How To Turn An Idea Into A Hit Off Broadway Show With Robyn Lynn Norris

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Robyn Lynn Norris: www.robynlynnenorris.com

Insta: @robynlynnenorris

Twitter: @robynlnorris
 

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SHOW TRANSCRIPT

Katherine Beck
You're listening to the voice for Business Podcast, episode 48. In today's episode, we are talking to Robyn Lynn Norris, who is a writer, actor and comedian in Los Angeles. That's coming up next. Ready to go behind the scenes and learn what it really takes to build a sustainable career as a working actor in the US film and TV industry. Join me Katherine Beck, your all American accent coach, as I give you the insight and inspiration to take action on your career, learn my best tips and tricks to performing with an American accent and hear from working actors and other industry professionals. To give you a comprehensive overview of this biz we call showbiz. This is the All American actors podcast. All right, before we jump into today's episode, I want to give a big shout out to Dave Kelly. I think it is. So it's funny when you get these reviews on Apple because you don't get the actual name. So I'm not sure exactly who sent this to me. But they said absolutely excited to have Katherine Beck back directly in the American accent chair podcast, Katherine support of actors on the accent journey is great through her accent program. And now with free support and guidance. I think I have an idea of who this is. But I don't know for sure. Thank you so much for that five star review. I very much appreciate it. And I'm so thrilled to have this podcast back again. And I've got just some really great episodes coming your way, including today's episode, who is a very dear friend of mine, Robyn Linn Nores. We've known each other for many years. We have known each other since our Chicago days, and I moved to Los Angeles first. And funnily enough, when I left Los Angeles, that's when she moved to Los Angeles. So we've missed each other in our paths a little bit and definitely miss her. Not seeing her on the day to day for many, many years. But we had such a great time catching up in today's episode, you're gonna love it. Robin is one of those triple threats, right? She isn't a very talented actor, a very talented writer, and a very talented, very funny comedian. And I just love her go getter Ness. And I think that's maybe why we were attracted to being friends with each other is we were two very strong women in the creative arts and performing and we're both real go getters, you know, very determined and eager to make our way in the industry and pave the way for young female actors. And so let me tell you a little bit about what she's been up to since last I saw her she is the creator and star of a play called hashtag date me. This was a sold out to audiences in Los Angeles in Chicago for six years and then premiered off Broadway in 2019. That is incredible. Her writing credits include the Emmy and PGA nominated Epic Rap Battles of History. She's written and performed sketch and improv comedy for theaters all around the world, including Second City I O and Comedy Sports Chicago. She also was a cast member for epic Lloyd's off the top the first global live streamed interactive improv rap comedy show with actors from LA to Tokyo to London. And she can currently be seen performing in LA at EMI Westside Comedy Theater in Mission improbable and Westside comedy story and improvised musical and you can also hear her voice on another podcast, which is called bone, Mary Berry. So make sure you check that out as well. So without further ado, let me introduce you to my dear friend Robin. Here's that interview. Welcome Robyn to the podcast. It's so great to have you here. Thanks for joining us.

Robyn
Thank you for having me. I'm so excited.

Katherine Beck
All right, well, why don't we just start by letting our listeners know just a little bit about who you are and your background as an actor. You're multifaceted. You know, you have your hands in many different places which I love about you. You're such a go getter. So would you mind just sharing with our audience a little bit about your background?

