The DMF With Justin Younts
by Justin Younts
The DMF with Justin Younts (Discovering Meaning in Film & Acting) is an acting and filmmaking podcast for actors and creatives. Host Justin Younts explores acting technique, audition tips, casting insights, career strategy, and the craft of film and theatre. Featuring actors, casting directors, and filmmakers, DMF delivers real-world advice to help you book roles, build your reel, and grow as a professional actor.
Episodes
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DMF Episode 345 — Tom Draper: Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner & Why Actors Need to Train Every Day
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with acting coach Tom Draper, who has worked with actors including Shea Whigham and Eric André and trained across Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner and more. Tom grew up in Studio City…
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DMF Episode 344 — Mel Mack (Part 3): Crying on Cue, Daily Routines, and Jack Nicholson Stories
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for part three of our conversation. This one gets into the things actors don't always talk about openly, starting with crying on cue. We get into the different ways actors...
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DMF Episode 343 — Mel Mack (Part 2): Are You Sabotaging Your Acting Career Without Knowing It?
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part 2 of my conversation with acting coach Mel Mack. Mel and I get into the biggest obstacle she sees actors running into right now, especially since the pandemic and the rise of social media:...
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DMF Episode 342 — Mel Mack: What an Acting Coach Sees That You Don't
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Mel Mack for the complete interview. Mel is an acting coach, casting director, actress, and author of 101 Acting Tips, and coaching is really the thread that runs through everything...
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DMF Episode 341 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Full Interview): Casting Wicked, Ariana Grande & Oscar Recognition for Casting Directors
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is the complete interview with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company — known for her work on Wicked, Mean Girls, and more. All three parts together. Tiffany grew up in Sacramento, got...
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DMF Episode 340 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 3): The Academy Finally Recognizes Casting Directors & What It Means for Film
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part three with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company. This one is about something that's been a long time coming — the Academy Awards is finally establishing a casting branch,...
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DMF Episode 339 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 2): Casting Wicked — Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo & Jeff Goldblum
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and this is part two with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield of Telsey Company. This one gets into the specific casting stories behind some of the biggest films Tiffany has worked on — and she doesn't hold back....
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DMF Episode 338 — Tiffany Little Canfield (Part 1): From Acting to Directing to Casting & What Actors Get Wrong
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with casting director Tiffany Little Canfield for part one of our conversation. Season 6 is here. Tiffany Little Canfield is the perfect way to kick it off — a casting director who's…
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DMF Episode 337 — Brent Lindstrom: Writing Mistakes, Editing Your Book & Storytelling That Works
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom as we dive into the realities of writing, editing, and building a career as an author. Brent shares his journey…
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DMF Episode 336 — Brent Lindstrom: The Truth About AI in Filmmaking, Editing & Creative Storytelling
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom as we explore the intersection of filmmaking, technology, and creative storytelling. We dive into the real challenges...
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DMF Episode 335 — Brent Lindstrom: Filmmaking Mistakes, Storytelling & The Business of Movies
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with filmmaker, producer, and author Brent Lindstrom to discuss storytelling, filmmaking, and the business side of building a career in the film industry. Brent shares his journey from...
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DMF Episode 334 — Leif Bristow: Cultural Storytelling, Filmmaking & The Power of Empathy
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this full interview I sit down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow to explore storytelling, empathy, and the power of film to connect cultures. Leif shares his filmmaking journey from Toronto…
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DMF Episode 333 — Leif Bristow (Part 2): The Dark Side of Hollywood & Why I Refuse to Glorify Violence
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in Part 2 of my conversation with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow, we dive into the ethical challenges of working in Hollywood and the values that guide his filmmaking career. Leif shares why he...
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DMF Episode 332 — Leif Bristow (Part 1): Global Storytelling, Empathy & The Power of Film
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and producer Leif Bristow for Part 1 of our conversation on global storytelling, film production, and the power of empathy in cinema. Leif shares his…
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DMF Episode 331 — Jaze Bordeaux: Filmmaking Lessons That Changed My Life
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. Justin Younts sits down with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to discuss independent filmmaking, cultural perspective, and storytelling craft. From Brooklyn to Toronto, Jaze shares insights on directing, producing, and bringing...
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DMF Episode 330 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 5): You Won’t Believe How I Almost Gave Up on Track!
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I continue my conversation with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux as we explore the power of mindset, perspective, and personal growth — both in life and in the creative journey. During our discussion, I share a pivotal story from my own life that...
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DMF Episode 329 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 4): The Future of Women in Film & Non-Traditional Roles
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode we explore the evolving landscape of women in film — particularly in non-traditional and physically demanding roles — with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux. In our conversation, Jaze shares his journey...
