Acting Lessons Learned with Tiwana Floyd

You know those friendships that you just can't live without, the ones you cherish as a respite from the chaos of Hollywood? My best friend Estie and I had one of those. But after Estie’s recent move to Oregon, I've been forced to confront the harsh realities of Hollywood friendships. From the toxic to the genuinely beautiful, I'll take you on a deep exploration of the friendships I've come to appreciate in my time as an actor. I'll also share how wise one veteran actor Kevin E West helped me ...

Networking is the key to acting success. But what if it terrifies you? Listen to how I learned to redefine networking into community building by joining a mastermind group, training at The Second City and connecting with a rich range of Hollywood Individuals.Also, take a trip down memory lane to my days as a hip-hop dancer in the 90s where my shyness inhibited me from growing my dance career after performing in LL Cool J's "Around The Way Girl" music video. Acting Lessons Learned i...

😵‍💫 Feeling the existential dread of Mercury Retrograde and the rising tide of AI? As I grapple with these immense shifts, I question the future of my acting career and the whole artistic community. #podcastproducer #actor #podcaster I walk you through my journey, comparing my experiences to the decline of Tony Romas and the seemingly parallel state of Hollywood today. I share my fears, sacrifices, and the looming possibility of changing the direction of my career.Yet, in all...

Have you ever found yourself wondering why your agent's payment of your session fee or residuals is arriving late? Has it been happening more often than expected? Are agents facing financial setbacks due to commercial and television downgrades? It's natural to question whether agents are holding actors' monies until they collect big monthly payouts in interest.Tiwana Floyd recounts a recent experience that led her to switch commercial agents due to $13,000 in residuals taking 60 days to reach...

Have you ever found yourself caught in an endless loop of conflicting casting director advice, feeling overwhelmed, immobilized by which advice was the right direction to follow, not knowing what to ignore and what to keep? I've definitely suffered analysis paralysis of "what actors should and shouldn't do." And I was reminded that if you ask ten people for advice, you'll get eleven different answers. In this episode, I'll share my experience of a recent conversation with a casting direc...

Picture this: An introvert, standing alone on the picket line at Amazon Studios, feeling the weight of ancestral history, and surrounded by a sea of people. It's a scenario that could have easily overwhelmed Tiwana Floyd. However, propelled by the spirit of ancestors and the compelling need to join the ranks of union members in solidarity, She found the strength to overcome her innate introversion. This empowering narrative is one that she shares with you today, an honest portrayal of he...

Defending Creative Livelihood: The Fight Against AMPTP's Proposal and Understanding the Impact of a Hollywood StrikeImagine a world where executives own the likeness of background performers for eternity without consent or compensation. This is the chilling future we could face if the AMPTP Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have their way. I'm TIwana Floyd, and during this episode, I'll shed light on the significance of SAG AFTRA's solidarity with the WGA in their fight agai...

It's essential for actors, like any professionals, to consider their career choices carefully. Accepting every job offer without assessing the value of the project can lead to potential issues, including burnout, wasted time and effort, and exposure to toxic environments. Tiwana Floyd's approach of asking herself 11 questions before accepting an acting job offer is a wise practice that can help actors make more informed decisions.Here are a few common questions that actors might consider befo...

Tiwana Floyd shares a second experience terminating an agent. This time a print agent who wouldn't follow the funds. leaving Tiwana to figure out how to get paid for a job she booked. Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded, Engineered and Edited by Tiwana FloydIf you'd LIKE TO SUPPORT the show, here are 5 Simple ways to do so. Follow/Subscribe A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rating Write a Kind Review Share an Episode With Your Actor Friends Buy Tiwana a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF B...

A labor strike of any kind brings tremendous concerns about income. As the Writers Guild of America nee WGA is in an ongoing dispute with the AMPTP, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, with SAG-AFTRA requesting a strike authorization, Tiwana Floyd is reminded of her first experience overcoming the adverse impact of the 2007 writers' strike, 2008 SAG stalemate the great recession of 2007-2009.She shares the non-traditional route she took towards becoming solven...

At some point in every actor's career, the decision to Turn Pro becomes a crossroads we are faced to make a choice toward elevating our career. Somewhere in every performer's experience, there comes a moment of realization that where you are is no longer acceptable. Because if your vision is grand and you desire to level up you know changes have to be made. And those changes require and change.Tiwana shares a pivotal time in her career when she released amateur habits to utilize the pri...

