The Lawless Crowd

Headshots can be such a conundrum. There are so many different photographers, so many different truisms about what makes a great headshot. What does it even mean to get a ‘great' photo that ‘looks like you'?It's so subjective. And yet, there are headshots that can capture the life in an actor and invite you to see more. Working in casting I see so many headshots every day, but I've been wanting to sit down with a prolific headshot photographer for years to pick their brain about what goes into getting great headshots, how actors can prepare for them and the best way to find the photographer that is a good match for you.Joanna Degeneres is among the busiest headshot photographers in Los Angeles and was the name that was repeated to me most often when I ask actors “this is a great headshot, who took it?”. Her work is consistently inviting: really natural, crisp, filled with life and breath that is authentic to the actors vibe when then come in the room. Lucky for me Joanna Degeneres responded with a delighted “absolutely' when I cold-called her about doing this interview. We spent the better part of an hour 1/2 at her studio on a rainy day in LA talking all about acting and headshots.There's a ton of great info in here including:How to make your insecurities into your strengthsHow actors can prepare for a shoot to ‘look like yourself on your best day, but that is still you and still has life'The evolution of the work ‘quirky'How to create easy and real shots when there's nothing ‘natural' about looking into the lens of a cameraHow the word ‘sexy' can be a real challenge for some peopleWhat photographing kids can teach us about taking good headshotsWhy you should never work at your favorite restaurantWhen to use your friend with an iPhone to shoot pics and when to invest in real headshotsWAYS YOU CAN CONNECT WITH JOANNA:WEBSITE: www.joannadegeneres.comEMAIL: headshots@joannadegeneres.comINSTAGRAM: @joannadegeneresMore about Joanna:Joanna's photos have been featured on 4 episodes of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, People Magazine, The New York Times and many other online publications.Joanna has years of experience working on both sides of the camera that give her a real understanding of how important an actor's headshot is.She moved to LA in 2002 with an MFA from the University of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program to pursue acting and started shooting headshots when the industry switched from black and white film to color digital. While pursuing her career as an actress, she had worked as an assistant and associate in a casting office where she had the opportunity regularly review thousands of headshots and then sit in on incredible auditions of the actors they called in.Now, as a full time photographer she uses her actor training to get the best out of her subjects. Her only goal is for you to accomplish yours. She approaches each session as your scene partner and team mate and is a true advocate for actorsI am also happy to answer any questions that you can't find answered here so please email me and I will respond as soon as I can. The biggest reward is turning on the TV and watching the actors that came to me for headshots WORK.

Hey hey hey! Another great one. I had the opportunity to sit down to chat with commercial casting director legend Mick Dowd about his nearly 4 decade long (and going strong) career, what it takes to be a consistently booking actor and the state of the industry. Mick Dowd has been casting actors in commercials for over 37 years for directors like Michael Bay, Ridley Scott Bill Maher and Dave Laden among MANY MANY others. I could list the products he's cast but the internet would explode. He's cast everything from HUGE Super Bowl commercials, to movies like Hoosiers.His long and interesting career in the commercial industry began when he decided to move on from being a very successful young singer - performing on the Carson Show, the Merve Griffin Show and live shows in Vegas. Mick first worked for years as a commercial producer and then a number of years as a commercial agent before finally landing as a commercial casting director. His experience as a performer, a producer and an agent give him a really extraordinary perspective for any type of actor pursuing work in commercials. He's seen the industry expand from just Television, to the Internet to Mobile and has a lot of great inside information to offer actors interested in learning more about the casting director's perspective.In this conversation, we talk about what his experience has taught him about commercial casting.We cover:- The value of putting yourself out there and taking advantage of every opportunity- How work begets work- How being FEARLESS as an actor can book the job- The way his favorite agents pitch him actors- How he selects actors- Why preparation for commercials is critical- And the state of the industrySo sit back and enjoy, The Lawless CrowdYou can find Dowd Roman's body of work on their website here: http://dowdromancasting.com/You can take a look at my classes and coaching here: www.lawlesscastingseminars.comDon't hesitate to email me any questions or comments: toby@lawlesscastingseminars.comHis long and interesting career in the commercial industry began when he decided to move on from being a very successful young singer - performing on the Carson Show, the Merve Griffin Show and live shows in Vegas. Mick first worked for years as a commercial producer and then a number of years as a commercial agent before finally landing as a commercial casting director. His experience as a performer, a producer and an agent give him a really extraordinary perspective for any type of actor pursuing work in commercials. He's seen the industry expand from just Television, to the Internet to Mobile and has a lot of great inside information to offer actors interested in learning more about the casting director's perspective.In this conversation, we talk about what his experience has taught him about commercial casting.We cover:- The value of putting yourself out there and taking advantage of every opportunity- How work begets work- How being FEARLESS as an actor can book the job- The way his favorite agents pitch him actors- And the state of the industrySo sit back and enjoy.You can find Dowd Roman's body of work on their website here: http://dowdromancasting.com/You can take a look at my classes and coaching here: www.lawlesscastingseminars.comDon't hesitate to email me any questions or comments: toby@lawlesscastingseminars.com

