Diversity in Voice Acting




Hollywood has been criticized for its casting choices when it comes to non-white characters, a discussion that really started to pick up speed after no actors of color were nominated for the acting categories of the 2015 Academy Awards. 

While many believe Hollywood is just trying to hire the best actor or the biggest name for the job in order to bring in more profit, admittedly there's bound to be people of other heritages selected, right? Therein lies the problem-- that's rarely the case. 

Black Panther was a blockbuster hit in recent weeks, with many comic novices being drawn to the box office simply because of the movie's almost completely African-American cast, one of Hollywood's first ever. It seemed like a win for diversity in casting, but now a new discussion is gaining momentum: diversity in voice acting. 

When I first read about this issue, I honestly thought it was absurd. We can't see the actors! They're hired based on their voices, right? Why does it matter what color they are?? But upon reading more into it, I found that it is a real problem. 

Cartoons are no strangers to diversity. There have almost always been people of other heritages on your home screen. But consider how their voices sound. Does that Asian mother on television sound like the one you met at the playground, or does she sound like the stereotyped version of what you think an Asian person should sound like? Odds are she is played by a white voice actor hired for her ability to imitate the stereotype. 

“Even though you may see characters of color represented on screen, you can’t see the faces of the people hired to do the voices. Historically, white people did all the voices including those horrible imitations of what Asians, blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans were supposed to sound like,” according to Rudy Gaskins, co-founder of the nonprofit Society of Voice and Arts Sciences.

But other than authenticity, why should casting directors cast no name voice actors of color when they could hire one of Hollywood's best? I'm glad you asked. 




  • People of the same heritage of the character have a deeper connection to who they're portraying. When you do a scene, don't you try to draw on similarities and connections you have with your character? Imagine if you had the same traditions, the same family dynamics. Would you not play that character more successfully?
  • Viewers of color can have role models. As simple as it sounds, it is special for a Pacific Islander girl to be able to Google the name of her favorite Disney princess's voice actor and see someone who looks like the character, who looks like her. Yes, I'm talking about Moana. Props to Disney for that win. 
  • It gives lesser-known actors new opportunities. When Scarlett Johansson isn't considered for every role, think of the new faces (and voices) that could be discovered. 
  • Everyone feels represented. Isn't that what this is all about? 

What do YOU think? Is diversity in voice acting important too?

Interested in reading more about this issue? Check out this article by NBC News and it's linked resources.


Written by Katherine White / April 4, 2018


The Best Worst Movie Ever Made (and why we're talking about it)

* Warning: the movies discussed in the following post are rated R and not appropriate for all ages. There. Now you know. 




I think we can all admit that there are some pretty terrible movies out there. The cinematic world is full of bad writing, bad acting, questionable directing, poor camera quality, plot holes, you name it. But have you ever in your life seen a movie that has ALL of those things in one horrific full-length feature film? Probably not. Until now. 

The Room (2003), considered by many to be the best worst movie ever made, was written, produced, and directed by the mysterious Tommy Wiseau, who also stars in the movie. There's no real reason to go into the plot... mostly because there really isn't one, so let's just call it an attempt at a love-triangle drama film with an unreal amount of plot holes and odd idioms. It's frankly hard to watch, appearing to be a low budget student film despite its whopping $6 million budget. It's kind of like a train wreck... it's soooo bad, but you just can't look away. 


The film fairly quickly gained a cult following because of its captivating terribleness. One of the film's starring actors, Greg Sestero, went on to write the book The Disaster Artist: The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made in 2013, which documents his experiences working on the film. The book gives a new level of appreciation to the film, providing insight as to why the movie is as awful as it is, but also recognizing it as a dream work of the disaster artist himself. And what a beautiful disaster it is. 




So why is this relevant now? The cult following of the Room has recently been revived in the wake of a new film: The Disaster Artist. That's right. They made a book about a movie into a movie. The new film, starring the Franco brothers, Seth Rogan, and a slew of other comedy icons hits theaters TODAY and has already gained a 94% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. James Franco, who plays Wiseau, event took home the award for Best Actor at the Gotham Independent Film Festival. So it's probably a pretty good movie, but is that all these movies are good for?

Here's what you can take away from The Room and its spinoffs: Tommy Wiseau had a dream to be in a movie. Like any other aspiring actor, Wiseau was rejected A LOT. Probably more than most. His response: make his own movie to star in. And he made it happen. Sure, writing and producing a $6 million movie isn't really a viable option for the average actor, but the point is to keep pursuing your dreams until they happen no matter how many times the world tells you no.

Written by Katherine White/ December 8, 2017



Nothing Strange About Feeling Discouraged

Let's talk about discouragement. It's a feeling all too familiar for actors young and old. It's, well, just part of the business... but that doesn't make it any easier. But I'd like to point out that it is something that ALL actors go through, even the ones that "made it," probably ones you've even seen on the screen! One child actress, however, has recently rocketed to fame after *almost* giving up acting. 



WWMBBD (What Would Millie Bobby Brown Do?)

