An Actor Despairs

Part 1 of 2: Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with Daniel Bessner, college professor and host of American Prestige, to discuss his upbringing in New York, academic journey into U.S. foreign policy and democracy, and his analysis of how entertainment and media shape public understanding of the world. The conversation explores Hollywood’s evolution from a more artist-driven industry in the 1930s and 1940s into a system increasingly aligned with corporate and capitalist values, the decline of mass culture, the rise of gig work in entertainment, and the growing instability facing working artists today.

https://harpers.org/archive/2024/05/the-life-and-death-of-hollywood-daniel-bessner/

https://americanprestigepod.com/

https://danielbessner.com/
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Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Ivana Miličević, known for Banshee, Seinfeld, and Casino Royale, to discuss her journey from immigrating from Bosnia to building a decades-long career in Hollywood, her transition from modeling to acting in the 1990s, and the career-defining experience of starring in Banshee. She reflects on coming up in the industry alongside actors like Charlize Theron and working with Daniel Craig, her approach to auditioning and preparation, and navigating the balance between career and personal life during difficult moments. The conversation also explores the evolving entertainment landscape, the impact of COVID-19, and her perspective on what it means to sustain a career as a working actor today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Eric Lange, known for The West Wing and Escape at Dannemora, to discuss his journey from Ohio to Hollywood, his eight-year struggle before landing his breakthrough role, the transformative experience of playing a heavy character in Escape at Dannemora, navigating the challenges of today’s entertainment industry, and his approach to acting rooted in naturalism, preparation, and creating opportunities to sustain a lasting career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Eva De Dominici, known for The Cleaning Lady and Balls Up, to discuss her journey from Buenos Aires to Hollywood, starting her career at age five in Argentina and breaking out on Chiquititas, moving to the United States without speaking English, overcoming language barriers in the industry, landing her first major roles, and the perseverance it takes to build a bilingual acting career while staying true to who you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join your host Ryan M. Perez as he sits down with actor Happy Anderson, known for Mindhunter, The Knick, and The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, to discuss his journey from upstate New York to a thriving career in film and television, his early days in community theater and breakthrough in Equus, overcoming substance abuse and finding sobriety, navigating the challenges of today’s acting landscape, and his upcoming role in Brigadoon at the Pasadena Playhouse, along with hard-earned advice for actors chasing longevity in the craft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.