How to Land Acting Work in Smaller Markets (And Why It’s More Accessible Than You Might Think)

Have you ever thought that real acting work is only found in big cities? Like you have to be in New York or LA to make it? I used to think that too. But my conversation with actor Aaron Marcus on the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast really shifted that perspective.

About Aaron Marcus
Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor for over 40 years, with nearly 1,300 bookings across film, TV, commercials, and more. You might have seen his scene with Tom Hanks in the film A Man Called Otto. Aaron started his acting journey in a small market, with no connections and no clue how to break in. After figuring it out through trial and error, he dedicated himself to helping others avoid those same pitfalls. He’s led over 800 workshops on three continents and offers private virtual coaching sessions to share his hard-earned wisdom.

You can learn more about Aaron’s work, watch his free quick-tip videos,...

It’s Mandy Fisher here, your Voiceover actor and creative coach. Today I want to dive into something that’s been on my mind a lot: how the neuroscience of decision-making can help us as actors and creative professionals. Because we’re not just making choices in auditions or on stage. We’re making decisions every single day that shape our careers, relationships, and—let’s be real—our self-worth.

How the Brain Guides Our Creative Decisions

Let’s talk brain science for a sec. The prefrontal cortex? It’s the part of the brain handling complex thoughts and decisions, like our personal command center. Think of it like that alien in Men in Black—the one sitting up front, pulling the strings. Then there’s the hippocampus, which stores memories and helps us imagine what’s next. They’re constantly in conversation, helping us weigh options and see potential outcomes.

Understanding how these parts of the brain work together is powerful. It reminds us that strategic thinking isn’t just some ...

Welcome back to the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast! 🎙️

I'm Peter Pamela Rose — casting director and certified life and career coach for actors. My mission? To help you break down the business of acting into clear, actionable steps that move your career forward.

In today’s episode, I dive into a powerful concept from Energy Leadership by Bruce D. Schneider — the idea that we are constantly choosing between two mindsets: the dream and the nightmare.

💭 Are you focused on the dream of your acting career?
Or are you unconsciously living in the fear-based nightmare?

You’ll learn:

• The energetic difference between fear and love thought systems

• How most actors get stuck in low-level energy (victimhood, passivity, conflict)

• Journal prompts to help you shift into a dream-focused mindset

• Why your thoughts directly impact the speed and direction of your success

• A practical visualization exercise that will change how you show up

Plus, I’ll share a few personal...

Episode Summary:

In today’s solo episode, Mandy Fisher gets real and raw about something that far too many actors and creatives are experiencing but not talking about enough: burnout.

This isn’t your typical “self-care” pep talk. This is a grounded, honest conversation about the soul-deep exhaustion that can hit even the most passionate, high-achieving creatives. Mandy shares her personal experience with burnout — how it feels, why it happens, and what it actually means — and offers a compassionate, human-first way to start recovering.

You’ll learn:

• Why burnout isn’t a failure — it’s a warning light

• What it actually feels like (and how to spot it early)

• Why pushing through doesn’t work (and what to do instead)

• Small, sustainable ways to start healing — without quitting your career

• How to rebel gently against a system that demands constant output

If you’ve ever felt like your passion is slipping away, your to-do list is a brick wall, or your self-wort...

In this episode, I’m getting real about something every actor struggles with at some point in their journey: the frustration of not seeing the success you know you’re capable of.

Inspired by a powerful passage from Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, I explore how your dream career (yes, including that dream agent, those callbacks, and the big booking) isn’t out there in the future… it’s already here, waiting for you to meet it at the right frequency.

If you’ve ever asked yourself:

• Why isn’t this working?

• Where’s the success I’ve been working so hard for?

• Why do I feel like I’m doing everything right, but nothing’s landing?

…then this episode is for you.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the success you’re looking for is already here (and how to tap into it)

• How energy, mindset, and “vibrational frequency” impact your acting career

• What You Are a Badass teaches us about staying present and attracting opportunity

• How to tell if you’re j

  ...

Why Your Energy May Be the Missing Link to Booking Work

Have you ever looked at another actor and thought,
"They’re not more talented than me... so why are they booking and I’m not?"

If so, you’re not alone — and you're asking the exact right question.

In a recent solo episode of the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast, I (Peter Pamela Rose) dove into what I call the "X Factor" — that invisible yet undeniable energy that seems to magnetize auditions, callbacks, and career opportunities to certain actors... even if they’re not the most trained or technically gifted in the room.

Spoiler: it’s not luck.
It’s vibration, energy, and alignment.

And if you’ve been hitting walls despite working hard and doing “all the right things,” this post might be the energetic reset you didn’t know you needed.

What Is the X Factor in Acting?

The “X Factor” isn’t about looks, representation, or even talent. It’s about vibrational alignment — the frequency you’re putting out and how it matches (or...

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this empowering solo episode, voiceover actor and coach Mandy Fisher poses a bold question that every actor must learn to answer with confidence: “Are you a good actor?”

We’re taught from day one to expect rejection in this industry—but rarely are we taught to say yes to ourselves first. Mandy breaks down why internal validation is the foundation of success and how your energy, mindset, and self-belief shape every audition, job, and opportunity.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Your Confidence Sets the Tone: If you walk into the room unsure if you belong, others will sense it.

• Start with a Daily Practice:
  Ask yourself:

  • Am I a good actor?

  • Am I an expert storyteller?

  • Am I worthy of this career?

  • Am I ready for my next opportunity?
    Your answer needs to be YES—every single time.

• Don’t Wait for External Feedback: Casting directors and agents often won’t tell you what you did right. Create your own feedback loop by reviewing your past work

  ...

Hey there, it’s Peter Pamela Rose. In this episode, I’m getting real with you.

After what feels like forever since I last recorded (even though I know that might not be true if you’re bingeing episodes!), I’m back to talk about something that’s been coming up a lot in my weekly classes—how to deal with fear, anxiety, and overwhelm when the world feels like too much.

Whether you're feeling the pressure of what's going on globally, or you're just tired of asking yourself, “How the hell did I end up back here again?”—this episode is for you.

Here’s what we get into:

• The Serenity Prayer and how I actually use it in my daily life

• A simple but powerful tool called “Just For Today”

• The difference between your conscious and subconscious mind

• Why it feels so hard to change—and how we actually can

• And how to keep your actor mindset strong when everything feels uncertain

This episode comes straight from the heart—and from what’s been resonating in my Weekly Acc...

Podcast Episode Summary
In today’s episode, we’re tackling a phrase that might hit you right in the gut:

👉 “Work harder. Nobody cares.”

I say it with love because while it’s a tough pill to swallow, it’s also one of the most freeing truths you can embrace as a person and as an artist.

This mindset shift could be the key to unlocking your full potential. So buckle up—we’re diving into the gritty, no-nonsense reality of what it really takes to succeed and why the "nobody cares" part might be the most empowering thing you hear today.

🎧 Inspired by my post on Substack: The Actors Index.

The Truth About Success in a Creative Career

Let’s start with the truth: Nobody cares about your dream as much as you do.

And honestly, that’s the way it should be, right?

Whether you’re in voiceover, acting, writing, directing, or any other creative field, the industry isn’t designed to hold your hand. It’s competitive. It’s challenging. It requires you to show up every single day with your...