Milly Bobby Brown is one of the fabulous child actors in the Netflix original series Stranger Things. Before she got the part though, Milly Bobby Brown says she almost QUIT acting! But why? She's so talented! Well, just like you probably feel after you don't get the part you may be hoping for, she was feeling a bit discouraged. She had only been booking relatively small parts on television and was feeling a bit drained. 

Brown never trained as an actor, but she pursued her dream from the age of 8 just by trying out for anything she and her parents could find. But like everyone, she was rejected. Like a lot. “I felt at one point I couldn’t do it [anymore], but then I got this and everything changed,” she said in an interview with Variety Magazine (read the full article here). 



The point I'm trying to make is this: don't give up acting because you're discouraged. Don't quit acting because you get rejected a lot. If you're heart's in it, you'll be able to get past the rejection. Your time will come, just as Millie Bobby Brown's did. 

Written by Katherine White / November 3, 2017

Why Actors Should Travel


Hope you all haven't enjoyed our little blog break too much! Getting back in the full swing of the fall season can be challenging, so we took a little breather from the blog. But now it's back and we're going to talk about a topic I've very recently become passionate about: travel! Side note, lots of pictures in this one because... well.... who doesn't love travel pictures?!


As an actor, you're probably overwhelmingly busy with auditions, jobs, side jobs, classes, and rehearsals. Your budget is tight, you're tired, and even those most exciting auditions feel like a chore at times. But just like you make those auditions a priority still, there's something else you should make a priority: travel. Yes it can be expensive, yes it can require some time and planning, but there are a few reasons why seeing the world should be on your to do list. 

  1. Traveling gives you a break- This one is pretty much self explanatory. Everybody needs a break, even actors. Don't be afraid to take a little vacation. You'll come back refreshed and revived, ready for your next big gig. 
  2. You gain new perspectives- If you are given a script where you have to portray a character whose experiences are far from your own, how do you speak? How do you feel? Traveling can help you meet new people and experience new cultures that will help you develop new perspectives to channel in your acting... and in life in general! Reconnecting with humanity can make all the difference in your acting.
  3. You become a storyteller- Whether you're chatting with other travelers or sharing your adventures over a cup of coffee with your mom, traveling makes you a story teller, and isn't that what acting is all about? Traveling can help you hone your own craft of storytelling, but also allow you to experience the stories of other people and cultures as well. 

Always be on the lookout for new places to put on your bucket list and GO FOR IT. You never know what people you'll meet and what experiences you'll have. What places are on your bucket list? Let us know!

Written by Katherine White / October 20, 2017

A Magical Musical


 Photo courtesy of Blumenthal Performing Arts

Photo courtesy of Blumenthal Performing Arts

Looking for something special to do with the whole family? Don't forget to check out the upcoming events from Blumenthal Performing Arts! Belk Theatre shows multiple family-friendly musicals throughout the year, and my personal favorite is coming up in just a few weeks!

Finding Neverland is a magical musical about the story behind Peter Pan, following its author Mr. James Barrie as he meets the family that inspires his play. Barrie marvels at the imagination of the family's four brothers, and thus creates his world Neverland, where childhood never ends and anything is possible if you believe. 

The musical is based on the film Finding Neverland starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, a phenomenal film if you can't make it to the musical! But what a memorable family outing a live production can be, especially this one!  TIME Magazine calls it a musical that "captures the kid at heart," which you'll find true among the pirates, pixie dust, and pure joy of this production. 

Tickets for the musical start at $25 for student tickets, and the show is running October 3rd-8th, 2017. Seats are filling up fast, so visit Blumenthal Performing Arts' website (link to the Finding Neverland page here). 

Worried the kiddos won't sit still for a full musical? Here's a few ideas to keep them occupied (though I doubt you'll need them with a musical so captivating!). 

  • Make them a list of things to find on stage during the play. List things like pirate swords, pixie dust, teddy bears, etc. 
  • Watch the movie as a family prior to going to see the musical. Bring along a notepad for your kids to note differences in the musical and the movie that they notice. 
  • Create a crossword puzzle using an online puzzle generator with names and keywords from the musical.

Hope you enjoy the show!

Written by Katherine White / September 8, 2017

An Actor's Homework




School is back and session, and for most students, that means lots of homework as well. With so much work to do, there's no way you should add something else to your plate, right? Um, WRONG! While schoolwork should come before extracurriculars, being an actor requires a little extra work at home as well. Let's say you're in an AOS acting class already. Great start, you're on the right track. But your work shouldn't end when class does, just like in school. You heard me. Homework for actors.

Actors have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their art. First things first, address which 'subject' you're having trouble with, just as you would in school. Are you having trouble memorizing your lines? Having a hard time projecting your voice? Wherever your weaknesses lie, those areas should be the focus of your extra assignments. 

Next, consider hiring a tutor for that subject, like you would for those tricky math problems. By this, of course, I mean acting lessons. Even the best actor can benefit from one on one instruction. Let your teacher know what areas you struggle in and have him or her focus on that. 



