Actors Guide To Success with Bernard Hiller

Kevin Pollak has had a long and prolific career as a standup comedian, impressionist, character actor, and director. He has appeared in over 90 films, including The Usual Suspects, A Few Good Men, Casino, Grumpy Old Men, and the award-winning original show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has worked with some of the biggest stars and directors in the industry over the course of his career including Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholsen, Tom Cruise, Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren, and so many more. In this episode of Actors Guide to Success Kevin and Bernard talk about how Kevin got his start in the industry, tell some hilarious tales from the movie sets he’s worked on, and share his philosophies on acting, auditioning, and directing.   Show Notes: 4:47 - Kevin reminisces about his early interest in comedy 8:50 - Kevin talks about his start as a stand-up comedian 10:38 - Kevin examines his talent as an impressionist 11:58 - Bernard “interviews” Kevin’s Christopher Walken impression 12:45 - Kevin talks about how impressions and comedy helped him to create characters 15:35 - Kevin discusses “bombing” as a comedian and rejection in auditions 17:06 - Kevin names his main inspirations in standup comedy 17:37 - A brief tangent about James McAvoy in Cyrano de Bergerac and other powerful stage performances 19:07 - Kevin confesses his insecurities about being an actor  21:17 - Kevin talks about what it was like on the set of A Few Good Men 23:22 - Kevin tells the story about when his mother flirted with Jack Nicholson 28:10 - Kevin further elaborates about what it was like on set and not being able to “get there” in an intense scene 32:08 - Kevin talks about the subtle anti-Semitism in the classic court scene of A Few Good Men 34:32 - Kevin remembers when he stood in for Jack Nicholson 37:44 - Bernard asks Kevin where he developed compassion for others 39:49 - Kevin talks about Barry Levinson and auditioning for Avalon 46:33 - Kevin shares his advice for actors just getting started in the business 54:53 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the process and heartbreak of auditioning 55:28 - Kevin talks about the transition from auditioning to getting offers; agreeing to a role in The Usual Suspects 1:02:30 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the importance of taking risks and being a poker player 1:04:38 - Kevin talks about being a character actor and the character actors he has admired; Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau 1:08:14 - Kevin reminisces about working with Sophia Loren 1:11:08 - Kevin gives further advice on acting and being intentional 1:13:29 - Kevin explains what he still loves about the industry; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 1:15:32 - Kevin advises actors to create their own material and adapt their favorite stories 1:17:47 - Kevin talks about Casino and working with Don Rickles and Martin Scorsese

Kerry Barden is the award-winning casting director of over 200 films and TV shows, including Sex in the City, Winter’s Bone, The Help, 13 Reasons Why, and the 2016 Best Picture Academy Award-winner Spotlight. He has been nominated eight times for the Outstanding Achievement in Casting award by the Casting Society of America and won three times. He was also nominated for an Emmy for Sex in the City. He majored in theatre at the University of Georgia and has a producer credit on the film Conversations with Other Women. In this episode of Actors Guide to Success Kerry sits down with Bernard Hiller to talk about the ever-evolving business of film-making, his personal philosophy on life and art, and how to get noticed in an audition.    Show Notes: 2:17 - Kerry explains his start in casting. 3:00 - Kerry and Bernard talk about purpose and career. 3:30 - Kerry talks about “saying yes” to opportunities. 5:00 - Kerry shares the advice he would give to actors just starting out. 8:23 - Kerry explains what he looks for when an actor walks into an audition. 9:17 - Kerry talks about the “don’ts” for auditioning 10:33 - Bernard and Kerry discuss how globalism has affected casting films 11:05 - Kerry explains the vital skill of self-taping 12:43 - Kerry talks about energy and connection in an actor’s performance 13:39 - Kerry and Bernard talk about how to have a fulfilling personal life as an actor 14:48 - Kerry discusses the importance of acting classes, following other artists, and studying the film-making process 16:14 - Kerry explains how someone can contact him or expect to be seen by him 17:30 - Kerry reveals the best piece of advice anyone ever gave him 18:43 - Bernard and Kerry talk about Sex in the City and Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout role in Winter’s Bone 22:25 - Kerry elaborates on how the film-making process has changed and diversified, and how to make your own opportunities 27:21 - Kerry and Bernard talk about awards, director Tom McCarthy, and Spotlight 32:00 - Kerry dispels some myths and misconceptions about casting directors 34:25 - Bernard and Kerry discuss the power of storytelling and Kerry reveals his favorite recent acting performances.

