Self Taping Episodes

Episode 107: International Casting Secrets, "Verticals," and AI with Helene Rousse In this episode, Max Belmonte dives deep into the shifting world of international casting with Helene Rousse , a powerhouse Montreal-based Casting Director and founder of Total Casting . With over 35 years of experience spanning talent agent work, acting, and world-class casting, Helene shares the "Formula 1" approach to navigating today’s digital industry. From the surprising explosion of "Vertical" series to the...

Episode 105: The "Slasher" Life & Strategic Pivots In this episode, Max Belmonte returns from a hiatus to break down the reality of being a "slasher" in the Australian screen industry—balancing Acting, Producing, and corporate presenting & voice over work. He discusses the tactical decision to shift his TV pilot project into a short film proof-of-concept and shares a behind-the-scenes look at changing agents and staying "work fit." Episode Highlights [00:00:43] The Multi-Hyphenate Reality: Navig...

Unlock the secrets behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic performances in this deep-dive interview with legendary acting coach Terry Knickerbocker . In this episode of Two Unemployed Actors , host Max explores the craft, discipline, and mindset required to sustain a high-level career in the entertainment industry. The interview with acting coach Terry Knickerbocker highlights several foundational principles for building a sustainable and professional acting career. Here are the key takeaways fro...

Welcome to Episode 88 of the Two Unemployed Actors podcast. In this insightful session, host Max Belmonte sits down with one of the most influential figures in the Australian entertainment landscape: Mark Morrissey. As the founder and managing director of Morrissey Management, Mark brings over four decades of experience to the table, having guided the careers of global stars like Chris Hemsworth.This episode pulls back the curtain on the world of talent representation. Mark dives deep into what agents actually look for during those first ten seconds of a showreel or meeting—identifying a blend of intelligence, commerciality, and vocal timber. He emphasizes that the actor-agent relationship is a true partnership; agents aren’t looking for people waiting by the phone, but for performers who are as driven and invested in their own growth as the agency itself.A highlight of the conversation is Mark’s take on the "self-test muscle." He offers a necessary reality check for modern …

Episode 80: Two Actors Survive the Pandemic Welcome to the first episode of 2022! After a transformative year of lockdowns and industry shifts, Max and Sam are back to share how they navigated the "unemployed" life, kept their creative sparks flying, and prepared for a massive year ahead. In this episode, we dive deep into the reality of being a working actor in Australia during a global crisis, from the frustration of cancelled gigs to the unexpected "wins" that come when the industry finally f...

Inside This Episode: The Mystery: Max shares a strange story about a national brand requesting the removal of DIY content he starred in for them. We discuss the nuances of usage rights, "private" videos, and why brands sometimes hide their own content. The 5-Second Audition Setup: Learn how to streamline your home studio using Newer lights and a smartphone rig so you can focus on acting, not tech issues. Raising Your Rates: Max opens up about the "imposter syndrome" hurdle of increasing his prof...