Now that you've got your tutor in place, get ready to put in the work! Spend time in between classes and lessons to do the following things:

  • Scene/character study- take time to understand your scenes and the characters in them. Who are they? What drives them? I'm not assigning a biographical report, but definitely go deeper than the surface. 
  • Practice and memorize your lines- this one is a given, but try applying some different techniques, maybe some that you would use for vocabulary words our your foreign language class like flashcards and word games. Projecting will be easier when you have confidence in your lines.
  • Refine your facial expressions- just like you would practice your eye contact for a presentation in the mirror as the final touch, practice your acting lines in the mirror so you can watch your facial expressions and gestures. These are what will bring your performance to life. 
  • Look for opportunities- a good student is always looking for extra opportunities, extra credit, if you will. Your extra credit as an actor could be workshops or even unpaid gigs that you know will look good on your resume and give you good experience.

You've gotta do your homework to get good grades in school, and the same thing goes for acting. Put in a little work at home, and you'll not only excel in your acting classes, but your acting career as well. 

Written by Katherine White / August 25, 2017



Balancing Parenthood and Showbiz




This blog covers a lot of topics that are really relevant to the young actors trying to balance their school, chores, and acting careers. But let's be honest, kids have a pretty significant resource: their parents! Parents help learn lines, drive their kids to acting class and auditions... even pay for those classes! What if the tables were turned? What if the parent was the actor?

Balancing parenthood and acting is a topic that gets little attention, which is ridiculous considering the number of leading actors that have children themselves. So let's get into this! The SAG-AFTRA Foundation organized a panel of experts (parents!) to talk about how they manage to balance parenthood and their acting careers. 

Join us for an evening with a panel of actors from stage and screen who will discuss the joys and challenges of raising children while fostering robust careers. They will explore best practices for navigating irregular schedules, long hours, two-show days, five-performance weekends, and frequent travel.

Are you a parent and an actor? How do you balance the two? We want to hear from you!

Written by Katherine White / July 29, 2017

Summer Side Gigs


Summer is here, which means that the kids are out of school, people are shelling out loads of cash to go on their family vacations, and overall the economy is booming, right? If you're like most of the U.S., summer hurts your wallet more than any other season. Have you ever considered that maybe having a summer job isn't just for teenagers anymore? As an actor, especially, seeing as pilot season feels sooooo far away, you may feel like the summer is a good time to pick up an extra gig. If you're in need of some extra cash, check out these 10 best 'survival jobs,' brought to you by Backstage, to help you pay your bills 'till your next booking. 

  1. Temp work- Temp office work means free night and flexibility to make all those auditions you'll be booking.
  2.  Personal trainer/ fitness instructor- You're a fit actor right? Consider teaching yoga or personal training. Be aware though, you'll need to put in some dough to get certified first!
  3. Dog walker- Puppers are the best. Getting paid to hang out with them would be awesome. Plus it's a good way to network with people in your area!
  4. Nanny/babysitter- Kids are fun and can help you flex your imagination muscle. Plus you can practice lines or update your resume after you put them to bed! *Bonus points for finding a family with kids AND dogs for extra fun and extra cash.
  5. Promo work/modeling- Why not put those headshots to good use? Companies can choose you to model or be the pretty face that passes out their flyers.
  6. Personal Assistant- Another great way to network if you can swallow your pride and do someone else's chores!
  7. Real estate broker- Commission? Yes, please. Once you get your license and get in with a company, this can be a really great side job.
  8. Catering- Are you a good cook? Make hourly pay plus tips for staring your own catering business!
  9. Tutoring- Never thought you'd be doing algebra again? Think again! Or if you've completely forgotten everything you learned in school, consider "tutoring" in acting, which would look great on your resume too.
  10. Video editor- Help your actor friends with their video auditions and demo reel for a fun and relevant side gig.

Read the full Backstage article here.

These great summer jobs are perfect for padding your wallet in between acting gigs all year long!  Just remember to keep up with your auditions and acting classes in the meantime. What other ways are you making money this summer?

Written by Katherine White / July 14, 2017 

New Gender Rating System for Film+TV



We're all familiar with gender stereotypes. People have varying opinions about gender roles in society, but in recent years, the general opinion on the matter has become more progressive. The film and television industry has tried to keep up and combat criticism by portraying stronger women and more sensitive men in order to break the molds of gender stereotypes. A new rating system could help to notify viewers about what sort of gender roles would be presented in the production. 

The rating system was introduced by Common Sense Media on June 20 with the intent to "monitor whether a given project combats gender stereotypes." The words "positive gender representations” and a symbol will appear on the screen if the reviewers of the movie or program determine that the gender roles portrayed are forward thinking and positive. 

This rating system will help parents especially, who are concerned that the constant portrayal of traditional gender roles will limit their childrens' aspirations and identity. Experts say that children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of rigid roles in the media because they are still developing their identities. This can cause children to subconsciously limit themselves to the stereotypes they see in movies or film.

The creators of the system assure that they are not trying to eliminate the programs and movies that portray traditional roles, but rather highlight and encourage ones that break the mold, believing these have a more positive impact on viewers.

