Hey Acting Lounge, I’m looking for the best qualities to bring a complex villain to life. The role is Kaizu Shen, a calm but calculating figure who betrayed his tribe and now runs an underground arena empire called the Hollow Network. I’ve been considering Mark Dacascos for the role — his physicality and intensity caught my eye.
Actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke (Before Sunrise, Training Day, Dead Poets Society) rides the subway with Kareem Rahma for a raw conversation about art, fame, and what really matters. He breaks down why chasing money ruins creativity, why fame is a trap, and why true artists make work for the love of it, not for applause. Along the way, Ethan reflects on The Beatles, humility, and the idea that the real miracle isn’t walking on water, it’s walking at all.
This literally just happened. I had a callback audition this morning via Zoom. The instructions were to show up 15 minutes early and expect to stay 15 minutes after, in case they were running early or late.
This is a question for actors, acting coaches, and possibly even directors. What do you think is the most important quality for an actor to possess? I am interested in hearing from those who have worked with a lot of actors, who have had to manage personalities, especially.
Training Films Are Great Jobs For Actors
communication
I am looking for a few actors for a table read in Pasadena, on October 26 from 10 AM to 2 PM. I'll have light snacks. $50.00. This will be my fourth feature, all distributed. You'll read a character and then offer feedback. It is a chamber piece and a psychological thriller. Title: FACES. Log Line: On the night of Maxwell Thorn’s 49th birthday, his closest friends gather to judge his fate—only to find that memory is cruel, betrayal runs deep, and forgiveness may be beyond reach …while something darker watches, waits for Maxwell to pay for his past.
Sydney, Australia – October 2025 – In an entertainment world often driven by quick fame, Alex Bar is emerging as a standout talent defined by depth, dedication, and genuine artistry. The Sydney-based actor has earned early recognition for his emotional range and natural screen presence — and industry insiders hint that he’s already attached to a major new project currently under wraps.
It was 5 days ago that she died. I enjoyed reading this obituary about her life as an actress. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/12/diane-keaton-obituary
The guy said,
Few actors have navigated such a bold and unpredictable path as Matthew McConaughey. In this incredible retrospective, McConaughey walks through the defining roles of his career, from his breakout in Dazed and Confused to the emotional depths of Dallas Buyers Club and Interstellar.
Back in the day, I LOVED the film "Clue" with Tim Curry. I remember going to the theatre and seeing not just the regular poster for the film, but each character got their own poster. Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, the whole cast!
I had an interesting conversation with a lit manager recently who suggested I lean into a thriller I’d been developing — even though my natural lane is dark comedy. His point was simple (and humbling): it’s an easier door to open right now than TV.
I've gone dark for a while, but not forever. I guess it's called 'in production' in filmmaker-speak. So far, I've been through: contract breaches; lead talent jumping ship; at least 3 major re-writes on the fly; 9 timezones, equipment failures that would put Apollo 13 to shame; tropical storms; injuries; eye watering financial outlay; getting SWATed and footage seized; a police raid; getting arrested; ending up in the middle of NATO live-fire war games; geo-political posturing that's puts us in the cross-hairs; running out of food and fuel; and even a lightning strike. As I write this I'm flat on my back with with bruised kidneys (pissing blood), broken ribs, a black eye, at least 500 miles from any medical help; and so long without a shower, I can't stand my own stench. But, by Dog, we're gonna get this film in the can, even if it kills us!
Why Getting an Acting Audition Means You've Already Won
Just finished reading @RB's blog, "Coffee & Content" . Very pertinent to actors because it contains a link to a You Tube documentary about Charlize Theron's career. Admittedly I didn't know much about it other than Monster. It's illuminating and inspiring because it shows her to be an actress that is more interested in pushing herself (as an action movie actress) and stretching herself (as in Monster) than playing it safe and being the pretty girlfriend sidekick she had been typecast as in the earlier days of her career.