Robyn
Yeah, for sure. I mean, I was a little comedy nerd in high school, like super shy and was obsessed with comedy and so I am an actor, but I've always gravitated towards comedy and moved to Chicago right out of theater school, studied improv sketch, and quit. luckily found that I also needed to write my own shows. So I've, I'm also a writer. And yeah, I, I do that all of those things. I've produced a lot of things. I kind of do have my hands and a lot of pots. But I like it that way. I think I get restless when it's just one thing. So,

Katherine Beck
yeah. So what propelled you to move from Chicago to La then because Chicago is a great comedy and improv scene, so much that you know, is happening there. What made you make that leap over to LA,

Robyn
a couple of things. I loved Chicago when I was there, it was so so fun. And I felt like I did everything I set out to do there. So I, there is wonderful theater in Chicago. And then there is wonderful comedy. And I always wanted to work for second city. And so I worked my butt off, wrote a lot of shows performed at all the improv theaters. And then I got hired there and I toured the country, it was amazing. And then they actually I was planning to move to LA anyway, just because I always wanted to do TV film and just kind of branch out more. But they offered me a spot in their Las Vegas residency show. So second city used to have a show at the Flamingo hotel. And that was kind of my dream job because it was an equity full time job. We wrote our own show just performed on the Vegas Strip every night. And so I moved out there. And then nine months after we moved out there, they closed the theater. So I had moved everything over there. And my whole plan was like, I'll do this for two years. And that'll be right next to LA, and then it closed. However, it was kind of cool, because then maybe they felt bad. But the casting director Beth kligerman, just his wonderful, wonderful lady. She I think was like let's make sure they're taken care of. So I got to do a show out in Atlanta, the Alliance theater, and then I worked cruise ship. So I was just a nomad for a couple of years. So I got to go all across the Mediterranean, and then Hawaii, and I would never have been able to afford that. Or, you know, being an actor. So I got to just kind of live life out of a suitcase and then moved out to LA. But I always was la bound. I think I love Chicago. But I, I always wanted to be like, you know, in the big city where it's all happening. So Wow, that's

Katherine Beck
quite an adventure that you've had. And you You're right. I mean, you know, when you're young, you're in your 20s. That's the time to explore and try new. Then how cool is that? That you got to go on cruise ships and travel and get paid doing what you love doesn't get better than that?

Robyn
Yeah, it's pretty amazing. And then on the flip side, then you get to LA and you're like, oh, it's harder to get paid to do things out here. So, you know, that was prepared for that. But there's not like in Chicago, you can do like, there's more like corporate improv gigs and, and things. It's just easier a little in Chicago, I think at first. And then also, by the time I got out here, I had more experience, but that I also was like, Oh, I didn't move out here as an ingenue. So, oh, that's a whole thing. But okay,

Katherine Beck
you know, talk to me about that, because it is kind of a rude awakening when you move to LA. And it's like, you have to start all over again and prove yourself. And I know, I definitely experienced that. I actually remember, I approached my old Chicago agent who had moved to LA. And when you know, I knocked on her door and had an interview with her. It was like I had to prove myself all over to her again. I was like, oh, but you know, me, you You were my first agent, you know exactly what I can do. Why do I have to present to you what I can do all over again. So it's really interesting. The dynamic of LA is so different. What did you experience

Robyn
so different? It's so funny, because you are one of my first friends from Chicago who moved out to LA and I think at that time, I had no idea what you're talking about, you know, like you just don't know until you get to La what it is like. And it was a little hard. You know, I went to comedy. Theaters, the great thing about improv is you have a whole community of people. So a lot of people had already moved out to LA from the comedy world, so that's fantastic. But there was also a whole crew of people who've been working their butts off out here in LA, and they're not going to be like alright, Chicago people come be in all our shows, you know, so I wasn't cast in like always the most prestigious comedy group when I first got here, and I actually ended up for the best because I ended up loving where I landed, but my ego was a little bruised. A couple of times I was like, Oh, okay. And that kind of did affect my mental state for a while and then I got over it but that and and then I remember just like the flake factor is a thing. And now I am one of those people. I'm like, if you don't confirm with me four times that we're actually doing a thing. I don't I'm not gonna show up to coffee. No, with you. Okay,

Katherine Beck
hang on. You got to explain that to our listener. Okay. You and I know what it is. People in LA know what la Flake is? Yes. People around the world probably have no clue what we're talking right now.

