Acting teacher Lesly Kahn stops by the bungalow and discusses her approach to acting, how she can be perceived as intimidating, working on a scene with Mike, and more!Lesly's IMDb and Instagram @leslykahn.00:00 - Introduction.01:49 - Lesly slates her name.04:57 - Access to the breakdowns and asking for things.07:53 - The business of acting class.12:49 - Lesly's coaching tree.14:50 - Starting out as an actor with multiple degrees and not knowing how to act.17:10 - The key to acting is thinking.21:00 - Working on a recent scene Mike auditioned for.34:15 - Does Lesly view herself as a polarizing person.38:00 - Coaching sessions for both self tape an in-person with Lesly.49:25 - How actors should approach casting directors.1:00:05 - Pretty faces that work that can't act.1:02:42 - Lesly is not a fan of testimonials.1:05:26 - Who took a chance on Lesly.1:06:45 - We revisit the scene we worked on earlier.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/329Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Casting director Robert Ulrich stops by the bungalow and discusses the state of self tapes, working for a larger casting office, how he finds new talent, and more!Robert's IMDb and Instagram @rj.ulrich.00:00 - Introduction.02:05 - Robert slates his name.04:40 - Does casting consciously bring in the same people.12:28 - Self tapes are here to stay.18:23 - The benefits of working as a bigger office (Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting).22:09 - How the work is divided at the office.26:30 - How does new talent get in front of their office.32:08 - There is no right way to approach acting.38:00 - Robert's long journey from acting to casting.48:43 - How Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer organizes their staff.50:21 - Mentoring and advice for the next generation of casting.58:10 - Casting getting fired.1:00:02 - Who took a chance on Robert.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/328Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Stevie Nelson stops by the bungalow and discusses balancing careers with acting pursuits, seeking out opportunities to learn, agents watching self tapes, and more!Stevie's IMDb and Instagram @iamstevienelson.00:00 - Introduction.02:01 - Stevie slates her name.03:19 - The struggles of being a podcaster.05:45 - Self tapes taking the fun out of auditions.14:00 - Balancing careers with creative pursuits.18:25 - Waiting everyone else out and sticking with it.21:00 - What acting is in 2024.26:22 - Continuing education as an actor.31:37 - Making your own content.33:00 - Podcast interview or coffee?37:55 - How much did Stevie book last year.39:21 - Doing way more in the audition than on set.42:09 - Reps watching tapes.48:38 - Stevie's experience with Crashletes.54:20 - Who took a chance on Stevie.56:20 - Maru.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/327Stevie's first Box Angeles -- boxangeles.com/105Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Mary Holland stops by the bungalow and discusses her improv team Wild Horses, getting writing repetition in during the pandemic, trying not to focus on things out of her control, and more!Mary's IMDb and Instagram @maryhollandaise.00:00 - Introduction.01:54 - Mary slates her name.03:35 - Wild Horses ending their improv run.07:21 - How does Mary feel about improv currently.10:47 - Thoughts on UCB selling.14:57 - Livestreamed comedy shows.17:35 - Paying improvisers.19:27 - Navigating work stoppages.22:28 - Mary's emphasis on writing.24:37 - Budgeting time.25:24 - Does Mary get more work through relationships or auditions.27:27 - Self tapes.34:45 - Being repped by CAA.36:30 - How much Mary auditions and not thinking about it.45:47 - The not knowing everything that reps are up to.48:31 - Hobbies and getting away.52:29 - Who took a chance on Mary?54:00 - Finding trust in yourself.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/326Mary's first Box Angeles -- boxangeles.com/037Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor George Basil stops by the bungalow and discusses how he stays creative during slow times, getting offered the role in Barbie, being scared about what his agents aren't telling him, and more!George's IMDb.00:00 - Introduction.01:20 - George slates his name.03:33 - Going through droughts in this business and staying creative in life.12:44 - Missing performing live shows.15:10 - Going to an audition at 200 South after this podcast.19:08 - Opinions on in-person versus self tapes.24:00 - Making $1,500 on Barbie.26:45 - Getting offered the role from Allison Jones.32:00 - George's Curb You Enthusiasm experience with Larry David.35:11 - George's approach to self tapes.37:35 - Booking Wrecked with a unique ocean audition in Nicaragua.39:50 - The ritualistic motions of auditions.  