Episode 364: Choice, Habit, Love: How Actors Build Real Momentum
Acting Business Boot Camp
Actors often wait for motivation. We hope a burst of inspiration will get us moving, keep us consistent, or push us to the next level. But real growth rarely starts with motivation. It starts with one small choice. In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the simple cycle that has changed my life many times over. Choice. Habit. Love. It’s a framework you can use in your acting career, your training, and your personal development to build strength and momentum in a way that actually lasts. The Moment I Realized Something Needed to Change A few years ago, I was...
info_outline
Episode 363: The Power of Slow as an Actor
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Slow Is the New Secret Weapon for Actors The entertainment industry glorifies hustle. Fast auditions, faster turnarounds, constant pressure to keep up. But what if slowing down is the real secret to booking more roles and building a lasting career? In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the power of slow and why being intentional, grounded, and patient can make you not only a stronger performer but also a more fulfilled human being. The Myth of Hustle: Why Speed Doesn’t Equal Success We’ve been conditioned to think that “busy” means...
info_outline
Episode 362: Paywalls, Performances, and the Price of Transparency
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Irony of Paid Transparency I saw a post the other day that made me stop mid-scroll. An actor—let’s call him Workshop Guy—was going viral for saying he was “tired of gatekeeping in the industry.” He wanted to break down the walls, create transparency, build community… all that good stuff. And then, at the end of his video, came the link. A $200 workshop. I laughed out loud. Because, honestly, that’s not transparency. That’s marketing. Let’s talk about why. The Anti-Gatekeeping Paywall Here’s the thing: if your solution to exclusivity is to sell tickets to your...
info_outline
Episode 361: Self Tapes That Book Part II
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Heart Behind a Great Self-Tape I’ll be honest—I couldn’t even remember how I start my podcast today. “Hello, I hope you had a great week?” That sounds right. Anyway, welcome back to Self-Tapes That Book, Part Two. Last week we talked about tech and mindset, about creating a space that supports your confidence instead of draining it. The kind of space that makes you feel like you just slipped into your favorite outfit—the one that makes you feel unstoppable. That’s exactly how I want your self-tape setup to feel: effortless, energizing, and completely you. Four Keys...
info_outline
Episode 360: Self Tapes that Book Part 1
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics for any working actor today: self-tapes. They’re no longer an occasional request or a pandemic workaround. Self-tapes are the audition room now. That means your setup, your mindset, and your energy have to communicate professionalism and confidence before you ever say a line. After losing my voice for a few weeks (and getting some incredible help from Mandy Fisher, Rose Marie, and Taylor), I wanted to come back with something that felt useful and practical. Because here’s the truth: the actors who treat...
info_outline
Episode 359: Do Not Get Into Voiceover If Any of These 3 Areas Will Be Drained
Acting Business Boot Camp
Voiceover is a beautiful and rewarding field. But if you’re not protecting your energy, creativity, and finances, it will eat you alive before you ever find your footing. I’ve seen too many talented actors get burned out because they thought VO was just about having a “great voice.” It isn’t. It’s a craft and a business rolled into one. And if any of those three pillars is running on empty, your career won’t last. Energy: Your True Currency Behind every polished 30-second spot is hours of research, auditions, editing, outreach, marketing, and more. Without systems to...
info_outline
Episode 358: What’s a Motto With You?
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I talk about mottos. Those little slogans or mantras that can actually keep you going in a business that is often messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming. A motto is not just decoration. It’s a tool. It helps you: Stay grounded when the industry feels chaotic. Filter choices and make better decisions. Communicate your identity and values quickly. Build momentum through small daily actions. I’ll share a quick history of mottos, what makes a good one, and a few of my favorites like: Grow through every no Truth over performance Consistent action, creative life ...
info_outline
Episode 356: The Importance of the Language of the Agents & the CD's
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Learning the “Language” Matters Actors spend years honing their craft, but many miss one critical piece: learning how to communicate in the Language of the Agents and the Casting Directors. This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about aligning your training, business practices, and mindset so the industry sees you as the solution—not the problem. As a casting director, I see it firsthand. Actors who know how to speak this language get representation, book roles, and build sustainable careers. Those who don’t? They’re quickly overlooked. The Three Pillars of a Successful...
