The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

Congress Bans AI Regulations, the New SAG Commercial Contract, and How to Know When To Quit | Ep 29

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Actor’s Guide to The End of the World!
This one is PACKED. We have AI Regulations for actors, healthcare, and everyone else are in danger thanks to the folks in Congress. You'll hear what happened when E-Kan gave them a call this week. 
E-Kan and Rían also go over the tentative SAG-Aftra commercial contract up for vote this week and everything actors need to know to make an informed decision and what major gains were achieved. Also why these contracts are important for all actors, whether you're in SAG-Aftra or not. They get on to the very polarizing talk about union, fi-core, non-union, and the rampant amount of non-union projects, especially commercials. Why is Fi-core so polarizing? Should there be a stigma around fi-core? We go DEEP on this.  Rian even drops some Ireland political history into the mix.
You'll hear what casting site just got called out for using AI models on its site. OY it never ends. 
Then they discuss the valuable lesson learned from Alan Rickman, who achieved major fame with his first movie role at age 41 in Die Hard which gets them on to the importance of having a life, staying in the game, and how to play the waiting game as an actor without being a victim. Both Rían and E-Kan share how fear and ego has held them back and what they're doing about it and the power of community.
Follow us wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack.
Hidden Gems: 
AMC Discount Wednesdays and Tuesdays (with free Stubs membership)
Griffith Observatory show (Los Angeles) https://griffithobservatory.org/explore/daily-programs/
 
(02:10) Congress tries to strip AI Regulations
(04:15) E-Kan calls Congress
(07:26) The ongoing AI debate
(09:13) Casting site gets caught using AI models
(12:00) SAG-Aftra Commercial Contract
(14:15) How Streaming commercials pay out vs Linear TV
(24:00) What is Fi-core?
(28:55) Does Fi-core weaken the Union?
(35:00) Is it wrong to work outside of LA?
(37:10) Alan Rickman broke out at 41
(39:15) What is your idea of making it?
(43:16) E-Kan faced his fear
(44:20) Don’t wait for someone to reach down to you
(45:00) Hidden Gems

The New Pope, On-set Etiquette, and Trump's Hollywood Tariffs | Ep 28

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World, episode 28!
You asked for an episode on Trump’s tariffs, and you got it. E-Kan and Rían were intended to jump into political waters but it just so happens everyone and their mom was asking, and they couldn’t NOT talk about it. This is everything you need to know, what exactly was said, the surprising responses from those in the industry - IATSE, SAG-Aftra, the Teamsters, as well as Governor Newsom and Jon Voight, of all people.  Rían battle a headache while E-Kan digs into Jon Voight’s proposal to reinvigorate the US Hollywood industry.. and dare we say, Make America Film Again…
This is going to get wild.
They also open up about how do you stay informed without getting bogged down with the depressing news cycle? E-Kan found a silver lining and some benefits in learning a little more about what makes our industry run, or in some ways, not run.
Also, the first American pope got announced, and you will hear the crazy connection E-Kan has with him. Then Rían and E-Kan dig into the social dynamic on set- should you be social and chat with everyone or keep your distance, stay on set or break away to your trailer? The guys discuss what works for them and what they prefer, and the unnamed star who absolutely did NOT talk to him.
Follow us wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack.
 
https://deadline.com/2025/05/trump-movie-tariffs-hollywood-1236384980/
https://deadline.com/2025/05/sag-aftra-reacts-trump-film-tariffs-1236385594/
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/president-trump-gavin-newsom-film-tariffs-tax-credit/
https://abc7.com/post/governor-gavin-newsom-offers-work-trump-75-billion-tax-credit-proposal-boost-us-films/16339525/
https://deadline.com/2025/05/jon-voight-hollywood-plan-read-in-full-trump-tariffs-1236387042/
NYC increases tax credit -  https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/new-york-aims-large-scale-producers-indie-projects-film-subsidy-boost-1236212240/
Texas increases tax credit- https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/31/texas-film-television-incentive-fund/
Hidden Gems-
Yellow mangoes. Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it.
Capital One Cafes - (NYC, LA)
(00:00) Intro
(01:00) E-Kan’s Pope story
(05:10) Trump’s Tariffs
(08:30) Union’s response
(11:40) What Governor Newsom has to say
(13:35) Jon Voigt’s proposal
(22:00) How do you not overwhelmed by the news?
(26:00) Stay on set in between takes?
(30:40) The one rule on set
(35:00) Hidden Gems
 
 

Jeremy Renner Leaves Hawkeye, Hollywood vs the World, and Secrets from Top TV Directors | Ep 27

