Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo

Movies used to be good, and now they are kind of shitty.After taking a film class almost by chance, Mike Cheda spent years honing his craft as a scriptwriter and executive producer at HBO and the Walt Disney Studios before feeling he "aged out" of being a working screenwriter and becoming a Professional Script Consultant. He is best known for co-authoring 1999's Chill Factor with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Skeet Ulrich. As a developer and producer, he worked on The Opposite Sex, Next of Kin, Why Shoot the Teacher, and Shape of Things To Come. For TV, he produced and developed Wheels of Terror, Pair of Aces, Angel of Death, Another Pair of Aces, and Christmas in Connecticut, to name just a few. In this episode, Mike talks about the side of scriptwriting that is secret or hidden from most of us. He shares bits of his hard-earned knowledge in the space, from how to create a seducing logline to what to add or cut out in a screenplay before taking it to an agent. He also explains movies' three-act structure, how to create a solid elevator pitch, the best way to attract the right eyeballs to our script, and much more.Tune in to Episode 101 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn some of Mike's tricks for improving your scripts and bringing them up to professional standards.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About how Mike got into movies and scriptwriting (2:20)Mike explains movies' three-act structure (8:40)Is it necessary to register and protect our written material? (18:50)How important is it to get feedback for the evolution of a screenplay? (27:00)How to create a seductive logline (32:10)What is the best way to get our script read (41:00)Polishing scripts to avoid burning bridges (49:50)Resources Mentioned:Book: Blake Snyder - Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever NeedBook: Syd Field - Screenplay: The Foundations of ScreenwritingConnect with Mike Cheda:WebsiteIMDbLet's Connect:Manhattan Actor StudioInside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

We're all here because, for some odd reason, we have this uncanny ability to believe in imaginary circumstances really, really hard. So much that they are our own, in the most intimate kind of way.Mike Markoff knew he belonged on stage at a very young age. He started acting in the Chicago theater scene when he was eight, and five years later; he was already acting for a traveling theater company from the same city. Despite conquering a respectable space in the acting community of LA at only 20 years old, Mike left Hollywood, became a food and beverage consultant, and traveled around Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania for 10 years. His early beginnings in acting, plus his experiences overseas, polished Mike's acting, turning him into an actor with a broad range, capable of playing complex antihero characters like anyone. Besides his abundant experience in theater, he has over 50 film and TV credits, including "When Jack Came Back," "Space Waves," and the nerve-racking short "Hard To Place." He was recently handpicked by Richard Linklater & Glen Powell for the 2024 film HITMAN, which already premiered at Sundance and will soon be on theaters and Netflix. We had a fantastic conversation about Mike's unique perspective on acting, from how to prepare for the never-optimal conditions actors find themselves in almost constantly to getting ready to be a character and not an actor auditioning in casting calls. Mike also shares lessons learned throughout his extensive and successful acting career, his secrets for playing the darkest, most horrific antiheroes, an incredible trick to add depth to seemingly trivial conversations and land roles during auditions, and much more.Tune in to Episode 100 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn more about Mike's methods and tricks that can transform your acting career. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Mike's early appearance on theater stages (4:20)Train yourself. Never stop honing your craft (10:30)Mike shares his thoughts on the benefits of self-tapes (18:00)Be a wildcard choice (25:20)Mike shares an incredible trick to transform scripts during auditions (27:40)Know your character better than the writer who wrote it (34:00)Mark talks about his time overseas (41:30)Never get too comfy (52:20)Mark shares an advice for young actors (57:00)Connect with Mike Markoff:IMDbInstagramFacebookTwitterLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

Now that I am where I am and look back, everything I did prepared me to create the Manhattan Model Studio.Diana Gallo, aka The Model Maker, has over 20 years of experience modeling professionally, appearing on magazine covers, commercials, television shows, movies, music videos, and print catalogs. She owns the Manhattan Model Studio, where she coaches and mentors aspiring models to get their careers started, guiding them on how to book jobs quicker, easier, and, above all things, safer. Diana uses the Manhattan Model Studio to help her students be more confident and self-aware of their talents, care for themselves, and make money modeling. Throughout this episode, you'll hear Diana's advice on getting started in modeling, recognizing red flags in auditions and photoshoots, and being fully prepared for auditions. Diana also shares her thoughts on why actors should know how to pose, models how to act, and the four basic skills every aspiring model must master.Additionally, Diana shares a breathing technique that'll help you gather yourself and be calm before auditions. We also discuss the importance of never giving up, how to use social media as a portfolio, learning to relax and trust the universe knows where it takes us, and more.Tune in to Episode 99 of Hollywood Dream Maker and learn how to land your next modeling gig easier, faster, and safer.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Diana talks about why she decided to create the Manhattan Model Studio (3:40)Red flags to be aware of in auditions and photoshoots (6:10)How can you tell if a model agency is legit? (10:20)Why models must know how to act (15:40)Four skills every model must have (19:10)Diana teaches a breathing technique to calm down before auditions (25:40)Trust yourself and keep going; every "no" gets you closer to the "yes" (31:30)Connect with Diana:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInDiana's digital courseLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

