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In a time of discretion, regulations and racial tension, Hugh M. Hefner built an empire without borders or boundaries. Some may call him a genius. Others, a gluttonous instigator. Either way, Hugh Hefner is undoubtedly - a mastermind of self-invention.

The raw and awkward truth from his latest movie “Cyrus”

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Comfort Zone Alert!

On set of his latest movie, “Cyrus”, John C. Reilly found that “a lot of days were very uncomfortable.”

Whoa! That sounds like an atypical admission from an actor, yet John has a very good reason to feel “like those dreams where you just show up with your underwear on.”

You see, the brilliant Duplass brothers (Jay and Mark Duplass) wrote and directed “Cyrus” an ...More

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

You've got to know "when to put your hand on the table and when to discard it," says Talent Agent Peter Coe, about the entertainment industry." Know when to say what you are feeling and thinking, how to recognize body language and when to soak everything in."



Peter Coe has a great deal of experience in this business. He started out as an actor but found sales to be his strong suit so he opened up Peter Coe Talent Agency out of NYC, and the greater Philly area, over eight years ago.

"I am listed as an agent but I really like to act as a manager and take care of my people," Peter says. "I like when people call me up and ask me questions. If I can help them understand the business ...More

Strickman-Ripps, Inc. Casting + Research shares how to get REAL acting gigs

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Countless companies rely on testimonials, market research, and man-on-the-street interviews to help sell their products and services. This demand for engaging people means another opportunity for actors to make $$$ - IF - they know how to best represent themselves.



When it comes to finding genuine people, Jill Strickman-Ripps rules in casting and research. Jill founded Strickman-Ripps, Inc. Casting & Research in 1992. Prior to starting the company, Jill was producer of Still Photography and Special Projects for Photographer/Director Neal Slavin where they ...More

Casting Director Tony Pichette speaks scientifically about the casting process

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

How often do you meet a casting director who majored in Theatre and minored in Chemistry? Not too frequently! That is why I had to ask Casting Director Tony Pichette about his view on the periodic elements... of the acting business. Luckily, for NYCastings, Tony agreed to lend his sense of humor along with his insight about this ever changing, reactive industry.

It all began with a molecule of passion. Tony Pichette decided to learn more about the world of acting by getting to the core of it all... in ...More

Actor Joanne Baron shares her first hand knowledge of video auditioning

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Like a shooting star, Joanne Baron often finds herself traveling a great distance for acting gigs. Yet no matter where she lands, Joanne has to keep up with the casting process… which means auditioning via video.

...More

written by: Kelly Calabrese

As a writer/director team, Jay and Mark Duplass create smart, witty, relationship driven films for audiences that want to laugh, cry, grimace and applaud - all at the same time. They start by writing a tight script, building a unique,  powerful structure,  and then they do the unexpected. They give their actors complete artistic freedom to evolve each scene into something fresh and inspiring.

"We have a shaggy control," says the Duplass brothers, Jay & Mark, about their organic approach to filmmaking.

The result... movie magic.

...More

Casting Associate Philip Huffman helps actors drum up street cred...

Written by Kelly Calabrese

Oohh, New York. It's a place where three “Law & Order” episodics film and countless actors strive to add that signature sound to their reel.

“It's like a New York right of passage,” says Casting Associate Philip Huffman who works on NBC's “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Yet, getting on the episodic takes a lot more work than it appears at street level. “It's not that easy. There are plenty of established actors who have never been on the show,” Phil shares.

...More

Actor Paul Dano on his latest movie The Good Heart

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

As soon as Paul Dano walks into the pressroom, he expresses concern for his director, Dagur Kári, who flew in from Iceland despite the erupting volcano. This gentle, in the moment display of emotion gives instant insight into why Paul Dano plays deep characters brilliantly...

You've got to have heart as an actor! And that heart comes from the core of each person.

In his latest movie, The Good Heart directed by Dagur Kári, Paul Dano stars alongside Brian C ...More

From Agent Charlie Winfield of FunnyFace Today, Inc.

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Ever wish you had super powers? The ability to spin a web and have casting directors captivated by your face and talent?