Robyn
Right. Okay, so I'm a Midwest gal. I'm from Indiana. And then in Chicago, where I spent many years it's like, oh, Catherine, we're gonna get coffee tomorrow at 11. Great. See you there or next week. Great. And then we will both show up. We may not talk about we won't talk about it. We will just show up. And in LA. I remember reaching out to some people in the improv community. They're all really nice people. They just had been out here for years. So they were busy with their lives. And only a couple people said yes. And then a couple people flaked, you know, you kind of have to triple confirm in LA, it's like, Okay, we're gonna meet next week. Great. And then like a day or two before, hey, we still on her coffee. Awesome. And then that morning text, hey, we still on. And there is a reason for it. Because you never know what your days are gonna be like out here. You wake up and you could have zero self tapes. You could have two self tapes, you could have a writing deadline pop up you can have so you know, and we all have side hustles. So, it every day is different. So I feel like I've learned a flexibility with my friends when I make plans of like, Hey, we're gonna settle on this. But we also understand if we have to shift, you know?

Katherine Beck
Yeah, totally. And people don't get that if you don't live in LA it. You know, you do you set plans. And then you're like, Well, what? Why don't you show up? What Why did you suddenly make plans? I don't get it. Yeah, it's a whole thing. And I totally forgot about that. Oh, my goodness, that's bringing back like a flood of memories. It feels

Robyn
very lonely at first. And now I feel like LA is my home. Like, I love it so much. But the first, I would say a year or two felt pretty, pretty lonely.

Katherine Beck
Yeah. Alright, so you went through the typical, you know, transition period of moving to LA? What did you feel like? Oh, I made it. You know, like, you start to notice shifts? I've made it.

Robyn
I don't feel that, that's why I'm laughing. Like, have I made it?

Katherine Beck
You made it. Robin. Yeah, I heard that they're, you know, you're they're presenting you with the Walk of Fame. Oh, next mining made it? No. But you know, like, when did you there is a moment where you there's that first struggle? And then you start to notice things are happening in shifting and going in a direction? When did you start to notice? Like, how long did that take for you?

Robyn
It took a minute in LA for sure. You know, I moved out here I was teaching improv I was doing everything. But I I also didn't dive in the way I wish I had into acting classes and like really hitting it hard, because I was always doing so many things. Like I was writing and improvising. And it really hit me out here. Well, first, second city and all the Chicago kind of getting those reps. That helped me a lot. I think if I hadn't had that opportunity, because you're performing all around the country, getting that validation for live audiences, has helped me a lot, because I'll be the first one to judge myself all the time. But I know like, okay, there's proof people have laughed at things that I've said. That was huge. In La though it was interesting, because then moved here to do TV film, and I was writing a bunch of web series trying to get stuff off the ground. And then I wrote a stage play, which is not what I moved here to do. I just did it to be like, here's another showcase, how can we you know, get people. So my friend Bob and I wrote this play. And it was in a tiny black box theater at Second City, Hollywood. And it just, it kind of took off. It just hit at the right time. And I felt it. I felt like a buzz and there was like word of mouth. And some people were tweeting and posting on their own, not like people I had begged to talk about the show. And so that was strange, because I don't think I've ever been like the center of the spotlight type of person. You know, I want to be an actor, and I am an actor and a writer and all of those things. But I also can be kind of shy. And this was like, Oh, we created this and it's like a thing because it ran for several years in LA and I got my manager off of it. Like I remember him being in the audience and watching and just with the biggest smile on his face. I didn't know who he was. And he approached me afterwards and I was like, Wow, this works. So that was nice. And then that show ran in Chicago and then eventually went off Broadway in 2019. It was like a crazy seven year journey, which really took up all my life. And that though, was like, the best in terms of validation of like, oh, I made a thing. And it became an even bigger thing. And it grew. And that was a little bit outside of me, I feel like I've always had to like, not struggle, but really work really, really hard. Like, hey, I created this thing, and you wouldn't want to watch it. And that one was like, oh, people just wanted to watch it. So that was great. So I guess I would say that show and that was several years ago when it started. And but only now since I've been back in LA full time, because that show took me Chicago, New York, I was on the road a lot for years. Now. I'm like, back in acting classes writing and I feel like I have the the confidence to do that in a way I didn't have when I first moved to LA.

