🎬 How do you go from background extra to booking co-star roles on network TV, and what are most actors getting wrong when they try to land an agent?

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, actor and founder of The Actor Advisor, Will Jefferson, joins Deaton Gabbard to talk about breaking into the industry, booking co-star roles, and helping more than 190 actors sign with agents and managers.

Will shares how he grew up on the South Side of Chicago dreaming of acting, spotted talent scams as a kid, and built a fanbase with the web series Juke: A Chicago Story. He explains how he broke in through background work by writing down everything he learned on set, and how he eventually booked co-star roles on Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Law & Order, RJ Decker and The 4400.

Hear the story of Will dropping his first agent and booking his first co-star role just two weeks later. The role was a voiceover self-tape for Chicago Fire, on the same show where he started as a background actor. Will also explains how he screens clients at The Actor Advisor, the questions actors should be asking instead of “Who’s a good agent?”, and why casting director workshops can help your career. Plus, Deaton shares what it was like filming a scene with Terrence Howard and how both of them handle imposter syndrome on set.

Whether you’re a new actor or a working professional, this conversation offers practical advice on getting representation, preparing for your first big booking, and building a career you’re proud of.

Topics include: Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Law & Order, The 4400, background work, getting an acting agent, switching agents, The Actor Advisor, self-tapes, voiceover auditions, casting director workshops, SAG-AFTRA Foundation, imposter syndrome, Terrence Howard, and acting career advice.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Will Jefferson Acting Reel (Go to YouTube to watch this!) 01:53 Podcast Intro 01:57 Meet Will Jefferson 02:55 How Will Got Started in Acting 03:57 Spotting Acting Scams as a Kid 04:56 Juke: A Chicago Story Hits 1 Million Views 05:51 Miles College & Studying Communications 06:21 Breaking In Through Background Work 07:03 What You Need Before Getting an Agent 08:05 How The Actor Advisor Started 08:57 Why So Many Actors Aren’t Serious 09:32 How Will Screens Actors Before Coaching 10:18 Why The Actor Advisor Is Referral-Only 11:01 The Wrong Way to Ask for Help 11:24 “Who Are You Training With?” 11:43 Free SAG-AFTRA Foundation Workshops 12:53 Casting Director Workshop Nerves 13:53 The Pay-to-Play Debate 14:44 Why Being Seen Matters 14:58 Deaton’s Move to Atlanta 15:39 Booking His First Co-Star: Chicago Fire 16:31 Dropping His Agent and Booking Two Weeks Later 17:36 The Voiceover Self-Tape That Became a Co-Star Role 18:11 Hearing “You Booked It” 18:57 Remembering Miss Paige 19:34 Behind the Scenes on Chicago Fire 20:33 Why Every Credit Counts 21:02 Booking The 4400 21:39 Why Indie Films Prepare You for Network TV 21:55 Beating Imposter Syndrome 23:12 Deaton’s Scene With Terrence Howard 25:05 “If It’s for You, It’s for You” 25:41 Quality Over Quantity 26:05 Where to Find Will Jefferson 26:47 The Actor Advisor: 190+ Actors Signed 27:41 Final Thoughts

🎭 Follow Will Jefferson on Instagram and reach out about The Actor Advisor: @willsomelse

Follow Podcast of Traveling Actors for honest conversations with actors, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals about the craft and business of building a career in film and television. 🎙️

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review!

Business & Guest Inquiries: podcastoftravelingactors@gmail.com

Co-hosted and produced by Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall.

Thanks for listening!

🎬 What does it really take to build a successful acting career—and why do so many talented actors struggle to turn their skills into consistent work?

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, actor, stunt performer, and acting coach Alex Collins joins Deaton Gabbard and guest host Connor Holden to discuss more than 25 years in Hollywood, working with major stars, audition preparation, and the business of acting.

Alex shares how he left a corporate finance job to pursue acting, booked a national Chevy commercial, and moved to Hollywood. He takes us behind the scenes of The Accountant, starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, and Apple TV+’s Manhunt, where he portrayed General Sherman.

Hear Alex’s story about rehearsing a fight scene with Jon Bernthal, the repeated slaps involved, and the question Jon asked him on set: “How can we make our scene better?” Plus, learn how Alex had just 20 minutes to learn General Sherman’s signature before filming.

Whether you're a new actor or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers practical advice on building your craft and navigating the entertainment industry.

