Second Act Actors

On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Hassan Joseph, who was born in Saint Lucia and who emigrated to Canada to study commerce. His first act was working in financial services at a bank in Toronto and then he switched to a management role in software. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he had the time to take stock of his life and decided that he wanted a career that was more dynamic and aligned with his interests, so he started taking acting classes and is now pursuing acting alongside his day job. Hassan and I talk about bringing your logical mind to acting, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes there’s no reason why you get rejected for a role or why one reading of a script is better than another, and it can be scary to surrender control and to give into randomness. However, making certain choices and being confident about them can make the difference between being a good actor and a great actor. We also touch on conversations with agents and the good and bad reasons that people have to start a career as an actor. Please rate and review Second Act Actors and subscribe to the podcast so that you don’t miss an episode. Timestamps[1:55] Hassan’s childhood and his first act[4:00] The roots of Hassan’s passion for acting[6:34] What pushed Hassan into an acting career[8:35] The exciting and terrifying moments of starting to act[10:08] What Hassan has brought from his first act to his second act[13:07] There are so many more actors than Hassan thought[14:16] You don’t have to be the star to steal the show[17:02] Sometimes, there’s no logic[20:40] What makes a successful actor[22:36] The interplay between Hassan’s life as an actor and as a manager for a software firm[24:50] The genuine opportunities available in acting[26:34] What Hassan is looking forward to in 2022[28:46] Hassan’s advice to younger actors and his favourite moments so far as an actor[33:10] What Hassan’s family say about his job and what they think about his acting career LinksBLK: An Origin Story websiteLB Acting School Second Act Actors websiteSecond Act Actors on InstagramSecond Act Actors on FacebookSecond Act Actors on YouTube Janet McMordie websiteJanet McMordie on InstagramJanet McMordie on LinkedInJanet McMordie on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Trigger warning: This episode contains references to severe depression* In this episode of Second Act Actors, I chat with another brave person who was ready to give it all up to pursue their passion for acting. Clement To began his working life in engineering and the tech space, trying to balance his family’s expectations for him and his own desire for a more exciting and dynamic career. He suffered from two severe depressive episodes but managed to regain stability in his life and mental health through acting classes. He eventually decided to stop half-assing acting and to throw himself fully into it, and he’s never looked back since. His depression has even helped his acting career because he has a depth and breadth of experience to draw on, which helps him to portray a more rounded character. Listen in as we discuss the need to build a solid network of connections and support in the film industry, how to manage your fear of failure, and how to focus your efforts on achieving one single goal. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Second Act Actors Podcast, and please rate and review it or recommend it to a friend. Timestamps[1:34] Clement’s first act: acting internships, engineering and start-ups[3:17] Clement’s childhood aspirations[4:40] Making the rational choice[5:58] Clement on parental pressure[8:05] Eastern culture and filial duty[9:40] The pivotal moments in Clement’s life[12:10] How depression pushed Clement from engineering to acting[14:15] Signing up for acting classes[15:50] Why acting is like working in a start-up[17:10] The need for allies in the industry[21:20] Being a non-stop optimiser[23:39] Clement on exploring his weaknesses and the fear of failure[26:46] The benefits of having a breadth of experience[28:05] Clement’s crazy on-set story[29:17] Pandemics and productivity[30:45] What do Clement’s friends and family think he does for a living? Links Clement To on MandyClement To on InstagramClement To on Facebook Second Act Actors websiteSecond Act Actors on InstagramSecond Act Actors on FacebookSecond Act Actors on YouTube Janet McMordie websiteJanet McMordie on InstagramJanet McMordie on LinkedInJanet McMordie on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with actress, director, author, and producer Lisa Crawford. Lisa has had an incredible journey towards acting, which includes being an elevator technician, managing casinos, and gender transition. Lisa and I discuss the merits of using background work as a transition into an acting career, as background work can help you to develop professional connections and learn acting techniques at the same time as being paid and fed. Lisa also talks about her show Pink Is In, the second season of which is coming out in March 2021 on Bell Fibe TV. The show was born out of a chance meeting on set between Lisa and other background actors, who decided to make a comedy set in a women’s prison together. Thoroughly Canadian