Katherine Beck
That's interesting. So funny how as actors, we need that validation. Mm hmm. Give ourselves takes other people. Yeah. Telling us.

Robyn
You know what, I do want to tag on that, though. Because I don't want that to be. And I don't think I articulated it clearly, as I got that validation. There were also a lot of downs in that show. It was very difficult road for the show, you know, behind the scenes, it's just hard to get something that, yeah, off the ground like that. It's blood, sweat and tears all the time. And I think there was a point finally, where I became like, I'm such a people pleaser. And I think I realized, like, oh, no, it's okay, I belong here. And so I do want to say that for all the actors out there, because we all know that feeling of like, if I could just get this, if I could just book this one thing. And realizing, you know, what, I might not book anything, you know, and I can still create, and I can still do what I love. And I think that's important.

Katherine Beck
Oh, so important. I'm so glad you mentioned that. Because I think that's a real journey for young actors as we mature. And we get to the point where we stop trying to please everyone, and look for the right way to audition or create a role or book a role. And we start finding our own process and our start really appreciating who we are. And I think once we find ourselves, that's where you really start to grow as an actor, so it's really important. I'm glad you brought that up.

Yeah, you know, we live and we learn it's it's a tough life that we've created for ourselves being actors. But listen, we live and die as performers as what we love. So, absolutely. Tell me about your other passion. Because, you know, clearly, you're an amazing writer, you've written that show that took off. So you've got the writing bug, as well. What what is it about writing that? excites you? And how have you found that that's helped you in your, your acting career as well? No, I?

Robyn
Yeah, that's such a great question. And it's, it's a couple of things because it excites me. And I also hate it. You know, it's, it's tough, like writing is exhausting. And there's something though, I think I've always been driven in a way and I don't know where it comes from, I've just always been driven. And I don't think I could not write if that makes sense, like, so I moved to Chicago. And I was, you know, improvising. And I wanted to work for second city. And it's very difficult to get in there. And I was like, Well, I'm gonna, I think the best way for me to be seen is to write something, and then I know, I can be in it. And so young and naive, you know, however, it's so great to have that because I don't have that anymore. That feeling of like, great. I grabbed the this guy in my acting class, my friend, Hans was like, the funniest person I knew. And I was like, Do you want to just write something? And so we just did. We just wrote a two person show and we put it up. And then we ended up writing two more after that, and it it was the best feeling, saying words and getting like, Oh, this is working. And we created this, you know, and I didn't have to ask permission now. Not everything we did work. Like if I watched some of those old sketches. Now I'm like, ooh, cringe. However, that's, that's how you learn right to write. You just, I think if you just do it, you'll become better and better and better at it. So I really did write to create and I forgot to touch on this. What I wanted to say also is when I came up in comedy, there weren't as many women as there are now. And especially in improv, and I purposely chose comedy at that time, instead of just auditioning just for plays, because I felt like there aren't that many women. And I think this is a path where I can forge my own trail. So I did make that choice, even though now I'm like, all I want to do is have people cast me and not write anything. Sort of, I mean, I would like that as well. I'll keep writing. But I did choose that on purpose. And I think the writing was really just a way of like, I have, I didn't know I had a voice. And it turns out, I have a voice. And just to write things and get to perform them and get to one of my favorite things is just bringing friends along and casting friends and things that I've written. And I hope I get to do it on a bigger platform again, someday. That was really cool. Like, for the Off Broadway show to get to be like, one of my friends who originated in the Los Angeles show, Chris got to be in the Broadway show. And that was huge for me. I was like, Oh, this is amazing. So I guess I'm meandering a little bit. But I, I like the writing. I like the result. And I like pulling people into it as well, if that makes sense. Yeah,

Katherine Beck
totally. I, you know, it's funny that you mentioned that about, you know, wanting to go into improv and comedy, with a goal in mind. And that's, it's so admirable. I remember taking improv classes, I was, I think, maybe a few years after you had already started taking improv classes, because I didn't start until I moved to LA, and I think you're already doing it in Chicago. I didn't even that was like not even a thought in my head. I remember being in classes, and I'm like, there's a lot of guys, like...

