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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineThe 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 to Powerful Self-Tape Performances
1. Make Clear, Bold, Story-Driven Choices
Don’t play it vague. Every beat should be grounded in intention. Commit fully.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to give my life for this moment?
If not, there’s probably an energy block—not in your acting ability, but in your connection to yourself. The work of an actor isn’t just skill; it’s presence, humanity, and openness. That’s where true talent lives.
2. Energy and Presence
Confidence reads as relaxation, not effort.
Think of an Olympic skater or gymnast. What looks effortless on camera comes from deep preparation—and self-trust.
As Marianne Williamson said, “Your playing small does not serve the world.”
Our job as artists is to shine. To align with something bigger than fear. To choose energy that flows with the universe, not against it.
3. Editing and Delivery
This one’s simple—but it’s where many actors slip.
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Trim dead air.
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Slate cleanly.
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Label properly: YourName_Role_Project
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Submit once. On time.
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Follow directions exactly.
Casting directors notice when you don’t. And often? We move on to the next actor who did.
Keep a record of what you send, what worked, and what you’d improve next time. There’s no such thing as a perfect audition—only growth.
4. Professionalism and Presence
Don’t tape to prove you’re good enough. Tape to serve the story.
That shift—from fear to ownership—changes everything. You’re not auditioning to be judged. You’re collaborating. You’re submitting your idea for the role.
The camera knows when you’re faking peace. Confidence can’t be faked either.
Be you. Be grounded. Be magnetic. The kind of magnetic that makes people go, “What is it about them?”
Common Mistakes That Can Kill a Self-Tape
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Overproduced mini-movies. Keep it simple.
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Poor lighting or framing. Your face tells the story—let it.
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Flat reads or mechanical delivery. Find truth in every beat.
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Ignoring file naming or upload instructions. This one’s huge. Don’t get deleted over a filename.
The Formula That Books the Job
Tech gets you seen.
Truth gets you remembered.
Energy books the job.
Focus on your presence, your clarity, and your connection—not perfection.
Free Self-Tape Setup Guide
If you want a checklist and setup walkthrough to make your self-tapes look as good as they feel, grab our Free Self-Tape Setup Guide below.
🎬 Download the Free Self-Tape Setup Guide
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