WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Breaking into Hollywood — with Michael Strassner
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Release Date: 09/10/2025
GUY BURNET: Permission to Be Raw
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
We’re kicking off Season 7 of That One Audition with Guy Burnet, an actor industry friends have nicknamed a “masterful auditioner.” From his early days on the UK soap Hollyoaks to the heights of Hollywood, Guy lets us in on the journey and work ethic behind the scenes. He describes his self-tape “torture chamber,” a room devoted to the grueling, multi-day pursuit of audition perfection, where he’s built a career defined by precision, discipline, and soul. His credits span Ray Donovan, Hand of God, and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, sharing the screen with icons like Johnny Depp...
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WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Rehearsal vs. Camera: Train Like a Working Actor
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In this episode, If you need 20 takes to “warm up,” you’re still rehearsing. In this solo episode, Alyshia explains why rehearsal and camera time require two very different mindsets—and how confusing them is costing actors confidence, time, and bookings. Learn why story choices beat character choices in auditions, how to train for 24-hour turnarounds, and what it really means to practice how you play in today’s self-tape world. 💪 Subscribe now for insightful discussions, empowering interviews, and practical advice to enhance your career longevity and satisfaction. 🔗 Connect...
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MUSTAFA SHAKIR: Put Your Right Brain in Front of the Camera
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In today’s episode, we dive into the extraordinary career of Mustafa Shakir, the self-described “accidental actor” who originally pursued international banking and law at Cornell before discovering acting after reading a poem in a workshop. He breaks down the nitty-gritty of auditioning, including the high-stakes journey to landing the Marvel villain "Bushmaster" on Luke Cage. We also talk about why he loves the “little movie” process of self-taping, and how trusting intuition and learning to let go after preparation has helped him uncover new dimensions in his work. Mustafa...
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WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Sustainability As an Actor
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
A casting director's Instagram post stopped me mid-scroll: "We don't pick the most talented—we pick the ones who survived without losing their soul." In this episode, we're talking about why artists don't burn out from rejection but from performing versions of themselves that never existed, and how building a sustainable practice is the only way to stay authentic in an industry that demands everything. Plus, details on how to join the Practice Track community when we open enrollment at the end of January. THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS: For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast...
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MILAN CARTER: Be Your Own Biggest Fan
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Get ready for a masterclass in hustle, heart, and hilarious setbacks as we dive into Milan Carter’s unbelievable journey to landing "Barry" on Netflix’s hit action-comedy FUBAR. Milan reveals how he delivered a self-tape so strong it could have been “dropped right into the episode”—complete with an improvised Slurpee cup and inventive tricks to handle the dense dialogue. He walks us through the intense, months-long battle to even audition for the role while under contract at Nickelodeon. The conversation also explores Carter’s philosophical approach to acting, being your own...
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JACOB SCIPIO: Not Asking for Permission
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Our guest this week, Jacob Scipio, began his acting journey practically straight out of the womb, signed by his aunt’s boutique agency at birth and appearing on BBC television throughout his childhood. His path to becoming a working adult actor was far from easy, though; after auditioning for ten drama schools and getting into none, he found himself a broke student working odd jobs like landscape gardening. Tune in to hear the unbelievable sequence of events that followed, starting with a surprise call from the director of the American war film The Outpost and the white lie Jacob told to...
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MICHELLE HURD: See Yourself as #1 on the Call Sheet
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Get ready for an electrifying deep dive with Michelle Hurd, an actress, activist, and industry powerhouse whose career has spanned Shakespeare, sitcoms, sci-fi universes, and everything in between. Born into a legendary artistic lineage and raised to treat acting as both a sacred craft and a true business, Michelle opens up about the relentless training and unwavering discipline that have fueled her ability to work only as an actor since college. She reveals the strategy that won her the fiercely complex role of Raffi on Star Trek: Picard in just two takes. Michelle also pulls back the curtain...
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WEDNESDAY WISDOM: R.E.S.T.
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
In this episode, Alyshia breaks down a new acronym for REST and explores why true rest is essential for the creative mind. Learn how stepping back fuels intuition, clarity, and artistry, and why rest isn’t slowing down… it is setting yourself up to create again. Subscribe now for insightful discussions, empowering interviews, and practical advice to enhance your career longevity and satisfaction. Connect with That One Audition: THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: THE PRACTICE TRACK: CONSULTING: COACHING: INSTAGRAM: INSTAGRAM: WEBSITE: APPLE PODCASTS: SPOTIFY: STITCHER: Subscribe today and...
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COLIN EGGLESFIELD: Don't Wait to Be Chosen
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Step into an extraordinary journey with Colin Egglesfield, a multi-hyphenate creator who has built a global career by refusing to follow a straight path. After taking the MCAT, he made a radical pivot into modeling before breaking into Hollywood with a contract role on All My Children. Along the way he survived multiple life-altering setbacks, including multiple bouts of cancer and living through the World Trade Center tragedy, which reshaped his entire outlook on purpose and possibility. Colin opens up about the intense pressures of Hollywood including being unexpectedly killed off a show,...
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WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Discipline and Observation
That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse
Discipline isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the secret weapon of working actors. In this episode of That One Audition, Alyshia Ochse dives into the power of studying story, mastering framing, and learning from brilliant actors to elevate your craft and your self-tapes. From observing working actors like Frank Grillo, Michelle Monaghan, and Skye P. Marshall to analyzing your own auditions with a critical eye, Alyshia breaks down how to turn inspiration into actionable skills. Plus, she shares how The Bridge for Actors puts years of industry experience and a supportive community right in your...
info_outlineToday’s episode offers a special glimpse into The Practice Track Membership, where actors not only train but also get the rare perk of connecting directly with industry professionals. In this conversation, our members had the chance to sit down with comedian, writer, and actor Michael Strassner, whose path into Hollywood is as unexpected as it is inspiring.
Michael shares how a simple Instagram connection with Jay Duplass sparked the creation of an independent film based on his life. He opens up about the hurdles of indie filmmaking, the courage it takes to be vulnerable in your art, and the grind of navigating post-production. From promoting his film to facing rejection head-on, Michael’s story is packed with real, actionable advice for actors and creatives alike.
✨ Whether you’re dreaming of making your own work, building connections, or finding the confidence to put yourself out there, this heartfelt conversation is a reminder that opportunity often comes from where you least expect it. AND let this conversation be the invite that you need to find your community in THE PRACTICE TRACK MEMBERSHIP. Click below to get on the waitlist to join!
💪 Subscribe now for insightful discussions, empowering interviews, and practical advice to enhance your career longevity and satisfaction.
THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS:
- SLAYTEMBER: Starting September 18th
- THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR
- THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly
- CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse
- COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role
- INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse
- INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition
- WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com
- APPLE PODCASTS: Subscribe to That One Audition on Apple Podcasts
- SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify
- STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher
CREDITS:
- Host/Producer: Alyshia Ochse
- Writer: Maddie McCormick
- WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
- SOCIAL: Alara Cerikcioglu