Robyn
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Katherine Beck
So you'd like be searching for another girl in your class. And I didn't even like, think like, I didn't even like think about the fact that I was doing something at that time. That wasn't really, you know, like, the the thing for females, the fact that you were already in tune with that, and had that vision, says a lot about you, and shows why you've done so well in in that area. So kudos to you, my friend.

Robyn
That's nice of you to say that, thank you, I don't even think it was that well thought out. It was just, I knew I wanted to do it. I did really love comedy. It really wasn't diverse, though. especially back then across the board. It was, you know, like white boys club. And so it was, you know, there are some tough knocks you take when you're immersed in that. Yeah. However, now I feel like it's really important because I also have taught improv over the years. And I try really hard to look out for that and make sure it's, you know, it's always someone like, Is there only one or two females in this group? Are they getting stepped on walked over talked over? That's a big thing. I also coach the court and I know, you know, this world too, in terms of like corporate communications and things like being aware of who are the people that are always taking the spotlight and how how can you bring other people in an improv is such a collaborative effort. So yeah, it could, it was a little difficult being a woman sometimes. I mean, there were that we were there. However, it's hard. And I think that informs my writing now as well, I really try to write female characters and try to Yeah, like underdog stories and just kind of put people at the forefront. That's kind of where I'm at right now.

Katherine Beck
Yeah, that's really interesting and fascinating when you talk about the corporate aspect of it as well. Curious what your response is, then. Because I was actually getting interviewed on somebody else's podcast earlier today. And they were talking about females in business. And how so this is my question for you. Now. I'm curious, how can improv help females in the corporate world in business, find their voice and speak up? Because you and I know how incredible improvisation is for speaking. But for women in business, how does that help them? I think it helps

Robyn
everyone and by it helping everyone it can lift up people who don't always have a voice, if that makes sense. So a lot of what we do, I work often with a company called Business improv and it's we're going into these corporations, and it's just fascinating. And sometimes it's people who just they don't communicate well. And sometimes a lot of times they do however, there's a reason they brought us on right? And improv the whole thing is everybody else is more important than you or we're building off each other's ideas. So we're taking the pressure off of having to say the exact right thing you know, and not be wrong and it's like We kind of open that up. And it's like, alright, for these five minutes, everything goes, we want to hear from everybody say anything, everyone's gonna have your back, and then build on it and build on it. And then another thing we focus on, when you're in that group setting, I think it's important is like, Okay, we simulate real world meetings and what the challenges are when people are when status comes into play, or when personal biases come into play, and how can you lift people up? If you notice, like, oh, Marie hasn't said anything in this meeting? You know, she's tried to like three times and gotten cut off. So eventually, she just stops talking, can you be the person that looks out and say, Hey, Marie, you were saying something earlier? Hop on. And so, you know, there's so many ways that we do this. In various exercises. However, I really think it boils down to basic human communication. And then if you can create a culture through that, then people are aware, like, you can call people out. So you can call out, you know, the guy that steamrolls over everybody like, hey, chuck, chuck, great. Like, if what's let's go back to the other people, and people are okay with it, if you create that culture, easier said than done. However, I do firmly believe in improv in terms of how it helps people communicate better. And really listen, I think we spend so much time waiting to talk and having a fear that our idea won't get out. And I've been in the scenarios where I'm like, This person is not going to hear me, so I'm just going to talk really fast and yell over them. And then it's like, okay, well, I'm not being my best self in that scenario. So that's where that improv comes into play.

