When we talk about acting tools, we usually mention headshots, reels, technique, or coaching. But punctuation?

Not so much.

And yet, punctuation—something you probably haven’t questioned since middle school—might be interfering with your most natural, honest performances.

You get a script. Maybe it’s commercial copy, maybe it’s a scene. And without realizing it, your brain starts obeying the punctuation.

Comma. Small pause.

Period. Full stop, drop your pitch.

Exclamation mark. Boost the energy, punch the line.

Your body responds to those tiny marks automatically. But here's the thing: those cues might not match what your character is actually feeling. They might even contradict the emotional truth of the scene.

If you’ve ever given a read that felt stiff, too “correct,” or like something was missing… this might be why.

Punctuation is meant to clarify meaning in writing. It’s useful when you're reading silently or trying to follow someone else’s train of thought.

But acting isn’t silent reading. It’s expression. It’s listening and responding. It’s emotional and often messy.

Here’s where things get interesting: studies show that your brain processes punctuation differently depending on the mark. Semicolons and dashes? They activate the left side of the brain. Exclamation points and periods? The right side. Each carries its own emotional weight. Each sends a signal, even if you don’t consciously register it.

Which means your delivery may be less about what you’re feeling… and more about how your brain is reacting to a comma.

As Mandy Fisher shared in this episode of the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast, one of the most helpful things you can do—especially for commercial reads—is to strip out the punctuation entirely.

Remove the commas. Take out the periods. Uncapitalize everything except brand names.

Why? Because when you stop being told where to pause or emphasize, you start making those choices from instinct. From character. From context.

It might feel strange at first, but that discomfort is exactly where more interesting, more connected performances begin.

Take 60 seconds of script. Could be anything—a monologue, a commercial, a scene.

Delete every piece of punctuation.

Then read it out loud.

Notice what your voice does. Notice how your pacing shifts. See what happens when you stop “reading” and start speaking.

You might stumble. You might feel a little out of control. But you’ll also find something new. A more honest rhythm. A stronger point of view. A version of the script that sounds less like a performance and more like a person.

Punctuation has a place. It can help with rhythm and intention. But if you’re performing with one eye on the commas, you’re probably holding back.

So ask yourself: are you punctuating for performance? Or are you speaking from presence?

You already have a voice that’s worth hearing. You don’t need grammar rules to make it powerful.

Let go. Experiment. Trust that you know how to connect without a period telling you when to stop.

Ready to take your training deeper?
Explore our upcoming classes and coaching programs to build confidence in your voice, your instincts, and your career.

Check out what’s coming up →

Prefer to keep learning in your inbox?
Subscribe to Mandy’s Substack for more creative insights, voiceover tips, and honest conversations about the business of being an artist.

Feeling stuck? You are so not alone. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest roadblocks I see actors (and creatives of all kinds) face: procrastination.

I’m breaking down my signature framework—the **3 P's: Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Paralysis—**and showing you how procrastination is often just fear wearing a clever disguise.

I’ll help you reframe your stuck-ness, understand what’s really going on underneath the delay, and—most importantly—take messy, imperfect, courageous action.

And yes, I’m also sharing how the energy behind procrastination doesn’t just slow you down…it actually blocks your creativity, your confidence, and even your opportunities.

Whether you’re stuck in your acting career, your voiceover hustle, or anywhere in life where you’re overthinking and under-doing—this episode is here to help you shift into action mode.

• How perfectionism leads to procrastination…and then straight into paralysis.

• Why procrastination is really fear in disguise (and how to spot it).

• Fear of failure vs. fear of success—what’s really holding you back.

• Why you don’t need to feel ready (you just need to act).

• How procrastination sends out the wrong energetic signal to the universe.

• The simple truth: Clarity comes from commitment, not contemplation.

"Procrastination is fear in disguise."
"Your desire for your dream needs to be bigger than your fear."
"You can act your way into right thinking."

• You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

• The Universe Has Your Back by Gabby Bernstein

Mandy and I have been stuck at the same number of reviews for the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast for a while now...and we would be SO grateful if you could help us cross the finish line to 100 five-star reviews.
If this episode resonated with you, it would mean the world to us if you left us that review. You could be that one small but mighty step that gets us there!

• Website: ActingBusinessBootCamp.com

• Instagram: @actingbusinessbootcamp