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Actor’s Guide to The End of the World! Apologies for the late upload, but this one is packed and well worth the wait.  This episode was recorded BEFORE Trump announced possible tariffs on foreign film production, but coincidentally this episode we discuss the complexities of the current entertainment industry and whether it is a Hollywood vs the World issue. So apparently we do predict the future... more to come. 
E-Kan tells us what he thought about the hottest show on Broadway, Glengarry Glen Ross, starring Bon Odenkirk, Kieran Culkin, Bill Burr, and Rían’s friend John Pirruccello- make sure to listen to our Hidden Gems at the end of the episode to hear how he snagged them!
There’s positive news for the California film industry and Stay In LA as two crucial bills to reform film tv tax credits just got pushed through to the next round, but there's still a long road ahead. The guys dig into the fierce competition for film and tv production across the world and the deeper issue - Is it really Hollywood vs the world, or do we all succeed if Hollywood succeeds? Does Hollywood deserve to be protected? And did E-Kan really compare the Hollywood industry to the great pyramids of Egypt? Yes he did. This will be part of ongoing conversation you don't want to miss. 
Jeremy Renner walks away from Season 2 of Hawkeye because Disney offered half of what he made the first season and calls them "penny pinchers". Is this an actor fighting for what he's worth or just entitlement? And how is this relevant to the working actor? E-Kan and Rían differ in opinion and it'll make you think. 
And E-Kan shares insights from a panel with two of TV's top directors, one of which directed him on Bosch: Legacy. Some things discussed- what a director's job SHOULD be, the differences between film and tv, how much say do they have in who gets cast. 
But the burning question on Rían's mind - what does "holding space" actually mean?
Follow us wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jeremy-renner-hawkeye-season-2-salary-1236205536/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/california-film-and-tv-tax-incentive-bills-1236148381/
TV Director Panel with Deborah Kampmeier and Hagar Ben-Asher- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_sbaKjIh0
Hidden Gems: 
Glengarry Glen Ross $45 tickets (listen to the end)
https://youtu.be/z7-p3XIzoAE?si=kAULbdLSlUWTNBFI
Da Michele Pizza in Hollywood - https://damicheleusa.com/
(00:00) Intro
(02:30) Glengarry Glen Ross
(05:50) Two Film/TV bills get pushed up in California
(06:50) Stay in LA Rally 
(11:18) Is California taking Hollywood for granted?
(13:00) Hollywood vs the World 
(17:20) Is Hollywood still an institution?
(18:40) Jeremy Renner walks away from Hawkeye
(22:30) TV Director Panel
(28:30) Hidden Gems
 

Mingling with Fassbender, Sinners Shakes up Hollywood, and the Question Every Actor Hates | Ep 26

Welcome to the Actor's Guide Podcast, Episode 26!
E-Kan has come back from his travels - you’ll hear what far off place he visited and why he prefers a little danger on his trips. Ryan Coogler, Sinners, and its huge opening weekend are all the talk in Hollywood, but is it getting enough credit? And why is it making Hollywood studios scared? E-Kan and Rían break down Coogler’s unique deal with the studio, why it challenges traditional Hollywood contracts, and whether we should expect to see more of the same in Hollywood.
Then E-Kan talks about his recent experience going to an industry screening and reception with Michael Fassbender, Richard Gere, and Jeffrey Wright, and how weird the energy is at networking events. This gets them on the often-dreaded question actors face- “So what have you been in?”. They explore why it’s so hated and what we can learn from it. We’re back in the saddle, everyone, and this one goes deep.
Email us at @actorsguidepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on YouTube, Substack, and all social media @actorsguidepodcast!
Kara Mayer Robinson’s podcast “Really Famous” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/really-famous-with-kara-mayer-robinson/id1231521180
Sinner’s box office success -https://movieweb.com/sinners-ryan-coogler-warner-bros-ownership-dealexplained/#:~:text=Coogler%20isn't%20the%20first,Upon%20a%20Time%20in%20Hollywood
https://www.npr.org/2025/04/25/nx-s1-5375043/why-the-box-office-hit-sinners-is-making-waves-in-hollywood
Hidden Gems: Woody Harrelson’s the Woods Cafe - https://thewoodsweho.com/ Mint Pearls for travel and nausea - https://www.daburinternational.com/uae/product/dabur-pudin-hara-pearls
 
Time stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:30) E-Kan's travels
(08:00) Coogler and Sinners box office success
(10:10) Breaking down Coogler's deal
(14:30) Variety gets called out
(18:45) The Agency panel with Fassbender
(21:30) The question actors hate
(24:45) Are actors more zen?
(27:20) Hidden Gems

Hot Baths, The Artist's Way, and Reality TV Guilty Pleasures - The Self-Care Episode | Ep 25

Welcome to the Actor's Guide Podcast, Episode 25!
This is the Self-care Episode, also another change of pace episode. This is random unreleased goodies from previous episodes. Some things you’ll hear in this conversation -  why this podcast is therapeutic for E-Kan and Rían, the power of writing things down, things we can’t stand, Artists’ Way and Morning pages, and why Rían hates hot baths. Also, E-Kan and Rían will discuss reality tv show guilty pleasures, and the blurred line between documentary and reality tv. And is reality tv underrated? Rían will talk about his early experience working for a tv station and if you stick around, you’ll hear about the time that Sinead O’Connor sneezed on him. We get wild on this one.
Time stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:42) Writing is Thinking
(02:45) Morning Pages
(05:15) Rían can't handle a hot bath
(09:05) The importance of getting into the right brain
(11:45) Reality TV vs Documentary
(14:15) Reality TV to unionize?
(17:45) Rían went to the Price is Right
(20:37) E-Kan went to see the Daily Show
(23:50) Rían meets Sinead O'Connor

