Box Angeles (for Actors)

Director Oz Rodriguez (Rooster, The Four Seasons, Saturday Night Live) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 366. Oz stops by the bungalow and discusses growing up in the Dominican Republic, how a DM to Adam McKay led to his big break at Funny or Die, directing comedy legends on Saturday Night Live, working with Steve Carell, why he prefers in-person auditions to self-tapes, what he looks for in actors, and more!

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BEATS --
00:00 - Oz slates.
00:14 - Introduction.
01:41 - Being nervous in front of the camera.
02:42 - Directing Steve...

Director Anu Valia (Rooster, Shrinking, Shrill, The Other Two) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast. Anu stops by the bungalow and discusses her journey from Sundance to directing television, why success doesn't happen overnight, the problems with self-tape auditions, working with stars like Steve Carell and Harrison Ford, what directors look for when casting actors, and more!

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BEATS --
00:00 - Anu slates.
00:11 - Introduction.
01:53 - Why In-Person Conversations Matter.
03:09 - Making Shorts and Finding Her Voice.
07:47 - What Makes a Great Short Film?
09:15 - Finding Your Voice...

Writer and showrunner Alan Freedland (King of the Hill, Due Date, The Freak Brothers) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 364. Alan stops by the bungalow and discusses breaking into television, working with a writing partner, how writers get work, the changing economics of Hollywood, and what actors should know about auditions and casting, and more!

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BEATS --
00:00 – Alan slates.
00:14 – Introduction.
2:14 – Doing Second City improv in Chicago.
4:03 – “Alan” being the correct spelling and Hawaii story.
6:59 – Birthday week and introversion.
8:34 – Work procurement as a writer.
13:36 – Meeting writing Partner Alan Cohen...

Actor Angel Parker (The Rookie, Marvel's Runaways) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 363. Angel stops by the bungalow and discusses commuting to Los Angeles, her relationship with her reps, how she tries to do stuff for her acting daily, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Angel slates.
00:11 - Introduction.
02:10 - Moving to St. Louis and commuting to Los Angeles.
13:24 - Self awareness to turn down work.
14:22 - Work as a local hire.
18:26 - Relationship with reps.
27:21 - Advice to young actors.
29:37 - Optimism about show business.<...

Actor Brandon Sornberger (Young Sheldon, St. Denis Medical) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 362. Brandon stops by the bungalow and discusses therapy, nihilism, evolving perspective on acting, and finding gratitude amidst Hollywood’s challenges, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Brandon slates.
00:12 - Introduction.
02:05 - Brandon's sixth time on the podcast.
03:10 - Going to therapy.
07:28 - Chasing something with acting.
10:45 - "Make your own stuff".
14:46 - Appreciating being on set and getting humbled.
18:29 - Frustrated at auditions.
20:12 - Nihilism in regards to life and the in...

Actor Brian Thomas Smith (The Big Bang Theory, Bad Monkey) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 361. Brian stops by the bungalow and discusses going 0 for 6 on avails last year, why he still chooses to audition for commercials, how he used to crash auditions, doing reality shows before acting, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Brian slates.
00:14 - Introduction.
01:56 - The podcast clips on Instagram.
03:09 - Handsome and funny.
06:11 - Facial hair.
09:48 - Outlook for 2026.
12:58 - Stuart Fails To Save The Universe.
14:29 - Zack spinoff of The...

Actor Courtney Richards (Insecure, Alex, Inc.) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 360. Courtney stops by the bungalow and discusses audition confidence, booking momentum, commercial comedy, mindset shifts, what success really means, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Courtney slates.
00:14 - Introduction.
01:42 - Meeting at a commercial callback.
04:53 - What is success.
08:07 - How much is Courtney auditioning.
09:27 - Secret sauce to booking.
13:03 - Understanding the comedy.
19:18 - Anti keeping track of auditions.
21:51 - Audition rituals.
24:40 - Courtney's kids acting now.
26:37 - Self tapes.<...

