The Art of Saying No & the Power of a Great Showreel | Ep 60

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to another episode of Two Unemployed Actors! In Episode 60, hosts Max Belmonte and Sam Folden pull back the curtain on the raw realities of navigating the Australian screen industry, balancing creative passion projects with corporate gigs, and mastering the modern audition circuit. Max shares an exclusive, behind-the-scenes breakdown of his time on set for the intense AFTRS short film, Water Under the Bridge. He dives into the technical and logistical hurdles of shooting highly charged, emotional scenes while strictly adhering to Australia’s rigorous 1.5-meter COVID-19 compliance guidelines. Max also discusses the unique experience of a "closed set" scenario, where the Director left the room, allowing the Actors to run the camera and direct their own takes. This leads into a broader conversation about industry boundaries and the crucial career skill of knowing exactly when to say "no" to a project. Meanwhile, Sam brings us up to speed on his exciting new feature film project. After enduring a gruelling, two-hour script read-through over Zoom, he shares a hilarious story from his audition process. Sam reveals how a witty, impromptu remark about his "method acting" perfectly hit the mark with the Director and landed him the role. The boys then tackle a vital piece of career advice for every developing creative: the power of a great showreel. They discuss why Casting Directors often look past standalone headshots in favour of high-quality video reels that showcase an Actor's actual movement, timing, and presence on camera. Finally, they look at the unexpected end-of-year rush for corporate presenting roles and TV commercial self-tapes. Whether you are looking for practical industry tips or just love good banter about the acting life, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Don't forget to subscribe! Episode Webpage: https://shorturl.at/qScaR Support the show An Add Kulcha Production