42:26 - A learning moment showing up to Santa Clarita Diet unprepared.46:43 - Approaching things with a spontaneous attitude.50:19 - Does George audition for smaller roles and not wanting know what agents are not telling him.51:15 - Being advised not to do Barbie.53:25 - Was George's teenage daughter excited he was in Barbie?57:17 - Who took a chance on George?The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/325George's first Box Angeles -- boxangeles.com/242Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Jessica Amlee stops by the bungalow and discusses growing up in Canada, working on a TV show 8 months a year while in high school, missing casting directors, and more!Jessica's IMDb and Instagram @jessicakelseyamlee.00:00 - Introduction.01:44 - Jess slates her name.04:47 - Growing up outside Vancouver in Maple Ridge.05:45 - Starting to act at the age of 4.12:55 - Experience juggling school and acting.18:07 - Booking out important dates contractually.19:52 - Landing Heartland at age 12 and the experience working on that show 8 months a year.28:14 - Going to high school while being a star on a TV show.32:50 - Jess' character arc on Heartland matching real life.35:35 - Moving to Los Angeles.36:41 - Does Jess have any thoughts on Alyson Stoner's Dear Hollywood podcast.39:37 - Would Jess let her children be actors.41:22 - The perceived benefits of starting younger as an actor.46:20 - Jess' experiences with acting and comedy classes.50:55 - Mental health throughout acting.53:32 - Missing casting directors and in-person auditions.1:00:45 - Who took a chance on Jess.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/324Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Writer Michael Jamin stops by the bungalow and discusses his new book of personal essays, his matter of fact attitude towards show business, learning how writer's rooms work, and more!Michael's IMDb, Instagram @michaeljaminwriter and get his new book A Paper Orchestra.00:00 - Introduction.01:54 - Michael slates his name.03:12 - The origin of his new book A Paper Orchestra.06:13 - Getting rejected from the creative writing program at Princeton.11:50 - Writing the book without studio notes and finding his voice.14:13 - Writing rituals and routines.17:50 - Growing up in New York and wanting to be a sitcom writer.18:35 - Learning the mechanics of a writer's room.19:49 - Landing Just Shoot Me with his wrting partner.23:15 - Showrunning Glenn Martin DDS and dealing with it's lack of success.27:48 - Michael's longest period without working is right now.30:17 - How much does Michael get versus his represenation getting.34:29 - Michael's one man show with the book tour.36:44 - Watching casting tapes as a writer / showrunner.44:28 - Getting passed momentum stoppers like a wrtier's strike.46:15 - Dealing with rewrites and avoiding movies.49:40 - Who took a chance on Michael.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/323Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Casting Director Michael Sanford stops by the bungalow and discusses the importance of therapy, how he tries to provide as much feedback as possible for actors, how he watches every audition, and more!Michael's IMDb and Instagram @sanfordcasting.00:00 - Introduction.01:42 - Michael slates his name.02:55 - Michael does so many podcasts as the nice guy in casting.05:08 - Casting directors as therapists for actors.09:06 - Michael did one semester of grad school for psychology.11:32 - Helping make actors feel comfortable in a world of self tapes.16:20 - Casting his first play recently.17:47 - Wanting feedback on self tapes.27:23 - Writing down notes about actors.32:18 - How Michael fills audition slots.39:27 - Does Michael watch the entirity of every audition.40:19 - Callback numbers.44:33 - Full body shots.45:15 - Nit picking and wanting perfection on self tapes.51:28 - Selfishly doing a podcast for general meetings.53:51 - Does Michael do generals with actors.55:33 - The best way for new actors to get in front of Michael.1:01:15 - How many projects did Michael cast last year.1:05:17 - Who took a chance on Michael.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/322Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Ryan Gaul stops by the bungalow and discusses getting less confident as he's gotten older, working consistently sincing moving to Los Angeles, never wanting to do Saturday Night Live, and more!Ryan's IMDb and Instagram @rygaul.00:00 - Introduction.01:50 - Ryan slates his name.03:14 - Getting asked to do a lot of podcasts.08:25 - Booking House of Lies the day his son was born.09:55 - Thoughts on working consistently the last ten years.14:31 - Getting less confident getting older.18:08 - Never thinking he will book again.18:43 - Booking The Last OG because Ryan didn't care.21:45 - Bad advice from an acting coach.28:55 - Ryan's not great experience with a casting workskop.34:23 - Having one day job in LA for two weeks and then never again.38:08 - Not being great at theartical auditions to start.40:00 - Getting representation from The Groundlings.41:50 - Never wanting to do SNL.44:48 - Worries about saying no.47:49 - Being in rooms full of agents.49:20 - Allison Jones.52:10 - Actors wanting feedback and reps keeping things from clients.55:45 - How much is Ryan auditioning.1:03:37 - Who took a chance on Ryan.