#15 Actress Sarah Dugdale on Directing and Actors: What Actually Helps Performance

#15 Actress Sarah Dugdale on Directing and Actors: What Actually Helps Performance

In this episode of the Set Tracker Podcast, actress Sarah Dugdale (Virgin River, In the Shadow of the Moon) joins host Kyle Mccachen to talk about what actually helps — and hurts — a performance on set. Sarah and Kyle break down the director behaviours actors quietly dread, why over-directing kills spontaneity, and how leadership (not control) creates better work. She shares practical insights on why actors need space to think, how notes should be framed so they’re usable, and what trust really looks like between a director and performer. We also get into leadership on set — how tone flows downhill, why clarity beats volume, and how the best directors create environments where people feel safe enough to take risks. Whether you’re a director, producer, actor, or filmmaker trying to level up your on-set presence, this conversation is a reminder that great performances don’t come from pressure — they come from preparation, trust, and communication.

#14 Jordan Connor

Jordan Connor (Riverdale, Nurses) joins host Kyle McCachen to talk about his new actor community platform New Players LA—built to help performers train, connect, and thrive in the self-tape era. Jordan shares what he’s learned from 15 years around casting rooms and sets, why the gap between “good” and truly bookable is razor-thin, and how actors can show up grounded, professional, and playable. We also dive into how a major injury ended his football career and pushed him toward acting, how Riverdale grew from four episodes into a breakout run, and Jordan’s best audition-room advice—including the simple self-tape trick that hooks casting in the first few seconds.

#13 Anja Savcic

In this episode, actor Anja Savcic (Loudermilk, Big Sky, Ricky Stanicky) sits down with host Kyle McCachen for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on Set Tracker. Anja talks about the mindset actors need to survive in the industry: embracing rejection, staying a little “cracked,” and showing up again even when the last audition shut you down. We dive into her range in comedy and drama, the early breakout role opposite Ron Livingston, and how kindness on set—toward every department—can shape your entire career. Filmed in our Vancouver studio and finished with a roll of Super 8mm shot after the interview, this episode is a grounded, inspiring look at what persistence in filmmaking really feels like.

#12 Jonathan Whitesell

Actor Jonathan Whitesell (The X-Files, Influencers, The Kill Team) joins filmmaker and host Kyle McCachen on the Set Tracker Behind the Scenes Podcast for an unfiltered conversation about craft, character, and emotional resilience. Jonathan opens up about his latest film Influencers — directed by Kurtis David Harder (Spiral, Z) and currently holding a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes — and what it takes to play morally grey characters with authenticity. He shares how he channels real emotion on camera without losing himself in the process, the tools he uses to decompress after intense performances, and why balancing vulnerability with self-protection is essential for longevity in acting. They talk about: 🎭 How to find emotional truth in performance 🎥 The difference between indie sets and studio TV productions 💡 What actors need most from directors and producers 🔥 Why authenticity and chemistry drive great storytelling This episode offers deep insight for filmmakers, actors, and fans of cinematic craft.

#11 Cassandra Naud

Cassandra Naud is an actress and producer known for the "Influencer "and “Influencers” franchise. She joins Set Tracker to talk about building a breakout indie film, crafting her character "CW" as a compelling villain, and the small-crew advantages that let you move fast, stay nimble, and capture magic when shooting on locations like Bali and France. We get into: how journaling in-character shaped CW, prepping to kill nerves on set (read the script three times, come with a POV), coping with the post-wrap crash, and why kindness + set etiquette still matter. We also hit festival highlights (Fantasia, FrightFest London, Rio Theatre Vancouver, Screamfest, Brooklyn Horror, FilmQuest, Whistler) and wearing many hats—from acting to producing to wardrobe. Influencer hits Netflix on Dec 1. The sequel Influencers lands on Shudder in December, currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Variety calling it a “good-looking, sharp-edged revenge thriller.” Listen if you’re into: acting craft, villain psychology, indie tactics, festivals, and sustainable creative careers. Timestamps * 02:00 Why the sequel clicked & audience reactions * 05:45 Festival run + BC roots * 08:00 Empathy without excuses: shaping a villain * 12:10 “Disgust,” social media, and moral compass * 14:20 Prep stack: film refs, research, journaling * 20:30 Confidence vs. nerves: day-one checklist * 24:00 Presence on bigger sets * 26:10 Wearing many hats (acting/producing/wardrobe) * 34:45 Post-wrap crash: routines that help * 42:10 Small-crew superpowers * 55:00 Three on-set tips: be kind, respect etiquette, come prepared