Behind the Curtain: Acting, Auditions & The Entertainment Industry

Think TIFF is just red carpets, celebrities and movie premieres? Think again. For Canadian actors and creatives, the Toronto International Film Festival can be an opportunity to learn, connect, build relationships and better understand the industry—but knowing how to actually use TIFF to your advantage is a different story.In this solo episode of Behind the Curtain, I break down what TIFF is, why it matters to Canadian creatives, and how you can approach the festival strategically—even if you’re new to the industry and wondering whether you have any reason to be there. I talk about networking, meeting industry professionals, finding opportunities, making genuine connections and getting more out of TIFF than simply watching movies or hoping to spot a celebrity. I also break down TIFF: The Market, the new official content market launching in 2026, and what it could mean for Canadian filmmakers, actors and other screen-industry creatives as TIFF expands its role in the business side of the industry.Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, emerging creative, or simply trying to figure out how to navigate the Canadian entertainment industry, this episode will help you look at TIFF through a different lens—and hopefully make the festival feel a little more accessible. If you found this episode helpful, follow Behind the Curtain and share it with another Canadian creative who should know how to make the most of TIFF.

What happens when you’ve already built a career in Canada — and decide it’s time to take the leap to LA?In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with Canadian Screen Award-nominated actor and comedian Clare McConnell for an honest conversation about her career, from Toronto’s comedy and theatre scene to working in television and ultimately making the move to Los Angeles.Clare shares what she learned from her years in the Canadian industry, her experiences on Murdoch Mysteries, Star Trek: Discovery, and Slasher, and the realities of navigating a new market as a working actor.We also discuss the differences between the Canadian and American entertainment industries, the expectations actors can have about LA before moving, and what it takes to keep growing when your career enters a completely new chapter.A conversation about taking risks, building a career, and figuring out where you actually want to be.Follow Clare McConnell on Instagram: @itsclaremcconnell

If you’re building an acting career while juggling multiple creative paths, it can be difficult to know how all of your skills fit together. In this episode of Behind the Curtain, we explore how music, acting, and the entertainment industry can intersect—and how those different skills can ultimately strengthen your career as an artist.Nck Name is an actor, musician, music producer, audio engineer, and composer. We talk about how his journey began with music and eventually led him into acting, how his experience in audio engineering and composition influences the way he approaches performance, and what it’s really been like navigating the ups and downs of a creative career. He also opens up about the challenges, setbacks, and struggles that have shaped his path along the way.This conversation is for actors, musicians, and emerging creatives trying to build a career in the entertainment industry without putting themselves into just one box.Follow Nck Name: @nckname

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with Amanda Rosenthal, agent and owner of ART Agency Inc, for an inside look at the world of talent representation.Amanda shares her journey into becoming an agent, what she looks for when signing actors, and the realities of navigating auditions and building a sustainable career in the entertainment industry. We discuss the actor-agent relationship, common misconceptions about representation, and the advice she wishes more performers knew.Whether you’re an emerging actor trying to understand the industry or a seasoned performer looking to grow your career, this conversation offers valuable insight into what happens behind the scenes and how actors can better approach their craft, career, and opportunities.Follow ART Agency Inc: @artagencyinc

In this episode of Behind the Curtain, I sit down with award-winning playwright, director, actor, and Artistic Director of Project: Humanity, Andrew Kushnir.We explore Andrew's journey into theatre, what first inspired him to become a storyteller, and how he's built a career creating socially engaged work that resonates with audiences across Canada and beyond.Our conversation dives into Canadian theatre, documentary storytelling, the creative process behind his latest work, The Division, and the responsibility of creating art inspired by real-life events. Andrew also reflects on how both his Ukrainian-Canadian heritage and his experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community have shaped the stories he chooses to tell and the perspectives he brings to his work.We also discuss how Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has influenced his life and artistry, and the role he believes theatre can play during times of conflict, remembrance, and change.Whether you're an actor, theatre lover, or simply curious about the power of storytelling, this is a thoughtful conversation about identity, creativity, and the stories that connect us.Follow Andrew on Instagram: @andrewkushnir

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