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/321Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Writer Jason Palmer stops by the bungalow and discusses working at Fox NFL Sunday, being a writer's assistant for eight years, taking improv classes to help with his writing, and more!Jason's IMDb and Instagram @jpalmcomedy.00:00 - Introduction.01:23 - Jason slates his name.02:08 - Landing the Fox NFL Sunday gig writing comedy sketches.07:40 - Not being prepared for live television.12:21 - Producing, casting and directing the sketches but not knowing he could build sets.15:05 - The tight weekly scheduled to put them up.18:46 - Being a full time gig.22:00 - Growing up in the Inland Empire and studying film production at Loyola Marymount.23:15 - Landing an internship at Caroline in the City and pivoting the focus to television writing.28:40 - Getting a writer's PA gig on Dawson's Creek and working his way up to writing an episode.34:58 - Landing an agent but not getting any work from them.39:00 - Having a rought start jumping into improv classes.46:10 - Still suffering from stage fright even after landing The Sunday Company at the Groundlings.49:50 - Winning an Emmy for Fox NFL Sunday last year.51:25 - Advice for writers starting out now.57:15 - Who took a chance on Jason?58:35 - Jason interviewed for the writer's assistant gig on Friends.1:00:45 - Sticking with a writer's assistant job that started out tough.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/320Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Emily Pendergast stops by the bungalow and discusses struggling with self doubt, throwing a party for the first thing she booked only to be cut out of it, her audition for SNL, and more!Emily's IMDb and Instagram @ependergast.00:00 - Introduction.02:40 - Emily slates her name.03:30 - Emily reflects on where she is in her career.07:50 - Wrestling with self doubt and ADHD.13:43 - Getting cut out of the first thing Emily booked.16:59 - Choosing simplicity and non-doing.20:39 - Getting through momentum stoppages like the strike.23:45 - How Emily views improv these days.32:25 - What initially got Emily into performing.36:39 - Auditioning for SNL.45:47 - Odd jobs.49:04 - What advice does Emily have for Mike.52:00 - Rewatching self tapes.54:33 - Putting a bow on auditions.58:35 - Struggling with commercial auditions.1:02:10 - Who took a chance on Emily.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/319Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor-writer Jacob Seidman stops by the bungalow and discusses creating short films, studying with a collaborative acting class, the value add of a writing partner, and more!Jacob's IMDb and Instagram @jhseidman.00:00 - Introduction.02:00 - Jacob slates his name.02:30 - How Jacob is feeling during the strike.05:50 - How Jacob deals with momentum getting stopped.10:35 - Being in an acting class (Studio 24/7) that is collaborative.15:45 - Writing and producing short films.20:30 - Submitting to film festivals.23:45 - Stepping up the production in Fall to Fame and learning to be open to other voices.32:00 - Advice for first time short filmmakers.35:55 - Idea generation and writing approach.39:30 - The value add of a writing partner and deadlines.40:30 - Finding agents via LinkedIn with a video resume.45:25 - The role of a literary agent.47:20 - Time budgeting and stepping away.55:55 - Who took a chance on Jacob.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/318Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Casting director Michelle Lewitt stops by the bungalow and discusses how she got her first job in casting from writing letters, how she thinks actors need to follow their gut, audition feedback, and more!Michelle's IMDb.00:00 - Introduction.01:42 - Michelle slates her name.03:55 - Actors playing with slates and accents.06:40 - Attire and appearance in auditions.08:30 - Following your gut to your authentic self.11:15 - Purposefully dressing out of character to stand out.14:00 - Actors self sabotaging and being in it for the wrong reasons.18:50 - Growing up in Los Angeles and trying to be a basketball coach.20:45 - Randomly wanting to be a casting director.22:45 - Writing letters to casting directors and landing an unpaid job.27:05 - Finding work after going out on her own.30:40 - Finding new talent.33:15 - Does Michelle watch auditions in their entirity.35:35 - Breaking down the audition numbers.43:40 - The many gates actors need to get through culminating at the producers.46:25 - Giving audition feedback and wanting more of it as an actor.57:55 - Casting directors being therapists.1:00:58 - Does Michelle charge a certain minimum for projects.1:02:20 - Who took a chance on Michelle.