Typecasting is not a bad thing. Typecasting will get you work.”
- “Just because you don’t get cast doesn’t mean I’ve completely put you out of my mind.”
- “I got into this business because I wanted to make America laugh.”
- “If you want to be a screenwriter, read screenplays.”
- “Don’t be so hard on yourself. The business is hard enough. We need to build ourselves up.”
- “You are enough. Bring YOU into the audition, and you will get cast.”
Contact Diane for pitching and script support here:
pitchtome.diane@gmail.com
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
EP 107: Lisa London, Casting Director
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
Wednesday Mar 18, 2020
My guest on this podcast episode is Los Angeles film and TV casting director Lisa London.
Lisa has won an Artios Award from the Casting Society of America for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. She is the author of the book From Start to Stardom: The Casting Director’s Guide for Aspiring Actors.
Some of the many Film and TV projects Lisa London has cast over her 25-plus year career, alongside her casting partner Catherine Stroud, include Hannah Montana, Grandma’s Boy, The House Bunny, Suite Life of Zak and Cody, Sandy Wexler, The Poison Rose, Freaks, and upcoming films to be released in 2020, Switched, Eat Wheaties, and Through The Glass Darkly. She is a member of The Casting Society of America.
Lisa shares advice for actors on auditions, how to succeed in the industry, how to get on the radar of a casting director even if you don’t yet have an agent, and much more. She is a passionate advocate for actors, and the dedication comes through in this very generous interview.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “Part of what we look for as casting directors is not only your talent, but your personality.”
- “I don’t ever tell actors, or their parents, ‘you have to move here right away.’ Work in your local market and gain some credits there.”
- “When you come into a casting room, be a PERSON. I’m looking for the whole package.”
- “Do your homework. The more you know, the better you do.”
- “Part of the reason actors don’t get callbacks is they don’t take direction.”
- “You have to make a choice. But you can’t get so stuck in your choice that you can’t change.”
- “I think Improv is super important. It’s a great training ground for all actors.”
- “My job is the find the talent for film and TV shows, and to facilitate the producer/director’s vision.”
- “We see potential in actors. And we have to sometimes convince other people of that potential.”
- “For every no, there’s a yes.”
- “I put Jennifer Aniston in her first movie, Leprochaun… we cast Yara Shahidi in her first series.”
- “Do you know how many times we’ve met somebody and said, ‘They’re not exactly right for this, but we’re going to put them in a different part, or a different project’?”
- The fun of casting for me, is I get to meet you, see your personality, work with you, and direct you.”
- “Create! Make stuff! Do stuff! You have to stay proactive.”
- Don’t coach your kids.”
- “If this is your dream and your passion, you have to persist… no matter what happens, you can’t give up. That door is going to open for you.”
Follow Lisa London here:
Website: http://londonstroudcasting.com/
Instagram: @LisaLondonCasting
Twitter: @LLondonCasting
Facebook: @London/StroudCasting
Buy her book here:
The Backstage Article Lisa wrote and referenced:
4 Reasons You Didn’t Get a Callback
There is so much you can do to prepare for a successful acting career right where you are today. One of the best things you can do to ensure success when you do land in Los Angeles is to educate yourself NOW. You're off to a great start by listening to this podcast! If you want to move even faster, book an online consultation with me, and we can create a detailed action plan together. I look forward to talking with you!
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
EP 106: Jet Jurgensmeyer, Entertainer
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Wednesday Mar 04, 2020
Today my guest on this podcast is young actor and musician Jet Jurgensmeyer. Jet is best known for his work on Last Man Standing, American Sniper, Ferdinand, Adventures in Babysitting, The Stinky & Dirty Show, Shimmer and Shine, and T.O.T.S. His debut album featuring new single Parachute is out now.
Jet is only 15, but he has already accomplished a lot as a professional performer. Join us as he shares how he got his start, who inspires him, how he balances school and work, how he stays positive through the inevitable rejection an actor faces, and much more.
Friends of Hometown to Hollywood get the full version of the interview, plus complete access to my 100+ episode archive—sign up here.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
· “My parents really help me with everything.”
