Acting

I was sitting on my couch, contemplating a second retirement. For 30 years I had lived a life of serving others. The first career was in the Marine Corps, retiring after 21 years. The second, I owned a small business.

I wanted to do something that was completely selfish for a while. I had earned a scholarship to college for Acting and didn't take it so I could join the Corps. I was also doing my own commercials for the business. I thought "Actors are some pretty selfish bastards! I'll bet I can do that!" Lol!

Three months after getting headshots, I was doing a Scotts Lawncare commercial. And three months after that, I was Executive Producing and acting in, my first feature film "Turbo Cola" (currently available wherever you go to watch movies) which would go on to win Film Threat's Indie Movie of the Year for 2023.

Needless to say, the bug has bit. But the bite is not as deep for me as it might be for others. It's not something that I HAVE to do, as I've gotten into writing and directing as well, but it is fun to do and I intend to keep doing it. So, short answer, I do it just because it's fun and over the years I've made a little tribe here in Central PA that I like making things with!

I remember being really into The Little Mermaid when I was a kid and loved singing along to Ariel's songs. I didn't take an acting/drama class until high school. My favorite part was when everyone in the class got to write their own monologues and perform them. I've been writing far longer than I've been into drama or acting. I've written short stories since I was around eight or nine years old, written lyrics since I was ten or eleven years old. I've always felt pulled towards music especially singing. I'd come home from school as a kid and loved to spend at least half an hour singing along to Alannah Myles or Alanis Morrissette. Decades later, my love for singing is still strong. I guess I love singing because music speaks to my soul and makes me feel alive.

Brandon Keeton Thank you for sharing, and that's quite the trajectory. It found you, the BUG, absolutely, and fun!

Haley Mary That's so lovely, singing and music are a great part of acting, and film, all stories. Music is the heartbeat without words. And I totally relate, coming home from school, singing, writing, and somehow we just keep going. And The Little Mermaid!!!! Singing, dreaming, being herself. Thanks for sharing Haley, I love that.

Maurice Vaughan Thanks for posting this, it's just the thing to read, take in, and empower ourselves with.

You're welcome, Juliana Philippi. It's an incredible guide!

Maurice Vaughan thanks Maurice. I think I’ve only missed seeing it once in the last 5 or 6 years. Jimmy Stewart made me think of my writing too, and that I should look at my intent as a writer to ‘creating moments’ for the actor, but with the audience in mind.

Juliana Philippi ah, yes Juliana, Clarence’s appearance is wonderful and the humour when they are drying off their clothes is great. The scene that really upsets me is when Uncle Billy loses the money. I still shout at the screen and plead with him not to do it.

You're welcome, Geoff Hall. Actors love those moments! They can help get actors on board projects.

Geoff Hall I love that idea that a movie is not so much about the acting but about the micro moments that get created. I guess when everyone is on the same page, really connected to the text, their character and to each other. That's when I think something really special can occur. A shame there is no exact recipe book for this.

Alexandra Stevens haha! A recipe book would probably spoil those moments or stop them being born. The next time I watch it, I will have to see how this moment was created: camera, lighting, music, edit, actor.

Have a happy Christmas and a restive festive season, Alexandra!

Matthew Gross this is inspiring. Congratulations!

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This is great Matthew Gross and an example how AI can help us in our journey. I use AI also and it’s a great partnership. Please, share your experience through a blog and inspire many of us. Congratulations for that and I am cheering for you.

Matthew Gross, as Amanda said, I'd love to work with you to share this story as a Stage 32 Blog. Please do email me at Blog@Stage32.com!

Ashley Renee Smith There's not much more I can say beyond what's in this post.

Hear hear! Juliana Philippi

Suzanne Bronson Woot woot! There is so much that we can find, there's a soft hum of hope and love closing 2025...it's all happening.

Thank you for sharing!

You're welcome, Jessica Putnam. Yes, it's online.

... Sure, Jssica, I'll come back to you tomorrow, but I'm faaaarrrr from a pro, but sure, I can give you some pointers, will make a small , 'basic' list. :)

HI Jessica Putnam I know what it is like to feel discouraged. You are doing the right thing, reaching out, making connections. Keep at it. I also encourage you to check out today's blog as it speaks to the very thing you are talking about. Ways to hone your craft when you are in a down slope.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/a-practical-guide-for-actors-tips-advice-ev...