Katherine Beck
Yeah. And it's so it's so true. And it's so universal for everyone. In fact, you know, when I think back to acting, and when we could audition in the room, that is that happening again, over there. By the way,

Robyn
I think it is mostly for commercials, some commercials, which I'm not really pursuing right now. However, I know people have gone into the room. Almost all the TV and film is self tape. And I think once if you get to like, callbacks, but even callbacks are on Zoom. But if you were eventually to get far along to like chemistry rates and stuff, I'm sure they're gonna be in person, but it's mostly zoom, mostly self tapes.

Katherine Beck
All right, well, still important to have those improvisation skills. Yes. All right. So what's on the horizon for you? What are you working on these days? Oh,

Robyn
I've been writing a lot. My goal is to have got a pilot that I really like. And I My goal is to write bigger projects and try to get those out into the world things that I can't produce myself, like things that need a budget. I've really into narrative storytelling now. Like my background was improv and sketch and then when I wrote this play, that was my first time like, Oh, here's a story. So I've immersed myself the last couple years in writing pilots and writing things. So I'm trying to write things. And then then I'm trying to write things in film things. So it's a balancing act, though, every day. I'm like, I wish I had more time. Yeah, but I'm trying to get back to like writing things that are also shorter that I can just goof around and film on my own. Because I lost sight of that for a while when I was working on my play and bigger projects. And then I'm auditioning and taking acting classes and doing all the things it sounds like such a boring I don't know. I'm

Katherine Beck
just you sound like an actor. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, as you do, okay, I've got two things based on what you just said. Number one is with like, short, funny content. Are you on tick tock?

Robyn
I'm not and I know I need to be and I have so this is the thing I

Katherine Beck
talk is perfect. I am like, I need to be spokesperson for tick tock. I've only joined like two weeks ago. But

Robyn
yeah, it's fantastic. I've watched it. Here's the thing. I took kind of a break off of I on social media but I took a couple years. I mean, if you look on my platforms, I haven't posted very much I'm only just starting to again and I think it's because that play that I would that journey kind of wiped me out I was promoting the show I was creating content like social content for the show and I was doing that for years on like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat everything. And I kind of just in with everything going on in the world I kind of just like took a break and I am very aware though that I need to be putting more content out and want to it's just like once I start I know I need to put more out however Yes, Tik Tok is on my list. I have ideas for little things to do and I will be doing that shortly.

Katherine Beck
Alright, stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen, to let you know when I find out her tick tock. All gonna follow her. I know she's gonna put it out Some kick ass tic TOCs

Robyn
I love that you're like loving tic TOCs.

Katherine Beck
I love it. You know why? Because I, I made a conscious decision several years ago just to in terms of my acting to just focus on voiceovers. Because with the kids, it was just easier for me to not be so many hours on set in a way. And I still love the idea of performing but voiceovers I could do in like, 15 minutes. Amazing. And I could still be creative. And so now on tick tock, you can do these really short tic TOCs. And he gets to perform. I'm like, Yeah, my gosh, the actor in me is like, busting out, like, I got it. I got to do tick tock every day now. Like, how can I form today on the talk?

Robyn
So this is you, you're you kind of took a break from on camera so much. And now you're, you get that itch again? Yeah. And if you can do it in bite size, little things. That's easy, right

Katherine Beck
size performances, and the Tick Tock is fulfilling my needs.

Robyn
Okay, well, I'm gonna follow you immediately after we get off of here because I didn't I did not know you're on tick tock. So this is gonna

Katherine Beck
Oh, yeah. I'm telling you it. Watch out. I'm embarrassing. My daughter left, right and center. She's like, Mom, delete that tick tock. He got five views on like, what isn't that the point? Like, oh, no, it got five shares. If there's people are sharing, it's on the for you page. I'm like, but that's the point, isn't it? Like you want it to get out? And she's just mortified. So I figure, the more she's mortified. The more I'm on the right track, right.

