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Max talks to Michelle Danner on how she navigates Producing, Directing and Acting in a project alongside teaching Acting students and coaching the likes of Gerard Butler, Salma Hayek and more.

This is an opportunity for Actors to gain insights from an Acting Coach, with over 30 years experience, who is busy making movies.

Michelle talks about her next film release ‘Under the Stars’ (Nov 2025), a Romantic Comedy starring Andy Garcia and Toni Collette, and her latest project currently in the middle of production ‘Starstruck’.

Shooting the film ‘Mirandas Victim’ during Covid with Actors Donald Sutherland, Andy Garcia, Abigail Breslin, Ryan Phillipe, and Luke Wilson.

Also, the differences shooting in Italy vs USA, how she works with Casting Director Nancy Bishop, and Directing in the theatre vs film.

We also get an update on the industry in LA focusing on Film production and her perspective on how Artificial Intelligence is currently impacting the industry.

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In this episode, Max talks to Helene Rousse a Casting Director based in Canada with over 35 years of experience in the business. We talk about what the industry looks like in Canada, emerging trends in filmmaking such as verticals, and casting insights for Actors.

· Working in the growing world of Vertical Productions

· Canadian industry update

· Importance of networking in this industry

· Tips on self taping

· How to build a profile with Casting Directors

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Max talks about the finer details of Acting with Ivana Chubbuck, Acting Coach and Author of the book ‘The Power of the Actor’. Ivana has worked with many successful Actors over her 25 year career including Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino and so many more.

Forming her technique after studying behavioral science, psychology and cultural anthropology.

How to find the right technique when you’re starting as an Actor

How to get the audience invested in your performance

Ivana knows what books a job having worked in Casting

How Ivana worked with Pamela Anderson on the LAST SHOWGIRL

How Christopher Walken prepares and works to constantly refine and improve a performance

Why do Directors like working with Actors who use the Chubbuck technique

Why any technique is no schortcut – you have to keep working hard and the importance of ‘raising the stakes’

The importance of Active listening

What advice at the end of Ivanas book resonates the most with Max

The book is updated to include advice on Self Tapes. Listen to Ivanas advice for Max when he struggles with self taping and what stands out to a Casting Director on a self tape

Why Directors and Writers sit in on Ivanas workshops

How Ivanas childhood helped inform her approach to developing her Acting technique

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