Tech & Talent: Ep 9 -- Erica Arvold -- What Casting Directors REALLY Look For!

Tech & Talent: Ep 9 -- Erica Arvold -- What Casting Directors REALLY Look For!

In this episode of Tech and Talent, Brett Newton (Executive Producer with over a billion world wide views ) and Jonathan McFadden (full time host and talent) sit down with casting director, director, educator, and all-around industry genius Erica Arvold — and fair warning: when Erica starts talking about actors, creativity, process, and what actually makes performances work… Jonathan goes full fanboy. Completely and unapologetically. And honestly? If you’re an actor anywhere — especially in the Southeast — and auditions matter to your career, you need to watch or listen to this entire episode.  Erica brings decades of experience from Chicago theatre to L.A. to the booming Southeast market, and the conversation dives deep into what actually makes actors bookable, how casting decisions are really made, and why empathy and humanity still matter in an industry racing toward AI and automation. They talk about approaching auditions and self-tapes without overthinking, the difference between audition acting and on-set acting, building your “acting muscle” across genres, and how actors can make stronger, more authentic choices in the room. Erica also shares practical advice about protecting your likeness, understanding AI-related contract language, and why technology may change the business — but won’t replace human instinct anytime soon. The episode also explores Erica’s directing and coaching philosophy, actor preparation, storytelling, creative longevity, and how artists can maintain both agency and adaptability in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. Bottom line: this isn’t just a conversation about acting. It’s a conversation about what makes great performers memorable — and how actors can build careers that actually last. Learn more about Erica, her classes, coaching, and her book at Arvold.com.  Sponsored by: RehearseNow.ai and ProdigyTalentTraining.com

Tech & Talent: Ep 8 -- Paul Ruddy -- Verticals Are Taking Over Hollywood!

In this episode Brett and Jonathan sit down with Los Angeles casting director Paul Ruddy to explore the rapid changes reshaping the entertainment industry. They discuss the rise of vertical dramas (mobisodes/micro‑dramas), self‑tapes, AI tools and how casting processes and distribution timelines have accelerated. Paul shares his career journey from agency work and Hallmark/Lifetime films to casting for vertical platforms, explains how verticals create new career paths and pay well, and debunks common casting myths and misinformation circulating among actors and coaches. The conversation covers practical casting realities — in‑person vs. self‑tape auditions, production speed, what casting directors look for (preparedness, clarity of choice, teamwork), the influence casting has on final decisions, and why actors who adapt now gain a major advantage. Follow Paul Ruddy on Instagram @PaulRuddyCasting.

Tech And Talent: Ep 7 -- Eric Tomosunas -- Indie Film Secrets

A filmmaking masterclass disguised as a podcast. Brett and Jonathan sit down with Swirl Films founder and CEO Eric Tomosunas to talk indie film distribution, AI in entertainment, vertical content, and how creators can survive the changing industry. Learn more about Eric's company at SwirlFilms.com [http://www.swirlfilms.com].

T&T Ep 6 -- Rhavynn Drummer-- Self‑Tapes, AI & Callbacks: Real Talk with Rhayvnn Drummer, Chad Darnell & Al Dollar

Episode 6: Casting Is Changing If you’re an actor trying to stop guessing, stand out in auditions, and actually book work—this episode is required listening. In this episode of Tech and Talent, Jonathan, Brett, and casting director Rhavynn Drummer (with Chad Darnell and Al Dollar) get real about what’s actually happening in casting right now—and what actors are getting completely wrong. They break down the truth about AI in auditions, including the rise of AI readers and even the possibility of AI-generated self-tapes, and where casting actually stands on using it. They dive deep into commercial auditions, over-direction, and why so many actors are wasting time trying to “get it right” instead of doing what actually books. You’ll also hear: Why casting still values human connection over perfect tapes What separates actors who almost book from actors who consistently work The real reason some actors get cast (and others don’t—even when they’re better) How props, choices, and bold decisions can make you unforgettable Why clarity in your headshots and branding matters more than versatility The difference between vertical vs. traditional (horizontal) acting—and how to adjust your performance Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at callbacks, industry politics, and how decisions actually get made at the producer and studio level.

Chad Darnell -- Verticals, IP Fears, and the Hustle of Modern Filmmaking

On this episode of Tech and Talent, hosts dive into the collision of AI and entertainment with guest Chad Darnell. The conversation covers concerns about user agreements and IP ownership for AI-generated content, the rapid evolution of generative tools, and how creators can protect their work. Chad shares behind-the-scenes stories from casting and low-budget productions, including a tense on-set conflict and a last-minute role upgrade. They discuss the rise of vertical filmmaking — writing, shooting, and distributing micro-dramas — plus monetization challenges, distribution strategies, and practical tips for independent creators. The episode also explores AI’s impact on writing and production workflows, ethical and environmental considerations, and why adaptable, prepared artists will thrive in this changing landscape.