Behind the Curtain: Acting, Auditions & The Entertainment Industry

Are you an actor, filmmaker, or creative waiting for the perfect opportunity, bigger budget, or industry connection before pursuing your goals? In this episode of Behind the Curtain, we explore why success often comes from creating your own opportunities and how adopting a resourceful mindset can help you move your career forward, no matter where you're starting.Joining me is Taz Garcia—actor, writer, director, martial artist, and author—whose career has taken him from martial arts training to working alongside industry icons like Jackie Chan, John Cena, and Sylvester Stallone. Taz shares the lessons he's learned throughout his journey, how martial arts shaped his approach to acting and storytelling, and the philosophy behind his "No Budget, No Excuse" mindset. We dive into the realities of building a creative career, creating your own work, and why waiting for permission can hold you back.This episode is for actors, filmmakers, content creators, and anyone pursuing a creative dream who wants practical inspiration from someone who built a career by taking action. If you enjoy the conversation, be sure to follow Behind the Curtain, leave a review, and share the episode with a fellow creative.Follow Taz on Instagram: @tazgarciaofficial

If you're an actor, filmmaker, creator, or creative entrepreneur trying to understand how PR and media actually work in the entertainment industry, this episode is for you. Public relations can make or break a project, but knowing when to hire a PR firm, how media coverage really works, and what makes a story worth pitching is something most creatives are never taught.This week on Behind the Curtain, entertainment publicist Andréa Grau, founder of Touchwood PR, shares an inside look at the evolving world of entertainment PR, publicity, and media strategy. The conversation dives into how actors and filmmakers can better position themselves in the industry, whether “bad PR” is ever actually good PR, what makes media outlets pay attention to a project, and where the entertainment and media landscape is heading next. Andréa also shares insights from working with major film organizations, festivals, and creatives throughout her career in entertainment publicity.Whether you're preparing to pitch your next project, build your personal brand, or better understand the business side of entertainment, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how PR and media really operate. Follow Touchwood PR on Instagram: @touchwoodpr

Getting an agent is one of the most searched questions in the acting industry, and most of the advice out there is vague, outdated, or written by people who have never actually signed an actor. This episode gives performers at every stage an honest, inside look at what representation actually requires and what most actors are getting wrong.Talent agent Warren Belle of Henharp Management joins me to talk about the biggest misconceptions actors have about agents, what makes a performer stand out professionally, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable career in an unpredictable industry, straight from someone who works with talent every single day.This episode is for every actor who has wondered what an agent is really looking for — and is ready to hear the honest answer.Follow Warren on Instagram: @henharptalent

Rejection is part of the acting industry, but nobody prepares you for how heavy it really gets. This episode gives actors an honest, unfiltered look at the experiences that rarely get talked about and the mindset it takes to keep going.Actor Pony Nicole Herauf joins me for one of the most open conversations I've had on this show, covering the rejections, the resilience, and the quiet moments that remind you why you started in the first place.This episode is for every actor who has ever questioned whether to keep going and needed someone to tell them they're not alone in feeling that way.Follow Pony on Instagram: @ponynicoleherauf

If you're an actor wondering whether the sacrifices are worth it, you're not alone, and nobody talks about that part enough. This episode gives working and emerging actors a real look at what pursuing this career actually costs, and what keeps you going anyway.Actor Samantha Brown joins me to share the unglamorous truth about what the pursuit really looks like, the pivots, the moments of doubt, and the experiences that almost made her walk away, and what brought her back.This episode is for every actor in the thick of it who needs to hear that the hard parts are normal, and that staying in it is still worth it.Follow Samantha on Instagram: @samantha.brown._

Trying to build an acting career without a clear roadmap is exhausting, and most training programs won't tell you what they're actually preparing you for. This episode gives emerging actors an honest breakdown of what training is really worth and how to build something that lasts.Acting coach and industry veteran Jeff Clarke joins me to talk about what acting training actually prepares you for, how to reframe rejection so it no longer derails you, and the mindset shifts that separate actors who stay in the game from those who burn out.This episode is for the emerging actor who wants an honest answer to whether they're on the right path, and what to do if they're not.Follow Pro Actors Lab: @proactorslab

If you're an actor feeling stuck, overwhelmed by auditions, or unsure how to actually build a sustainable acting career, you're not alone. So many performers struggle in silence because the entertainment industry often feels confusing, competitive, and hard to navigate without real guidance or honest conversations.In this first episode of Behind the Curtain, I’m introducing the intention behind this podcast and why these conversations matter. I share my own perspective as an actor and creator, what inspired me to start this space, and the kinds of honest, behind-the-scenes discussions you can expect with industry guests — from casting insights to career paths and the realities of working in film and TV.This podcast is for actors, creatives, and anyone navigating the entertainment industry who wants real talk instead of surface-level advice. If you’re ready to stop feeling like you’re figuring it out alone, follow the show and join me Behind the Curtain for weekly conversations that bring clarity, perspective, and momentum to your acting journey.

If you're an actor or creative who's tired of highlight reels and wants honest conversations about what the entertainment industry actually looks like, you just found your podcast. This show exists to give you the real picture, the wins, the hard parts, and the stories nobody else is telling.I'm Anastasia Pioro, and every episode I sit down with actors, casting directors, voice coaches, headshot photographers, and industry insiders to talk about what the industry actually looks like from the inside, the highs, the lows, and everything in between.This show is for every actor and creative who wants to feel less alone in the pursuit and more clear on the path forward. Follow Behind the Curtain now so you don't miss the first episode.