Create the character. Load it up with your soul. Leave a piece of your soul behind in that audition, and they will feel it.Most aspiring actors walk into an audition hoping they don't forget their lines and somebody likes them enough to give them a call. However, if you make the right choices, you can maximize your chances of getting the part.In today's solo episode, I share tips and advice to uncover your star power and transform your next audition into a mere formality before getting your next gig. You'll hear about the importance of creating a life for your character, think about his motives, fears, and desires, what questions you should ask yourself when preparing for the role you'll audition for, and more. Tune in to Episode 98 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover how being truthful will help you land more roles than acting.  In This Episode, You Will Learn:Separate yourself from the rest as soon as you get the script (2:40)Asking the right questions is crucial (4:20)Make big bold choices (8:10)How creating a backstory for your character will set you apart from the rest (16:30)Be consistent. The benefits of honing your craft constantly (21:10)How to uncover your star power (24:20)Let's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

What I love about the stories of how people become actors is that we were filling wounds, and when we get underneath, we understand there are subconscious beliefs that brought us here.Anastasia Griffith is a film and TV Actress and an Empowerment Coach for Actresses, known for starring in the award-winning dramas "Damages" and "Once Upon A Time." Despite her success in Hollywood and the UK, where she masterfully embodied all kinds of roles from CIA villains to fairy tale princesses, Anastasia considers being a single mom to her 8-year-old son her most prominent role. Her passion for psychology and interest in understanding the self-sabotage component, always present in her personal life and professional career, led her to become a coach and focus on supporting and empowering other actors to step into their power and live their greatest potential. Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Anastasia's journey into acting, the moment she was recognized in the streets of London after her first performance that started everything, and the transformation she underwent many years after realizing she wasn't happy even though she was "living the dream." You'll also hear about Anastasia's new facet, her work as an Empowerment Coach, how she sees acting, and what makes people become actors. Additionally, Anastasia shares practical tips to overcome pre-audition anxiety, her thoughts on the power of visualization, and more.Tune in to Episode 97 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover how accepting you as the co-author of your story can help you take your power back.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Anastasia discovered she wanted to be an actress (2:40)Most actors are seeking to fill a wound (7:10)Anastasia talks about the retreat that changed her perception of the world (15:40)How to use your body to connect with your subconscious mind (22:00)Owning who you really are is the cherry on top (33:00)What resources can actors rely on to deal with pre-audition anxiety (43:00)Anastasia talks about the best way to deal with self-sabotage (52:10)Connect with Anastasia:WebsiteInstagramIMDbLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

They're not really accidents at all. It's not some lightning strike of good fortune that's bashing you in the head; it's a result of your being on a journey.John Frank Levey didn't know it, but his life was about to radically change the afternoon his mother took him to the theatre. He was a confused 12-year-old boy, unsure of his role in his family, school, and friendships, and emotionally unstable as he helplessly saw his parents' marriage falling apart. When the curtains opened, and the lights hit the stage, he knew he wanted to be part of the storytelling art. Fast forward many years, John became a four-time Emmy Award-winning casting director; he worked in iconic TV shows like China Beach, ER, The West Wing, and Shameless. He is also a five-time winner of the Casting Society of America's Artios Award, the recipient of its prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award, and recently published his debut book, "Right for the Role."Throughout our conversation, John gifted us a casting director's perspective on live auditions, self-tapes, and demo reels, and he also shared his thoughts on the pros and cons of technology for auditions and how self-tapes transformed the casting process. John also talked about his journey in the industry and how learning the language of actors, directors, and playwrights helped him hone his craft as a casting director. Additionally, you'll hear how he handled the process of writing a book, the importance of headshots, what every actor should bring into an audition, the things that turn him off as a casting director, and much more.Tune in to Episode 96 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover what happens on the other side of an audition.In This Episode, You Will Learn:It's not just dreaming about it; you must put the work in (2:20)How John figured he wanted to be a casting director (10:10)Don't bring your needs into an audition (22:20)People have fun playing the darkest roles (27:00)How self-tapes transformed the audition process (32:10)Let your performance surprise you (42:00)How important is a good headshot? (49:20)Connect with John:WebsiteInstagramIMDbGet John's book, Right for the RoleLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