Jackie Lewis has been an agent for the past 30 years. She started as an agent in NYC and then came to LA to open her own agency. Her insight into Hollywood and show business is invaluable. Listen to her advice, it will take your career further. She started her career representing kids and now works with some of the top talent in LA. We love her having attended our class and she has found many actors in our classes that she now represents.

Pete Hammond is a 5-time Emmy nominated Hollywood influencer. In addition to being the chief film critic of Deadline Hollywood, Pete is the awards editor and columnist for the Oscars and a columnist for the LA Times. Currently, Pete also hosts the KCET Cinema Series every Friday night on the PBS owned station where they show must-see movies. In this episode of Actors Guide to Success with Bernard Hiller, Pete discusses the joys of working in Hollywood, shares his personal picks for the Academy Awards, and explores the future of film. Pete is the “pre-eminent voice of what works and what doesn’t work… if Pete likes your movie, you have a chance”. SHOW NOTES: Pete talks about what got him into Hollywood and cinema as a kid - 2:20 Pete discusses his journey from NBC page to journalist - 3:05 Pete details his passion for show business and the struggles of the job - 6:03 Pete shares stories about watching films with Eva Marie Saint - 10:54 Bernard and Pete discuss the Oscars appreciation for actress Laura Dern - 12:06 Bernard and Pete talk about the Best Supporting Actress nominees - 17:25 Pete discusses the Best Supporting Actor nominees and why he believes Brad Pitt will win this year - 18:40 Bernard and Pete share praise for Quentin Tarantino and his talent in casting - 23:00 Pete explains why either Renee Zellweger or Charlize Theron deserves to win for Best Actress - 25:28 Pete shares his personal experiences with Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, Cynthia Erivo, and offers praise for Scarlett Johansson’s - 28:00 Pete claims that Joaquin Phoenix will win for the Best Actor category this year and explores why ‘The Joker’ was so great - 30:38 Bernard and Pete discuss Leonardo DiCaprio and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” - 33:24 Pete talks about Peter Farrelly and his own involvement with the success of “Green Book” - 34:48 Pete discuss films that age well despite being originally poorly received, such as ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ and ‘The King of Comedy’ - 38:35 Pete talks about writing bad reviews, Robert De Niro, and special effects - 40:21 Pete explains why he believes “1917” will win Best Picture - 44:51 Pete discusses voting in the Academy Awards and shares his favorite films of the year - 47:49 Pete expresses his concerns on the effects streaming will have on cinema - 51:10 Pete shares a story on the importance of believing in yourself - 52:05 Pete believes insecurity is the biggest threat yet a vital source of success for actors - 55:36

SHOW NOTES: Brian discusses how he originally moved to California and began an acting career [4:42] Brian offers advice on succeeding as an actor [7:59] Brian details his transition from struggling actor to screenplay writer [9:49] Brian describes some of his first screenplays [11:16] Brian shares his current projects and sources of ideas and creativity [12:50] Brian offers his best 3 tips for starting as an actor [14:38] Brian discusses working with Peter Farrelly and the actors on Green Book [16:52] Brian shares how Peter and himself convinced Viggo Mortenson to star in Green Book [20:40] Brian shares the importance of staying positive and the best advice he’s received [24:10] Brian shares his experience at the Oscars [27:07] Brian offers advice on how to start a career in film writing [32:03] Brian and Bernard discuss the nature of show business [34:30] Brian offers advice on becoming a producer and how he met Peter Farrelly [35:25]