Breaking news alert! YOU CAN become super…

In the print universe, “there are so many things people can do to enhance their longevity in the industry,” says print agent Charlie Winfield from FunnyFace Today Models Inc.

At FunnyFace Today (FFT), they “have all types ...More

Acting Biz Tips from Ingrid French Management

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Attention talented actors…

If you want to get work and keep working then you must “conduct yourself like a business,” says personal manager Ingrid French of Ingrid French Management.

“Sometimes very talented and creative individuals can forget that this is a business in terms of returning phone calls promptly, making sure you are stocked on your resumes, that your headshots are updated and that you send thank you notes to casting directors.”

...More

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Roars of laughter, as loud as a reeling roller coaster, fill the theatre as Joan Rivers discusses her life during the Tribeca Film Festival.

With each question at this Q&A, Joan can not help but make a side splitting response, a talent she credits to DNA.

“My father was a doctor and he was so funny people would laugh until they died,” Joan says. “And my sister is a lawyer but she has great humor. And my grandson is funny and Melissa. You learn to see things crooked. When the whole family laughs at funny things it makes a big difference.”

...More

Truths from the set of his latest movie

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Between myth and reality, Colin Farrell has learned to live with the many reputations that precede him.

“We all, as human beings, probably do a good job of misrepresenting ourselves a lot of the time,” Colin says. “The press has got its space to fill. I've read some nasty, nasty things through the years and I've read some really nice things written about me. Neither really holds the essence of truth.”

That essence, that line between what's real or imaginary, also pla ...More

by Jason Bennett, 5/12/10

1. At the core of all of us is vulnerability. We may not feel it or consciously know about it. But, vulnerability drives everything we do. All action impulses we have are an attempt to get our needs met so we feel less vulnerable. They are power moves. All power moves compensate for vulnerability.

In acting, identify the character's vulnerabilities, or your performance will fail. Then, you need a process for truly accessing the energies -- the vulnerabilities...and the power archetypes that compensate for them and drive the action. We work on that in our acting classes. A power move, compensating for underlying vulner ...More

By: Todd Etelson

How do you memorize your lines?  It's a must for all actors, but how you memorize can determine your ability to change when taking direction. Most actors rush to have their lines down cold.  It's the first thing they do.  If you're one of these  "get these suckers down first" actors, you may be doing more harm than good.  



Whether for an audition, play or TV/Film script, you're saying legally approved copy, so you need to say the words as written, with permission to improvise, but what if the director wants you to do it a different way?  

What if your thoughts as to how to play the character didn't agree with the thoughts of the director or client?   If you're locked into ...More

Theatrical Advice from Casting Director Jamibeth Margolis

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Casting over 30 projects a year, Jamibeth Margolis knows what it takes to build a note worthy career.

“I love working with actors and knowing actors,” says Jamibeth. “I love the creative process of working with writes, directors, producers and seeing that negotiation of what goes on at the table and who ends up getting the job.”

Jamibeth Margolis casts countless actors, working mainly in theatre, straight plays and musicals. She heads up her ow ...More

Commercial Agent Carole Ingber shares her upbeat view on the industry.

Written by: Kelly Calabrese

Feeling swell…

Our conversation with Commercial Agent Carole Ingber went so swimmingly that we just kept on chatting away with her.

Hence… we present Part 2 of our interview!

Please check out Part 1, if you haven't already, because Carole Ingber shares many truths about the industry; ...More

By: Todd Etelson, Actors Technique, NY

Most actors get nervous, it's not just you, so relax. It's really all about your degree of nervousness. Whether you get slight anxiety or are the deer in headlights what's my middle name I'm paralyzed actor, nerves of any sort can stifle your relaxation which is essential for creativity and spontaneity. So, how do you avoid it?



Here's the truth. The more you try to avoid it, the more you concentrate on it and play into it. Know this. It's not going away. You're human and your mind and body will absorb stimulus in it's own way, regardless. You're a human machine that absorbs and reacts to situations. Sound familiar? Isn't that what good actors are supposed to do anyway? You can't avoid your nerves, but you can recognize, understand and co ...More