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Life Sentence

Riley Smith on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

Riley Smith
Riley Smith 1920 960 Alyshia Ochse

Riley Smith is an immensely talented actor whose body of work comes to life in diverse roles across television and film. With a promising new series, Riley’s star is quickly on the rise.

Riley Smith has most recently been cast to co-star in the CW’s up and coming hit Nancy Drew. The series is set the summer following Nancy Drew’s high school graduation, where she and several teens throughout the town are suspects of murder. The victim? Smith’s characters, Ryan Hudson’s, socialite wife. Nancy Drew can be seen following Riverdale on the CW starting in October of 2019.

Before landing the role of Ryan Hudson, Smith had wrapped up his role of Levi Scott in Fox series Proven Innocent, and prior to that was Dr. Will Grant on the CW series Life Sentence.

Smith was the lead in the CW series Frequency, which premiered October 2016. In this re imagining of the 2000 New Line film, Peyton List plays a female police detective in 2016 who discovers that she is able to speak via a ham radio with her estranged father (Smith), also a detective, but who died in 1996. They forge a new relationship while working together on an unresolved murder case. However, unintended consequences of the butterfly effect wreak havoc in the present day.

In 2015, Smith was seen in a strong arc in Season 4 of the popular ABC musical series Nashville. Playing Markus Keen, an artist signed to Rayna’s Highway 65 label, Smith merged his love for music and acting, recording singles, such as “In the Name of Your Love” and “I Want To (Do Everything For You,” for the Nashville soundtrack. Also in 2015, Smith scored a recurring role as Rachel McAdam’s boyfriend, Sheriff’s deputy Steve Mercier, on HBO’s True Detective, the second installment in the crime franchise. This role followed his previous stint on the pay cable network as a vampire on the seventh and final season of HBO’s True Blood. Smith played Keith, a rugged, rock ‘n’ roll vampire with a romantic side and story line opposite Arlene, played by Carrie Preston.

Previously, Smith had recurring roles in the Emmy-nominated CBS series Joan of Arcadia, the highly acclaimed Fox show 24, the WB series Summerland, and Judd Apatow’s master creation for NBC Freaks and Geeks. He was a main character in the Fox show Drive and appeared in seven episodes of the fifth season of CW’s 90210 as Riley Wallace, a paraplegic opposite Shenae Grimes, and Tristan Wilds. He can also be seen in television movies including Disney Channel’s Motocrossed and Nicholas Sparks’ Deliverance Creek.

Smith’s other credits were in films as diverse as Radio (Ed Harris, Cuba Gooding Jr.), Eight-Legged Freaks, Not Another Teen Movie, New York Minute, as well as Gallowwalkers (Wesley Snipes), Weapons, the Sundance Grand Jury Nominee, and Christmas in Conway (Andy Garcia, Mary-Louis Parker). Over the past twenty years since Smith has called Los Angeles home, he has managed to complete more than seventy-five projects: fourteen pilots, nine series, and dozens of guest star roles.

Resources

RILEY SMITH’S LINKS:

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THAT ONE AUDITION’S LINKS:

RE-RELEASE: Lucy Hale
RE-RELEASE: Lucy Hale 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

Lucy Hale gives insight to how her shy, homeschooled, hopeful, naive yet intuitive belief she would “make it” lead her to Hollywood to chase a dream we all have. This Southern girl has the charm and the class that has made her a rising, accoladed star for the past 15 years. She gives a candid look at “growing up” in the business and how she deals with self-doubt moments. She gives way to figuring out what really makes her happy and if she will return to making music. Listen in to see how this beautiful face relies on her professionalism, grace and gratefulness to stay the most sought after actress. I love Lucy will have a whole new meaning after listening to this episode. Lucy is a delight and shares how Instagram has changed the business and created a marketing platform to let fans influence the plot lines of current shows.

Lucy was made a household name and received several awards playing Aria on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. Currently, Lucy is starring in the highly anticipated CW show LIFE SENTENCE and Blumhouse film, TRUTH OR DARE.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I want people around me to reflect who I am as a person because they are speaking on my behalf.”

“I was the kid who would rush home to play with her karaoke machine.”

“I was embarrassed about my interests and hobbies and my love of music when I was little.”