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DMF Episode 328 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 3): Physical Media vs Streaming & The Future of Movie Ownership
Welcome to The DMF — Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux to dive into an increasingly important conversation in modern cinema: film ownership in the digital age. If there’s a movie you truly love and know you’ll…
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DMF Episode 327 — Jaze Bordeaux (Part 2): Why Film Budgets Are So High & How Movies Get Overpriced
Welcome to The DMF with Justin Younts (Discovering Meaning in Film and Acting). In this episode, host and actor Justin Younts sits down with filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux for an in-depth conversation about film budgets, production costs, and the realities of independent filmmaking. Have you ever…
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DMF Episode 326 — Director and Filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux (Part 1): "Are You Making These Costly Filmmaking Mistakes?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today I had the pleasure of speaking with award-winning filmmaker Jaze Bordeaux. In this engaging conversation, we dive deep into Jaze’s journey from growing up in the United States to ultimately finding his true home in Canada. He shares his experiences...
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DMF Episode 325 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Complete Interview): "Are You Missing the Hidden Signals in Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Alexandra Beller to dive deep into the role of movement in theater and performance. Alexandra breaks down how movement evolves organically through collaboration between actors, directors, and designers. She explains how…
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DMF Episode 324 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 3): "Are You Missing the Hidden Friction in Your Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Alexandra Beller takes us deep into the role of movement in acting and how it naturally evolves through collaboration between actors, directors, and designers. Alexandra explains that movement isn’t something imposed on a performance—it...
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DMF Episode 323 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 2): "Are You Ignoring the Dangers of Miscommunication in Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Alexandra Beller dives deep into the four categories of energy: weight, space, time, and flow—and how understanding these elements can radically transform an actor’s process. Alexandra explains that each category exists on a spectrum…
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DMF Episode 322 — Choreographer and Director Alexandra Beller (Part 1): "Are You Missing Out? The Hidden Dangers of Ignoring Your Creative Voice"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Alexandra Beller, an incredible artist, choreographer, and soon-to-be-published author. In this first part of our conversation, we dive deep into Alexandra's upbringing in Queens during the vibrant 80s, a time that...
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DMF Episode 321 — Producer Christine La Monte (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Happens in the Film Industry!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm thrilled to introduce Christine Lamont, a powerhouse in the film industry. Christine has spent years honing her craft, producing impactful documentaries like 'Ai Weiwei's Turandot' and 'Viva Verde.' In our conversation, we dive deep into her...
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DMF Episode 320 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 3 Redo): "Are You Afraid to Say Yes? The Risks of Opportunity"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake. Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine…
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DMF Episode 319 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 2 Redo): "Are You Ignoring the Art That Could Change Your Life Forever?"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake. Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Christine La Monte shares an extraordinary creative...
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DMF Episode 318 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 1 Redo): "Are You Missing Out on the Secrets of Film Success?"
I messed up on these episodes .I am putting out this episode without cuts. The AI, I used has been cutting things off. I apologize. Hopefully, someone else will learn from my mistake. Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce Christine La Monte, who shares her...
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DMF Episode 317 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 3): "Are You Afraid to Say Yes? The Risks of Opportunity"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re spotlighting the wisdom and creative spirit of Christine La Monte, who reminds us of the power of one simple word: yes. For Christine, saying yes has opened doors throughout her life and career — from directing plays to embracing unexpected...
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DMF Episode 316 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 2): "Are You Ignoring the Art That Could Change Your Life Forever?"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Christine La Monte shares an extraordinary creative journey that began in Rome in 2012. That pivotal moment marked her introduction to a gifted young filmmaker, Maxime Derevenko, who would later emerge as an influential voice in the…
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DMF Episode 315 — Producer Christine La Monte (Part 1): "Are You Missing Out on the Secrets of Film Success?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m thrilled to introduce Christine La Monte, who shares her inspiring journey through the film industry. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Christine was surrounded by art, culture, and cinema, which sparked her lifelong passion for storytelling and...
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DMF Episode 314 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Complete Interview): "You Can Transform Your Life Through Acting Like I Did!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I had the pleasure of speaking with Kris Keppeler, an audiobook narrator, voice actress, and writer. Kris shared her fascinating journey from growing up in the snowy Midwest to exploring the arts and finding her passion in acting and voiceover…
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DMF Episode 313 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 4): "Are You Afraid of Failing to Monetize Your YouTube Dreams?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today we're diving into the world of YouTube monetization. Is there something you want to accomplish on YouTube that you haven’t done yet? Many creators feel that way — including Kris Keppeler, who joins me to share her own goals and experiences in…
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DMF Episode 312 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 3): "Unlock Your Podcasting Potential: Discover the Secrets to Success!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm diving into the creative world of Kris Keppeler, the voice actress, narrator, and podcaster behind Does This Happen to You? Kris shares how her podcast was born from her love of comedy and storytelling. She first considered writing her own...
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DMF Episode 311 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 2): "Are You Making This Mistake in Voice Acting?"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm diving into my journey into voice acting with the incredible Kris Keppeler. It all started when I was searching for more acting opportunities in Seattle, and someone suggested I try voiceover. I never considered it before, but once I found a...
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DMF Episode 310 — Voice-over Actress Kris Keppeler (Part 1): "Are You Afraid to Pursue Your Passion? Chris Kepler's Story"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of introducing Kris Keppeler, an incredible audiobook narrator, voice actress, and writer. Kris shares her fascinating journey from the snowy winters of Michigan to the sunny deserts of Washington, and how each move shaped her...