What do you think? Is the rating system necessary? Should the media eliminate traditional or progressive roles? Let us know!

Read more about the rating system here.

Written by Katherine White/ June 22, 2017

Actors You Didn't Know Were in the Military




Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend... I know I did! It's nice to have a day to relax  and grill by the pool, but we all know that this summer celebration isn't much of a celebration at all. It's not about the hotdogs or the sunshine, it's about remembering the fallen US soldiers from every generation. 

For that reason, I thought it'd be appropriate to recognize some actors you might now who have served in the US military themselves. Though they may have not paid the ultimate price for our freedom, we can still honor their service as a way of recognizing those who did. 






  1. Chuck Norris- Turns out this Texas Ranger fought for our safety off screen as well! Norris joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. He was stationed in South Korea for a while, which is where he began his martial arts training. After returning to the US and being honorably discharged in 1962, Norris continued his martial arts training before launching his acting career. 
  2. Clint Eastwood- This tough guy lucked out when it came to his military service. Eastwood was drafted by the US Army to serve in the war with Korea, and served as a swim instructor after his basic training (his competitive swimming in high school sure helped out with that). He once had to swim over a mile to shore when his military aircraft had to make a water landing. He was discharged in 1953 and shortly after started studying drama to become an actor. 
  3. Gene Wilder- Willy Wonka may have been a bit of a lune, but Gene Wilder was anything but. In fact, after being drafted into the US Army, he was assigned to the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology in Pennsylvania where he served 2 years as a paramedic. He was discharged in 1958 and began his acting career shortly after. 
  4. Drew Carey- This comedian actually got his start in comedy during his time in the military! Carey joined the Marine Corps Reserves, serving from 1980-1986. While in the reserves, Carey was looking for a way to make some extra money when he discovered that he could get paid for performing his jokes! This eventually led to his various comedic roles on television. He even says that his time in the military is what inspired his signature crew-cut look. 
  5. Morgan Freeman- Freeman always loved war films, so even though he wanted to be an actor, he enlisted in the military in 1955. He served in the US Air Force, inspired by his interest in flying, but started as just a radar technician. After about a year, he was given the opportunity to start his training as a fighter pilot, but as soon as he began, he realized where his heart truly was. He left the military in 1959 and pursued his true passion-- acting. 

There are lots more actors who served in the military. Check out this list from IMDb! And don't forget to honor the many veterans who didn't become famous, who made serving their final career. AOS thanks the men and women in the US military, past, present, and future!

Written by Katherine White / June 2, 2016

Why I (Usually) Hate Superhero Movies: Why Writing is Important




Have you ever seen a movie that you enjoyed every second of? It made you laugh out loud, had its sad moments, left you speechless at times and at the edge of your seat others? What about a movie that had all the bells and whistles you could imagine, but that you, for some reason, just couldn't get into?

Good script writing is what makes the difference, and this is exactly what many movies today lack. Now, beware, this post is more of a rant than anything else, so buckle up for a roller coaster ride through my frustration with much of today's movie industry. But in addition, I'll go through why writing and plot is important, and why you as an actor should start writing as well.




I recently went to the movies to see the new Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2. Now before I get into this, let me explain my relationship with superhero movies (and action movies in general): I hate them. My husband literally has to trick me into watching them. Kat, this one has a cute talking raccoon in it. Something about these action movies with ridiculous amounts of special effects and not enough plot to back them up really gets under my skin. I did see the last Guardians movie, and liked it well enough (I mean...Chris Pratt, am I right ladies?), so when the opportunity to see the sequel came up, I didn't exactly shoot it down.  

Holy. Cow. 

What a movie it was! I literally smiled the whole time... except for when I cried... which is exactly what I want from a movie. So I started to ponder. What made this superhero flick so great compared to the others? It had all the effects, had the big name celebrities... why was it good?

I'm sure many of you are aware of some of the big flops in the supehero movie category. Fantastic Four (2015) earned a 9% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is literally the lowest rating I've ever seen. Batman Versus Superman (2016) earned a 28%, despite big name stars like Ben Affleck. These movies (PG language here) SUCKED. It wasn't for lack of money spent, lack of special effects, or lack of celebrities. It was because they lack good writing.

Good writing can make or break a movie. Let's look at this from a money perspective. Fantastic Four (2015) had a budget of $125.9 million. Poor writing killed it. It brought in $49 million TOTAL. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had a budget of $200 million. Yes, this is a bit more, but bear with me here. Guardians has grossed almost $150 million IN THE FIRST WEEK. Starting to follow?




So the point I'm trying to make is that WRITING IS STUPID IMPORTANT. Not all the effects in the world can cover up a thin plot. And you as an actor need to be able to recognize good writing. The best way to do this? Start writing yourself! Writing has loads of benefits for actors aside from just understanding the quality of your script. According to Acting Plan, writing can help you:

  • Expand your imagination by challenging your creativity
  • Train your focus by concentrating on your story goal
  • Become more empathetic towards real people through character development
  • Become a better listener by letting your characters develop themselves
  • Have more opportunities because, hey, you can write now!

