Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
Billy Gallo
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Top 10 Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
The Unknown Side of Auditions. Insights from Casting Director John Frank Levey
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
01/16/24 • 68 min
They're not really accidents at all. It's not some lightning strike of good fortune that's bashing you in the head; it's a result of your being on a journey.
John Frank Levey didn't know it, but his life was about to radically change the afternoon his mother took him to the theatre. He was a confused 12-year-old boy, unsure of his role in his family, school, and friendships, and emotionally unstable as he helplessly saw his parents' marriage falling apart. When the curtains opened, and the lights hit the stage, he knew he wanted to be part of the storytelling art. Fast forward many years, John became a four-time Emmy Award-winning casting director; he worked in iconic TV shows like China Beach, ER, The West Wing, and Shameless. He is also a five-time winner of the Casting Society of America's Artios Award, the recipient of its prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award, and recently published his debut book, "Right for the Role."
Throughout our conversation, John gifted us a casting director's perspective on live auditions, self-tapes, and demo reels, and he also shared his thoughts on the pros and cons of technology for auditions and how self-tapes transformed the casting process. John also talked about his journey in the industry and how learning the language of actors, directors, and playwrights helped him hone his craft as a casting director.
Additionally, you'll hear how he handled the process of writing a book, the importance of headshots, what every actor should bring into an audition, the things that turn him off as a casting director, and much more.
Tune in to Episode 96 of Hollywood Dream Maker and discover what happens on the other side of an audition.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- It's not just dreaming about it; you must put the work in (2:20)
- How John figured he wanted to be a casting director (10:10)
- Don't bring your needs into an audition (22:20)
- People have fun playing the darkest roles (27:00)
- How self-tapes transformed the audition process (32:10)
- Let your performance surprise you (42:00)
- How important is a good headshot? (49:20)
Connect with John:
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A Step-by-step Guide To Becoming A Hollywood Actor
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
09/19/23 • 22 min
Do you want to become an actor and have no idea where to start?
Today's episode is a step-by-step guide to getting into the film industry. If you dream of being part of massive Hollywood productions or sharing the set with your favorite actors, this guide is all you need to get yourself in the game. When I got to Hollywood with $200 bucks in my pocket and a one-way ticket in the 80s, creating footage with a cellphone or finding agents online wasn't possible. It took more work for unknown actors to get in front of casting directors. In the digital era, that changed; everyone walks around with a movie studio in their back pocket. Still, one thing hasn't changed: if you want to become an actor, you must be relentless, accumulate as many nos as you can, and take massive action.
Tune in to Episode 89 of Hollywood Dream Maker, follow this guide, and make your dream a reality. See you in Hollywood!
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- Know yourself; know your castability. You're selling a product (1:50)
- Demo reels vs. Self-tapes. What has changed and how to use it to your advantage (6:10)
- How to create a piece of footage that showcases your castability (8:20)
- Make sure your skills and what makes you unique stand out (10:30)
- "Meet" Bill Brook and how he helped Billy make it to Hollywood (15:10)
- Why you should be creating your own projects (18:20)
Resources:
- Episode 5 - How to Prepare for the Audition
- Episode 50 - The Art of Self Tapes
Let's Connect:
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Ignore The Noise; You Are More Powerful Than You Think with Kerstin Schulze
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
11/01/22 • 40 min
Be on your craft all the time and stay sharp. Work on your instrument every single day.
Born in Germany, Kerstin von Schulze tried improv when she was 14 in a theatre in Munich and immediately fell in love with it. Being on stage was very comfortable for her, and nothing would feel better for her than making people laugh. Taking care of herself was always her other passion; she was a silver medalist as a heptathlon athlete in the junior Olympics. She worked on American Horror Story 6, directed by Angela Bassett, The Stranger, and Flaked 2, opposite Will Arnett and David Sullivan, and she's had roles opposite David Schwimmer, Amy Schumer, and Anthony Anderson, to name a few. Kerstin is also the Owner and Health Coach of Elite Personal Training.
In this episode, Kerstin talks about her decision to get a one-way ticket from Germany to L.A and chase her dream of becoming an actress. She describes some of the challenges she faced along the way, how she conquered her fears and insecurities, and how it is to memorize lines and prepare for her roles with her severe ADD disorder. We also discuss the importance of knowing who we are as actors, imprinting our style, owning each part we get, what's next for Kerstin, and so much more.