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DMF Episode 309 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Happened to Cuomo: The Shocking Truth Revealed!"
Welcome to the DMF. I'm Justin Younts, and today I’m speaking with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini about her powerful and controversial documentary, This Is What New Yorkers Say. Sara created the film out of frustration with how the media portrayed Andrew Cuomo and what she saw as a lack of due…
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DMF Episode 308 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 4): "You Won't Believe the Legal Threats I Faced Making My Documentary"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Sara Alessandrini opens up about the chaotic and often brutal world of documentary filmmaking. Sara walks us through the challenges she faced while creating her documentary — challenges that went far beyond the expected hurdles of...
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DMF Episode 307 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 3): "I Want You to Discover the Hidden Secrets of the Movie Business!"
Welcome to the DMF. I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, Sara Alessandrini takes us inside the reckless, bold decisions that pushed her to create her documentary. For Sara, the journey began in 2020, at the height of her growing frustration with the film industry — particularly the way safety...
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DMF Episode 306 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 2): "You Need to Know the Real Role of a Director!"
Welcome to the DMF. I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode I sit down with Sara Alessandrini, who dives deep into the hierarchy of film production and the often misunderstood roles of directors and producers. Sara has met her fair share of people who love calling themselves “director” but shy…
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DMF Episode 305 — Filmmaker Sara Alessandrini (Part 1): "You Won't Believe What New Yorkers Really Think About Cuomo!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Sara Alessandrini, an Italian filmmaker who has just released a captivating miniseries on Apple TV titled 'This is What New Yorkers Say.' This series offers a unique perspective on Andrew Cuomo through the...
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DMF Episode 304 — Assistant Director and Author Tommy Burke (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Tommy Burke Faced in Hollywood!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Tommy Burke, an assistant director with 30 years of experience in the film industry. Tommy has written a captivating book titled 'Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs,' where he shares his incredible journey…
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DMF Episode 303 — Assistant Director and Author Tommy Burke (Part 3): "You Need to Read This Book to Transform Your Acting Career Today!"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and in this episode, I sit down with Tommy Burke, who dives deep into the world of acting, storytelling, and the unexpected connections that shaped his career. Tommy shares a fascinating story about how Sean Astin — beloved from The Goonies and The Lord of…
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DMF Episode 302 — Assistant Director and Author Tommy Burke (Part 2): "You Won't Believe What I Faced in the Film Industry!"
Welcome to the DMF with Justin Younts! In this episode, Justin sits down with Tommy Burke, a veteran of the film industry whose career has been defined by grit, adventure, and resilience. Tommy shares his unforgettable experiences working on demanding productions — including the chaos of filming…
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DMF Episode 301 — Assistant Director and Author Tommy Burke (Part 1): "You Won't Believe What I Faced in My Film Career - A True Story of Survival"
Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of introducing Tommy Burke, an assistant director with 30 years of experience in the film industry. In this episode, we dive deep into Tommy's incredible journey, which he chronicles in his book, 'Not Just Sunglasses and...
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DMF Episode 300 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Complete Interview): "Discover How I Transformed Tales from the Crypt into a Horror Icon!"
Welcome to the DMF with Justin Younts! This is the 300th episode of the DMF, and to mark this milestone, we’re bringing you something truly special — the complete Alan Katz experience. This episode features all of Alan Katz’s appearances on the show, merged into one in-depth conversation...
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DMF Episode 299 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Part 12): "Are You Ignoring Your Mental Health? My Near-Death Experience Will Shock You!"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re exploring how Alan Katz starts his day — and how his routines have transformed his life. Alan begins each morning with intention, sketching out his schedule on paper — everything from podcast interviews to sound editing and writing his deeply...
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DMF Episode 298 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Part 11): "Discover the Luxurious Life I Lived While Shooting in England"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and in this episode, we explore Alan Katz’s unforgettable experiences filming in England. Alan described the entire journey as a dream come true—from shooting in breathtaking castles to immersing himself in the country’s vibrant culture. But it wasn’t all...
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DMF Episode 297 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Part 10): "You Won't Believe How Superman's Legacy Haunts Actors!"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re exploring the fascinating world of casting through the perspective of Alan Katz. Alan delved into the complexities of casting Superman, particularly focusing on Christopher Reeve. He explained that casting Superman is unlike any other…
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DMF Episode 296 — Writer and Producer Alan Katz (Part 9): "You Won't Believe What Scared Tim Curry During Filming!"
Welcome to the DMF! I’m Justin Younts, and today we’re exploring the fascinating world of filmmaking through the experiences of Alan Katz. Alan recalled the immense challenges of working with Tim Curry on a project that pushed everyone involved to their limits. The creative process was daunting,...
About this show
The DMF with Justin Younts (Discovering Meaning in Film & Acting) is an acting and filmmaking podcast for actors and creatives. Host Justin Younts explores acting technique, audition tips, casting insights, career strategy, and the craft of film and theatre. Featuring actors, casting directors, and filmmakers, DMF delivers real-world advice to help you book roles, build your reel, and grow as a professional actor.
Hosted by
Justin Younts
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