Read the full article here.

Not to mention you can ditch a poorly-written gig that could tarnish your reputation because you now know what bad writing looks like. Which is a plus in my book.

Have you written something awesome? Let us know!


Written by Katherine White/ May 12, 2017



Spring Cleaning for Actors




Now that it's officially Spring, you're probably working hard to clean out your garage, maybe purge on some clothes in your closet, but what about cleaning up your career? As you've probably figured out by now, being an actor takes a lot of maintenance and evaluation —cleaning, if you will, just like a room in your house or perhaps your garage. You need to purge bad habits just like you fill up a yard sale bag of junk, and you need to organize and refresh what you have left. Make sense?

Backstage published an article with a similar concept, you can read it here. Their 5 suggestions of how to apply Spring Cleaning to your acting career are:

1. Look forward and don’t dwell on what didn’t happen.

2. Research new representation if you feel that you could be better represented. Don’t point any fingers, but rather figure out a constructive game plan.

3. Stay in the “know” about all the shows that may be picked up, and read up on those shows that say are in the bubble for a pick up. Figure out which show may lend itself as a match for your “type.”

4. Take a class and find your acting guru.

5. Refresh your headshot: Consult with your photographer and consider how the photo will look as a thumbnail online. You need to pop smaller as well as bigger.

These are all great ways to clean up your career, but there's even more you can do to improve. 

  • Update your profiles- Actor's Access, Backstage, Now Casting... when's the last time you updated those? Post that new headshot and make sure your resume is up to date. You'll never get booked if casting directors are looking at an 8-year-old version of your 18-year-old self without any experience outside of that grade school play.
  • Purge your bad habits- Some bad habits can be detrimental to actors. Procrastinating can mean that audition tape isn't as good as it should be or all the audition spots are filled before you sign up. Negativity can lead to you getting down on yourself when you don't get a part. Identify your bad habits and dump them like last season's shoes.
  • Don't be intimidated- Just like a super full garage, acting opportunities can be pretty scary to face. Have confidence and take the risks. You'll never know where you'll find (totally found a litter of kittens in our full garage once. Seriously. You can find awesome things.)

What are you doing to clean up your career this Spring?

Written by Katherine White / April 20, 2017

Tips From A Teen




Lots of people probably give you acting advice, whether it be your parents, your teachers, or those famous folks we bring in for workshops. All of those tips are super valid, especially coming from a trained professional, but sometimes it helps to get some advice from someone, well, like you! More often than not, the tips you're getting come from sources older and wiser, and getting the advice from someone perhaps closer to your age and more on your skill level can have its benefits too. 

Searching the web for acting tips videos for this week's video blog, I stumbled upon a fresh face in the realm of acting tip videos, Rachel @actingislitmylife, an aspiring actress with real relatable advice. This college teen discusses loads of relatable topics that your acting instructors may not always think to talk about, like how to balance acting and school, acting with acne, and even going behind the scenes of her school and community productions, all in a super fun and easy to understand way. She even does occasional Q&A videos to answer your questions!

Check out some of her videos here, or explore her channel on YouTube!

Hope you enjoy!

Written by Katherine White / April 7, 2017

Can a Movie Beat the Book?




It's an age-old debate: what's better, the book or the movie? It seems that the trend of recent years is to make movie renditions of books that fall flat in the eyes of their well-read audiences. Bringing a book to like in a movie can be as hard as turning an oil painting into a sculpture, a rap song into a country hit, or frankly spaghetti into a cannoli-- sometimes it just doesn't work. But why? Have any movies succeeded?

We can't really blame movies and their directors, producers, etc. on a bad translation for quite a few reasons. Here's my top three:

  1. They're limited to a 2-3 hour time block- No movie-goer wants to sit in the movie theater for more than about 3 hours TOPS. How long did it take you to read the book? Eight days, you say? Exactly. The can't keep everything.
  2. You had your own ideas- The great things about reading is that you're able to picture the story in your head without actually seeing it. Don't be upset when the filmmaker's picture is a little different--he can't read your mind. 
  3. You know EVERYTHNG- When you read a book, you see the whole situation 360 degrees around. You're in people's heads, you see what they don't, etc. Books with lots of inner dialogue can be the most challenging to replicate in movie form. Do you really want the movie actors talking to themselves through the whole film? It'd be kinda weird, even if it would help with character and plot development.

Move adaptations are call adaptations for a reason: filmmakers have to adapt the book's material into another form, and some things just get lost in translation.