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/317Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Casting director Jessica Sherman stops by the bungalow and discusses the traditional way casting directors found work, feeling like a therapist for actors, exhaustion from trying to inact change, and more!Jessica's IMDb and Instagram @jshermy.casting.00:00 - Introduction.03:15 - Jessica slates her name.04:45 - The origins of Jess' Tipsy Casting podcast.07:45 - Any concerns with sharing too much.09:25 - Do actors get too friendly with outreach.15:04 - The parralels of this industry to dating.16:25 - Educating producers on finding new casting directors.18:40 - The traditional way casting directors got work.26:25 - Attempting going thru the Producer's Guild.29:16 - The trades seemingly not caring about independent casting directors.30:30 - Feeling pressure to leave the industry.34:40 - Giving more feedback to actors.43:05 - How casting can be therapists for actors.47:50 - What agents do for casting directors.51:25 - Writing breakdowns and Breaksdowns Express taking copyrights.54:05 - Should actors have access to the breakdowns.59:00 - Does Jess worrry about rocking the boat at all.1:00:40 - Exhaustion coming from trying to inact changes.1:02:22 - Has Jess ever had to have a day job.1:04:47 - Who took a chance on Jess.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/316Jessica's first Box Angeles -- boxangeles.com/258Listen to Mike on Jessica's Tipsy Casting podcast.Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Casting Director Jenn Presser stops by the bungalow and discusses moving to London this year, educating producers on finding new casting professionals, the pools of talent in different markets, and more!Jenn's IMDb and Instagram @breakawaycasting.00:00 - Introduction.02:29 - Jenn slates her name.04:15 - Actors using slates and manicures.07:05 - Taking a one way trip to London after considering leaving the business post pandemic.15:25 - Deciding to move to London on a whim and all the legwork going into immigratiting.19:20 - Did Jenn have any nervousness leaving behind years of work in LA.23:15 - Casting directors being on "hold" for projects and payments.29:17 - What an agent does for a casting director.30:38 - Casting directors don't have a minimum fee.33:25 - Legacy casting directors hoarding projects.36:30 - Finding producers to network with.38:50 - Jenn's thoughts on assistants doing the casting.43:45 - How Jenn finds new talent.46:30 - How Jenn approaches general meetings.50:00 - Advice for co-star auditions.54:05 - How much casting actually takes place in London.57:30 - How big are the pools of talent in LA vs London vs Atlanta vs NYC.1:02:55 - How many casting directors are in LA.1:05:05 - Who took a chance on Jenn.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/315Listen to Mike on Jenn's Tipsy Casting podcast.Support Box Angeles (and access the audio archives) on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Actor Leah Knauer stops by the bungalow and discusses always doing new things, always saying yes, her advice for new actors, and more!Leah's IMDb and Instagram @leahknauer.00:00 - Introduction.01:33 - Leah slates her name.02:15 - Leah always pivoting and doing new things.08:50 - Manifesting things, like tweeting at Kevin Smith.12:30 - Struggle with productivity and relaxing and comparison.16:30 - Time management and to-do lists.20:45 - Acting at the age of 6 in Philadelphia amd going to a few colleges.24:45 - How Leah got her reps.30:00 - What's helped Leah handle the dark moments in LA.35:25 - Navigating auditions.37:00 - Staying level headed and not riding the highs / lows.41:10 - Always saying yes to things.43:10 - Pushing thru when momentum gets stifled.46:05 - What Leah does to step away.48:30 - When Leah hosted a live streaming dating show.49:50 - Having mostly entertainment focused odd jobs.51:45 - Leah's love of self submitting.52:45 - The advantage of starting earlier.57:35 - Leah's advice for new actors.1:02:35 - Who took a chance on Leah.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/314Support Box Angeles on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Manager Desiree Middlebrook stops by the bungalow and discusses watching her clients auditions, her thoughts on self tapes, how much communication she likes to have with clients, and more!Desiree's IMDb and Instagram @desireewiththewine.00:00 - Introduction.01:30 - Desiree slates her name.03:05 - Watching and critiquing client auditions.09:43 - Thoughts on coached auditions.14:04 - Thoughts on self tapes.17:30 - How Desiree started in casting before becoming a manager.24:23 - What Desiree looks for in new clients.29:00 - Do you want the same types on your roster.33:00 - Differences between agents and managers.37:00 - Should actors be submitted to co-stars once they are past that level.39:20 - What makes you want to drop a client.43:10 - How aware of the numbers is Desiree.52:35 - How much communication with clients is ideal.58:20 - Does Desiree ever visit actors on set.59:10 - What actors don't know.1:00:10 - Who took a chance on Desiree.