Unfiltered Advice for Actors | TV Star Christopher Ammanuel's Guide to Building a Real Career

In this episode, Richard and Darren sat down with Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist K.J. Matthews to reveal the secrets of successful red-carpet interviews. From CNN to the Golden Globe, K.J. shares essential tips for actors on how to stand out, handle repetitive questions, and make lasting impressions during press events. Whether you're preparing for your first premiere or looking to elevate your media presence, this episode is packed with insider knowledge every actor needs to know. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:45 - Interview Essentials 2:17 - Being Authentic 4:08 - Handling Questions 7:23 - Red-Carpet Etiquette 10:56 - Camera Positioning 14:13 - Media Evolution 17:42 - Sound Bites 21:30 - Interview Preparation 25:37 - Press Management 30:00 - Star Presence 35:41 - Time Management 40:29 - Career Growth 44:05 - Industry Events 47:05 - Career Advice CONNECT WITH K.J. MATTHEWS  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjmatthewstv/ Twitter: https://x.com/kjmatthewstv GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:  Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Jorge Perez is a visionary agent who's worked with some of the biggest celebrities in the industry. With a wealth of experience connecting talent to opportunities on a global scale, Jorge equips artists with the strategies and resilience needed to thrive in a competitive industry. Today, Jorge sits down with Richard Cambridge and Darren Darnborough to share invaluable insights from his book 'Shut the F Up Method', offering a rare glimpse into what it takes to stand out and succeed in an ever-evolving business. Chapters and Time Codes 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:00 The Power of Belief in the Industry 00:03:30 Complaining vs. Positivity in the Industry 00:07:00 Survival Mode and Breaking Free 00:10:00 Shut the F Up Commandments 00:15:00 Lessons from Working with Celebrities 00:19:00 Practical Tips for Actors 00:26:00 Reframing Accomplishments 00:30:00 Stress and the Actor’s Mindset 00:35:00 The Value of Rejection 00:37:00 Truth and Kindness as Core Principles 00:41:00 The Power of Community 00:43:00 Jorge’s Legacy and Final Thoughts 00:45:00 Outro CONNECT WITH JORGE PEREZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorgeperezjr/?hl=en Website: https://www.stfumethod.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabxsjCU8iwj9jL3QPJrOVzB6nYCGJnxlTcaDpPQyd63w90XJnnJOM1ZGBA_aem_Mw32UgnHiL_9ukkClmXJkg The STFU Method Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D57ZWRQ4?cspi=3052242e3ab759515b81518d5e4492cfc85e87d22bbdac802bee7b54bf4d1ff6cd8e022d0f4065e7766ef63cd9550ba5e0dc5354b763109d959d6bd4558d2197&ref=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_bks_apin_dp_EK0J1S90FWP7NFX476TP&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_bks_apin_dp_EK0J1S90FWP7NFX476TP&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_bks_apin_dp_EK0J1S90FWP7NFX476TP&skipTwisterOG=1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZY_h968Aa6gadn1NCSeJRTO5D77oLVS1aAzfKtvTqQXdh_ull81DdCW7c_aem_whKHKtiIkcUfw_u90yt2Vg GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Jake Thornton is a Hollywood screenwriter whose credits include working with studios like Sony, Warner Brothers, Amazon, and The CW. Before becoming a writer, Jake trained as an actor, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in London's West End. His screenwriting journey began in Los Angeles, where his first script sold for a staggering $1 million, proving that dreams can come true with hard work and persistence. Richard and Darren sit down with Jake to discuss his transition from acting to screenwriting, the heartbreaks and triumphs of Hollywood, and the lessons actors and writers can learn from his story. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Intro 00:01:14: Jake’s Early Hustle 00:02:43: Acting Dreams and Heartbreak 00:05:49: Acting’s Influence on Writing 00:09:26: Creating Strong Female Leads 00:16:56: The Changing Landscape of Content 00:27:26: Working Relationships Matter 00:35:55: Why Scripts Don’t Always Get Made 00:43:20: Advice for Emerging Writers 00:54:00: Be Bold in Auditions 00:58:04: Jake’s Next Steps CONNECT WITH JAKE THORNTON: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0861801/ Website: https://www.jakethorntonwrites.com/bio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakethornton/ GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Award-winning director Avi Youabian (Walking Dead, All American, FBI International) shares invaluable insights for actors about auditions, on-set dynamics, and career growth. From his journey as an editor to becoming an Emmy-nominated director, Avi offers practical advice about taking creative risks and succeeding in the industry. Key Segments:  00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:24 - Understanding Bold Choices in Auditions  00:04:09 - The Casting Decision Process  00:07:15 - How to Stand Out in Self-Tapes  00:13:24 - Director-Actor Communication on Set  00:27:30 - From Editor to Director: The Walking Dead Journey  00:35:39 - Working with Guest Stars  00:42:00 - The Importance of Being Prepared  00:52:30 - Vertical Video and Industry Changes  00:56:30 - Final Advice for Actors CONNECT WITH AVI YOUABIAN:  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1143132/ Website: https://www.aviyouabian.