It's easy to assume that because of these limitations, films are NEVER as good as or better than their books, however according to Buzzfeed (which is totally a reliable source), there are 39 movies in the past three decades that have completely blown their books out of the water. I wasn't even aware that some of these were movies, but if you read the last post, you may also recognize some of these as the highest scoring movies on Rotten Tomatoes. Here's the movies:

  1. Psycho (1960)
  3. The Graduate (1967)
  4. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
  5. The Godfather (1972)
  6. Jaws (1975)
  7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
  8. The Shining (1980)
  9. Blade Runner (1982)
  10. Stand By Me (1986)
  11. The Princess Bride (1987)
  12. Die Hard (1988)
  13. Misery (1990)
  14. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
  15. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
  16. Jurassic Park (1993)
  17. Forrest Gump (1994)
  18. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
  19. Jumanji (1995)
  20. L.A. Confidential (1997)
  21. Starship Troopers (1997)
  22. Jackie Brown (1997)
  23. Fight Club (1999)
  24. A Requiem for a Dream (2000)
  25. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
  26. Mystic River ( 2003)
  27. The Notebook (2004)
  28. Casino Royale (2006)
  29. The Prestige (2006)
  30. Children of Men (2006)
  31. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
  32. No Country for Old Men (2007)
  33. Stardust (2007)
  34. There Will Be Blood (2008)
  35. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
  36. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009) *Shooting this one down, it was my favorite book as a kid. No chance. 
  37. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
  38. Drive (2011) *What?
  39. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) *Also whaaaaat?

*As you can tell, I don't agree with all of these, and that's ok. That's the beauty of this debate. Read Buzzfeed's reasoning here.

So what do you think? Can the movie really be better than the book?

Written by Katherine White / March 24, 2017

One Rotten Tomato




Have you ever been skeptical about a movie that just hit theaters, but went to see it anyway after seeing that it scored over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes? How about seeing something different after you find out Rotten Tomatoes called that one flick you were planning to see a 'Rotten Tomato'? Virtually every movie produced is criticized by this infamous website prior to coming to the theaters, and more than a few movie-goers base their choices on these often overly-critical ratings. A decent movie is lucky to score over 70%, and a great movie is lucky yo score over 80. Aren't you glad your grade school wasn't that harsh? 

In light of the recent film "Get Out," which was the first movie in quite a while to score an almost perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, I thought we'd dig into what it takes to grow a not-so-rotten tomato, and what movies you might know that have done so in the past. Let's get started. 





Let's start by taking a look at what Rotten Tomatoes considers "Certified Fresh," its highest scoring category:

To receive a Certified Fresh rating a movie must have a steady Tomatometer rating of 75% or better. Movies opening in wide release need at least 80 reviews from Tomatometer Critics (including 5 Top Critics). Movies opening in limited release need at least 40 reviews from Tomatometer Critics (including 5 Top Critics). A TV show must have a Tomatometer Score of 75% or better with 20 or more reviews from Tomatometer Critics (including 5 Top Critics). If the Tomatometer score drops below 70%, then the movie or TV show loses its Certified Fresh status. In some cases, the Certified Fresh designation may be held at the discretion of the Rotten Tomatoes editorial team.

It's a pretty tough system if you ask me. However, like this description says, a Certified Fresh rating does not mean that the movie got a perfect score--quite the opposite actually. Only a few Certified Fresh movies actually get a 100%...or 99%...or 94%...

Here are some movies that you might now that have gotten perfect or close to perfect scores:

  • The Wizard of Oz (99%)
  • Inside Out (98%)
  • The Godfather (99%)
  • Singing' In the Rain (100%)
  • Casablanca (97%)
  • E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (98%)
  • Selma (99%)
  • Moonlight (97%)
  • Finding Nemo (99%)
  • 12 Years A Slave (96%)

*The list does go on, but compared to the number of rotten tomatoes out there, there are very few high scores. Read Rotten Tomatoes' Top 100 movies of all time here.




So what do these movies have in common (besides the fact that they're all some of my personal favorites)? Here's what I think are some elements of a not-so-rotten tomato:

  • Glorious amounts of imagination- Like yellow brick road levels...like turning human emotions into characters levels...you get the idea. A perfect score is going to be creative.
  • A deeper plot line that your average flick- There are always multiple perspectives and storylines throughout the film.
  • A profound societal or political statement- This often comes in the way of deeply metaphorical situations or pictures of our past that are still ever so relevant.
  • A plethora of emotions resulting in a dynamic viewing experience- Did you laugh during Finding Nemo? Did you cry? Enough said.
  • No unnecessary elements- A good movie doesn't need to be heavily coated in overly stimulating special effects. The effects used are necessary and make sense with the plot, they're not there to cover up garbage.

These characteristics are some of the elements that I personally see in some of Rotten Tomatoes' top-scoring movies, but the fact is everyone sees movies differently. While scales and lists like this are interesting, you should always view a movie with an open mind, and see if you can find value and entertainment in it without that being over shadowed by a critic's opinion. That's what makes this industry so unique. 

P.S. Anybody else craving tomatoes now?

Written by Katherine White / March 10, 2017

Actors Turned Politicians




Not all politicians start on their career paths to D.C. right away. Not even our current president thought he'd end up in the White House when he first began building his business. Politicians can come from all kinds of backgrounds, but the one you're probably most interested in is acting, right? Well you're in luck. Plenty of politicians got their start in acting. We'll take a look at a few and, in honor of Presidents Day, highlight the only known president to make the metaphorical trip from Hollywood.