Tune in to Episode 66 of Hollywood Dream Maker to hear about why talent and self-confidence are always the best choices to stand out.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- About Kerstin's love for improv and making people laugh (2:01)
- Find an agent who understands who you are and where you want to get (5:53)
- How Kerstin deals with pre-audition nerves and anxiety (9:06)
- Kerstin's advice for actors with ADD (12:13)
- Kerstin shares her thoughts on how to be more confident (23:10)
- Use social media for work, not just for acceptance (28:47)
Connect with Kerstin:
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The Mastermind Behind Night of the Demons with Kevin Tenney
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
10/19/21 • 63 min
Are you interested in multiple careers in Hollywood? Gaining experience writing, acting, directing, and producing will help you to not only learn which one you like the best but also to understand the perspectives of the other professionals you will work with.
Kevin Tenney is an incredible writer, director, and producer. After graduating from college, Kevin was accepted to the Cinema & Television Department of the University of Southern California, where only the top five percent of students are given the opportunity to direct either a Television Project or a Film Project. Kevin was - and still is - the only student in the University's history to direct one of each. Kevin wrote his first feature-length script, Ouija, as an assignment in his screenwriting class and then left USC four units short of his Master’s Degree in order to direct it. Kevin’s second feature, Night of the Demons, became a cult classic, spawning two sequels and a 2010 big-budget remake. Kevin has since written, directed, and/or produced more than twenty independent films and documentaries and is currently working on his first horror-themed comic.
In this episode, Kevin and I talk about when he knew that he wanted to direct movies, the gutsy action he took to attend the University of Southern California’s film school, the different skills that have helped him throughout his career, what his advice is for up and coming Hollywood professionals, and a message to fans of Night of the Demons. Kevin’s career is an incredible story of the hard work behind mastering a craft and I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation.
Tune in to Episode 39 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn how Kevin built an amazing career in Hollywood for himself and what advice he has for aspiring actors, writers, directors, and filmmakers!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Kevin’s success at the University of Southern California’s film school (8:04)
- The value of having the skill of writing in Hollywood (14:49)
- What Kevin looks for when casting a project (22:15)
- The project that Kevin is most proud of (39:13)
- Kevin’s advice for up and coming filmmakers (50:37)
- Kevin’s message to the fans of Night of the Demons (59:10)
Connect with Kevin
Let’s Connect:
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Turning Pain into Power Through Podcasting with Omar Elattar
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
06/01/21 • 69 min
Are you debating starting your own podcast? If you have been on the fence about podcasting, this episode will be the sign you need to take the first step.
Omar Elattar is the producer, creator & host of “The Passionate Few” podcast. With over 10 million listeners & 140,000 subscribers on YouTube, he has amassed a large following online having interviewed over $10 billion dollars Of Entrepreneurs, world leaders & Experts from all walks of life! As an entrepreneur with a production & consulting agency, Omar is also passionate about giving back through his recent partnership with FEEDING AMERICA, where he has pledged to donate 1 million meals to men, women, and children in need!
In this episode, Omar and I talk about how we met at a Tony Robbins event, how he began his podcast “The Passionate Few” and grew it to the great success it is today, the golden nuggets he has learned from his interviews, and how Omar was a huge influence in my own creation of The Hollywood Dreammaker. Get ready to be inspired to hop on the mic and start your own podcasting journey!
Tune in to Episode 29 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn how Omar turned his pain into power through podcasting!
Some Questions I ask
- How did the interest in launching a podcast start for you? (5:58)
- What are some of the common denominators that you see with your highly successful guests? (15:23)
- How was it interviewing high-profile people that you never thought you would meet? (35:28)
- If you could go back and give your younger self advice what would it be? (58:39)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How Omar inspired me to start my own podcast (1:55)
- About Omar’s first guest on his podcast and the notable names he has had since (11:47)
- To pursue what you’re being pulled to (33:11)
- How Omar’s mindset has changed from his interviews (41:00)
- Omar’s book and resource recommendations (56:08)
Resources Mentioned:
- Book - Feel the Fear and Do it Anyways
- Book - The ONE Thing
- Book - Unlimited Power
- Book - The Alchemist
Connect with Omar:
Let’s Connect:
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Behind the Scenes with Mike Markoff: Be A Character and Not An Actor Auditioning
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
03/12/24 • 62 min
We're all here because, for some odd reason, we have this uncanny ability to believe in imaginary circumstances really, really hard. So much that they are our own, in the most intimate kind of way.
