What Is Your "Magic Phrase"?

Explicit content warning

07/04/22 • 52 min

Case Study:
Lauren L. Lawrence moved to Los Angeles right after graduation from her MidWestern University Drama Program, and began her journey as a hopeful commercial, film, and television actress.

From day one, Lauren was represented by a boutique agency. How did she land them?

Well, she was approached by them at her senior showcase. They promised her the world, and she signed.

After a year of loyalty, Lauren realized she and her agency were not a good match.

After leaving the agency, Lauren became a regular listener of Hollywood Brass Talks.

She knows about evidence of greatness, fame cards, and the dangers of co-stars and showcases.

But she needs a new agent, and doesn’t know any. What good is evidence if no one will watch it? How can she break through with no credits?

Do cold calls really work?

Was she wrong to leave her agent? Was she wrong to come to L.A.?

Is there action, or just Brass Talk?

Let’s get into it.

Case Study:
Lauren L. Lawrence moved to Los Angeles right after graduation from her MidWestern University Drama Program, and began her journey as a hopeful commercial, film, and television actress.

From day one, Lauren was represented by a boutique agency. How did she land them?

Well, she was approached by them at her senior showcase. They promised her the world, and she signed.

After a year of loyalty, Lauren realized she and her agency were not a good match.

After leaving the agency, Lauren became a regular listener of Hollywood Brass Talks.

She knows about evidence of greatness, fame cards, and the dangers of co-stars and showcases.

But she needs a new agent, and doesn’t know any. What good is evidence if no one will watch it? How can she break through with no credits?

Do cold calls really work?

Was she wrong to leave her agent? Was she wrong to come to L.A.?

Is there action, or just Brass Talk?

Let’s get into it.

Previous Episode

What Does Your Brand Mean?

Case Study:
Catherine Lynn is a conservatory-trained actress who relocated to Los Angeles from North Carolina.

From the moment she arrived in L.A. Catherine began hearing she had to establish a “brand”,

something that was never mentioned in drama school. Catherine struggles with the concept.

Does this mean she must choose comedy over action, both of which she loves?

Is she stuck with the bob hairstyle she chose for ease of care?

Even her name: Catherine Lynn- (she dropped her actual last name: Glick)- feels like a lack of branding, and a betrayal of her heritage.

Catherine laments: “Can’t I just act? And, can someone please make sense of this branding-for-actors thing?”

Can we?

Let’s get into it.

Next Episode

Diversity & Inclusion

Case Study:

Omar El Dabe is an American born actor with an Egyptian heritage. He was raised in New Jersey and went to an elite theater program. He is versed in classical theater and has done a few commercials. He has pretty good representation but sees that he gets into casting rooms most often to play terrorists or cab drivers. He keeps hearing about diversity and inclusion, but what does that mean? He doesn’t seem to get in for non-ethnic roles, at least, very rarely. Is his name too ethnic? Is casting really that narrow minded that they can’t see past it? He has spoken to his agents, and they don’t seem to have any answers so he is bringing it to Hollywood Brass Talks. Is this something Mark and Stuart K can finally agree on?

Lets get into it.