Arnold Schwarzenegger- Originally from Austria, Schwarzenegger hit it big time in Hollywood, quickly making a name for himself in the land of the free and the home of the brave. The ex-bodybuilder turned actor got his start in the 70's playing a version of Hercules. Though we're not sure if he'll ever BE BACK on the big screen, his shift to politics earned him the title of Governor of California for two terms.

Shirley Temple (Black)- We're all still kind of surprised that Shirley Temple grew up. After starring in loads of family films in the 50's, Temple put away her tap shoes and developed an interest in foreign policy, eventually being named U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

Melissa Gilbert- Forever the buck-toothed prairie girl in our hearts, Gilbert ran for Congress this past election representing the Democratic Party in Michigan. Unfortunately, the former Laura Ingalls actress dropped out of the race due to health issues. Maybe next time, Laura!

**Ronald Reagan**- Our final politician! Reagan is the only president that we know to have been an actor. The Illinois native moved to California in 1937 to pursue his acting career. After landing a few small gigs, he landed a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers Studios. He starred in over 50 Hollywood films and numerous television shows over his career, and also served in the U.S. Army Air Force’s Motion Picture Unit. He eventually even became the President... of the Screen Actors Guild for seven terms. Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966 and after serving two terms began running for President representing the Republican Party. After two unsuccessful campaigns, Reagan finally became President of the United States in 1981. He left office in 1989, with one of the highest approval ratings in history. 

Thanks for the read! Click here to learn about more actors that turned to politics!

Written by Katherine White / February 24, 2017



So Your Valentine is an Actor




With Valentine's Day right around the corner, you're probably panicking over what to get that special actor in your life (no, not your celebrity crush, the special actor you've actually met). What could you possibly get someone so talented and so in touch with their emotions to show them how important they are to you?! It's a (sorta) common dilemma, don't panic. I'm here to tell you the top five gifts for your actor valentine, guaranteed to earn you a Casablanca-class kiss. 

  1.  Movies- Why do you think your loved one became an actor in the first place?! All actors love movies, as entertainment and as inspiration. If you're feeling extra romantic, pick an old classic romance and watch it together.
  2. Anything Inspirational- Actors get told no a lot. Have you seen all those inspirational quotes painted on canvases? What about those mugs that say something like "I can do today"? Your actor will appreciate something that can lift their spirits when times are tough and the auditions aren't going well.
  3. Tickets to a Show- If your actor is more influenced by the theatre, tickets to the community play could make for the perfect gift and an even better date night. Season passes to the theatre are even better if you want to splurge on your valentine!
  4. A Screenplay- This one's pretty risky, but if you've got the time and creativity (or if you're short on cash) this one takes the red velvet cake! Write your special actor a screenplay. Maybe make it about the two of you and your relationship, or just start from scratch on an original romantic comedy. Be creative!
  5. Acting Classes- Actors never stop learning, and acting classes are the best place to do that. Buy your loved one a month (or more) of acting classes to show that you support their dream! Acting Out Studio is a great place to start! Go to our Register tab to get started.

Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day!

Written by Katherine White / February 10, 2017

Why La La Land is Important




La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, which just recently danced its way into theaters, is making history in a big way. 

As you've probably heard, the Best Picture-winning film swept this year's Golden Globes, taking seven trophies in all, making it the first film in history to do so. That's why it's important, right? Well that's what I thought. I learned of the movie's overwhelming success prior to actually seeing it, so I simply thought, "Eh. Must be ok. Better see it." Was I right? No. It's much more than ok. But even that is not why it's important.

La La Land, unlike the other Best Picture nominees and the most recent winners of the title, isn't a deeply progressive film that leaves you ready to change the world and beat global warming all at once. And don't get me wrong, those films are great too. But this movie is nothing more than a whimsical musical that undeniably points out that it's ok if not everything works out the way you planned. It boasts no fancy CGI, no global crisis, and no thick plot line or political/social undertone-- which has actually made it a controversial winner. Afterall, the last 5 years (or more) of Best Picture winners have at least one, if not all, of those characteristics. Here comes why it's important.

Was this the best movie I've ever seen? Probably not, but that's not the point. The point is that diversity of genre is finally starting to show up in the Best Picture category. The point is that the film is the first rom-com in at least a decade to win the title, and, more importantly for actors in the world of musical theatre, it's the first musical EVER to win. La La Land has officially put the genre of modern original musicals on the map, a category typically ignored by critics, without any deeper message than to dream big and don't let anything get in your way. And that's why it's important.

Written by Katherine White / January 27, 2017

The Actor's Guide to New Year's Resoultions




Ah, the fresh start of a new year. Isn't it just lovely to close one chapter and begin another? After such a long and restful holiday, we're back to help you get your New Year off to a great start. Yes, it's a bit late to still be making resolutions, but it's never too late to dedicate your time to improving yourself! For lots of people, this means losing weight, being more thankful, cursing less, etc. (or all of those things if you're someone like me). But because you're an actor, you can use your resolutions to move your acting career forward or just improve your skills and appreciation in the art. Let's get started. Auld Lang Syne it up.