Topics include: Jon Bernthal, Ben Affleck, The Accountant, Manhunt, stunt work, audition coaching, acting career advice, audition preparation, acting business skills, accountability, rejection, and dealing with cut scenes.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Alex Collins Extended Reel (Go to YouTube to watch this!)
08:00 Podcast Intro
08:51 Meet Alex Collins
09:55 Alex’s 25-Year Acting Journey
11:21 From Soccer to Corporate Finance
11:43 Quitting His Job to Pursue Acting
11:59 The Chevy Commercial That Changed Everything
12:50 Joining SAG-AFTRA Too Early
14:35 Playing General Sherman in Manhunt
15:17 Learning Sherman’s Signature in 20 Minutes
17:14 Playing a Blind Superhero
19:15 Working With Jon Bernthal & Ben Affleck
20:38 The Accountant Fight Scene
22:22 Jon Bernthal’s Slaps During Rehearsal
23:11 Jon’s Unexpected Question on Set
24:17 Becoming an Acting Coach
28:23 Building an Acting Boot Camp
30:52 Why Actors Need Accountability
31:33 “Full-Time Results With Part-Time Effort”
34:13 Building an Acting Career Outside LA
37:06 Is Acting Too Saturated?
38:55 Why Getting a Callback Is a Win
39:19 The Danger of Social Media Comparisons
41:05 When Your Scene Gets Cut
42:03 The Sleepy Hollow Scene That Disappeared
43:30 Focus on the Work, Not the Edit
44:59 How Every Acting Job Can Lead to Another
46:14 Where to Find Alex Collins
46:41 Where to Find Connor Holden
47:25 Final Thoughts

🎭 Follow Alex Collins
Instagram: @AlexBCollins
Website: https://alexbcollins.com/

Follow Connor Holden: @ConnorIsHolden on Instagram.

Follow Podcast of Traveling Actors for honest conversations with actors, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals about the craft and business of building a career in film and television. 🎙️

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review!

Business & Guest Inquiries: podcastoftravelingactors@gmail.com

Co-hosted and produced by Deaton Gabbard and Brandon Wall.

Thanks for listening!

⭐ What are actors getting wrong in auditions—and what can you learn from the mistakes that cost performers opportunities?

In this episode of Podcast of Traveling Actors, acting coaches Amber Bohac and Kimberly Crandall of Actorsite join Deaton Gabbard and guest host Chandler Letner to talk about audition preparation, self-tape technique, rejection, and the realities of building a career in Hollywood.

Amber and Kimberly share their journeys as actors and coaches, how they continued Actorsite’s legacy after the passing of founder Jack Turnbull, and why ongoing training matters at every stage of an acting career. They break down common audition mistakes, the importance of preparation and self-tape quality, and why actors should submit their auditions even when the circumstances aren't perfect.

They also discuss the difficult side of the industry, from losing scenes in the editing room to handling rejection and navigating unhelpful industry advice. Plus, hear some wild stories, including how an actor booked a national commercial with basketballs audible in the background and Amber’s unforgettable theater accident.

Whether you're a new actor, a working professional, or a parent supporting a young performer, this conversation offers practical advice for developing your craft, building confidence, and creating a sustainable acting career.

Topics include: Actorsite’s history and legacy, Amber Bohac and Kimberly Crandall’s acting journeys, becoming an acting coach, audition preparation, self-tape mistakes, audition extensions, booking roles, dealing with rejection, scenes getting cut from movies, navigating Hollywood managers, common mistakes actors make, choosing the right acting classes, and building independence as a performer.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Actorsite Intro
01:44 Welcome to Podcast of Traveling Actors
02:08 Meet Chandler Letner
02:51 Introducing Actorsite Coaches Amber & Kimberly
03:24 How They Got Started in Acting
03:53 Kimberly’s Journey Into Acting
04:53 Amber’s Unforgettable Start in Theater
06:46 How Kimberly Found Actorsite
07:16 What Is Actorsite?
09:21 Why Become an Acting Coach?
12:28 How Kimberly Built Her Coaching Career
14:18 The Reward of Helping Actors Book Jobs
17:36 The Best Advice for New Actors
18:28 Self-Tape Mistakes That Can Cost You Auditions
20:26 How Competitive Are Acting Auditions?
22:54 Should You Ask for an Audition Extension?
23:52 How a Messy Self-Tape Booked a National Commercial
26:31 The Hardest Part of the Acting Industry
28:47 When Your Scenes Get Cut From a Movie
32:40 Amber’s Wild Hollywood Manager Story
36:47 A Real-Life Theater Horror Story
38:41 Where to Find Amber & Kimberly
39:26 The Story Behind Actorsite’s Online Classes
40:33 Common Mistakes New Actors Make
41:00 Why You Need to Know Your Lines
43:06 Who Takes Classes at Actorsite?
44:27 Giving Actors the Tools to Work Independently
45:02 Which Actorsite Class Should You Take First?
45:43 Get $15 Off an Actorsite Class or Intensive
46:14 Thanks for Listening!

🎭 Ready to work on your craft?

Explore acting classes, audition training, and intensives at Actorsite. Use code POTA at checkout for $15 off a class or intensive.

Visit: https://www.actorsite.com/

Follow Podcast of Traveling Actors for honest conversations with working actors, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals about the craft, the business, and the realities of building a career in film and television. 🎙️