Get Scene Unscripted

Jesse Malinowski sits down with actress, director, and Cosmic Film Co founder Amanda Fallon Smith — a former Miss Pennsylvania who told her entire family not to show up when she competed, then won with no one in the crowd, and later accidentally became a vertical film director when her hired director dropped out last minute on her very first project. Amanda breaks down the $27 billion vertical film industry, what it really takes to run a 7-day film bootcamp, why film acting is technically harder than theater, and how Bob Krakauer's class changed everything about how she directs on Get Sc...

Jesse Malinowski breaks down the three things actually holding Southeast actors back from getting signed — and calls out exactly why the "you need a referral" and "you need a demo reel" advice is costing you time. Get Scene Unscripted digs into headshot strategy, how to write a cover letter agents actually read, and the AWA "Zoom Test" method for finding your biggest appeal. If you've been chasing an agent in Atlanta or the Southeast and feel stuck, this episode is the game plan you weren't given.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.li...

Jesse Malinowski sits down with Stacia Crawford — Netflix director, intimacy coordinator on ABC's RJ Decker, producer, and working actress — to pull back the curtain on what directors actually see before you say action and why actors who nail the self-tape sometimes get replaced on set. On Get Scene Unscripted, Stacia also breaks down IC rights every SAG actor should know, why saying lines wrong can legally breach a writer's contract, and the mindset shift that separates actors who last from ones who burn out.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3...

Jesse Malinowski sits down with Heidi Rew of Atlanta VoiceOver Studio to unpack how on-camera actors can break into voiceover — including how Heidi booked a $3,000 job and delivered it in under 30 minutes, and why most actors have no idea studio rosters exist or how to get on them. Get Scene Unscripted breaks down demo strategy, Source Connect, the 10-auditions-a-day approach, animation VO, and why your acting skills already give you a serious edge in voiceover.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958...

Get Scene Unscripted host Jesse Malinowski sits down with talent manager Gail Tassel of Tassel Talent Group (25 years in the Southeast) to break down the real reason actors get dropped (hint: it's not booking), the Sean Hayes audition mindset that books more roles, and how a single social media post got one of her clients dropped by his agent. Plus AI replacing Marvel's digital team, why "lazy actors" are losing Zoom auditions, and the demo reel platform casting actually wants. New to Get Scene Studios? Subscribe for Get Scene Unscripted, Talent Agent Talk, and That Actor Couple every week.<...

Matt Cornwell — 130+ credits, 20+ years in the Southeast, and the man behind Get Taped's 350+ videos — joins Get Scene host Jesse Malinowski to unpack the real reason most actors aren't booking, the insurance backdoor inside casting offices, and why he refuses to coach during your self-tape. Plus: how Georgia still beats LA by $1.25B in tax incentives, his Steve Martin philosophy on staying in the top 10%, and the celebrity-set booking he believes belonged to another actor.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958<b...

Jesse Malinowski breaks down 3 unconventional strategies to rescue your self-tapes from autopilot — including the Game of Thrones jacket that booked him the role of Beauregard, a Tulsa King casting director's slate story that changed everything, and why ignoring the breakdown might be your biggest advantage. Get Scene Unscripted delivers real audition tactics from the #1 Southeast actor podcast.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958Monthly Promo :Use code BOOKEDPOD for $10 off the 4-week Booking Challengehttps://www.getscenestudios.com/getsceneonline/booked-it-challenge-5zka6

Jesse Malinowski breaks down the 5 non-negotiable elements every self-tape needs — from the backdrop and lighting upgrades that transformed his own auditions to the reader strategy most actors completely overlook. Whether you're taping in your kitchen or building a full home studio, this episode of Get Scene Unscripted gives you the exact framework working actors in the Southeast use to stand out in a billion-dollar industry.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id=eecb804958Monthly Promo :Use code BOOKEDPOD for $10 off the 4-week Booking Challengehttps://www.getscenestudios.com/getsceneonline/booked-it-challenge-5zka6

Jesse Malinowski sits down with Chad Michael Collins — star of 9 Sony Sniper films, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's Alex, and a former Hollywood publicist who never took an acting class until age 24. From keeping his day job for 8 years after booking a franchise lead, to why he left LA for Georgia after 20 years, Chad drops real talk on audition technique, building multiple revenue streams, and the mindset that keeps actors in the game. Get Scene Unscripted brings you the playbook working actors actually use.Join Our Newsletter:https://getscenestudios.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7660af20fdb3c04d6b6516591&id...