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/313Support Box Angeles on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Writer Stephany Folsom stops by the bungalow and discusses her experience at film school, how she approaches rewrites, her script for Toy Story 4 grossing over a billion dollars, and more!Stephany's IMDb and Instagram @stephfolsom.00:00 - Introduction.01:03 - Stephany slates her name.02:00 - The writer's strike.04:50 - Wanting to write from an early age including some dark stories.07:30 - Loving watching movies at the cineplex.09:07 - Moving to LA to attend film school at Loyola Marymount.15:50 - Learning to recognize what is only an idea and not a full story.20:30 - Advice for writer's block.21:27 - Writing rituals.25:13 - Does Stephany like being called a "writer".26:37 - Doing coverage work as a PA, before switching to other odd jobs.29:00 - Time budgeting and management.32:25 - Things Stephany does to recharge.34:15 - Joining a writer's group to help get momentum.35:35 - Meeting a development exec at a party who got Stephany her manager.36:52 - Getting a script on the black list.40:15 - Surviving only off writing since her first paid gig.41:35 - Advice for new writers.43:23 - How to approach rewrites.48:47 - Amount of work Stephany has generated versus her reps.50:18 - Toy Story 4 grossed $1 billion.52:42 - Writing a character for Keanu Reeves.56:03 - Not realizing she was inerviewing for Toy Story 4.59:40 - Has someone taken a chance on Stephany.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/312Support Box Angeles on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Comedian Carl Tart stops by the bungalow and discusses getting a manager from the CBS Diversity showcase, how improv is important for his mental health, being an introverted extrovert, and more!Carl's IMDb and Instagram @dammitcarl.00:00 - Introduction.01:29 - Carl slates his name.02:20 - What does Carl say he does. Actor? Writer? Comedian?05:00 - Wanting to be a comedian despite being shy kid.06:25 - Consuming as much comedy content as he could.07:05 - Thinking athletics was the career choice rather than comedy.10:40 - Moving to LA so Carl's mom could act.12:20 - The first time Carl did improv in a casting workshop.15:10 - Attending a year of college to play basketball before moving back to LA to pursue comedy.17:50 - Doing open mics and then improv.21:45 - Landing the CBS Diversity showcase and getting a manager from that.26:00 - Landing a writing gig with MadTV.28:20 - Having a day job as recent as 2016.29:15 - A tough year at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam.31:20 - Does Carl get typed for auditions given his stature.35:30 - What's been the toughest period without work for Carl.38:45 - How improv and podcasting is so good for Carl's mental health.42:40 - Being an introverted, extrovert.45:40 - Does Carl manage his time at all.50:50 - Carl hates self tapes.57:05 - Never booking a commercial.1:01:15 - How much is a usual amount of auditions for Carl.1:04:50 - The writer's strike.1:05:20 - Who took a chance on Carl.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/311Support Box Angeles on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Writer Stephanie Allynne stops by the bungalow and discusses how she wrote a lot during the pandemic, her opinion on live streaming improv shows, not lettings the ups and downs effect how she feels about the industry, and more!Stephanie's IMDb and Instagram @stephanieallynne.00:00 - Introduction.01:25 - Stephanie slates her name.04:10 - Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld.06:35 - How Stephanie handled her creativity during the pandemic.12:24 - Focusing on the story, with grounded characters when writing.14:07 - Thoughts on the UCB Theatre being sold.17:25 - Wild Horses doing shows at other theaters around town.19:50 - How Stephanie doesn't like live streaming shows.23:35 - Being approached to do a Largo show.24:25 - The doomed Wild Horses TV show.26:07 - How Stephanie views herself as a writer / director first before an actor.29:30 - Time budgeting and writing process.37:50 - Succession spoilers.39:58 - How much Stephanie auditions and her advice for them.48:35 - How often does Stephanie cast someone different than what she wrote.53:35 - Hobbies and ways to recharge.55:50 - Not letting the highs and lows sway the view of show business.59:05 - Stephanie's views on the WGA strike.59:40 - Has anyone taken a chance on Stephanie.1:05:42 - Sam Christensen's class.The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/310Stephanie's first Box Angeles -- boxangeles.com/033Support Box Angeles on Patreon.Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.