in spirit, the show has a cast of diverse characters who have stories that go beyond their gender identity and sexual orientation. Lisa gives tips on transitioning into acting from a different career and she also explains how to avoid burnout when pursuing an acting career. Subscribe to the podcast to hear more stories of people who turn to acting later in life and to learn how you can start your own acting career. Timestamps[1:15] Lisa introduces herself and talks about her early experiences of film and background acting[5:11] Lisa’s first films[7:50] Patient roleplaying as an acting job[9:56] Lisa’s childhood dream to make films[12:58] Background acting as film school[15:00] The origins of Lisa’s new show Pink Is In[18:24] Representation and diversity in Pink Is In[20:45] Rejecting typecasting and giving actors the chance to try out a different role[23:35] What surprised Lisa about working in the entertainment industry[26:27] The difference between first act actors and second act actors[28:08] Lisa’s advice on switching into a career in acting[29:56] How Lisa’s past experiences have helped to further her acting career[32:38] Avoiding burnout in acting[34:35] The funniest story I have heard in a long time[36:11] How Lisa’s family would describe her career[37:47] January is the waiting month…fingers crossed for good news LinksLisa on InstagramLisa on TwitterPink Is In websitePink Is In on InstagramPink Is In on Facebook Second Act Actors websiteSecond Act Actors on InstagramSecond Act Actors on FacebookSecond Act Actors on YouTube Janet McMordie websiteJanet McMordie on InstagramJanet McMordie on LinkedInJanet McMordie on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my very first episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Madeline DeCorso who I had the pleasure of meeting while doing background work on Guillermo del Toro’s new hit film Nightmare Alley. Madeline’s first act was very different to her current career as she completed a business degree and when she graduated, she landed a job as a business analyst for a bank based in Toronto. Although at the time she felt like she’d made it and had achieved success, she was unhappy in her career and never seemed to fully settle into it. She was eventually made redundant but she bounced back, taking some time off to travel and then getting into acting through background work, which encouraged her to start acting classes. She is now a full time working actor! Madeline and I talk about the importance of developing resilience as a tool in an acting career, which is essential when facing the many barriers and moments of rejection that acting can bring. Then we talked about the difficulty of introducing yourself as an actor to new people, which means tackling your imposter syndrome head on. Listen out for Madeline’s fun on set story featuring Willem Dafoe and don’t forget to rate and review Second Act Actors to help more budding actors to find the podcast. Timestamps[1:18] How I met Madeline[3:00] Guillermo del Toro on the set of Nightmare Alley[4:10] Madeline’s first act as a business analyst in banking and at Unilever[5:58] Madeline’s ‘try all’ approach to creativity as a child[7:15] Madeline’s first forays into acting[10:52] The societal pressure to have a corporate career[13:07] Building resilience through working in the ‘wrong’ career[16:53] How to cope with rejection and disappointment in acting[18:07] Turning off your analytical mind during scene work[22:08] The hurdles and small steps to overcome in an acting career[26:13] How to get into acting[28:08] Background acting is so much better than it’s made out to be[31:36] Madeline’s fun on set stories[35:37] What Madeline’s parents say about her career[36:53] Making the switch to telling people that you're an actor[38:15] Why taking acting classes makes Madeline feel better and more focused[42:02] Future actors, reach out to Madeline! Links Madeline’s websiteMadeline on InstagramMadeline on LinkedInMadeline on TwitterMadeline on IMDbMadeline on Mandy Second Act Actors websiteSecond Act Actors on InstagramSecond Act Actors on FacebookSecond Act Actors on YouTube Janet McMordie websiteJanet McMordie on InstagramJanet McMordie on LinkedInJanet McMordie on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Second Act Actors, a podcast where I chat with people who have made a major life and or career change into acting. I’m Janet McMordie and I am a medical doctor who decided to simultaneously pursue acting. Each week I will be chatting with fellow second act actors, industry experts, or first act only act actors about their lives, stories, and experiences in this crazy entertainment industry. So thank you for tuning in! The first four episodes are out now and I will be releasing a new episode every Friday. Please like, follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or on our website at www.secondactactors.com. Follow the show on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/secondactactors/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/secondactactors).Video versions of each episode on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PmWjen_3dxPmgZRd9ApXQ) If you want to connect with me, email [email protected]. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.