With success comes hardship also known as the messy middle. When we set out to achieve a goal things appear to be falling apart when actually they are coming together. When the Messy Middle strikes creatives it's difficult to recognize there is a light at the end of the tunnel.In this episode, I share my most debilitating messy middle in the midst of a ten-year overnight success and the steps I took to clean up the mess.Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded, Engineered an...

In this episode, Tiwana shares the red flags that caused her to pass on agent Lorraine Bradley who sat in a car for a video conference meeting with Tiwana, overshared inappropriate personal issues, and mistook Tiwana for a 65-year-old woman. Respectfully Decline is a three-part series where Tiwana shares the behavioral inadequacies of agents and managers that showed patterns of abnormalities in a meeting.Tiwana has taken enough meetings with agents and managers to know most talent repres...

When "Seeking Representation" becomes a meeting with an agent reliving his golden years, lamenting the way things used to be. Tiwana experiences compassion for an agent who has fallen from grace. Accepting the writing on the wall, she chooses not to accept the offer to sign with the Past Tense Agent. Actors operate in a perpetual state of seeking the right agent to make them successful. And like every fairytale known, there are many frogs to kiss before finding the perfect match. Some d...

When it comes to representation, actors are continually searching for the right fit. Finding an ideal partner in an agent or manager takes time. Time that many actors are not willing to endure, and thus, they sign with reps who weren't a good fit from the start.In this episode, Tiwana shares the red flags that caused her to Respectfully Decline two separate offers from managers at the same company. Evidence of an ill-matching agent is never blatant, but it leaves signs. Acting Lesso...

Tiwana Floyd shares four instances where she experienced being outgraded from commercial. She delves into what she believes to be the cause of each out grade. How she felt when she received the news. And how she nurtures her mental health when outgrades happen. Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded, Engineered and Edited by Tiwana FloydIf you'd LIKE TO SUPPORT the show, here are 5 Simple ways to do so. Follow/Subscribe A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rating Write a Kind Review Share ...

The commercial comeback is a term Tiwana created to describe the moment when an inactive commercial makes it's return to the airwaves, which is typically a wonderful miracle for an actor when they receive unexpected income.Tiwana shares two instances where she experienced a commercial comeback, one that is currently airing for the 2022 Holiday season, the other an expired commercial contract that was renegotiated at a higher dollar amount.Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded,...

After finally becoming eligible to join SAG-AFTRA imposter syndrome leads Tiwana to believe she wasn't good enough just yet. She shares the unethical non-union commercial that caused her to finally join the actors union, two years later and the instrumental players that helped to remind Tiwana of her value. Music "Mesmerizing" by Pixababy 15617Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded, Engineered and Edited by Tiwana FloydIf you'd LIKE TO SUPPORT the show, here are 5 Si...

Tiwana Floyd shares the experience of booking her first national commercial. Going form a bad audition, to the receiving residuals and finally the unexpected halt when the residual send because the commercial stops airing. :: About Tiwana ::Tiwana Floyd is a Los Angeles-based actor, improviser, writer, and content creator. Acting Lessons Learned is her love letter to her Actor Frens, to assist them in navigating the working actor system while reminding them they are not alone in their show bu...

Tiwana Floyd shares the moments that led her to pursue a career in television commercials. From NYC to Los Angeles.Acting Lessons Learned is Produced, Written, Recorded, Engineered and Edited by Tiwana FloydIf you'd LIKE TO SUPPORT the show, here are 5 Simple ways to do so. Follow/Subscribe A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rating Write a Kind Review Share an Episode With Your Actor Friends Buy Tiwana a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF Be sure to follow on Instagram as well. @actinglessonslearned @Lifeby...

After watching the Val Kilmer documentary, Tiwana was reminded of how a privileged childhood could pave the way for actors who come from affluent families. Tiwana shares the lessons learned from watching the documentary and how, from now on, she will be like Val and use all of her artistic tools to stop waiting and start creating. Check out all the free resources, programs, and classes offered byhttps://entertainmentcommunity.orgWant to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple way...

Bonus Episode: From the reels of Instagram where Tiwana posts one-minute lessons learned. If Tiwana had to start her acting career over, before getting headshots, she'd define her actor identity.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreciate you, Tiwana!Are you ready to launch that podcast you've been considering? Try Buzzsprout Buzzsprout...

