Voiceover 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 th...

In this episode of Two Unemployed Actors, host Max Belmonte sits down with Andy Roth—an award-winning producer, voice casting director, and one of the industry's most sought-after teachers. Andy pulls back the curtain on the "mysterious" world of voiceover, offering a masterclass in what happens on the other side of the booth. From his early days at Samuel French to casting major animated series and commercials, Andy shares the blueprint for building a sustainable career in a rapidly chang...

Episode 100: The Milestone, the Memories, and the New Mission In this landmark 100th episode of Two Unemployed Actors, host Max Belmonte reflects on the journey from a 20-year corporate career to becoming a dedicated Actor and Producer. This isn't just a look back; it’s a strategic deep dive into what it takes to survive and thrive in the Australian screen industry. We revisit the highs, the lows (including a Subaru-induced Vespa accident), and the incredible insights shared by world-class...

Show Notes: Episode 96 — Shane Withington In this episode, we are joined by Logie Award-winning actor Shane Withington. With over 40 years in the industry, Shane shares the wisdom gained from a career that spans iconic Australian dramas like A Country Practice and his long-standing role as John Palmer on Home and Away. Whether you're an aspiring actor or a fan of Australian TV, this conversation is packed with "boots-on-the-ground" advice about longevity, set etiquette, and the craft of actin...

Send us a text Episode 84 – Script Drafts, Action Design, and LA Bound In this episode, Max and Sam dive into the "doing" phase of the creative journey. Following recent high-profile interviews, the boys discuss how to turn industry inspiration into tangible progress, from finishing a pilot script to understanding the complex world of action design. Key Discussion Points Turning Inspiration into Action: Max shares how the recent interview with Christian Van Vuuren provided the final push ...

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 pro...

Episode 72: High-Stakes Callbacks & Industry Insights In this episode, Max and Sam break down the essential "between projects" hustle. From securing major play callbacks to prepping for the influx of international productions in Australia, the boys discuss how to stay sharp, stay trained, and stay visible in a competitive industry. Inside This Episode • 00:00 – Introduction Max and Sam kick off the show with an overview of a busy week ahead, including audition updates and upcoming industry...

Show Notes: Episode 68 – The Hustle and the Harmony In this episode, Max and Sam discuss the relentless "between projects" lifestyle, balancing the physical demands of theatre with the technical grind of voiceovers and self-tapes. From navigating the logistics of independent theatre props to geeking out over LinkedIn connections with industry legends, they cover the full spectrum of the modern actor’s journey. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Reality of Indie Theatre: Max shares his exp...

Episode 67: Jim Carrey’s Method Madness, Feature Film Life, and Unexpected Auditions In this episode, Max and Sam catch up on a whirlwind week of production, rehearsals, and industry deep dives. From the stage in Sydney to film sets in Newcastle, the guys explore what it means to truly live with a character and how the most unexpected opportunities (like an Italian animation audition) can land in your inbox out of nowhere. Key Segments & Discussions The Return of Live Theatre: Max provide...

Episode 65: From Cannes to Chris Pratt: Navigating the On-Set Grind Juggling survival jobs, celebrating major creative wins, and staying grounded when the industry gets chaotic. this week Max and Sam dive deep into the messy, exciting reality of being a working actor. From short films heading overseas to masterclasses in set etiquette and a surreal celebrity encounter at a Sydney bar, this episode is packed with honest advice, laughs, and unfiltered industry insights. In This Episode...

Show Notes: Episode 62 – Navigating the Business of Acting (Solo with Max) Welcome to Year 3 of Two Unemployed Actors! Sam has the ultimate pass this week because he’s actually busy on set, leaving Max to hold down the studio solo. Kicking off the year in style, Max reflects on his busiest year in the industry since transitioning from corporate life and dives deep into the crucial business boundaries every actor needs to set. From spotting sneaky contract upgrades to busting the myths of the ...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 58 After a short hiatus, Max and Sam are back to chat about a massively busy few weeks. From corporate DIY shoots and intense short films to feature film callbacks and big premieres, the boys dive deep into what it actually takes to survive and thrive on set. They also break down the business side of the industry, navigating the new Casting Networks layout, and how to manage usage fees so you don't get ripped off. What We Cover This Episode: Juggling the Gi...

Episode Overview In Episode 56, Max and Sam take you behind the scenes of the unpredictable Acting world, covering everything from unscripted canine co-stars to major industry milestones. Max shares a wild commercial audition involving his dog Fred and talks about his exclusive invitation to vote in the AACTA Drama Chapter. Meanwhile, Sam celebrates booking a rare paid short film, shares a hilarious "wrong script" mishap, and the boys break down the business reality of budget voiceover platforms...

Episode 55: Flat-Packs, Fast Self-Tapes & Voiceover Niche Moving house is stressful enough, but what happens when your agent drops multiple back-to-back commercial auditions into your inbox before you’ve even unpacked your first box? In this episode, Max and Sam unpack (literally and figuratively) the relentless pace of the acting grind, how to set up a home studio on the fly, and the strategic side of launching a voiceover career. Plus, we talk about the surreal experience of spotting your o...

Episode 54: Self-Tape Mix-Ups, Commercial Auditions, & The Reality of Voice Acting Ever prepared for a self-tape only to realize you read for the wrong character entirely? That's exactly how Max kicks off this week's episode. From hilarious audition mishaps to a deep-dive masterclass into the business of voice acting, Max and Sam are pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to survive between projects. Whether you are looking to break into the voiceover industry, wondering if high-...

Two Unemployed Actors — Episode 53 In this episode, Max and Sam unpack the sheer variety of the working actor’s life. From local indie short films and voiceover wins to massive multi-channel commercial studios, the boys share the unpolished truth of a week on the hustle in Australia. Plus, a peek at the upcoming studio relocation! Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome & Coffee: Surviving the lockdown hustle. 00:30 — Max’s Big Day: Voiceover wins and securing a new corporate wine-presenting g...

Episode 46: COVID Sets, VO Nightmares, & Pizza Film School In this episode of Two Unemployed Actors, Max and Sam dive into the realities of working on a modern, safety-first film set, share the psychological hurdles of voice work, and look at how Hollywood's biggest directors are giving back to the indie filmmaking community. 🎬Episode Timestamps • 00:00:00 – Intro • 00:00:24 – Filming Ruby's Choice and COVID-19 Protocols • 00:06:23 – Voice-Over Work and Challenges • 00:14:51 – The Russo Br...