The Actors Volume

Zach Mendez | Risk, Gratitude, & Finding Your Fun

Somewhere between teaching math in Miami and doing student films off Craigslist, this week’s guest, Zach Mendez, realized he wasn’t going back to a traditional career. He just wasn’t built for it. What followed wasn’t a clear plan, filled with stand-up gigs, improv classes, sketch comedy, philosophy books, long stretches of doubt, and a few lucky breaks. Now he’s working in AAA games, bringing real humanity into roles that live inside the most fantastical worlds. In this episode, Zach talks about the shift that changed everything: Not trying to win. Not trying to impress. Just showing up, telling the truth, and having fun. This one’s for anyone who’s realizing that there’s no “right” way to build a career. Zach’s episode is out now. Spotify. Apple Podcasts. YouTube. . . . #TheActorsVolume #FindYourPath #HoneYourCraft #PerformanceCapture #TrustTheProcess #VoiceActor #MotionCapture #PerformanceCaptureCrew #HonorTheCraft #ActorsOfInstagram #ActingPodcast #FindYourPathHoneYourCraft __ Read Zach’s companion article [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/episode/zach-mendez-risk-resilience-finding-fun] Watch his Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/LlVN2OANjPM?si=t5vlpNhXmRGNCyFA] Subscribe to the 3 Marker Monday Newsletter [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/] Follow us: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theactorsvolume/]  Threads [https://www.threads.com/@theactorsvolume] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theactorsvolume] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/92927939/admin/dashboard/]

Matthew Brezina | Pursuing Passion & Embracing Challenges

Matthew Brezina didn’t take a traditional path into performance capture. He studied politics. Fell into acting. Picked up martial arts. Shot indie films with friends. And somewhere along the way, realized he wanted to build a career that brought all of it together. Today, he’s a producer and AD on some of the most technically demanding PCAP shoots in the industry, and a co-founder of The Actors Volume. In this episode, Matthew reflects on what it means to grow in the middle of the work. We talk about early pivots, tough calls, leadership on set, and how community keeps you grounded when the pressure kicks in. It’s about learning on your feet, staying open, and building something that actually fits who you are. Please enjoy. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and watch on YouTube. __ Read Matthew’s companion article [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/episode/matthew-brezina-pursuing-passion-embracing-challenges] Watch his Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/oLnOXHpu5UY] Subscribe to the 3 Marker Monday Newsletter [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/] Follow us: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theactorsvolume/]  Threads [https://www.threads.com/@theactorsvolume] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theactorsvolume] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/92927939/admin/dashboard/]

Richard Dorton | A Lifetime In Motion Capture & Making Dreams Come True

Richard Dorton didn’t grow up thinking performance was where he’d land. He was a mixed Asian American kid in D.C., drawn to monsters, makeup, and movement. But something kept pulling him toward the industry and he kept finding ways in. He managed a costume shop in D.C., studied stage makeup, and launched his own SFX company, Gore-tastic, so he could bring his love of horror to life. Eventually, he stepped into the suit himself…and something clicked. In this episode of The Actors Volume, Richard shares how that first mocap job opened a door he never expected. Since then, he’s performed in hundreds of games and brought characters like Darth Vader, Kratos, and Wolverine to life. We talk about the grind, the pivot points, and the moments that nearly broke him. We also dive into what kept him going and why collaboration is still at the center of the work. Please enjoy. Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Read Richard’s companion article [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/episode/richard-dorton-a-lifetime-in-motion-capture-making-dreams-come-true] Watch his Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/zqpHPb5xqn8] Subscribe to the 3 Marker Monday Newsletter [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/] Follow us: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theactorsvolume/]  Threads [https://www.threads.com/@theactorsvolume] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theactorsvolume] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/92927939/admin/dashboard/]

Jeff Berg | Acting, Fatherhood, & Being Authentic

Jeff Berg didn’t grow up thinking acting was a real option. He was raised in a small town in Canada, far from soundstages or casting offices, but something kept pulling him toward the work. In this episode, we trace that path. From theater school in New York to indie film, and eventually to the world of performance capture, where he found a kind of creative freedom that stuck. Jeff talks about what shifted when he stopped chasing approval and started trusting his instincts. We get into coaching, collaboration, warmups on set, and why presence matters more than polish. He also shares how becoming a father changed the way he works and the kind of artist he’s becoming. Please enjoy. Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. — Read Jeff’s companion article [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/episode/jeff-berg-acting-fatherhood-being-authentic] Watch his Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/Fa-jg2GfxOY] Subscribe to the 3 Marker Monday Newsletter [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/] Follow us: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theactorsvolume/]  Threads [https://www.threads.com/@theactorsvolume] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theactorsvolume] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/92927939/admin/dashboard/]

Emily Schweber | Following Art, Discovering Talent, & Being Kind

Emily Schweber didn’t plan on working in casting. She studied printmaking, worked in a darkroom, and thought her path would stay in the art world. But one night, sitting at a dinner table as a friend reviewed audition tapes, something clicked: People do this? This is a job? That moment quietly sparked a career. From flipping through headshots as an unpaid assistant to casting Titanic, The Matrix, and eventually shaping performances in games like Mirror’s Edge Catalyst and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Emily has built a body of work defined by instinct, care, and real connection. In this episode, we talk about what makes an audition land, how the industry has shifted post-pandemic, and why generosity still matters in this business. Emily also shares how she’s creating space for actors to ask questions, build relationships, and keep doing the work with heart. Please enjoy. — Read Emily's companion article [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/episode/emily-schweber-following-art-discovering-talent-being-kind] Watch her Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/NPiU2shHX9Y] Subscribe to the 3 Marker Monday Newsletter [https://www.theactorsvolume.com/] Follow us: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theactorsvolume/]  Threads [https://www.threads.com/@theactorsvolume] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theactorsvolume] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/92927939/admin/dashboard/]