Bonus Episode: Here are a few things that make a good acting teacher to Tiwana. From the reels of Instagram where Tiwana posts one-minute lessons learned. Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreciate you, Tiwana!Are you ready to launch that podcast you've been considering? Try Buzzsprout Buzzsprout makes podcasting easy removing all...

Training with a "Trauma Teacher" aka psychologically abusive drama teacher is almost inevitable. Actors suffer grave insecurities after working with these awful teachers. Having many experiences training with "Trauma Teachers," Tiwana hopes to help other actors recognize these offenders before any damage is done. Check out episode eP 101 "Trauma Teacher" where Tiwana shares her experience of overcoming the psychological abuse of Meisner's teacher and regaining confidence in becoming...

Why are actors always getting new headshots? Is it possible that it's the only thing they feel they can control in a career of uncontrollable? Tiwana Floyd decides not to get new headshots after hearing a casting director share why actors should stick with the headshot they have.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreciate you, Tiwa...

After a hostile confrontation with a wardrobe stylist, actor Tiwana Floyd adopts the term "SCRATCH THE RECORD" as a way to confront disrespectful and offensive industry professionals.Tired of being afraid to stand her ground for fear of job retaliation, Tiwana looks to master emotional maturity when confronting offenders in Hollywood.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buy...

Tiwana Floyd learned that her idea of measuring success as an actor was a concept meant for business sales. She learned a proper success barometer after graduating drama school, and learned she had to recalibrate her metrics once she moved to Los Angeles. Listen to Tiwana share her journey toward a healthy way of measuring her success that she's used for over twelve years. Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Sha...

In this episode, actor Tiwana Floyd disputes the idea that "Actors Should Always Be Training," a statement used by many casting directors to deflect answering direct questions. Tiwana believes "Actors Should Always Be Working," offering four ways she generates opportunities.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreciate you, Tiwana!Are you...

Tiwana Floyd highlights several public incidences of actors being disrespected by agents, casting directors, and directors. She condemns this common practice and finds a way to remind herself and her actor peers that supportive industry employers do exist. :: Meet Tiwana ::Tiwana Floyd is a Los Angeles-based actor, improviser, writer, and content creator. Acting Lessons Learned is her love letter to her Actor Frens, to assist them in navigating the working actor system while reminding them th...

Tiwana Floyd tells an ironic story of how the commonly used phrase "My agent isn't getting me out" connected her to her first theatrical agent. :: Meet Tiwana ::Tiwana Floyd is a Los Angeles-based actor, improviser, writer, and content creator. Acting Lessons Learned is her love letter to her Actor Frens, to assist them in navigating the working actor system while reminding them they are not alone in their show business experiencesTiwana's personal stories about the lessons she's learned alon...

Actor Tiwana Floyd shares a story detailing the booking of her first major network co-star role on FX-TV's "TERRIERS" and what it was like working opposite one of her fave character actors, Donal Logue. :: Meet Tiwana ::Tiwana Floyd is a Los Angeles-based actor, improviser, writer, and content creator. Acting Lessons Learned is her love letter to her Actor Frens, to assist them in navigating the working actor system while reminding them they are not alone in their show business experiencesTiw...

Tiwana shares the SAG Taft Hartley booking that led to her terminating her agent. This episode touches on three tentpole events of early stages of Tiwana Floyd's career.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreciate you, Tiwana!Are you ready to launch that podcast you've been considering? Try Buzzsprout Buzzsprout makes podcasting easy rem...

Confronted by mixed emotions after learning that her first acting teacher had died recently, Tiwana Floyd began to revisit both the positive and negative parts of the instructor's teaching style. Remembering the moments of trauma while coming full circle to forgiveness, memorializing the departed.Want to SUPPORT the show and Tiwana? Here are 4 simple ways.Follow/SubscribeGive Us A Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Share With Actor FrensBuy Tiwana a CoffTEA: buymeacoffee.com/TiwanaF 🙋🏽I appreci...

:: Meet Tiwana ::Tiwana Floyd is a Los Angeles-based actor, improviser, writer, and content creator. Acting Lessons Learned is her love letter to her Actor Frens, to assist them in navigating the working actor system while reminding them they are not alone in their show business experiencesTiwana's personal stories about the lessons she's learned along the way in her 20 year acting journey can be cringy, comedic, uplifting, and sometimes sad. Still, all to enlighten the listener on the peaks ...