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayouabian/ GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:  Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Actor, producer, and founder of Caliwater - Oliver Trevena joins The WeAudition Show! Originally trained at RADA in London, he's worked with Gerard Butler in “The Plane,” Miles Teller in “The Gorge,” Aaron Eckhart in “The Bricklayer,” and Bruce Willis in “Wire Room.” Recently wrapped on “The Paradox Effect” with Harvey Keitel, Oliver shares his journey from stage to screen and beyond. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Building Hollywood Relationships 6:08 - From Actor to Producer 9:31 - Landing The Paradox Effect with Harvey Keitel 16:33 - Business Ventures & All Saints Fashion 18:42 - Creating Caliwater 21:03 - On Set with Mel Gibson 25:30 - Working with Bruce Willis & Kevin Dillon 34:30 - Award Presentation by Gerard Butler 45:18 - Finding True Happiness CONNECT WITH OLIVER TREVENA: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3165541/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivertrevena/?hl=en Caliwater Website: https://drinkcaliwater.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaunP7rLFurA4THrKgt84eoAzqTASuoR4ylqtKNC6gyPeI8in2QayieQvU_aem_hf8De9nzbW7vzuU-uHCmjg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivertrevena/ GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Natalee Linez is a California native who moved to Los Angeles at age 20 to pursue her dream of acting. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she landed her first role as a series regular in the hit series "Siren." Alongside her acting career, Natalee founded Magic Mornings, a mental health and well-being company focused on helping people improve their lives through positive habits and routines. In this episode, she talks to Darren and Richard about her journey through 700 auditions (booking 14), the importance of finding the right representation, creating effective pitch emails, and how to present yourself professionally through headshots and demo reels. She shares candid insights about the current state of the industry, the reality of networking, and why loving the audition process is crucial for long-term success in acting. Natalee also discusses her morning routine methodology and how maintaining wellness practices has supported her career development. Through personal stories and practical advice, this conversation offers valuable guidance for both new and established actors navigating the entertainment industry. TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 - Introduction & Early Career Journey  03:11 - The Reality of 300 Auditions Before First Booking  07:26 - Managing Audition Room Experiences  14:23 - Finding the Right Representation 19:30 - Headshots & Demo Reels: What Works 24:42 - The Truth About Industry Networking  28:15 - Magic Mornings: Creating a Wellness Routine  35:18 - Developing Your "Type" as an Actor  41:05 - How to Create an Effective Pitch Email  48:33 - Demo Reel Best Practices  54:16 - Vision Boards & Taking Action  58:27 - Current State of the Industry  01:04:09 - Final Advice: Love the Process CONNECT WITH NATALEE LINEZ:  IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7336169/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataleelinez/?hl=en Watch Ground Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwEAoAmbe1I&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Flinktr.ee&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE:  Website: https://www.nataleelinez.com/ GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW:  Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Christopher Ammanuel is a dynamic actor, writer, and producer best known for his role in Black Lightning, which he landed at age 18. His impressive credits include Kent State and the feature film 1992 alongside Tyrese Gibson and the late Ray Liotta. After spending years between Atlanta and London honing his craft, Christopher has been recognized at festivals worldwide as "one to watch." Now based in Los Angeles, he continues to study, train, and champion other actors while pursuing his own artistic journey. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00: Introduction & Career Background 00:08:00: The Reality of Success in Acting 00:19:00: Working on Black Lightning 00:27:00: Experience with Ray Liotta & Tyrese Gibson 00:49:00: The Politics of Hollywood 01:15:00: Career Advice & Industry Insights 01:30:00: Final Thoughts on Work-Life Balance CONNECT WITH CHRISTOPHER AMMANUEL: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8162745/ Instagram: Instagram.com/Chrisammanuel Twitter: https://x.com/chrisammanuel_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisammanuel GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts. Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Jimmy Akingbola is a versatile and celebrated actor born in the UK to Nigerian parents. Best known for his portrayal of Geoffrey in Bel Air, his credits include Arrow, The Tower, Most Dangerous Game, Ted Lasso, Benidorm, This Is Gonna Hurt, and In The Long Run. Beyond acting, his documentary Handle With Care has gained critical acclaim, and he founded the Triforce Creative Network to discover and promote diverse talent. TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:40: Defining Success & "Making It" in Acting 00:08:20: Audition Preparation & Technique 00:19:10: Bel Air Experience 00:34:40: Entrepreneurship & Giving Back 00:54:50: Industry Insights & Career Advice 01:09:00: Final Thoughts & Life Balance CONNECT WITH JIMMY AKINGBOLA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyakingbola/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-akingbola-64719325/ Website: jimmyakingbola.com/ (Personal) triforcepromotions.co.uk/ (Company) GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts. Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

In this episode, we sat down with Mitra Ahouraian, an entertainment lawyer based in Beverly Hills who represents some of the top creatives, producers, and financiers from Hollywood and beyond. Hosts Richard Cambridge and Darren Darnborough explore fundamental topics including when actors need a lawyer, understanding contracts, and managing social media legally. Mitra shares invaluable insights from her extensive experience negotiating and drafting deals across film, television, music, and publishing. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to Mitra Ahouraian 05:00 - When Actors Need Legal Representation 14:00 - Understanding Entertainment Contracts 20:00 - Working with Friends & Independent Projects 34:00 - Fee Structures & Legal Costs 42:00 - Social Media Best Practices 50:00 - NDAs and Content Sharing Guidelines 54:00 - Behind the Scenes of Entertainment Law CONNECT WITH MITRA AHOURAIAN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitraesq/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitraahouraian/ Website: http://ahouraianlaw.com/ GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts. Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com

Andrea Guo is an Austrian actor whose talent and dedication have propelled her to success across German and international film and television. In this episode with hosts Richard Cambridge and Darren Darnborough, she talks about filming the second season of her hit series Maxton Hall, her experience working on Frank Doelger's "The Swarm," and her journey breaking cultural barriers in European media. The conversation delves into her unique approach to manifesting career goals through vision boarding, managing sudden success, and why she believes you don't need Hollywood to make inspiring movies. She also opens up about balancing multiple projects, her aspirations to work in Asian cinema, and the importance of maintaining authenticity while navigating international markets. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Current Projects and Filming in Berlin 02:00 - Success of Maxton Hall and Second Season 04:00 - Managing Work-Life Balance in Entertainment 13:00 - Social Media and Fan Engagement 21:30 - Breaking Into International Markets 30:00 - Vision Boarding and Career Manifestation 41:00 - Representation in European Television 48:00 - Future Projects and Asian Market Aspirations CONNECT WITH ANDREA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreaguo_/?hl=en IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm11046207/ Management: https://www.ohey-mgmt.de/andreaguo GET MORE FROM THE WE AUDITION SHOW: Website: https://www.weaudition.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weaudition Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAudition Enjoyed the episode? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts. Produced by The Big Possible http://thebigpossible.com