“I had this intuitive feeling that this would all work out.”

“If anything I definitely get my work ethic from my Mom.”

“It’s got to be so weird as a parent of an artist; there has to be a fine line between being supportive as a parent and being realistic.”

“I’ve always lived by-Your gut is the way to go.”

“Bionic woman was one of the first auditions where I was able to really transform myself.”

“People want to hire people that have had experience, but how do you get experience if people won’t hire you.”

“For awhile I was hesitant about acting because I didn’t know if I could do it or was good enough.”

“I wouldn’t have figured out what makes me happy or not happy if I hadn’t gone through certain situations.”

“I noticed that touring and performing live was doing something very strange to how I felt about myself.”

“Acting is never you. It’s what you are bringing to the show or the character. You always have a veil to hide behind.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Music is something will always be there. Something that is just for me.”

“Privilege was such a special show and ahead of its time.”

“I like to prove what I can do and I like to prove that you want me there.”

“Actors are mostly people pleasers.”

“I can’t imagine having self-doubt and not loving what you do. That is a recipe for disaster.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“I love the hustle of acting.”

“Our Instagrams are our highlight reels. We are showing our best version of ourselves.”

“It’s so important to surround yourself with people who want you to excel and do your best.” | CLICK TO TWEET

065: Elliot Knight
065: Elliot Knight 1500 750 Alyshia Ochse

In our second conversation with Elliot Knight we take a deeper look into everything, from his relationship to auditioning, to how he makes the distinction of being in love with the performance, the storytelling, and the craft rather than the industry and what that difference means for him. He talks about wanting to be the kind of performer who reveals rather than masks. This is a conversation for anybody that needs reminding to own and honor the space you take up, to be expansive, to be vulnerable in your art, and how to let life imitate art.

Elliot Knight is an English actor best known for his break out performance in the British television series “Sinbad,” playing the titular role. Knight received his theatrical training at The Manchester School of Theatre before landing the coveted role. Knight appeared as a recurring character in the BBC crime drama “By Any Means” before making his US television debut in ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” joining Viola Davis, Aja Naomi King, and Alfred Enoch. Knight joined the cast of ABC’s hit fantasy series “Once Upon a Time” as Merlin in the show’s fifth season. He starred alongside Juliet Rylance and Antony Starr in “American Gothic” before being cast in Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith’s “Life Sentence,” which aired on the CW. “Life Sentence” follows Lucy Hale’s character Stella as she navigates life after her terminal cancer is cured, her family, and her relationship with her husband, played by Elliot Knight. The show is currently available on Netflix. You can catch Elliot on Greg Berlanti’s DC universe “Titans,” which has just finished its first season.

 

Tune in

Listen On iTunes

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Never believe your own press package.”

VIDEOS:

034: Brooke Lyons
034: Brooke Lyons 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Brooke Lyons was born to dance, but a serious medical condition ended her career and shifted her desire for performance into acting. A self-confessed auditioning novice  for the first 10 years of her career, Brooke gives insight on what not to do in your auditions from her less than perfect experiences.  Brooke walks through some of her most life changing auditions (good and bad) and what she has learned to garner her a series regular on the new hit CW show Life Sentence.

Brooke Lyons is currently starring as “Elizabeth Abbott” on The CW’s Life Sentence. She’s also known for her roles on The Affair, iZombie and 2 Broke Girls.  Brooke says, “My career has not been one of major turning points.  It’s been more of a cumulative effect.  Small victories leading to great progress.”

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I hadn’t realized the degree to which a creative outlet was a lifeline to me.”

“When I went inside myself I knew that I missed performing.”

“Acting is like dancing with your voice.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Acting is the interactive relationship between performer and audience and how fluid and alive that is..how electric that is.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“I did not feel comfortable auditioning for a decade.”

“I’ve learned the most from my less successful moments.”

“The lesson is…take your time, take your space, stand your ground, be a human. You are not a machine or a puppet.”

“Stand your ground, take up space, plant your feet fully on the ground before you speak in your audition.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“I would say my career has not been one of major turning points, its been more cumulative effect. Small victories leading to progress.”

“The minute I inhabit my character of PEACH, I was so relaxed because I wasn’t myself.”

