The Vermilion Podcast

Do you know what’s actually expected of you in an audition? This week, Misha pulls from her decades as a director and casting many of her own projects to share the secrets of auditioning from a director’s perspective. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with real talk on everything from communication and memorization to the risks of saying “sorry.” Get the inside sco...

In this “best of” interview episode, Misha and her old co-host Brett sit down with casting director Coco Kleppinger for a deep conversation about acting and the power of art. Coco’s incredible filmography includes IT and IT: CHAPTER TWO, TAG, ISN’T IT ROMANTIC, and dozens of other great films. From audition room etiquette to the vital role of imagination in performance, this episode (it’s a long o...

We're halfway through the year! Are you closer to your dreams than when the year started? If not, time to take action! In this episode, Misha takes you through a quick and powerful check-in on your goals, dreams, and career progress. Inspired by one of the podcast's most downloaded episodes, "Life Inventory," you'll conduct a soulful and strategic reflection on the year so far including a fun quiz...

Have you ever wondered why you’re so disciplined about some projects, but so wild and chaotic about others? This week we talk about the balance between inspiration and execution by using the concepts of “math and poetry.” Whether you’re acting, writing, or brainstorming your next big idea, Misha shares mindset shifts and creative rituals to help you engage both the logical and emotional aspects of...

Most of us already know what we need to do—we're just not doing it. So why not? In this episode, Misha dives into the emotional root of procrastination and shares her go-to strategies for finally getting unstuck. From prioritizing sleep and using naps to reset your energy, to limiting phone use and tapping into flow states that boost productivity by up to 500%, Misha offers a refreshingly honest a...

Most big, huge goals require a big huge effort. But how do you actually push through? What if you don’t actually know how to push through, or where to begin? In this episode, Misha shares her 7-step process for pushing through any obstacle with clarity and confidence. Whether you're trying to grow your career, increase your income, or moving into a new artistic medium, this method is a game-change...

What does it take for your short film to truly stand out among thousands of global submissions? In this episode, Misha sits down with Ben Thompson, the head short film programmer at the Tribeca Film Festival, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous process of selecting films for one of the world’s most prestigious festivals. From the unique challenge of judging comedy, to how T...

Seeking validation is a very natural human tendency. But have you ever tried replacing validation with devotion? Cultivating a practice of devotion to your art can lead to not only a happier, more satisfying career, but it often makes for better results. In this episode, Misha discusses a few ways to go from chasing validation to cultivating devotion. In an industry that consistently rewards statu...

  In this episode, we explore how fear of money can hold you back from earning more and how shifting your mindset can help create more flow. Money is an energetic frequency (they call it currency, after all), and to make more of it, you need to increase the quality and/or quantity of people you engage with. Many creatives struggle with visibility, but overcoming that is key to creating m...

Hey. Can we give you a compliment? You’re absolutely incredible. Yes, YOU. Do you realize how few people have the courage to go after a dream? You’re one of the very, very rare individuals with the vision and tenacity to pursue art. Sit back and take some praise. Chances are you haven’t gotten enough of it lately. This is a YOU appreciation episode. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Sophia Di...

It’s natural to feel nervous before an audition. However, just like professional athletes who visualize winning a game and then achieve better overall performance, actors will get better results if they visualize their success before an audition. This short meditation is designed to help you center yourself, sharpen your focus, and boost your confidence. Whether you're auditioning in person or sel...

Negativity and rejection are often viewed as setbacks, but what if they’re actually advantages in disguise? In this episode, we explore how tough experiences like rejection and failure can become the perfect catalysts for personal and professional growth. Misha talks you through specific ways to reframe these challenges, taking the pain of negativity and transforming it into a gift.  Hosted b...

Part two of our series on brand-building takes you through the crucial action steps of how to create your brand. You'll learn how to become the expert on your audience, and how to use emotional connection to turn them from strangers into lifelong fans. Misha also covers monetization, including how to figure out what your product or service is worth and when to raise your rates. Listen to...

If you’re an artist or entrepreneur, you already have a brand…whether you know it or not! This week, Misha breaks down the basics of branding in this two-part series, including what branding is and the easiest, simplest way to create one that feels authentic to you. You should walk away feeling empowered and excited about branding. What if building a brand is just another way to express yourself a...

This week is a replay of Misha's interview with Allison Kirschner, a veteran casting director whose credits include some truly iconic comedy shows and films including WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, THE AMY SCHUMER SHOW, CRASHING, BROS, and many more. Allison takes us on her journey from her early days at HBO to landing her current role as an associate at Gayle Keller Casting. She also shares her thoug...

“Agents and managers” is one of the #1 topics we get asked about. It’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of working as an artist, and you might be shocked to learn the real role that representatives will play in your career. Misha breaks down how to get an agent or manager, how to keep one, and whether or not you actually need one. Get ready for a whole new perspective on reps!   Hos...

Did you know the subconscious part of your brain can process up to 11 million MB of data per second? With all that power, it stands to reason that a lot of what you see in your life is created by your subconscious. And if that’s true…then don’t you want to know what’s down there? It might surprise you, or even shock you! This week we do a thought experiment in order to get the lay of the land in y...

This week we talk about bad acting! We’ve all seen bad acting in some of the biggest-budget movies and television shows. Why does that happen? How can you avoid it yourself? Misha gives you three quick and easy ways to bypass bad acting in your on-camera work. Craft isn't everything, but it counts for a hell of a lot!   Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Sophia Di Giovanni Music by M...

On this guest episode broadcast, Misha talks about one of her favorite TV shows of all time: SUCCESSION. Misha goes in depth on the show with guest host Jackie Hanzl via Jackie’s podcast MADE, including breakdowns of which cast member delivered the best performance and why, as well as the all-time best pieces of dialogue written on the show. There’s also a few deep cuts into Misha’s life, as...

Have you ever tried to change your life and thought, “wow this feels damn near impossible”? In part this uphill battle is due to the fact that your brain isn’t optimizing for happiness, but for keeping you alive…i.e. maintaining the status quo and not changing. This week Misha outlines some of the surprising ways to actually achieve major life change, including confronting your fears and doing the...

This week Misha lays out the top three ways you can book work for yourself as an actor…no agent or manager required! The booking “triangle” covered in this episode works for any actor at any level of training, and provides you with power and control over your own career. Our clients who really commit to this have gone from zero auditions a week to ten auditions a week, no joke. The secret is to ac...

If you struggle to network, you need to listen to this one. “Networking” can feel like such a heavy chore, but Misha breaks down four ways to make networking fun, exciting, and enjoyable! These won’t be the networking tips you’ve heard before, and they might even shock you. The bottom line is they get results. Just remember that networking isn’t about getting something out of someone, but about ma...

We go even more in-depth this week on how how to make Casting Directors love you with two very honest top ten "do" and "don't" lists for actors! Host Misha Calvert is known for telling it like it is, and this unfiltered episode will give you insight that you will not get in any other class or from any other industry speaker. Which of these "do" and "don't" behaviors do you recognize?   ...

Actors who want to build better relationships with casting directors...this episode is for you! So many actors are incredibly eager to get in front of CDs, but WHAT do you do when you finally get their attention and HOW can you make sure to make a good impression? This week we give insight into the things that casting offices see and have to do on their end when working on&nbsp...

This week we're introducing our first video episode! Misha sits down with Max Berry of First Kiss Theater for a funny and insightful conversation about her artistic process, how she came to filmmaking, and the origins of Film on Tape. This was such a fun, joyful conversation to have, and a nice reminder that no matter the circumstances...creativity lives on! If you've never checked out First Kiss...