“Instead of thinking of yourself as a freelancer, think ‘I am a business that partners with other businesses to tell stories. That’s what I do.’ So when I go into an audition, I’m representing my business, and you think that my business might partner well with your business on this project.” — Mike Moreno
Today we have another Behind the Podcast episode, with an actor helping you create more control in your career, Mike Moreno from Actor CEO!
Mike is a New York-based actor with credits in theatre, film and TV and his show’s goal is for all of us to understand how much an acting career is like running your own business, and using the insights we learn to create our own success. Think of our chat as a quick look at the kinds of things you’ll hear more of on her show.
If you’d love to have a “mentor on demand” for your career (something Mike wishes he had when starting out), then I believe you’re really going to enjoy today’s episode!
Mike Moreno hosts The Actor CEO Podcast (available on Apple, Stitcher, etc) and he dives into the knowledge and skills that allow actors and artists to embrace their creative entrepreneur spirit, along with the reality that you both run and own your own business from the moment you choose to be a professional.
Its focus is to help you learn the skills that make a more successful actor by taking control of yourself as a brilliant, creative business and becoming a rockstar CEO of that business. Join Mike in becoming an Actor CEO!
Actor CEO has over 100 episodes and Mike has talked with teachers, industry pros, and actors of various levels, and has covered so many different topics, including actor finances, marketing, social media, auditions, voice over, and so much more!
The show is very well-reviewed and often in the top 200 of all Performing Arts podcasts in the US.
Many of you may already be listeners and fans, but if not—get on that!
Just a bit of what we cover:
- Where is Mike in his journey?
- The difference he’s seen in performers between NY and LA
- What Mike has learned from doing his podcast
- Why it’s crucial to create great self-tape auditions!
- The two things that if actors do will put them miles ahead
- What you can learn from Will Smith and The Rock when it comes to performing
And much more! I hope you enjoy this conversation—I’d love to hear what you think about this kind of episode, if it’s helpful, and if you’d like to hear more like it. Reach out to me on Twitter @wajpodcast, or if you prefer, you can send an email here.
I always love hearing the WHY and the story behind things (including other podcasts), and it’s a great bonus when these hosts are also actors!
About the guest
Mike Moreno grew up in Los Angeles and is now a New York-based actor with a BFA and MFA in acting. He has also trained at the Lee Strasberg Institute.
He’s done numerous Shakespeare productions around the country, including with Shakespeare and Company, Shrunken Shakespeare, The Shakespeare Forum, The Queens Players, Guerrilla Shakespeare, and Island Shakespeare Company.
He’s been the lead in several New York films, and has also appeared on Law and Order: SVU.
I’m honored that Mike is part of this, and I really enjoyed connecting with him. It’s wonderful to find like-minded actors who see how necessary learning the *business* of show business really is!
Please enjoy my chat with Mike Moreno!
Total Running Time: 49:10
- Stream by clicking here.
- Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as/save link as”.
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What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let us know in the comments.
Want to go behind another acting podcast? I’ve also chatted with Audrey Moore of Audrey Helps Actors!
Scroll below for links mentioned in today’s episode and additional show notes…
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Hear thoughts, ideas, and advice from those who have been acting 40+ years—taken from excerpts from podcast episodes.
These guests don’t know everything, nor is everything easy—they just have been around long enough to have figured out a few things, and they are sharing this with you. Get your copy of the guide now!
Are you looking for more about being a working actor?
If you’re enjoying these episodes, I want to let you know you can become a premium member of the show and there are a number of different perks, including bonus episodes, exclusive opportunities, and more.
Members can hear additional conversations with past guests Robert Pine, Dawn Didawick, Richard Riehle, and Tony-Winner Reed Birney!
A special shout-out to our members at the Co-Star level or higher: Adam, Jeff, Robert, Ken, and Ralph! Thrilled that you all are members!
Show Notes
Actor CEO around the web
Podcast (also in Apple, Stitcher, etc) | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Listen to a recent episode of the show! (and certainly one I can relate to with audiobook work!)
Highlights
- Where is Mike in his journey?
- The difference he’s seen in performers between NY and LA
- The genesis of his podcast and who first recommended that he do one
- Why he focused the podcast on treating your career like a business
- The evolution of the creative community, that it’s ok to pursue multiple tracks
- What Mike has learned from doing his podcast: control, goals, and brand
- What Mike found really valuable from talking to Darren Sussman
- Why it’s crucial to create great self-tape auditions!
- Create your content: no one is standing between you and an audience!
- The two things that if actors do will put them miles ahead
- Actors using Facebook Ads to share content
- What actors overlook all the time, and why they need to do it!
- One thing Mike wished he had done at the very start of his career
- What you can learn from Will Smith and The Rock when it comes to performing
- The Free Challenge that Mike offers to help actors create a plan for their career!
- The other question you need to ask yourself if you want to be an actor
- Why Mike focuses on actors as a business, and how that can help your career
- How actors are giving away their power and dreams too easily—and to stop doing that!
Selected People and Items Mentioned
- The Actors’ Network
- Daren Sussman on Actor CEO
- Institute of Financial Wellness for the Arts
- TheatreMania
- OvationTix
- Self-taping posts on Actor CEO: Tools Under $20, Best Audio Gear, 7 Lighting Setups
- Will Smith on YouTube
- The Rock on Instagram
- Actor CEO 5 Day – 5 Month Challenge
Share the episode: bit.ly/waj-actorceo
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