Episodes

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 61 In the final episode of the year, Max and Sam catch up on a chaotic end-of-year rush of auditions, corporate gigs, and play rehearsals. From navigating malfunctioning set tech to breaking down the legal realities of firearms and stunt safety, the boys dive deep into what it really takes to survive and thrive on a modern film set. Key Takeaways from the Episode Residual Heat Memorisation: When the tech fails, the Actors process takes over. Max breaks down...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 60: On-Set Intensity, Audition Secrets, and Showreel Essentials What does it really take to film an intense, emotional drama under strict on-set restrictions? In this episode, Max and Sam catch up on a busy wave of end-of-year projects, breaking down the exact mechanics of their latest film shoots, upcoming theatre rehearsals, and the vital tools every Actor needs to stay bookable. Max dives deep into his experience filming the AFTRS short Water Under the Br...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 59 Show Notes Episode Summary In this episode, Max and Sam give you a raw, honest, and hilarious look into the realities of life as a working Actor in Australia. Max takes us behind the scenes of his multi-day shoot for a major MG / CarSales commercial—complete with drones, sound stages, and a brutally public parallel parking fail. Meanwhile, Sam celebrates wrapping up his massive 10-month journey with Spring Awakening, diving headfirst into the post-show withdraw...

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...

Are creative self-tapes completely rewriting the rules for modern casting? In this episode of Two Unemployed Actors, Max and Sam dive straight into the reality of the acting hustle. They break down a massive week of on-set experiences, discuss a creative shift in audition tapes, and explore how actor branding is evolving in the modern screen industry. Timestamps & Key Topics 00:00 – Welcome & The Fatman Trailer: The boys catch up and share their hilarious, confused reactions to Mel Gibson...

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...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 52: Navigating the Industry as a Young Actor with Yasmin What does it take to balance high school, a social life, and a packed filming schedule? In this episode, Max sits down with 12-year-old up-and-coming actor Yasmin to discuss her fast-tracked journey in the industry, her professional approach to audition nerves, and the universal hurdles every actor faces, no matter their age. 🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Transition to Screen: How Yasmin moved...

- Max talks through Covid on set this week - Why is Sam going to the gym? - What is Max watching that makes him want to be a Cowboy? Support the show Send us a text

Cinema is officially back, Max gets an exciting tap on the shoulder for a new project, and we are breaking down the absolute essentials of landing a role on a major television series! In this milestone 50th episode, Max and Sam cover everything from high-profile Hollywood blockbusters to the exact tactical steps you need to take to catch the eye of top Casting Directors. Whether you are trying to master your audition nerves or wondering how fast-paced television sets operate, this episode ...

Two Unemployed Actors — Episode 49: Fast Sets, Hot Mics, and Protecting Your Likeness In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the practical realities of balancing a survival job with "acting fitness." Max shares his recent experiences on a fast-paced TV commercial (TVC) set, breaking down the unique pressure of working with a hot mic linked directly to the client room. The boys also tackle a crucial, rarely discussed topic: the business side of acting, image usage rights, and why you shou...

Two Unemployed Actors — Episode 48: Film School, Grim Scripts, & On-Set Etiquette Max & Sam welcome two very special guests into the studio: independent filmmakers Jack Alan Keech and Jacob Wood. In this episode, they pull back the curtain on the real-world transition from film school to low-budget indie sets. They dive into the creative process of writing "grim" stories, the absolute necessity of actor-director chemistry, and why keeping your cast and crew fed is the ultimate indie productio...

Episode 47: The Icon Series – Kate Fitzpatrick In this landmark episode, Max & Sam are joined by a true legend of the Australian stage and screen, Kate Fitzpatrick. With a career that spans the golden era of Australian theatre to the bright lights of Hollywood, Kate offers a masterclass in longevity, artistic integrity, and the grit required to sustain a lifelong career in the arts. Key Highlights The Patrick White Connection: Kate discusses her profound creative partnership with Nobel Pr...

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...

Episode 45: Red Flags, Self-Tapes, and the Production Boom The Australian screen industry is booming, but navigating it requires a mix of hustle, flexibility, and knowing when to say no. In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the current self-tape revolution, recount some major recent audition wins, and break down the red flags every actor should watch out for on Zoom calls. Plus, invaluable showreel and wardrobe tips straight from a top Casting Director. Key Moments & Takeaways T...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 44 Are corporate shoots worth the headache, and what really goes on behind the scenes of massive reality TV franchises? In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the stark differences between professional sets, independent casting platforms, and the wild world of DIY corporate gigs. Max shares a cautionary tale about battling a dual-teleprompter nightmare at a corporate shoot, while Sam breaks down a demanding StarNow audition that crosses the line into actor...

Episode 43: Mastering the "Boring Bits" & The Actor’s Toolkit In this episode, Max and Sam take a deep dive into the "boring bits"—the essential administrative and maintenance tasks that keep an actor's career moving forward even when they aren't on set. From website refreshes and profile audits to mastering the "sweet spot" of preparation, this episode is a blueprint for turning downtime into a competitive advantage. Sharpening Your Toolkit The guys discuss why now is the perfect time for a ...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 42 Show Notes In this episode, Max and Sam delve deep into the mechanics of filmmaking, character creation, and the heavy emotional demands of the acting craft. Max shares direct takeaways from a recent Q&A with director David Michôd, Sam breaks down the psychological hurdles of a tragic new monologue, and the guys review the high-tension thriller 7500. Episode Highlights Inside Blue Tongue Productions with David Michôd Max recaps a fresh Facebook Live Q&...

Two Unemployed Actors | Episode 41: What Directors Want & Mastering the Audition In this episode, Max and Sam dive deep into the mechanics of the Director-Actor relationship and break down what it really takes to walk into an audition room with absolute confidence. From the high-stakes sets of premium television to the fast-paced world of commercial casting, the boys discuss how preparation creates the ultimate creative freedom. 📝 Episode Summary Max shares exclusive insights from a rec...

📝 Episode Summary After a quick fortnight break, Max and Sam are back in the studio (accompanied by some minor desk chaos courtesy of Frederick the sausage dog). This week, the guys dive into invaluable casting director insights, the reality of audition etiquette, and the deeply personal hurdles of breaking down emotional walls in your acting. 💡 Key Takeaways from this Episode The Right Actor vs. The Best Actor: Unpacking a crucial philosophy shared by Casting Director Kirsty McGregor. Ca...

Episode 39: John Bell’s Wisdom, Rehearsal Debates, and What We’re Watching 📝 Episode Summary In this episode, Max and Sam navigate the highs and lows of the Acting industry, from learning at the feet of an Australian legend to the practical realities of self-taping in your living room. 💡 Key Takeaways from this Episode Learning from a Legend: Max recaps an exclusive masterclass with John Bell, founder of Bell Shakespeare. We discuss his career, his take on the "mumbling" trend in mo...