Robyn
Yeah. That's hilarious. Oh, I love that. I mean, that brings up a good point, though, in terms of actors creating content, you know, because I think I've gravitated more towards wanting to tell longer stories, which takes longer to create. It's not like, oh, I wrote a sketch and I filmed it, you know, I want to at least write like, write a short write a web series, that kind of thing. However, I am having that itch to start putting out just like, short content. And the thing is, something may take off. And it may not. And I know actors who've been discovered just from consistently creating their own stuff, and they don't have a lot of views. You know, however, it's like people in the industry can go and see like, Oh, look at Oh, they're, they're really funny. Or, Oh, this is wonderful. You know, they're charming, they can get your essence off of that. So I think that's maybe something important because I get intimidated, like, what if I create something and no one watches it? You know? So,

Katherine Beck
yeah, I think there's something to be said for and watch out. Ladies and gentlemen, you heard it here. Robin Norris is going to be nailing it on the tick tock. I'm calling him now.

Robyn
This is hilarious. Oh my gosh. Now I feel like pressure to do I want to I will

Katherine Beck
even do wet like international, you know? And do I haven't done do it. But we can actually do a tic toc. across international waters. You and I?

Robyn
Okay, that's pretty cool. Okay, all right. We'll set a date. Well, we'll make something happen once I make my cuz I think I do have a profile, but there's nothing on it. Once I post something and figure out what I'm doing.

Katherine Beck
You need a young person to help you out like someone who's 12 Like my, she's 12. You need somebody who's that age because they they like they're like little mobile. Like they do it so quickly. And they're like, Oh, you just do this? And you're like, why don't we go down? To understand how this works? Yeah, as soon as you do, it's, it's unbelievable. Just need to spend a little time on it. Anyway, we digress a little one last thing I want to ask you, because you've done so well with creating your own long form content and with writing. And I think that's a really great place for a lot of actors to start that can't always wait for that phone to ring or that email to pop up that you need to be out there writing your own content. Do you have any little advice or words of wisdom of how to even get started?

Robyn
Yeah, I think it's different for everybody. You know, some people are like, doing it on their own and creating characters. You know, tick tock actually is great because it's like, you can play the two characters as yourself or do you know, that's actually wonderful. However, I also think finding someone to do things with you always is helpful. So like, if you're in an acting class, and you're not getting as many auditions as you want, or maybe you are and you're like, hey, you know what, maybe we write something together or, Hey, I wrote this. You want to help me with this and But you really honestly, my advice is just to start and not put not make it so precious the first couple of times you're doing it, it's really easy to do. And it's like, why don't you just write what I used to do years ago is like, write some stuff, grab some friends, we did not have film degrees, we did not have any, you know, and just like, Great, I'm setting this date to shoot, I don't even know what it's going to be. And then we're all going to get together. And we would film things. And then my friend, Sam, and I, the spec in Chicago would edit them. And we made stuff. And is it perfect? No. However, I learned so much. And I got a lot of content out at that time doing that. So I would really kind of say, like, maybe set a date and grab a couple of people in be comfortable with not knowing everything that you're doing the first couple of times. And then of course, eventually, like, bring in, like actual editors and actual directors and things you can find people in this industry who are wanting to make content as they're making their way up. So sounds it's not that easy. I'm making it sound like yeah, just do this. It's so much work and energy to produce things. However, are

Katherine Beck
you right? You're right, you're absolutely right. You start small, and just go out there and do things. And these days, it's so much easier than back in the day, like you're talking about with Sam, these days, you can do everything on your phone. Yeah, there's no excuses. And it you you learn in the mistakes you learn along the way. And like you said, As you progress, and you know, you're at that next stage, and maybe you have a little bit of money you can put towards, you know, an editor or film person. But in LA especially, you've got the people that are also aspiring to be cinematographers directors, know all the things, they also need the credits, so you collaborate and work together.