info_outline
Episode 355: Grounded and Realistic Character Building
Acting Business Boot Camp
Hey there, it’s Mandy Fisher. Welcome back to the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast. I’ve been in the voiceover world for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I repeat over and over, it’s this: all voiceover is character work. Yes, even that five-second toothpaste ad. Even the audiobook that goes on for twelve hours. Even the one-liner in a loop group session. If I don’t believe in the character I’m creating, the audience won’t either—and you’d be surprised how quickly people can tell when something feels fake. Why Character Work Matters in VO Voiceover isn’t...
info_outline
Episode 354: Paula Tiso on Narration for Documentaries
Acting Business Boot Camp
This week’s episode is all about documentary narration. Voiceover actor Paula Tiso joins me to share her journey from sketch comedy in Los Angeles to working steadily in promos, radio imaging, true crime, and documentary series. We talk about training, the shift from “perky” reads to grounded storytelling, and what it really takes to support a story with your voice. About Paula: Paula Tiso is a veteran voiceover actor whose work spans documentary narration, true crime, television affiliates, video games, and more. She’s voiced Smithsonian Channel documentaries, Oxygen and ID...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics for any working actor today: self-tapes.
They’re no longer an occasional request or a pandemic workaround. Self-tapes are the audition room now. That means your setup, your mindset, and your energy have to communicate professionalism and confidence before you ever say a line.
After losing my voice for a few weeks (and getting some incredible help from Mandy Fisher, Rose Marie, and Taylor), I wanted to come back with something that felt useful and practical. Because here’s the truth: the actors who treat self-taping like an art form are the ones who keep booking.
Why Self-Tapes Matter More Than Ever
Casting directors aren’t inviting actors into offices the way they used to. Your self-tape is your first impression. It tells us who you are before we even watch the performance.
I’ve been watching this up close at home. My husband Jason decided to return to on-camera acting after years of working exclusively in voiceover. Within about six weeks, he recorded forty auditions and got seven offers. Seven.
He’s talented, yes—but what really made the difference was preparation, clarity, and confidence. Every tape looked professional, felt relaxed, and showed that he knew exactly who he was in the scene.
The Confidence You Can’t Fake
The camera doesn’t lie. It reads your nervous system, your self-belief, your energy. You can’t fake confidence.
That’s why mindset work is so powerful. It’s the foundation for everything I teach in The Weekly Adjustment. When you know you’re good—and you trust that knowing—it naturally shows up on camera.
Your Technical Foundation
You don’t need an expensive setup, but you do need consistency. A self-tape that looks clean and sounds professional instantly tells casting you take the work seriously.
Here’s what matters most:
-
Lighting: Even, natural, and shadow-free.
-
Background: Simple and neutral.
-
Sound: Use an external mic and record in a quiet space.
-
Framing: Keep your eyeline slightly off-camera.
-
Test Everything: Always record a few seconds first to check your lighting and sound.
Think of your setup as part of your craft. When it’s dialed in, you can focus on performance instead of worrying about your gear.
If you want to make sure your setup is working for you, grab the free Acting Business Boot Camp Self-Tape Setup Guide. It includes the exact gear, lighting, and mic recommendations I share with my students.
The Reader That Makes or Breaks You
A good reader is calm, grounded, and patient. Their job is to support you, not steal the moment.
If you’re working alone, reader apps or pre-recorded lines can work, but you still need to feel connected. Acting is about relationship, and that connection needs to be alive—even when you’re the only one in the room.
One of the great things about the Acting Business Boot Camp community is that members can find readers in our private Facebook group. Having a reliable reader on call changes everything.
And if you’re a strong sight reader, a teleprompter app can help you stay present without losing time to memorization stress.
Presence Over Perfection
Stop chasing “perfect.” The camera rewards presence.
When I saw Art on Broadway recently, James Corden’s performance stood out because he fully committed. It wasn’t polished—it was alive. That kind of truth and energy is what makes casting directors pay attention.
Commitment always beats precision. Be real. Be fully in it. That’s what books.
Key Takeaways
-
Self-tapes are your new audition room.
-
Confidence and presence matter as much as acting skill.
-
A clean, consistent setup is your professional edge.
-
A supportive reader elevates your work.
-
Presence and commitment are more powerful than perfection.
Resources Mentioned
-
Free Self-Tape Setup Guide: Get Peter’s list of recommended lighting, sound, and gear to make your tapes stand out.
-
The Weekly Adjustment: Ongoing mindset coaching for actors who want to build confidence, consistency, and energy that books.
Next week, in Part Two: Self-Tapes That Book – The Performance, Peter dives into choices, energy, and the details that make casting directors say, “That’s the one.”
Stay safe and treat yourself real well.