Mike Markoff knew he belonged on stage at a very young age. He started acting in the Chicago theater scene when he was eight, and five years later; he was already acting for a traveling theater company from the same city. Despite conquering a respectable space in the acting community of LA at only 20 years old, Mike left Hollywood, became a food and beverage consultant, and traveled around Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania for 10 years. His early beginnings in acting, plus his experiences overseas, polished Mike's acting, turning him into an actor with a broad range, capable of playing complex antihero characters like anyone. Besides his abundant experience in theater, he has over 50 film and TV credits, including "When Jack Came Back," "Space Waves," and the nerve-racking short "Hard To Place." He was recently handpicked by Richard Linklater & Glen Powell for the 2024 film HITMAN, which already premiered at Sundance and will soon be on theaters and Netflix.
We had a fantastic conversation about Mike's unique perspective on acting, from how to prepare for the never-optimal conditions actors find themselves in almost constantly to getting ready to be a character and not an actor auditioning in casting calls. Mike also shares lessons learned throughout his extensive and successful acting career, his secrets for playing the darkest, most horrific antiheroes, an incredible trick to add depth to seemingly trivial conversations and land roles during auditions, and much more.
Tune in to Episode 100 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn more about Mike's methods and tricks that can transform your acting career.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- About Mike's early appearance on theater stages (4:20)
- Train yourself. Never stop honing your craft (10:30)
- Mike shares his thoughts on the benefits of self-tapes (18:00)
- Be a wildcard choice (25:20)
- Mike shares an incredible trick to transform scripts during auditions (27:40)
- Know your character better than the writer who wrote it (34:00)
- Mark talks about his time overseas (41:30)
- Never get too comfy (52:20)
- Mark shares an advice for young actors (57:00)
Connect with Mike Markoff:
Let's Connect:
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The Secret World of Scriptwriting. Elevate Your Scriptwriting Game with Mike Cheda
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
04/09/24 • 54 min
Movies used to be good, and now they are kind of shitty.
After taking a film class almost by chance, Mike Cheda spent years honing his craft as a scriptwriter and executive producer at HBO and the Walt Disney Studios before feeling he "aged out" of being a working screenwriter and becoming a Professional Script Consultant. He is best known for co-authoring 1999's Chill Factor with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Skeet Ulrich. As a developer and producer, he worked on The Opposite Sex, Next of Kin, Why Shoot the Teacher, and Shape of Things To Come. For TV, he produced and developed Wheels of Terror, Pair of Aces, Angel of Death, Another Pair of Aces, and Christmas in Connecticut, to name just a few.
In this episode, Mike talks about the side of scriptwriting that is secret or hidden from most of us. He shares bits of his hard-earned knowledge in the space, from how to create a seducing logline to what to add or cut out in a screenplay before taking it to an agent. He also explains movies' three-act structure, how to create a solid elevator pitch, the best way to attract the right eyeballs to our script, and much more.
Tune in to Episode 101 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn some of Mike's tricks for improving your scripts and bringing them up to professional standards.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- About how Mike got into movies and scriptwriting (2:20)
- Mike explains movies' three-act structure (8:40)
- Is it necessary to register and protect our written material? (18:50)
- How important is it to get feedback for the evolution of a screenplay? (27:00)
- How to create a seductive logline (32:10)
- What is the best way to get our script read (41:00)
- Polishing scripts to avoid burning bridges (49:50)
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Blake Snyder - Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
- Book: Syd Field - Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting
Connect with Mike Cheda:
Let's Connect:
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From Model to Mentor: Lessons from The Model Maker, Diana Gallo
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
02/27/24 • 44 min
Now that I am where I am and look back, everything I did prepared me to create the Manhattan Model Studio.
Diana Gallo, aka The Model Maker, has over 20 years of experience modeling professionally, appearing on magazine covers, commercials, television shows, movies, music videos, and print catalogs. She owns the Manhattan Model Studio, where she coaches and mentors aspiring models to get their careers started, guiding them on how to book jobs quicker, easier, and, above all things, safer.
Diana uses the Manhattan Model Studio to help her students be more confident and self-aware of their talents, care for themselves, and make money modeling.
Throughout this episode, you'll hear Diana's advice on getting started in modeling, recognizing red flags in auditions and photoshoots, and being fully prepared for auditions. Diana also shares her thoughts on why actors should know how to pose, models how to act, and the four basic skills every aspiring model must master.
Additionally, Diana shares a breathing technique that'll help you gather yourself and be calm before auditions. We also discuss the importance of never giving up, how to use social media as a portfolio, learning to relax and trust the universe knows where it takes us, and more.
