All posts by "Ilana Rapp"

Senior Writer
Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things. She currently blogs on The Huffington Post and writes entertainment pieces for NYCastings. She is a huge fan of the television show V. Ask her why her favorite number is 22. Follow Ilana on Twitter @LizardLadyNJ.
Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick

Actors need to look the part and feel the part in order to get the part. They have to audition for roles, and the competition can be stiff. To get ...
Feature

When you need to look upset for an acting role or performance, there are a few things you can do to make sure you look convincing. First, it’s important to ...
Feature

Two people in close proximity, their faces inches apart. They stare longingly into each other’s eyes, lips slightly parted. Gently, they touch foreheads, then noses, then lips… A love scene. ...
actors-reading-their-scripts-on-stage

In order to be a great scene partner, one must be able to understand and respect the personal boundaries of their fellow actors. They must also be able to work ...
Feature

It’s a scene as old as time: the child actor breaks into tears on cue. Whether it’s in a movie, TV show, or commercial, making a child cry on demand ...
Voiceover work can be very lucrative.

There are many different careers in the acting industry. Some of the most common actors and actresses work in Television, Film, Theater, as TV/Radio presenters, do Voiceovers and work as ...
Sick While Auditioning

Auditioning can be nerve-wracking, and even more so when you’re not feeling well. Many people feel anxious about performing when they’re not feeling their best. Auditioning can be nerve-wracking, and ...
feature

Technology has always played a role in the entertainment industry. From the earliest days of movies, technology has been used to create special effects and to bring stories to life ...
Networking

Networking is one of the most important aspects of an actor’s career. It can help you find agents, managers, and casting directors, as well as other actors and professionals in ...

There is no denying that the life of a child actor is drastically different from that of other kids. For one, they often have to juggle acting and schooling, which ...
WomanMirror

Characters can be reflections of ourselves, whether we realize it or not. They can show us sides of ourselves that we might not want to see, or that we might ...
Director giving cameraman scene direction.

Ladies, have you ever thought about becoming a Director? I have a bullet point list below of reasons to ask yourself to see if it’s the right move for you, ...
Child appearing beneath the curtain.

The first step in teaching a child about acting is to help them understand the basics of the craft. This includes explaining what acting is, what it means to be ...
Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada

Should an actor judge their character? This question could be taken in multiple ways: – Should an actor judge the character they’re playing? – Should an actor judge their own ...
Kathy Bates in Misery

In any movie, there is usually an evil character. This character can be anyone from the protagonist’s enemy, to a minor villain, to a completely monstrous being. But what makes ...
Back to the Future - Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson, Tom Wilson

Cowards are often depicted in film and television as weak characters who run away from danger or confrontations. However, there are a few brave cowards out there who have broken ...
Biting Nails

If you’ve ever had a fear of public speaking, or even just felt anxious before an audition, then keep reading. I’ll explain how to overcome your nerves and build the ...
Frustrated Woman

There’s something undeniably alluring about playing a passive-aggressive character. For actors, it can be a chance to explore a more complex and nuanced range of emotions, and to challenge themselves ...

You land your first big role and now the pressure to be a convincing actor is high priority. But honestly, the pressure should be on from the moment you decided ...
5 Secrets to Being a Great Actor

It’s easy to be a great actor, right? You take a few classes and wa-lah! You land an agent and get a great gig as the lead in a high ...