“You have to honor your feelings in order to process them.”

“I threaten to quite once a year.”

“Listen more than you talk.”

“I love danger, I love people that are outside the box, I like the alternative option where you don’t know what is going to happen.”

 

VIDEOS:

Lucy Hale on That One Audition with Alyshia Ochse

031: Lucy Hale
031: Lucy Hale 1920 960 Alyshia Ochse

Lucy Hale gives insight to how her shy, homeschooled, hopeful, naive yet intuitive belief she would “make it” lead her to Hollywood to chase a dream we all have. This Southern girl has the charm and the class that has made her a rising, accoladed star for the past 15 years. She gives a candid look at “growing up” in the business and how she deals with self-doubt moments. She gives way to figuring out what really makes her happy and if she will return to making music. Listen in to see how this beautiful face relies on her professionalism, grace and gratefulness to stay the most sought after actress. I love Lucy will have a whole new meaning after listening to this episode. Lucy is a delight and shares how Instagram has changed the business and created a marketing platform to let fans influence the plot lines of current shows.

Lucy was made a household name and received several awards playing Aria on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. Currently, Lucy is starring in the highly anticipated CW show LIFE SENTENCE and Blumhouse film, TRUTH OR DARE.

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I want people around me to reflect who I am as a person because they are speaking on my behalf.”

“I was the kid who would rush home to play with her karaoke machine.”

“I was embarrassed about my interests and hobbies and my love of music when I was little.”

“I had this intuitive feeling that this would all work out.”

“If anything I definitely get my work ethic from my Mom.”

“It’s got to be so weird as a parent of an artist; there has to be a fine line between being supportive as a parent and being realistic.”

“I’ve always lived by-Your gut is the way to go.”

“Bionic woman was one of the first auditions where I was able to really transform myself.”

“People want to hire people that have had experience, but how do you get experience if people won’t hire you.”

“For awhile I was hesitant about acting because I didn’t know if I could do it or was good enough.”

“I wouldn’t have figured out what makes me happy or not happy if I hadn’t gone through certain situations.”

“I noticed that touring and performing live was doing something very strange to how I felt about myself.”

“Acting is never you. It’s what you are bringing to the show or the character. You always have a veil to hide behind.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Music is something will always be there. Something that is just for me.”

“Privilege was such a special show and ahead of its time.”

“I like to prove what I can do and I like to prove that you want me there.”

“Actors are mostly people pleasers.”

“I can’t imagine having self-doubt and not loving what you do. That is a recipe for disaster.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“I love the hustle of acting.”

“Our Instagrams are our highlight reels. We are showing our best version of ourselves.”

“It’s so important to surround yourself with people who want you to excel and do your best.” | CLICK TO TWEET

 

VIDEOS:

025: Alyshia Ochse
025: Alyshia Ochse 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

An in depth look with the host of THAT ONE AUDITION, Alyshia Ochse, and how she has battled the audition process, scored a few great jobs and what she has learned on her journey into her artistry. These days, Alyshia is best known as “Lucy” opposite Academy Award Winner, Matthew McConaughey, from the critically-acclaimed and Golden Globe nominated TRUE DETECTIVE, as well as her roles in SATISFACTION, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, HART OF DIXIE, GENERAL HOSPITAL and CW show LIFE SENTENCE. Alyshia’s other credits include roles in such movies as THE OTHER WOMAN, PARKER, MARAUDERS, and the highly anticipated indie films, SHE’S IN PORTLAND and OUT OF BLUE.