· “Be yourself, because when you do the scene, then they can see the change.”
· “If you’ve been in that casting room before, try to remember what the backdrop is, so you don’t wear the same color.”
· “I’ve made some really close friends along the way.”
· “You’re going to be your worst critic. Have somebody you trust give you their input.”
· “Be nice. Treat others how you want to be treated.”
· Everything happens for a reason. There’s always a better thing that comes up.”
· “I’m a normal kid. I just happen to be an actor and a musician.”
· “You only get one life, so you may as well do what you love.”
Follow Jet HERE:
Twitter: @JetJurgensmeyer
Instagram: @JetJurgensmeyer
Website: https://jetjurgensmeyer.com/
YouTube: Jet Jurgensmeyer
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If you are a young actor or just curious about how your favorite actors got their start, buy my new book, Young Hollywood Actors on Amazon!
And if you’re the parent of a young actor, you can get The Hollywood Parents Guide, on Amazon too.
Finally, for one-on-one coaching, invest in a consultation session with me over phone, Skype, or in LA. Just go to bonniejwallace.com and click on the consultation page. In 60 or 90 minutes, you can get peace of mind, and a detailed action plan.
Remember—the future belongs to those who believe in their dreams.
Thursday Feb 20, 2020
EP 105: Judy Kain, Acting Teacher
Thursday Feb 20, 2020
Thursday Feb 20, 2020
My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Los Angeles acting teacher, Judy Kain, founder of the award-winning Keep it Real Acting Studios.
Judy Kain is also the author of I Booked It!, host of the podcast, Hollywood Game Changers, and an actress with over 400 commercial credits, and over 110 film & TV credits.
We cover a range of important subjects for aspiring actors, and focus especially on the commercial end of the field. Judy shares her wisdom on auditions, self-tapes, mindset, training, and much more.
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “I feel that commercials are a little mini movie.”
- “Commercials are directed by film directors—almost 90%.”
- “The trap with an actor is they think the more they do, the better it will be. That’s not the case.”
- “Less is more. Keep it real.”
- “Incorporate that camera into the scene. Make it part of your fourth wall.”
- “You can do commercials ‘til you’re 99 years old.”
- “There is work everywhere.”
- “It’s the Catch-22 of being an actor; it’s an art form, but you can’t really practice it by yourself. You need other people.”
- “You can go to the gym by yourself, but you can’t act by yourself.”
- “If you really want to make it as an actor—whatever ‘make it’ means to you—you will find a way.”
Find Judy HERE:
Website: http://www.keepitrealacting.com/
Twitter: @keepitrealactin
Instagram: @keepitrealacting
Facebook: @keepitrealacting
Find Judy’s podcast and book HERE:
Podcast: Hollywood Game Changers
Book: I Booked It! The Commercial Actor’s Handbook
There are so many surprises on the journey toward becoming a professional actor. So many aspects of the industry that make no sense from the outside… but make total sense from the inside!
If you need some help figuring it all out and cutting through the confusion, book a consultation with me. In 60 or 90 minutes, I can help you with all your questions, and answer questions you may not even know to ask.
No one can promise you success, but the more you understand about how it all works, the more you tilt the odds in your favor. I look forward to talking with you!
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
EP 104: Scott Sedita, Master Acting Teacher
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
Thursday Feb 06, 2020
My guest on today’s podcast episode is renowned Los Angeles acting teacher Scott Sedita, founder of the Scott Sedita Acting Studios.
A former talent agent and casting director, Scott is the author of two books, Scott Sedita's Guide to Making It in Hollywood: Three Steps to Success, Three Steps to Failure, and The Eight Characters of Comedy. He’s also the creator of the Scott Sedita Actor’s Audition App. Actors who have studied with Scott include Cameron Monaghan, Holly Taylor, Ross Butler, Haley Bennett, Chace Crawford, Josh Duhamel, Charles Melton, and Brandon Routh.
Scott shares a wealth of insight and information gathered over decades in the business. We discuss the keys to success for actors, what leads to failure, audition tips, self-tape tips, career advice, and much more.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “This year there’s going to be a lot of comedy, especially multi-cam comedy, thanks to Chuck Lorre.”