What does a real working actor actually look like in today’s industry?In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with a working actor who is actively building a career across multiple markets — while balancing family, training, and creating his own projects.This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and breaks down:How to manage jealousy and comparison in actingWhy “serving the story” matters more than standing outHow to choose the right training (and avoid overwhelm)What it really takes to work in multiple markets like New York and AtlantaWhy producing your own work is becoming essentia...

Your reader can absolutely affect your audition more than you think. In this episode, Jesse Malinowski breaks down how actors can create a better self-tape environment, direct their reader more clearly, and avoid common mistakes that hurt auditions.If you’re an actor sending self-tapes, this conversation covers how to work better with your reader, why pacing matters, why overacting on the reader’s side can throw things off, and how preparation changes everything. Jesse also shares practical advice for both actors and readers so auditions can feel more efficient, more collaborative, and more effective.In this episode:Why acto...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with producer, writer, director, and editor Steven LaMorte to talk about what it really takes to build a career in film.From making stop-motion movies as a kid to producing major genre projects, Steven shares how persistence, creativity, and taking ownership of your ideas can lead to real opportunities in the industry.They also dive into:• Why creators need to make their own opportunities• The mindset behind producing your own projects• How actors and filmmakers can stand out today• Why starting small is often the smartest moveIf you're trying t...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jason Lockhart sits down to break down a hard but necessary truth for actors:If you’re getting auditions but not booking… that’s information.This conversation unpacks:What consistent auditions actually signalWhy booking isn’t randomThe difference between opportunity and readinessWhat agents are really watchingWhen it’s a craft issue vs. a market fit issueHow actors misinterpret “almost”This isn’t about discouragement — it’s about clarity.If you want sustain...

In this solo episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski breaks down five major lessons he’s learned from earning over $500,000 as an actor across more than a decade in the industry.Rather than focusing on audition tricks or quick wins, Jesse walks through the deeper patterns that made long-term income possible, including mindset, preparation, and treating acting like a real business.In this episode, Jesse covers:Why a strong support system is essential for longevityHow to mentally prepare for peaks and valleys in an acting careerWhy commercial...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with Sara Watkins, who spent ten years in casting before transitioning into a talent agent role.Sarah shares what she learned on both sides of the table — from casting offices to agency life — and breaks down what actors often misunderstand about ego, self-worth, responsiveness, and consistency.This conversation covers:What casting directors actually notice over timeWhy continuing education shows up clearly on tapeHow ego can quietly limit an actor’s growthThe importance of fast, profession...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski does something actors rarely talk about — he breaks down the three smallest residual checks he’s ever received, including checks for just one cent, and the lessons each one taught him at different stages of his career.Jesse walks through:Why tiny residuals don’t mean a job wasn’t worth itHow investing in a market can take years before it pays offThe sacrifices he made to break into the New Orleans marketWhy how you frame your experience i...

In this solo episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski breaks down the three biggest acting checks he’s received over the last decade and the specific lessons each job taught him.After reviewing his SAG-AFTRA earnings going back to 2016, Jesse walks through:A $15,000 pharmaceutical commercial buyout and why commercials can be career-changingAn Icy Hot commercial that proved one job can erase months of unpaid effortA role on 24: Legacy that booked from a one-take self-tape done while traveling in IrelandAlong the way, Jesse talks honestly about:Why...

Actors often have big goals — series regular, major shows, career breakthroughs — but what actually gets them there?In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse sits down with Emma Graves of District Modeling Talent to break down what agents actually look for, why actors stall, and how real progress is built through training, intentional planning, and realistic steps.They talk about:Why skipping the ladder hurts your careerWhat agents mean by an “actionable plan”How headshots, training, and submissions work togetherWhy being submitted but not called in is...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with a recurring guest and working actor to talk honestly about momentum, flexibility, and why working actors often say yes to projects others would turn down.They break down real career scenarios, including:Taking local, lower-budget work even after major creditsWhy being on set beats waiting for the “perfect” jobThe mental and emotional toll of dry spellsHow momentum impacts confidence, auditions, and relationships with repsWhen turning down work is empowering — and when it isn’t</p...

In this episode of Get Scene Unscripted, Jesse Malinowski sits down with his mom for a deeply personal conversation about his early acting journey, his first booking, confidence, credit, resilience, and why actors can’t rely on acting alone.They talk about:Jesse’s very first booking after almost giving upHow his mom pushed him into an audition she didn’t want to doWhy confidence, credit, and support systems matter for actorsThe danger of going “all-in” with no balanceWhy actors need other passions, skills, and income streams to survive long-termThis episode is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough — lon...