🎬 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

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

Thanks for listening!