Now is a good time to check out the many classes in the education tab. There are all kinds of things skills and tips to help you get over the hump so to speak. I would be exam what you are telling yourself about your acting career. Saying things like, "It is just so hard to get out there." or "They only got cast because they are a nepo baby." or "I don't know anyone." Will make it so. Try to reframe your beliefs. "Getting auditions is easy." "Everyone wants to hire me." "I have so many opportunities." "I am a successful working actress." Being positive will put in the right frame of mind and help keep the energy and motivation up. It is ok to feel frustrated, but remember emotions only last 90 seconds. So feel the feeling, then move on. Holding on to the negative energy is dangerous to the mental health. And breathe and go for a walk like Juliana Philippi said!

Hi jesssica putnam I understand how you feel. The journey can be tough, especially when things don’t work out the way we hope.

But you’re not alone — many of us here are fighting for our dream every day.

What matters is that you’re still trying, still learning, still showing up. That already makes you stronger than you think.

Wishing you strength and motivation — keep going! We’re all here to support each other.

One of my favourite radio dramas to listen to is The Charles Paris series, starring Bill Nighy. He plays an often out of work aging actor who has a penchant for solving mysteries. The character talks a lot about what life is like to be an actor and about the business. The series can be found on Archive.org or on YouTube. It’s worth a listen.

congratulations Juliana Philippi , you are an amazing lady, I love the spirits, each and every teeny tiny bit is giving the supports and making you road map for the dream role. Hurdles are part of a journey, but our perspective help us to overcome every hurdles. Go girl it's your time to shine and learn, I wish you a very happy holiday and good lucks ahead of journey. happy holidays.

This is great question Juliana Philippi and I wanted to follow it because although I'm doing voice acting as well, my primary focus has been writing. Short answer is that I stay busy and create through other means. Aside from my day job, I'm either polishing a script, creating a pitch deck or playing the piano. I've done the latter whenever there's a slow period and the void tries to pull me down. Much like the image you used, it's much about believing that you are in the lane of your design. This is where I feel the most free and poured out. Congratulations on what you've accomplished so far friend. There is so much more to come. It's inevitable.

DJ Gautam DJ, thanks so much! Smiling so big right now. It's all about perspective, absolutely right, spot on my friend. Happy Holidays to you too, and an amazing 2026 and journey to you as well! Every hurdle, is teaching us, and will lift us higher as we go.

Leonardo Ramirez 2 Absolutely Leonardo, it's multi-artsying, lol. Creating in many forms. The void comes up when you wallow, and my gosh, the times I could count when I wallowed…and them so, lol! But, as I keep on walking, creating, I grow, as an actress in this case (also a screenwriter, lol). And, it's not us pursuing a goal…the stories, the roles, the roles, begin to pursue us :) Thank you for your kind words, and encouragement, this is just a beginning.

It absolutely is just the beginning Juliana Philippi!

Thank you, Maurice

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us Aaron Marcus

Thanks Aaron Marcus . As is often the case, it comes down to having some people skills and showing interest in others.

Thank you both for sharing. Having some people skills can go a long way to having success in our industry and in life. Thank you again.

Hi, Oleg Syrota. Welcome to the community. I’m a Stage 32 Lounge Moderator. I wanted to let you know I moved your post from the Filmmaking/Directing Lounge to the Acting Lounge since it's about acting.

Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32's next Community Open House is Dec 29th. It's free to attend. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. Your parents or guardians can sign up for you here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-december-community-open-ho...

Since you’re a minor, make sure your parents or guardians are aware of your account and have access to it. Also, be especially careful about privately connecting with anyone on the platform.

Here's another AI character developer, it might work well for comedy movies or kids movies. https://www.instagram.com/p/DR9cu-tDMPn/

Willem Elzenga 2 thanks for sharing. This is fascinating. I wasn't aware of Eleen and her project. It's interesting to hear her point of view that the actress was supposed to just be top of the AI genre. However as she says there were many offers for her to play with real actors. Therein lies the boundary issue and I understood why many feel threatened.

More news on Tilly and Eleen & co. https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/film/tilly-norwood-ai-actress-particle6...

I think you are looking at this backwards Alexandra. "Leap, and the net will appear."

Suzanne Bronson i likes this re-frame and admire the leap you have taken

Juliana Philippi that's great. What would you says is the 'why' for your acting?

Stephen Folker that certainly seems to work for you!

Alexandra Stevens My why, in acting, is to feel what others can't... It's...expression. Feeling, embodying a person who's story is being told, is my why. A service : )

Congratulations on booking the role, Aaron Marcus! Must-watch video!

Thank you so much. It was such an amazing experience to meet, learn from and work with some incredible people.

You're welcome, Aaron Marcus.

Aaron Marcus thanks Aaron. A good motivation to keep going. Hope you're doing well?