Actor - and commercial session director - Reece Rios (Scandal, Ray Donovan, Young Sheldon) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 359. Reece stops by the bungalow and discusses the nuances of auditioning, the impact of self-tapes, the psychological demands of the entertainment industry, what he's learned from teaching the Commercial Class, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Reece slates.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:35 - Time spent on video games.
09:03 - Session directing.
12:35 - How exhausting that job is.
17:46 - Giving actors the benefit of the doubt.
24:23 - Returning to in...

Actor Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, The Thundermans) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 358. Harvey stops by the bungalow and discusses the value of every role, even one-liners, how unexpected chances shape a career, his approach to self-tapes versus in-person auditions, how to manage relationships with representation, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Harvey slates.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:07 - Companion the best film of the year.
06:56 - Being offered that role and awkward meetings with directors.
10:30 - Never being above an audition and how...

Actor-Comedian Matt McCarthy (Conan, Adam Ruins Everything, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 357. Matt stops by the bungalow and discusses how he rarely reads scripts, trusting his instincts when auditioning, how he prioritizes his many endeavors, not enjoying his time as a collegiate mascot, and more!

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BEATS --
00:00 - Matt slates.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:10 - Matt's comedic role in (the best movie of the year) Companion.
08:52 - Reading scripts.
11:17 - Acting on instincts.
13:06 - Self taping on tour for Companion.
15:06 - Not enjoying and...

Actor Megan Heyn (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 356. Megan stops by the bungalow and discusses her new web series Actors Anonymous, how this industry can feel abusive, using coaching on auditions as acting class, having those moments of actor tantrums, and more!

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BEATS --

00:00 - Megan slates.
00:11 - Introduction.
02:10 - Being high energy.
03:17 - First impressions and journals.
13:46 - Megan's new web series Actors Anonymous.
17:04 - Everyone thinking about quitting the business right now.
19:23...

Actor Will Rothhaar (NCIS: Origins, Will Trent, The Rookie) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 355. Will stops by the bungalow and discusses the career drought he went on after his last appearance on the podcast, the struggle to make health insurance, how he is always cast as the bad guy, and the desire to move to the energy of New York City someday, and more!

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BEATS --

00:00 - Will slates.
00:12 - Introduction.
03:12 - A 7-ish year career drought after doing the podcast the first time.
09:50 - Making...

Actor Mo Collins (Mad TV, Parks and Recreation, Fear the Walking Dead) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 354. Mo stops by the bungalow and discusses why she is not optimistic about the business, the importance of questioning your faith as an artist, not currently having an agent, and candidly discusses the challenges of staying relevant in the industry, and more!

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BEATS --

00:00 - Mo slates her name.
00:12 - Introduction.
03:42 - Small part on Jingle All The Way.
04:37 - Auditioning in Minnesota.
06:14 - Studying improv as a...

Editor (and director) Jessica Brunetto (Hacks, Adults, Broad City) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 353. Jessica stops by the bungalow and discusses the intricacies as well as the technical aspects of editing hit shows, her transition into directing, the importance for asking for stuff and making your intentions known, and more!

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BEATS--

00:00 - Jessica slates her name.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:25 - Why Jess chose editing.
05:35 - Getting a BFA in directing from SUNY Purchase.
06:10 - Starting jobs and the editor career ladder.
10:12 - Coming into Broad...

Actor - and commercial session director - Jonathan Runyon (Modern Family, Mad Men) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 352. Jonathan stops by the bungalow and discusses the economics of being a session director, auditon & callback advice, common things he notices actors doing (and not doing), what the true goal is for commercial actors, and more!

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BEATS--

00:00 - Jonathan slates his name.
00:11 - Introduction.
02:29 - Acting and working at 200 South La Brea.
03:11 - Slower commercially right now, but not for non union.
05:18 - Session director perspective on...

Producer Alex McAtee (The Disaster Artist, Sausage Party) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 351. Alex stops by the bungalow and discusses getting her start as a PA to becoming EVP at Point Grey, the struggles in development, navigating pitches, building trust with collaborators while making sure everyone is on the same page creatively, how The Studio hilariously toes the line between satire and celebration, and more!