When she’s not acting, Alyshia spends her time hosting this podcast and championing female driven content.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“I always felt a little different and very isolated.”
“I was such loner as a child, but outwardly extroverted.”
“I would sit at the large window in my living room and make up stories about the kids hanging out on the corner.”
“The study of human behavior was happening before I could really intellectualize it.”
“I don’t think I was able to express how I was feeling as a child and I felt like people on TV could emote in ways that I couldn’t.”
“When I grow up I want to be in the TV.”
“I was such an empath and I wanted to alleviate the pain I could feel in others.”
“I felt shame in wanting to be an actor as a child, so I didn’t outwardly express it.”
“I am enough and there is enough for all of us.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“A big part of my journey was fighting for what I wanted to do and now I am fighting for the experience as my characters.”
“I needed to drop my 15lbs of my Kentucky love and wear a lot less makeup and be confident in me.”
“A big part of acting is being confident in your person so you can exude different parts of your person.”
“I’ve done years of therapy to work with the tension between wanting to be seen and hiding from being seen.”
“It took me six years to say I am actor without shame flushing my face.”
“I prayed if I’m not suppose to do this, then make something else show up.”
“I’m riding the wave of confidence and lack of confidence, skill and lack of skill.”
“I found my playfulness when I sank into myself and learned how to like my strengths and weaknesses.”
“I love to learn from people and the human experience.”
“There is this wall between being completely vulnerable and open as the character and not taking on the outside influence.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“As an actor sometimes you don’t give yourself the grace to be heartbroken when you don’t get the part.”
“The industry has made it harder to make a living as an actor. But I think you can embrace living as an working actor if you can embrace the opportunity in the audition.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“I like to bring forward the imprint of my characters.
“I try to go against my first impressions of my character and understand what might make them misunderstood.”
“My imaginative work allows me to be constantly be free and in the moment.”
“The ah-ha moment sometimes happens four hours after the audition.” | CLICK TO TWEET
“I think that we are mostly operating out of our own lack.”
“Acting has really taught me how to see the world outside of myself.”
“I’m really grateful for everyone that has told me NO.”
“The ‘no’ is a redirect.”
“There is never a fullness with creativity.”
“I was so desperate to get my creativity back, but I didn’t realize that I had just created…I created a human being.”
“In order to be creative you have to have what I call winter. A time to let yourself reboot.”
“Surround yourself with those that are positive and working hard.”
“Creativity takes time. And time is on your side.”
“Stay in your purpose and enjoy it.”
“Breath and connect. When you get quiet and breath, your intention will rise within you.”
“Be still and know. Trust that knowing.”
“One word that describes artistry: instinct.”
“The instinct that is inside you is your artistry. That is who you are, so trust your instincts.” | CLICK TO TWEET

 

VIDEOS:

022: Elliot Knight
022: Elliot Knight 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Elliot Knight grew up in the city of Birmingham, UK where he took a keen interest in the arts and drama, soon after, winning awards for his talents, including his school’s standout award for Drama Excellence and an additional Regional Acting title from Birmingham City Council for his leading role performance of Alfred Ill in The Visit. While attending The Manchester School of Theatre, where he lead as “Macbeth” in a string of toured Shakespeare performances, he won his first professional role as the titular hero in Sky 1’s popular adventure series “Sinbad”, beating out hundreds after an extensive worldwide search. Subsequently, he was lauded by Screen International as one of the much anticipated “Stars of Tomorrow” of 2011. After screen testing for leading roles in many TV pilots, Knight made his US network television debut in 2014 in ABC’s hit series “How To Get Away With Murder” and is since being recognised as one of the industry’s most exciting new talents.

Currently, Elliot can be seen on CW’s highly anticipated show LIFE SENTENCE opposite Lucy Hale.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

 

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“There were no real sign posts along the way saying this is what you could be do as a living.”

“Growing up I was inspired to live in my own imagination.”

“I would create a world for myself to enjoy.”

“I’ve always loved music, dancing, performing it feels like my language. It makes me feel true and real.”

“The choice was made for me. My drama’s teacher enthusiasm helped shine a light on my acting.”

“It all embodies living in your imagination and letting go and things not having to make tangible sense. Our jobs as dreamers and creators to do exactly that, push the boundaries and see over the walls in front of us.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Imagination is not about following rules and limiting yourself, it’s about expanding and exploring.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Do you want it? Then it is yours, so go and claim it.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Acting is constant unemployment and re-employment.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Always know how important something is to you, don’t expect it to be treated in the same regard by everyone else.”

“There is a huge difference between your passion for acting and the industry of acting.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“An audition is an audition. It doesn’t matter where you are. It matters what’s inside of you and what you let out. That’s all that matters.”

“Never believe your own press packet. Always believe in yourself in your own realm.” | CLICK TO TWEET

“Appreciate yourself, because whatever you have to offer IS good enough because it’s your way.”

