Acting Business Boot Camp

If you're a creative who rolls their eyes every time someone says,  "You should be on TikTok,"  I get it. I did too. But I've also seen firsthand how a free platform with a low barrier to entry can quietly change your entire business. Not overnight. But steadily. Strategically. Without becoming someone you're not. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on how I use TikTok to stay visible, b...

How to Change Your Momentum When You're Stuck as a Creative If you're an artist or creative who feels stalled—like you've hit a wall in your motivation, progress, or passion—you're not alone. Whether it's burnout, fear, comparison, or just plain fatigue, creative momentum can vanish without warning. And getting it back? That can feel impossible. But here's the good news:  momentum is a choice . No...

Let's talk about something most coaches won't say out loud: Just because you love something doesn't mean you're great at it. I know. It stings. But it's important. In this episode, I'm digging into the uncomfortable (but necessary) gap between  interest  and  aptitude —especially in voiceover. Because if you're frustrated that you're not booking in your dream genre, you might be ignoring the thing...

In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most important and misunderstood parts of an actor's journey: confidence. Without confidence, you're benched. Without humility, you're a liability. Confidence is essential in the entertainment industry, but it has to be real—not performative, not overblown, and definitely not hubris. I break down how to build real, grounded confidence that will keep you...

Today I want to talk about something that comes up in almost every coaching session I have with actors. Fear. Not just nerves before a big audition. Not just that pit in your stomach when you hit "submit" on a self-tape. I mean the kind of fear that quietly shapes your entire career. The fear that keeps you playing small, second-guessing yourself, or holding back in moments when you need to be bol...

Episode Summary: In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on something I think we all struggle with at some point—especially if you're a voice actor, on-camera actor, or creative trying to "make it": shiny object syndrome. You know the feeling. You see someone post about a fancy new mic, a game-changing workshop, a big booking, and suddenly you're wondering… should I be doing that too? I've b...

How to Land Acting Work in Smaller Markets (And Why It's More Accessible Than You Might Think) Have you ever thought that real acting work is only found in big cities? Like you have to be in New York or LA to make it? I used to think that too. But my conversation with actor Aaron Marcus on the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast really shifted that perspective. About Aaron Marcus Aaron Marcus has be...

It's Mandy Fisher here, your Voiceover actor and creative coach. Today I want to dive into something that's been on my mind a lot: how the neuroscience of decision-making can help us as actors and creative professionals. Because we're not just making choices in auditions or on stage. We're making decisions every single day that shape our careers, relationships, and—let's be real—our self-worth. Ho...

When we talk about acting tools, we usually mention headshots, reels, technique, or coaching. But punctuation? Not so much. And yet, punctuation—something you probably haven't questioned since middle school—might be interfering with your most natural, honest performances. The Problem Most Actors Don't Know They Have You get a script. Maybe it's commercial copy, maybe it's a scene. And without real...

Feeling behind in your acting or voiceover career?   You're not alone. But you might be burning through your creative energy in the wrong ways. In this blog, we'll unpack something that rarely gets talked about in the entertainment industry:  desperate energy . What it looks like, how it sneaks into your process, and why it might be the real reason you feel stuck. What Is Desperate Energy? Despera...

Episode Summary: Feeling stuck? You are so not alone. In this episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest roadblocks I see actors (and creatives of all kinds) face:  procrastination. I'm breaking down my signature framework—the **3 P's: Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Paralysis—**and showing you how procrastination is often just fear wearing a clever disguise. I'll help you reframe your stuck-...

Welcome back to the  Acting Business Boot Camp  podcast! 🎙️ I'm  Peter Pamela Rose  — casting director and certified life and career coach for actors. My mission? To help you break down the business of acting into clear, actionable steps that move your career forward. In today's episode, I dive into a powerful concept from  Energy Leadership  by Bruce D. Schneider — the idea that we are constantly...

