The Acting Mastery Podcast

• 010 | Authorship for Actors with Legendary Coach, Gerry Grennell

  We are honoured to share one of the most transformative conversations we’ve had in recent memory with one of the world's most in-demand acting coaches, Gerry Grennell.  If you’ve watched the ‘I Am Heath Ledger’ documentary, you would be familiar with Gerry’s name, and learned about the extraordinary collaboration between Gerry and Heath on some of Heath's most iconic roles, including his Oscar-winning portrayal as the Joker in Christopher Nolan's ‘The Dark Knight’.  Gerry Grennell has quietly become one of the most in-demand acting coaches in the world, and his client list reads like a who's who of Hollywood royalty: Heath Ledger, Meryl Streep, Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Bruce Willis, Oscar Isaac, Joel Edgerton, Sean Penn, Anne Hathaway, and many more.  With a background in Alexander Technique and voice, Gerry trained at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama in London, and went on to co-found the Bow Street Academy in Dublin, Ireland.  What was initially meant to be a 90-minute interview turned into a 2.5hr journey of philosophies and profound insights, particularly on the subject of ownership and authorship for actors. This interview is so full of ‘aha’ moments, and we hope it resonates with our listeners as much as it has for us.

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• 009 | Award-Winning Actor, Damon Herriman

  Damon Herriman is one of Australia's most versatile and respected actors, with a career spanning over decades across film, television and theatre. Known for his chameleon-like ability to fully inhabit a wide range of characters. Damon has captivated audiences with performances in critically acclaimed projects, such as his chilling portrayal as Charles Manson in both Quentin Tarantino's ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and David Fincher's Netflix series ‘Mindhunter’. Damon's most recent films include the upcoming Robbie Williams biopic ‘Better Man’ from ‘The Greatest Showman’ director Michael Gracey, and ‘The Bike Riders’, directed by Jeff Nichols, where he starred alongside Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy and Michael Shannon. His extensive body of work also includes roles in major productions like Clint Eastwood's ‘J. Edgar’ opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe's ‘The Water Diviner’, and Oscar winner Barry Jenkins' ‘The Underground Railroad’. Damon also worked with David Mamet three times, including in one instance opposite Al Pacino. Other amazing credits include ‘Breaking Bad’, the Aussie hitman series ‘Mr. In Between’, and recently the Disney series, ‘The Artful Dodger’. His IMDb lists at present 119 acting credits. He's won or been nominated for over 35 awards. An actor who learned his craft on the job, Damon continues to push the boundaries of his work, making him truly a compelling figure in the world of acting.In this episode, we dive deep into Damon's journey, exploring some pivotal moments that shaped his career, his approach to the craft, and lessons he's learned from decades of experience working with some of the most renowned directors and actors in the world.

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• 008 | Casting, Auditions, and Practical Advice for Actors

  Brenden Rodriguez and Daniel Schwab are making a name for themselves in the world of casting, having worked alongside Robert Ulrich at Ulrich/Dawson/Kritzer Casting, one of the top casting offices in Los Angeles. Their casting track record so far includes working on major TV projects like Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Couple’, Amazon Prime’s darkly comic superhero hit, ‘THE BOYS’, and its spin-off, ‘GEN V’, ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ for NBC, and ‘Monarch’ for FOX. Shooting has recently wrapped on the feature film 'THE SURRENDER' that Brenden and Daniel also co-produced, starring Colby Minifie (‘THE BOYS’) and Kate Burton (‘Grey’s Anatomy’).In this episode, Brenden and Daniel share their insights into the casting process, their experiences in the industry, and offer practical advice for actors who are looking to make their mark.

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• 007 | Comedy Acting, Writing & Directing with Steve Kaplan

  Steve Kaplan has been called the comedy guru for good reason. He's an esteemed comedy consultant, author and instructor who works with major studios like HBO, Disney, DreamWorks and others, helping writers, directors, producers, and actors, enhance the comedic elements of their work. He's also the author of two highly regarded books, ‘The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny’, and ‘The Comic Hero's Journey’. In this episode, we delve into the mechanics of comedy, discuss Steve's unique approach and his ideas, and explore how these insights can be applied to your own acting, writing, and directing careers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons that will change the way you think about comedy.

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• 006 | All things Shakespeare, Acting, and Directing with John Bell

  When it comes to Shakespeare, John Bell is perhaps Australia’s most authoritative voice. He’s not only an acclaimed actor and director, but the founder of the Bell Shakespeare company, which has brought the works of Shakespeare to life for audiences across Australia, for over three decades. He’s been awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia, and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for his outstanding contributions to the arts. John was involved in the early days of 2 of Australia’s most seminal theatre companies: The Old Tote Theatre Company (now known as The Sydney Theatre Company), and the Nimrod Theatre Company (now known as Belvoir St Theatre. With a career spanning more than 60 years, John has played some of Shakespeare's most iconic roles, and has directed countless productions that left an indelible mark on Australia’s theatrical world. In this episode, we explore John’s deep connection with Shakespeare, his insights on acting and directing, and the lessons he’s learnt through his long, illustrious career. John also shares his invaluable advice to young actors starting out today.

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