VIDEOS:

BONUS: Jennifer Cooper
BONUS: Jennifer Cooper 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

BONUS EPISODE with Casting Director Jennifer Cooper. A true peak into one of the biggest television casting directors. Currently casting over five major network television series. Casting over 500 episodic shows, Jen knows a two or thing about a good audition or a bad audition. Acting is what got her in the game, casting is what won her heart over. Jen casts for talent and truly spends the time building a partnership with the actor, producer and director.

This is the unforgettable journey into Jennifer Cooper’s rise in shaping and pushing the boundaries on the revolutionary medium of Television.

Tune into our Interview on iTunes HERE

Resources

LINKS:
QUOTES:

“Three weeks after interning at a casting office, I knew I didn’t want to be an actress.”

“I was always more passionate about giving direction or being a part of the process.”

“I realize now what it takes to be an actress, you have to wake up and be dying to do this or you have to do something else.”

“Giovanni Ribisi left the casting office and I fell to the floor and said that it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.”

“Just being in the casting sessions with the producers, directors and Mali Finn and the actors, the creative process, I was immediately in love.”

“The thing with acting is you’re always one step away from winning the lottery.”

“But most people it is this slow and steady climb to building a body of work; it can take 20, 30, 40 years to get there.”

“Audition process gives you a opportunity to work through it and be readjusted and find the path out before you are put in front of the people that make the decisions.”

“Ultimately, my job is to work with the actor as a partner to put their best foot forward.”

“Casting directors are people, remember they are on your team, they want to

“Every minute that I didn’t find the right person, I have to keep looking. Every single person that walks into the room, I am crossing my fingers that THIS is the person.”

“With casting directors, you are trying to earn the relationship not get the job. Build a family of people that support your work.”

“Number one bad audition comes from trying to ‘stand out’ versus being in the character or story.”

“Actors do the most insane things when they are focused on being remembered or booking a job.”

“If I put out a one line co-star, I usually get 2000 submissions.”

“There is some element of climbing in this business. Showing up on the first day doesn’t mean that you are ready to be a series regular.”

“If I put out a guest star, I will usually get 1000 submission and I pick about 12 people to come in and read.”

“If you spend your energy developing who you are then make that so incredibly unique to you and what you bring, then all of a sudden they (networks) come knocking on your door.”

“There is no path. There is no answer. Moments that you take a chance, if that doesn’t work, you try something else.”

“How ever you envisioned this (acting) happening to you, it is never the case.”

“If you are talented, if you work hard and you focus on the right things eventually it will happen. You just have to wait, be patient.”

“The casting process has so little to do with the actor. Usually if you are in the room, you are good.”

“That’s also the real fun in the job for me is to begin to push the boundaries to what we are seeing on TV or who they typically cast. That’s where casting is fun.”

“If you are having a shaky day, I don’t send that tape. They never see anything but your best work.”

“The proof is always in your work. And your work is constantly evolving. You need to know what you are capable of if you want them to believe you.”

“Best way into casting is to intern. Jump in and see if you even like it.”

“I’m a huge advocate of lying your way into the business.”

“There is nothing that is going to get you the job more than talent. Talent always rises to the top.”

“What gets you into the business is a moving, sliding scale. What keeps you in the business is talent.”

011: Carlos PenaVega
011: Carlos PenaVega 1500 1000 Alyshia Ochse

Carlos PenaVega is known for his singing and acting on the hit Nickelodeon show BIG TIME RUSH but now his fans get to experience him on a daily basis through his hit show Lex Loves Los on YouTube. With a growing desire to make his own content, Carlos began documenting behind the scenes footage while traveling the world to sold out concerts. This skill came in handy and made him think outside the box for developing his brand. Carlos shares the long road to booking the job that changed his life, to the survival skills of staying afloat in this business to single handedly changing the course of his life when he moved to Hawaii.

Carlos is currently plays Diego on the new CW show Life Sentence and is producing to two new shows with his wife Alexa PenaVega for IM Global.

Tune into our interview right HERE

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ALYSHIA OCHSE

Los Angeles-based actress, bestselling author, host of That One Audition podcast, entrepreneur, & mother.

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