If you've ever watched TV, you've seen this guy. Why? He's a booker! If any body knows what it takes to be a CONSISTENTLY booking commercial actor Leonard Jackson does. He is one of the guys who are constantly getting called in, constantly getting called back and consistently booking. WHAT IS HIS SECRET?? In this conversation, we dive into what that secret is.We cover:- How enjoying auditions delivers results- Gratitude for opportunity- A terrible Starbucks reinactment- How introducing yourself to Sam Jackson can help your slateLeonard also has an amazing program to help actors get moving in the industry. You can find that program here: http://www.leonardjacksonscommercialacting.com/A little about Leonard:Leonard Jackson was born in Hollywood, CA ready for the big screen. He started his career with a recurring role on "In the Heat of the Night" and has since starred in several films including: "Love and War II", "Young Hollywood", "Snow Job", "Bug Night", "The Pact", Just Another Day in the Neighborhood and P.O.V: The Camera's Eye. He has made many Television appearances on "In the House", Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, and several others. He is now performing live stand up comedy at many LA clubs around and is negotiating several new projects.LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyx6gUichU

Toby sits down with commercial Agent Kenneth Suarez to talk about how an Agent's job is a business partnership with the Actor, what booking actors do that make them successful and the changing state of the industry.

Toby sits down (virtually) with commercial director Pam Thomas to talk about her process, why she loves auditioning talent and how actors can help themselves stand out in the room.

In this episode I sit down with creative coach Brian Patacca to discuss the business, marketing and spirituality of commercial acting. Yes, I said it! Brian is such a big spirit that I've known and worked with for YEARS. He has helped guide so many actors through the craziness of this business as the Founder of Actor Salon and this conversation was a beauty. We met on a rainy day in LA to chat about how booking actors run their business effectively, the best way to market - yes we talk about post cards and how this craft is a CALLING! He is an enthusiastic, empathetic, authentic and spiritual guide for a career that needs all of those things - when I worked with him he never let me get away with anything without calling me out in his loving way and holding me ACCOUNTABLE. And THAT is a gift that many actors should seek out. Accountability. In this we cover:BRIAN'S FREE OFFER: Check out Brian's free offer to get a friendly with your finances quick and easy.How his most booking actors create a habit of CONSISTENCYA GREAT exercise to help define your commercial look.How to use CURIOSITY as key to network effectivelyHow being on this planet to GIVE not GET helps your careerA simple trick to get you out of your head before an auditionTo postcard - or NOT - to postcardHow to set resonant career goals that you will achieveA little more about Brian:With natural candor and an education from Northwestern University, Brian arrived in New York City and quickly climbed the ladder as an advertising executive promoting Broadway shows - giving him an expert's insight into marketing and its role in an actors career - something I'm constantly asked and always looking to learn more about. During his time in New York, his path of career coaching was revealed. In 2001, he started Actor Salon, an accountability group and creative community for actors. Actor Salon has grown to include weekly in-person and virtual meetings in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, providing a community built on supportive group coaching and accountability that empowers creative individuals to get results.Brian is a Spiritual Practitioner in the tradition of A Course in Miracles and will be recognized by the state of California as a Reverend by the fall of next year. He credits the work of Brene Brown, Anne Lamott, Pema Chondron, and Elizabeth Gilbert as foundations to his outlook on the world. Notably, he coached two young actresses on MTV's Emmy Award-winning show “Made” in 2012, and has been a contributing expert for Backstage Magazine for over a decade. He has completed CTI's Co-Active Coach Training Program and Marianne Willamson's Teaching the Teachers training.Now based in Los Angeles, Brian coaches all types of creative clients (not just actors!) and in Actor Salon, as well as nationwide in his brand new web course, Your Audition Magnet. He travels as an educator and speaker and continues to connect with clients who thrive at the intersection of art and commerce.ACTOR DEMO REEL SERVICES:If you listened to my podcast with Mick Dowd you know Reel's aren't absolutely necessary - and Brian doubles down. If you're gonna do them, make sure you do them VERY well. Below are some of his suggestions. *NOTE: Brian listed these to me with the caveat that I make VERY clear these are a few options he's seen work but the result was reflective of the detail and hard work his clients put into their preparation:I LOOK LIKE MYSELF - ACTOR DEMO REELSRELENTLESS FILMWORKSLA REELSROCK YOUR REELRED MOUSE FILMSFor more information, please visit www.BrianPatacca.com and www.ActorSalon.com.