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BEATS--

00:00 - Alex slates her name.
00:14 - Introduction.
02:00 - Emailing people you don't know.
05:27 - Was producing always the goal.
06:25...

Director Tara Miele (Lessons in Chemistry, Arrow, The Rookie) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 350. Tara stops by the bungalow and discusses her peers historically keeping to themselves, what she loves about filmmaking, her need to be the Tigger on set, how she approaches various levels of actors differently, and more!

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BEATS--

00:00 - Tara slates her name.
00:11 - Introduction.
02:12 - Tara loves podcasts.
04:50 - Directors historically being lone wolfs.
06:47 - Up and coming director groups.
08:25 - Young directors replacing old.
12:35 - The recent strikes...

Director Jocelyn Cooper joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 349. Jocelyn stops by the bungalow and discusses her unconventional path into the film industry, beginning with music video production, shares insights into directing, the importance of social media for creators, maintaining a positive, productive set environment, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Jocelyn slates her name.
00:12 - Introduction.
02:00 - Sharing directing stories on TikTok.
05:06 - Surname Cooper meaning.
06:03 - Appendix removal.
07:25 - Studying film at Loyola Marymount.
09:52 - Working at a music video production company.
13:51 - Moving...

Casting Director Ryan Bernstein of RMB Casting joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 348. Ryan stops by the bungalow and discusses how it's hard to make a career in this business, callbacks being the goal for the actors, wanting to only do in person auditions at his office, how many submissions he is getting, and more!
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BEATS--
00:00 - Ryan slates his name.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:10 - Former actor and doing Chicago improv.
06:22 - Goals always changing and shift to casting.
10:18 - Never casting oneself in the work.
13:05 - Is...

Actor Jessy Hodges joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 347. Jessy stops by the bungalow and discusses the evolving landscape of auditioning, the importance of making your own stuff, whether or not we should be concerned about artificial intelligence, studying at Tisch in a program that emphasized body awareness, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Jessy slates her name.
00:10 - Introduction.
00:52 - Podcasts and Odenkirk-Provissiero management.
03:01 - Conversations with actor reps.
05:40 - Callbacks.
06:48 - Audition volume and a spokesperson gig.
08:34 - Shifting away from commercials.
11:24 - Making...

Actor Matt Jones stops by the bungalow and discusses his unwillingness to pay for self tapes, the state of television, never being happier personally, and more!

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BEATS --
00:00 - Matt slates his name.
00:22 - Introduction.
01:20 - Sneaking things into slates.
04:38 - Not wanting to pay for self tapes.
06:33 - Matt is a fan of the podcast clips.
11:25 - Matt's voice work and AI.
14:15 - Apple shows and the state of TV.
17:12 - Still having to audition.
21:58 - Gersh Agency and not needing validation.
24:38...

Actor Adam Shapiro stops by the bungalow and discusses how he stands out in this industry by bending the rules, what he learned working as a casting assistant, his passion project turned side hustle Shappy Pretzel, and more!
 

Adam's IMDb and Instagram @shappyshaps.

00:00 - Introduction.
01:35 - Adam slates his name.
02:05 - How Jason Winer changed Adam's career.
09:25 - An Adam Shapiro type.
13:04 - Modulating voice.
16:21 - Adam's slate trick.
17:24 - Working as a casting assistant.
22:29 - Breaking rules.
26:13 - Carnegie Melon*, small resumes and de...

Casting director Lindsay Bronson stops by the bungalow and discusses best practices when auditioning with kids, commonalities between people who book frequently, how new people can get seen, and more!

Lindsay's IMDb and Instagram @lindsaybronson.

00:00 - Introduction.
01:43 - Lindsay slates her name.
03:40 - Focusing on kid, beauty and real-people casting.
04:55 - Best practices auditioning with kids.
17:45 - Adult actors have a lot going on.
18:33 - Mike crying after an audition.
20:34 - Discussing Mike's recent self tapes for AHC Casting.
24:37 - General actor feedback.
26:44...