Taking notes? Good. I've consulted the leading acting references to compile my very own list of resolutions for YOU to be the best actor you can be in 2017! Here are the ten:

1. Save dough - This should be a resolution for everyone, actor or otherwise. But as actors, we know the work may not be constant: a commercial here, a movie extra there. Save your money so you're not stressed during those lulls, but also in case your dream role pops up across the country and you need to book a flight and hotel to audition for it. Be prepared!

2. Study the classics - A new year is a great time to take the time to snuggle up on your couch with cocoa and binge on the movies that inspired you to be an actor in the first place. Plus, there's still a lot you can learn from the Humphrey Bogarts and the Bette Davises of the classic movie era. 

3. Be a social butterfly - The last resolution aside, keep in mind that no door opens if you never get off your couch and get into the world. Marketing yourself on social media, on professional sites, at networking events, etc. can do wonders for your career by creating connections and making impressions. (Now realizing that you can totally socialize from your couch because it's 2017. Even better).

4. Put in daily work - We've all heard that opportunity knocks. It doesn't. It presents itself when you beat down the door. So make it part of your daily routine to better yourself as an actor, whether that means classes, making a daily video, whatever. Put in the work.

5. Make sacrifices - Priorities are important. Keep in mind aw you move forward into 2017 that you may have to give up some things in order to be the actor you've always wanted to be. Maybe you can't play video games for more than an hour because you have to study lines, maybe you stay in for dinner to save the money. Whatever it means for you, just be at peace with the fact that you can't do it all.

6. Say 'Yes' more often - You never know what one little project or one networking event may lead to. Stop making excuses and just say yes!

7. Take a risk once a week - Make it a priority to do something out of your comfort zone every week. After all, acting is all about stepping out of your bubble. Try doing something you've never done before and just see how great it makes you feel.

8. Be helpful and supportive - Acting can get competitive. If someone gets a role, well, you don't get that role. It can be hard to be kind towards your opponents. But remember that acting is a community, and (hopefully) all actors are in that community for the same reason-- to express themselves through the art and do what they love. Also keep in mind that kindness is contagious, and you never know what another actor could do for you. 

9. Be grateful - Work may not come often. You may not book much. It's ok! Just be thankful that you have the experiences you have! Didn't get the part? Well, that audition was great practice for the next. Haven't booked for a while? More time to write that screenplay you've always dreamed about. 

10. Respect yourself - One bad audition can destroy an actor's self esteem. Now put together a career of bad auditions. Acting is not for the faint of heart. But remember that YOUR ABILITIES are not always the reason that opportunities don't arise. Maybe you were too pretty for the part. Maybe you were too tall. Brush it off! Keeping your head up and positive self perception will be better for you and your career in the long run. 

Hope you take some of these to heart and better yourself in the new year. Remember, there's always room for improvement. To read more resolutions, visit Backstage and Acting4Camera .

Written by Katherine White / January 13, 2017


The Actor's Holiday Movie Checklist (Part 2)




Is singing loud for all to hear? No. It's watching and sharing the best of the BEST holiday movies from the perspective of a trained actor (or in my case, a blogger with good taste). Hopefully you caught up with the first half of the list, because we're about to dash away all through the rest of the top Christmas movies for actors (and everyone else).

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas- Okay, you got me on this one. There really isn't much acting at all in this nearly dialogueless cartoon. But it's still a heart-warming classic for even the Scroogiest of actors. 
  • Scrooged- Speaking of which, this hilarious comedy starring the great Bill Murray (whose performance is always wildly entertaining), puts a modern spin on Dickens' tale with hidden references to the classic story.
  • The Holiday- With a full cast of award winning actors like Kate Winslet, this holiday movie is more of a romance than a Christmas story, but it's still sure to bring you some warm fuzzy feelings in this cold winter season. 
  • Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer- Much like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this kids' movie leaves much to be desired in the acting aspect, but you won't find a more Christmasy claymation movie on this side of The Island of Misfits. 
  • Miracle on 34th Street- Whatever rendition you prefer, this beautiful story showcases some extremely talented child actors. Watch this before you consider not leaving cookies for Santa.
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol- Voice acting at its best! Another twist on the Dickens' classic, this furry fairytale will warm your heard with splendid performances and tremendously composed musical numbers. (A personal favorite, if you can't tell).
  • The Santa Clause- Though I wouldn't recommend the many sequels, the original holiday flick is a magical Tim Allen movie that not only provides a beautiful interpretation of Santa, but also an even better picture of a modern, non-traditional family structure.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas- Good grief, how could we forget this one?! Our final must-see holiday movie is one of the first of its time and genre to hire real children for the voice acting, making for the wonderfully innocent tale that tackles the true meaning of Christmas. 

Hope you like our list and have fun watching! We wish you a Merry Christmas, and hope that you enjoy celebrating the holiday season with family and friends, as we will also. The next blog will run January 13 in recognition of the Christmas holiday and New Year. 

Written by Katherine White / December 16, 2016