Tune in to Episode 99 of Hollywood Dream Maker and learn how to land your next modeling gig easier, faster, and safer.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- Diana talks about why she decided to create the Manhattan Model Studio (3:40)
- Red flags to be aware of in auditions and photoshoots (6:10)
- How can you tell if a model agency is legit? (10:20)
- Why models must know how to act (15:40)
- Four skills every model must have (19:10)
- Diana teaches a breathing technique to calm down before auditions (25:40)
- Trust yourself and keep going; every "no" gets you closer to the "yes" (31:30)
Connect with Diana:
Let's Connect:
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How To Be Fearless When Stepping Into The Unknown with Jeff Kober
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
01/24/23 • 72 min
"The real experience for me is between action and cut; everything else is preparation."
Jeff Kober was born in Montana, where he worked as a farmer and factory worker until his early 20s. Then, trying to escape from his rough childhood, he followed a girl who dreamed of being an actress to Los Angeles and started a rock band, The Walking Wounded. A couple of years later, Jeff was alone in L.A.; the girl figured acting wasn't her thing, and the rock band didn't make it. Unpretentiously, Jeff attended an acting class that would change his life and showed him a new way to cope with the darkness in him.
He is an Emmy Award-winning actor currently recurring on Big Sky and NCIS: Los Angeles. He is best known for his participation in Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood, his role as Joe in The Walking Dead, and his work in Leave No Trace. He is also a Vedic Meditation teacher, author of the book "Embracing Bliss: 108 Daily Meditations," and host of the "Embracing Bliss podcast."
In this episode, Jeff talks about his first steps in Hollywood, his struggle with depression and PTSD, and how acting first and then meditation helped him to see the light shine again. We also talk about his journey into mindfulness, how meditation enhanced his acting skills, how he handles the fear of getting on stage, and much more.
Tune in to Episode 72 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn how quieting your ego's voice and being present can take your acting to the next level.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
- About Jeff's unplanned arrival in Los Angeles (2:25)
- Why focusing on external validation is detrimental for an actor (6:57)
- What happens when we pick emotionally grounded intentions (20:26)
- How can shutting down your mind help you (26:02)
- About Jeff's connection with meditation and mindfulness (37:44)
- How meditation helped Jeff to deal with the fear of being on stage (50:25)
Connect with Jeff:
- IMDb
- Website
- Podcast
- Get his book: Embracing Bliss: 108 Daily Meditations
Let’s Connect:
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The Payoffs of Perfecting Your Craft with Erik Palladino
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo
02/22/22 • 62 min
It’s said that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. Whether you’re counting your hours or not, continuously striving to perfect your craft is time spent wisely.
Erik Palladino is a writer, director, and award-winning actor originally from Yonkers, New York. Erik was first cast on the Fox sitcom, Love and Marriage and his career-defining role came a few years later on TV's number one show, ER, in 2000 as Dr. Dave Malucci. During this time, Erik was also featured alongside Matthew McConaughey and Bill Paxton in the number one box office blockbuster U-571. With a love for roles shining a light on military service members, in 2005 he starred as Sgt. Chris “Scream” Silas in Steven Bochco & Chris Gerolmo’s FX series Over There. Recently, Erik starred in the ABC series 666 Park Avenue, and has shone in recurring roles in Suits, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and spent 3 years as Sabatino on NCIS:LA. Throughout his career, no matter the role, Erik has shown real diversity, moving seamlessly from comedy to drama in both film and television and has continuously perfected his craft.
In this episode, Erik reflects on some of the pivotal moments and lessons throughout his career as an actor in Hollywood. Erik talks about how he learned to sell his castability, the importance of investing time into your craft, how he handles nerves in auditions, a story from his Suits audition, and more. Erik has great advice for young actors that are navigating Hollywood and the inevitable rejection that comes with acting and I hope his insights help you pursue your Hollywood dream!
Tune in to Episode 48 of Hollywood Dream Maker to learn lessons, stories, and advice from award-winning actor, Erik Palladino!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- When Erik first became interested in acting (2:29)
- The importance of a growth mindset in acting (16:10)
- How Erik handles nerves (29:53)
- Erik’s perspective about self tapes (33:17)
- About Erik’s audition for the TV show Suits (43:20)
- Erik’s advice for his younger self (49:47)
Connect with Erik
Let’s Connect:
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FAQ
How many episodes does Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo have?
Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo currently has 102 episodes available.
What topics does Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo cover?
The podcast is about Actor, Oscar, Los Angeles, Acting, Film, Performance, Podcasts, Movies, Studio, Arts, Tv & Film and Performing Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo?
The episode title 'Know Your Castability. How To Make A Mark In Hollywood with Max Martini' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo?
The average episode length on Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo is 51 minutes.
How often are episodes of Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo released?
Episodes of Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo?
The first episode of Hollywood Dream Maker: Acting class with Master Teacher Billy Gallo was released on Apr 21, 2020.
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