I don't teach acting; I don't want to see anybody act. I want to see you be real. The camera is a lie detector, but it's also a truth detector. In today's episode, the last one before the end-of-the-year break, I take a moment to look back at the fantastic things we've accomplished with this pod, thank every one of you, the audience, for supporting and sharing the show, and review some of the most valuable tips we've learned from the almost a hundred interviews with the talented actors, acting students, producers, writers, and directors that visited us. Today's show is also a reminder that accomplishing whatever you dream to achieve depends solely on you, on writing down your goals and going after them with a vengeance; stop wasting time strolling anywhere on social media and working on your instrument every single day.Tune in to Episode 95 of Hollywood Dream Maker, take some time to set your goals, believe in them, see them become true, and go after them like you mean it. Resources Mentioned:Episode #44 - From the Manhattan Actor Studio to Landing Hollywood Roles with Robert Zoppo and Hunter ShigleyIn This Episode, You Will Learn:Burn the boats. Get used to rejection and never take it personally (2:50)There are plenty of FREE resources to hone your craft; use them (6:00)Why it is crucial to write down your goals (9:50)Acting requires you to give your 100% (13:00)Use the acting studio in your pocket (17:50)Safe is boring, don't be safe, be dangerous, be truthful (19:00)Let's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

If you really want something, do it, and then just keep doing it, and doing it until you get really good at it.Born in New York and raised in Chicago, David Llauger Meiselman grew up in a gypsy, artsy-fartsy environment that heavily influenced him, so after he turned 18, he went back to New York to "do theatre" out there. The Big Apple was just too much for him, so he tried LA, where he found the place to evolve his art and realized he wanted to direct, not act. His first project, a Blair Witch type of material "no one ever saw" called "LA River Stories," taught him dozens of valuable lessons, experience, and the conviction that he wouldn't stop until making it. He has produced and directed plays, poetry slams, television pilots, radio shows, documentaries, and animated series. He produced and directed "El Matadero," "1st Strike" and "Strike One" with Danny Trejo and Billy Gallo, and the TV series, "Paris Falls." His most recent work, "The Tunnel: Interview with a Moster," produced and directed by him, is a short based on his first project, "LA River Stories." David is also a founding member and present American Latino Theatre artistic director. Throughout this episode, David shares his thoughts on the importance of resilience and tenacity to succeed in Hollywood, whether as an actor, director, or producer. You'll learn about his particular way of chasing his dreams, his passion for writing and directing horror films, and his relentless attitude of constantly honing his craft. We also talk about our experiences working with the legend Danny Trejo, what David looks for in an actor during an audition, and much more. Tune in to Episode 94 of Hollywood Dream Maker and get David's fine advice to becoming a successful director and producer. In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about David's upbringing and his passion for theatre (2:50)Work leads to work (11:30)David talks about the multiple advantages of the entertainment industry present (23:50)David explains what he looks for in an actor during a casting (29:40)What is the American Latino Theatre, and how David got into it (40:20)Connect with David:IMDbTwitterLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite

Attack the roles that are easy to get, make your name, and once you've made a mark, tell your agent, Hey, give me some opportunities that I can use to stretch myself creatively.Actor and Director Maximilian Carlo Martini was born in New York. His father was a Roman sculptor and Doctor of Philosophy and Phenomenology, and his mother was a law enforcement officer in Texas. Curiously enough, Max Martini's trajectory in Hollywood was strongly influenced by both parents, his father instilling curiosity for all things creative, and his mother inspiring him for law enforcement and military roles, in which he made his name on the big screen. A few frustrating experiences as a young actor got Max coming in and out of acting, so he decided to focus on his love for fine arts and attended the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he received his BFA in painting and sculpture. After college, although he was working on movies and TV, he wasn't emotionally invested in becoming a successful actor. With that mindset, he disdainfully attended a casting and landed his first massive role in the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, and James Wood, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Max starred in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan," the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, David Mamet's "Red Belt," Guillermo Del Toro's "Pacific Rim," and Paul Greengrass' "Captain Phillips," and the TV series "The Purge," to name some titles of his extensive career. He is also heavily involved in charitable work benefiting veterans and works closely with Warriors Heart Addiction and PTSD Treatment Center and the Special Operations Charity Network.Throughout this episode, you'll hear about Max's upbringing and relationship with acting, which initially had several ups and downs. You'll also hear how identifying his castability catapulted Max's career and his thoughts on self-tapes, AI, and negative feedback. In addition, Max shares valuable tips on how to own a room during auditions, how he would approach the industry if he were a young actor today, and much more.Tune in to Episode 93 of Hollywood Dream Maker and get Max's precious insight on how to make your mark in Hollywood. In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Max's first steps in acting (2:30)Don't take negative feedback personally (12:50)Know your castability. Hollywood is a business, so what are you selling? (23:10)How would Max approach the industry if he were a starting actor today (28:00)How to own a room (40:00)Max shares his thoughts on AI and the Writers Guild strike (1:00:00)Connect with Max:IMDbInstagramLet's Connect: Manhattan Actor Studio Inside the Manhattan Actor Studio on YouTubeWebsite