- “Keep it real, keep it honest, and if it’s comedy, find the funny.”
- “It’s hard for an actor to delve deep into the trenches of drama, and then the next week do a multicamera comedy.”
- “We have 53 people who are series regulars.”
- “The acting has to be real, authentic, camera-ready, and you have to know sight lines.”
- “Commercials make you understand what look you have, and what essence you’re bringing forth.”
- “What do I want from the other character? Understanding that is the spine of any audition.”
- The obstacle for an actor is fear. Once fear sets in, you’re on the road to self-sabotage.”
- “Actors are going to need to self produce. Self taping is self producing.”
- “If you believe in yourself, and find ways to work at it, it will happen.”
Find Scott Sedita HERE:
Website: https://scottseditaacting.com/
Twitter: @ScottSedita
Instagram: @SeditaStudios
Facebook: @Scott.Sedita
Buy Scott’s Books HERE:
Scott Sedita’s Guide to Making it in Hollywood
As our conversation makes clear, the industry is in constant change. In some ways, there has never been a better time to be an actor: there is more content than ever, so there are more opportunities than ever. But because of this, it’s harder than ever to stand out!
If you need some help navigating the territory for yourself or for your young actor, book a consultation with me, either online or in person in LA. In just 60 or 90 minutes, we can save you months or years of wasted time, and give you peace of mind, as well as a personal action plan.
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
EP 103: Cindy Osbrink, Youth Talent Agent, Founder & CEO of Osbrink Agency
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020
My guest on this episode of the Hometown to Hollywood podcast is Cindy Osbrink, CEO of The Osbrink Agency which she founded in 1993.
Today Osbrink is one of the most esteemed Youth Talent Agencies in Hollywood, and the company is a full-service agency with Theatrical, Commercial, Print and Voice Over departments for adults and youths alike. Cindy has represented many of the most acclaimed young actors in Hollywood including Brie Larson, Dakota & Elle Fanning, Tyler James Williams, Raven Symoné and Jake Lloyd.
Cindy is also respected among her peers, twice winning The Talent Manager Association’s Youth Theatrical Agent of the Year award.
Cindy Osbrink’s experience and expertise are priceless, and she rarely does interviews. Join us for her thoughts on how she can spot star quality, advice for parents of young actors, how to communicate with your agent, parents as managers, college for actors, how to prepare for success before you ever come to LA and when to come out, and much more.
Become a member!
Friends of Hometown to Hollywood get the full version of the interview, plus complete access to my 100+ episode archive—sign up here. (If you’re already a Friend, thanks for your support! Find the latest episode and your podcast feed here.)
Some of my favorite quotes from our conversation:
- “I can tell when they walk in the room… there is that confidence, that light. It’s not a performance. It’s who they ARE.”
- “If you can be true to yourself, then you can be the most amazing actor out there. You’re not always ‘acting’ and having a mask on.”
- “Each one of us has different gifts. And our job is to find those gifts.”
- “It’s easier to get Taft-Hartleyed into the union on a commercial vs. a TV show.”
- “Turn that nervous energy into excitement.”
- “If you manage your child, we’re not the agency for you.”
- “Seeing our clients shine… doing what they love and doing it well… there’s nothing better.”
- “It’s your job as a parent to provide that path for them… but they have to do the work.”
- “If you’re 22 and can play younger, I’d definitely find an agency that has youth/adult, so you have the best of both worlds.”
- “It’s a marriage between the agent, the manager, and the parent.”
- “For Pilot Season… they don’t start casting kids 'til March. Usually they cast the parents first.”
- “Community theatre is awesome.”
- “Take baby steps. People make this so complicated, and it’s not. Make it fun.”
Follow Cindy Osbrink here:
Website: https://www.osbrinkagency.com/
So much of what Cindy shared confirms my own experience, and yet runs counter to conventional wisdom. The entertainment industry can be confusing to navigate! If you could use some help cutting through the confusion, book a consultation with me, either online or in Los Angeles. A single session can save you months or years of frustration, and thousands of dollars spent going in the wrong direction.