We Find What Works for YOU

There are SO many different acting techniques out there. Meisner, Method, Stanislavski, Adler, Practical Aesthetics... and the list goes on and on. And depending on who you talk to, you're probably going to hear why one is better than the other.

I WANT to say.. “who cares?” But unfortunately there is TRUTH to these methods.

What works for one actor might not work AT ALL for the next person. You might love breaking down every beat of a scene and knowing exactly what's happening underneath every line. The actor next to you might do that and get completely stuck in their head.

I think we need to stop looking at acting techniques as RULES and start looking at them as TOOLS.

Try everything. Seriously. Take a Meisner class. Try sense MEMORY. Over-analyze a script. Don't analyze it at all. Put on music before a scene. Build a whole backstory for your character. Try something that feels completely stupid and see what happens. In class We always attack from every angle to make sure we aren’t missing anything.

If it helps you get there... GREAT. Put it in your toolbox. If it doesn't? Cool. You learned something about yourself as an actor.

And don't throw that tool away either. Something that doesn't work for you on this character might be EXACTLY what you need for the next one.

That's really what training should be about. You're not just learning "how to act." You're figuring out how YOU work. What gets you out of your head. What gets you listening. What helps you connect. What makes you feel comfortable enough to actually let something happen instead of trying to force it. that's a huge part of what I want Tucson Acting to be.

I'm not interested in telling you there is ONE correct way to do this. I want to help you figure out what actually works for YOU. Maybe that's through scene study, character work, self-tapes, trying different techniques, or just getting in front of the camera enough times that you stop overthinking everything.

Let's figure it out together.

Bring in the things you're struggling with. Bring in the auditions that aren't clicking. Bring in the scenes where you know something feels off but you can't figure out why. We can try different way, throw some away, keep the ones that work, and start building something that actually feels like YOUR process.

So take different classes. Learn from different teachers. Try different techniques. Take the pieces that work for you and leave the rest.

Build YOUR very special unique toolbox.

Because nobody watching your performance is going to say,
"Wow, great use of Meisner."

They're either going to believe you...or they're not.

Confidence, Collected

What if confidence worked like a bottle sitting on a shelf?

Imagine you could take a sip before an audition, your first day on set, or before walking into an acting class where you don't know anyone. I think we'd all save it for those big moments when we need it the most. There is a problem there… confidence doesn't really work that way.

Most actors think confidence is something you either have or you don't. They wait until they feel confident enough to submit, take a class, talk to casting directors, or finally hit record on that self-tape. But confidence almost never comes first.

What if… confidence is something you collect?

Every audition you show up for, even if you don't book it, is another drop in the bottle. Actually, forget the booking.
I'm talking about simply showing up. You submitted. You prepared. You walked into the room (or pressed record.).
That counts. Every class where you push yourself (which should be every class, let's be honest), every self-tape you almost didn't send, every time you introduce yourself to another actor instead of standing in the corner, every chance you take to put yourself out there, you've just added another drop.

The actors who seem confident aren't usually fearless. They've just been uncomfortable enough times that being uncomfortable isn't a reason to stop anymore. They've collected enough experiences to remind themselves, "I've done this before. I can do it again." They are using their confidence bottle.

If you're waiting to feel ready before taking the next step, you might be waiting forever. The better approach is to start collecting experiences. Confidence isn't built by thinking about acting. It's built by acting. Take the class. Audition for the role. Film the self-tape. Introduce yourself to people. Do the thing that makes you a little nervous.

One day you'll walk into a room and realize you're not nearly as anxious as you used to be.
Not because someone handed you confidence, but because you've been collecting it all along.

Where I Actually Find Casting Calls

One of the questions I get asked the most is, "WhEre dO I fiNd AuDitiOns?" “AnY LOcal ProJEcts casTiNg RIgHt nOw?”

IF you don’t have a rep team then The answer is... a lot of places and secondly. I am NOT a casting director. I share calls when i see them and provide extra care my students. You as an actor need to put in the work. you HAVE to. bottom line.

If you're serious about acting, you should absolutely have profiles on Actors Access, Casting Networks, Casting Frontier, and Backstage. The first two are the only industry standard tbh. They all serve a purpose, and together they give you access to a huge number of opportunities. If you're only relying on one platform, you're probably missing work.

Now, let's be honest. Most of these platforms aren't free. Between memberships, subscriptions, and submission fees, acting has definitely become a bit of a pay-to-play industry. I don't necessarily love that, but it's the reality of the business right now. If you're pursuing professional work, they're worth budgeting for because they put you in front of legitimate casting opportunities.

That said, if your budget is tight..or you're just getting started.. Yes, I’m talking to you. The person who is too scared to sign up to class... don't overlook one of the best free resources out there: Facebook.

I know. Meta. ugh.

But filmmakers still use Facebook groups constantly. Independent productions, student films, short films, passion projects, and even paid gigs get posted there every day. More importantly, it's where conversations are happening. You're not just submitting to a casting notice, you're becoming part of your local film community.