Robyn
Mm hmm. And that's going to take you so far down the road as well, you know, a dear friend of mine, Brooke, she's a filmmaker, and she's done. She's done a couple of projects and won awards and all this. And now it's like, she did this project with this person that are calling in her in for an acting role. And like, you know, it's like you start to work with people who then bring you in on their projects. So I think it's just creating that community and you never know where it's all going to come back around

Katherine Beck
yet. So sure. All right. Well, this has been a blast, and so informative for me, and for my listeners, Everyone now knows when an LA Flake is,

Robyn
Yeah, LA flakes.

Katherine Beck
We've talked about tick tock. We've talked about writing your own content, anything else that you want to touch on or leave for our listeners, you know, I've got a lot of international actors that want to learn about what it's like to, you know, be a working actor in LA, is there anything, you we haven't touched on that you might want to tell people?

Robyn
I think, well, two things do what you're already doing. If they're listening to your podcast, that's a great thing. And I'd say that as someone who like I'm a full on nerd, like I listen to tons of acting podcasts, industry, podcasts, you know, so what you're doing is providing such a service. And I think, if they're already seeking out this information, that's probably someone who's really inspired to do this work. So I think keep doing that. I do think creating a community getting into classes, you start to find out what's, what shows are being written who, you know, you start to find a community. And then the other thing is, we were joking about, like, have you made it and that, and I think realizing, like, you're, I don't think I'm ever going to feel like I made it, you know, it's like, you achieve benchmarks that you set in your mind. And then you're like, Okay, well when's the next thing and get, and I struggle with this, and they actively work on it, just like, trying to stay in the zone of like, I enjoy this work, I'm not going to be like, cussing at the wall, I might, when I self tape comes in, I have no time. You know, instead, like, this is what I want, like, this is part of the process. So yeah, kind of just knowing it's gonna continue to be a process, but my main thing is like, making things happen for yourself, and whatever that means to make yourself feel full. Like I have to meditate every day, cuz I'm a stress ball. Like, you know, center yourself, whatever makes you feel good. And then if you are not getting the opportunities you want, maybe see if you can create your own. And the other thing about that is ask other people to do things. You'll be shocked at how people are so excited, you know, because like, I was so excited when you asked me to do this podcast, I was like, Oh my gosh, Cathy thought of me for this. This is so exciting. And you can be that person to other people, you know, and I think that's great.

Katherine Beck
I love that, so good. Well, Robin, it's been such a joy to catch up with you and see what you're up to. I'm inspired by you. And I always love hearing what you're up to. And I know you've got some amazing things coming your way. So thanks so much for being on the podcast.

Robyn
I feel the same way about you. Thank you so much, Katherine.

Katherine Beck
Thanks.

Thanks so much, Robyn. And thank you for tuning in and listening to the interview. And hey, if you enjoyed this interview, go ahead send me a DM on Instagram or send Robin a DM on Instagram. Mine is at Catherine underscore Beck underscore I'd love to hear what you thought about this episode, take a screenshot of the show and share it with me on your Instagram story and make sure you tag me in it and tag Robin to Alright, thanks so much for listening. And I'm doing something fun. This week I'm taking your calls. So if you have any questions and want to know more about the American accent and possibly working together one on one, I have opened up a couple of spots for some one on one coaching sessions with me, all you have to do is check out the show notes and you can grab the link where to schedule a call with me and we'll have a little chit chat. And coming up next week on the show. We are going to be talking about building your US show reel, what you need to do, what you need to avoid and how you're going to stand out. So you're going to catch the attention of those us agents, managers and casting directors. That's coming up next week. Now make sure to share the show with all your actor friends. Let them know what's coming up next week and invite them to tune in with you and learn how to become an All American actor so you can be the Working Actor you dream to be until then go practice your American accent and I'll see you back here next time.