Episode Summary: In today's solo episode, Mandy Fisher gets real and raw about something that far too many actors and creatives are experiencing but not talking about enough:  burnout . This isn't your typical "self-care" pep talk. This is a grounded, honest conversation about the soul-deep exhaustion that can hit even the most passionate, high-achieving creatives. Mandy shares her personal experi...

🔊 Episode Summary Hey hey! It's Mandy Fisher here, and in this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on something I see way too often in the VO world—over-relying on email templates to do your marketing. Especially the kind that demo producers hand out like candy. If you've ever sent one of those plug-and-play emails and heard  crickets , this episode is for you. I'm digging into why that approac...

In this episode, I'm getting real about something every actor struggles with at some point in their journey:  the frustration of not seeing the success you  know  you're capable of. Inspired by a powerful passage from Jen Sincero's  You Are a Badass , I explore how your dream career (yes, including that dream agent, those callbacks, and the big booking) isn't  out there  in the future… it's alread...

Why Your Energy May Be the Missing Link to Booking Work Have you ever looked at another actor and thought, "They're not more talented than me... so why are they booking and I'm not?" If so, you're not alone — and you're asking the exact right question. In a recent solo episode of the  Acting Business Boot Camp  podcast, I (Peter Pamela Rose) dove into what I call the  "X Factor"  — that invisible...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering solo episode, voiceover actor and coach  Mandy Fisher  poses a bold question that every actor must learn to answer with confidence:  "Are you a good actor?" We're taught from day one to expect rejection in this industry—but rarely are we taught to say  yes  to ourselves first. Mandy breaks down why internal validation is the foundation of success and how your...

Hey there, it's Peter Pamela Rose. In this episode, I'm getting real with you. After what feels like forever since I last recorded (even though I know that might not be true if you're bingeing episodes!), I'm back to talk about something that's been coming up a lot in my weekly classes— how to deal with fear, anxiety, and overwhelm when the world feels like too much . Whether you're feeling the pr...

Thinking about attending a voiceover or acting conference? Conferences can be an absolute goldmine for networking, learning, and career growth— but only if you go in with a plan! In this episode,  Mandy Fisher  shares her personal experience attending (and now avoiding) conferences, including why she prefers virtual attendance due to being partially deaf. More importantly, she breaks down exactly ...

In today's episode of the  Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast ,  Mandy Fisher  dives into a crucial topic for actors and entertainment professionals— the balance between authenticity and privacy online . With social media playing a major role in personal branding, many performers feel the pressure to share intimate details to connect with their audience and industry decision-makers. But where is th...

In last week's episode, we explored the fascinating yet daunting world of AI in the entertainment industry. If you haven't listened to  Part 1  yet, stop right now and go back! Everything we cover in this episode builds on what we discussed previously. In this follow-up episode, we continue our conversation with Erik Passoja—an AI expert and industry professional—who provides deeper insight into h...

AI in Entertainment: Essential Insights for Actors The world of acting is evolving, and one of the most significant changes affecting performers today is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). From digital likenesses to synthetic voices, AI is reshaping the entertainment industry at an unprecedented pace. If you're an actor, understanding how AI impacts your career is no longer optional—it's es...

Today we're talking about a phrase that might hit you right in the gut.  "Work harder. Nobody cares." And I say it with love because it's a funny phrase and it's also a tough pill to swallow because it's one of the most freeing truths that you can embrace as a person and as an artist. This episode is inspired again by one of my posts on Substack which you can find at the Actors Index and it's a ma...

I'm excited to explore a concept that has sort of a strange and spooky and undeniable power in our lives, which is the power of three.  This episode is inspired by one of my recent Substack posts that I called three, and if you haven't read it yet, please go check it out. But don't worry, I'm going to break it all down for you right here.  So, why Three. Why does this number show up in storytellin...

About Diane: Diane Strand  is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur, executive producer, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, and a TEDx and national speaker.  Strand has over 22 years of entrepreneurial experience. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. and JDS Actors Studio, and the founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA). Strand is the crea...