If you're looking to build connections, get footage for your reel, meet filmmakers, or gain experience, Facebook groups is one of the best places to start. I've seen actors find their first set experience, land recurring collaborators, and build relationships that eventually led to paid work all because they were active in their local film groups.

Just remember: don't join these groups just to promote yourself. Be part of the community. Congratulate people on their projects. Ask questions. Share behind-the-scenes photos. Offer to help on set when you can. Support other artists. Your reputation starts long before someone casts you.

Casting websites help you find auditions. Communities help you build a career.

So yes, invest in Actors Access, Casting Networks, when you're able. But don't underestimate a free Facebook group. Sometimes your next role isn't waiting behind a paywall. it's waiting in a community that's happy to have another passionate actor involved

Worth The Effort

“Love yourself enough to be disciplined in the pursuit of your goals.” 

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately and how we often think discipline comes from being hard on ourselves. Being strict.. But maybe real discipline comes from believing you’re worth the effort.

Worth waking up early for. Worth practicing when no one is watching. Worth taking another shot after getting told “no.” Worth showing up on time. Worth knowing your lines.

Your goals don’t need a perfect version of you. They just need a version that’s willing to keep showing up. Keep pursuing a dream.

Love yourself enough to become the person you’ve been dreaming about.

I think we often misunderstand discipline. We treat it like a punishment or something reserved for people with endless motivation. But the older I get, the more I see it as an act of self-respect.

When you truly believe your dreams matter, you start protecting them. You make time for them. You show up even when you don’t feel like it. Not because someone else expects you to, but because you’ve decided your future is worth investing in.

There will always be distractions. There will always be reasons to wait until tomorrow. And there will always be moments when quitting feels easier than continuing. That’s normal. The difference is remembering why you started in the first place. Every workout, every audition, every difficult conversation, every hour spent learning your craft is another vote for the life you’re trying to build.

Be patient with yourself. Growth rarely happens overnight. But if you can keep showing up, even imperfectly, you’ll be amazed at where those small, consistent choices lead.

Say this back to yourself multiple times this week until it sinks in

“Love yourself enough to be disciplined in the pursuit of your goals.”

TRY. That’s It.

If you've trained with me, you've probably heard me say one word over and over again: TRY.

It's simple, but it carries a lot of meaning. Trying doesn't guarantee success, but it creates opportunities that wouldn't exist otherwise. Some of the best moments in my career came from taking chances I wasn't sure I was ready for. Acting is full of uncertainty, and no one knows exactly how an audition or opportunity will turn out. What you can control is whether you show up and give yourself the chance. The worst outcome is that you gain experience.

The best outcome is that one decision changes the direction of your career. Sometimes, all it takes is being willing to try.

“You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well

take a chance on doing what you love.”

―Jim Carrey

WHY AM I TEACHING

A lot of people ask me why I teach acting. I mean… I’m nobody. I’m ALSO a working/ struggling actor.

The answer has actually changed over the years. When I first started, I just loved talking about acting. Breaking down scenes, watching movies, figuring out why something worked and something else didn't. I could do that for hours. But after working with tons of actors, I realized something. Most people don't quit because they aren't talented.They quit because they get overwhelmed looking at this MOUNTAIN coming at them. Oh wait It’s a lot of work?

Nobody tells you where to start. Or what headshots you actually need. Or when/if  you should get an agent. Or if your reel is even helping you. Everyone has advice. Most of it contradicts itself. That's frustrating. I don't have all the answers. I never will….

But I've made enough mistakes that maybe I can help you avoid a few of them. What worked for me won't necessarily work for you. And honestly... that's okay. Every actor has a different story. My job isn't to hand you MY roadmap. It's to help you build yours. If you leave one of my classes acting a little better, thinking a little differently, or feeling a little more confident than when you walked in... I'd call that a pretty good day.

Welcome to Tucson Acting

First off, thanks for being here. If you received this your are/were a student at Tucson Acting or requested to be added to our new Blog/newsletter. Hello!

I'm excited to finally launch the new Tucson Acting website and introduce Wayfinder. An acting blog and newsletter where I'll be sharing thoughts from the studio, lessons I've learned throughout my career, acting tips, industry insights, and maybe even a few casting calls along the way. It's a place to have honest conversations about both the craft and the business of acting.

I don't claim to have all the answers, but if my experiences can help you avoid a few wrong turns or encourage you to take that next step, then Wayfinder has done its job.

I also want Tucson Acting to be more than just a website. If you ever have a question, need advice, or just want to talk through something you're working on, don't hesitate to reach out. You can email me, call, or text anytime. I'm here to help however I can.

Thanks again for being part of this journey. I hope you'll follow along, read a few entries, and maybe find something that helps you on your own path.

See you in class,

Austin Buchanan
Founder, Tucson Acting