Best and Worst On-Set Experiences - The Lost Episode | Ep 24

Welcome to the Actor's Guide Podcast, Episode 24! This episode is also a change of pace from previous episodes - unreleased footage that got cut from a previous episode.  E-Kan and Rían discuss the unique and intense bond actors and crew make shooting a production, and are these relationships real or fake? Also why being on set is very much like a dinner party, as E-Kan likes to call it. E-Kan then has a flashback to his worst on set experience, and they describe what makes a bad set, as well as wonder why background actors get treated so poorly.  And why it's helpful to think of actors as the head of the Acting Department on set. 
This episode gets real, ya’ll.
What do you think of E-Kan’s story? What’s your worst on set experience?
Email us at @actorsguidepodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on YouTube, Substack, and all social media @actorsguidepodcast!
Time stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:51) The unique relationships made on set 
(05:00) Are these relationships on set real or fake?
(08:48) E-Kan's worst on-set experience
(12:00) There's no excuse for treating background actors badly on set
(17:50) Why Christian Bale might have a point 
(18:35) We're the Acting Department
(23:30) Acting can be a grind
(24:50) The differences between a bad day at your side job and on set
 

What Actors Can Learn From Silicon Valley and The Power of Changing Your Mind - Best Hits | Ep 23

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World, Episode 23!
This episode is going to be little different than our past episodes - E-Kan will be doing some traveling so for a few weeks, we will mix together our best hits, a few of our favorite segments from past episodes -  in case you missed it or if you're still catching up. 
We have some a lot of new stuff coming for the podcast, follow us wherever you find your podcasts, Youtube, Substack, on all social media @actorsguidepodcast. 
This episode, you'll hear about the time Rían almost got scammed by a big tech company that was, ahem, targeting the Irish? How dare they. Take care of your data, people! 
Then an excerpt from Episode 10, the guys will dissect actors' tricky relationship with money, balancing side jobs with their passion, and E-Kan talks about how actors can learn from Silicon Valley tech entrepeneurs. Rían talks about his friend who "stopped asking his art to pay for his life" and why he used to not tell people he was an actor when he bartended, and E-Kan shares powerful words that his sister told him that he never forgot. They share personal stories about juggling odd end jobs over the years and lessons they’ve learned along the way. Desi Lydic's story about waiting to live your life. Actors, this might change how you look at your career. 
Then, from Episode 3, the guys talk pivotal life changing moments, including how E-Kan first got past his ego and started creating things on YouTube. It was a big shift in mindset and changed everything for him, including his life and career. Rían also describes how a life event changed his mindset. They also discuss how fame has changed and been democratized with the internet in this new age of Hollywood. 
Time stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:10) Rían almost gets scammed
(06:30) Stop asking your art to pay for his life
(07:30) What actors can learn from the tech world
(09:00) How an actor can be unstoppable
(10:55) Why Rían didn't tell people he was an actor
(13:20) The power of mindset work
(14:45) Being embarrassed being an actor
(16:58) Desi Lydic and why waiting is the worst
(20:10) Having big dreams
(22:30) Ride the horse in the direction it's going
(23:00) E-Kan changed his mind on YouTube
(26:30) Actors can do more than one thing
(30:15) Fame is not the same in the YouTube era
(33:15) How Rían's approach to life changed after a break up
 

Rob Lowe Calls Out Hollywood, Is Dublin Taking Over the Industry, and Avoiding Burnout as a Creative | Ep 22

Welcome to the Actor's Guide Podcast, Episode 22!
The podcast has hit a small milestone, and E-Kan and Rían will discuss the significance of getting to its 22nd episode and a shocking statistic of how many people quit. E-Kan also talks about what actors can learn from YouTubers about building a brand and dealing with the creative grind, and the biggest misconception about building an audience. If you’re getting burnt out from the marathon of being a creative, this is the episode for you.
Also this week Rob Lowe had some fiery criticisms of the lack of production in Hollywood and said LA should be fired. Does he have a point? E-Kan and Rían also discuss what the bigger story is about his comments that everyone is missing. Rob Lowe coincidentally is shooting a show in Dublin, and the guys discuss how the city is booming with production right now. Is Dublin going to take over Hollywood? And the bigger question - is that a good thing?
They also talk about how, despite the recent positive news about California’s film and tv tax credits, a filmmaker named Cat Rhinehart has a heartbreaking story of getting rejected for CA Film tax credit three times…
And if you stick around, you’ll also hear why many think 1 podcast subscriber equals 1000 followers on Instagram. This is going to be a good one…
Send us your questions actorsguidepodcast@gmail.com! Follow us on YouTube, Substack, and all social media @actorsguidepodcast!
Links: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/comments/1jjmjot/how_long_did_it_take_you_to_get_to_a_1000/
https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasting/comments/xn3crs/90_of_podcasts_dont_publish_more_than_3_episodes/
Rob Lowe interview with Adam Scott- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ELn-95HeRE
Filmmaker Cat Rhinehart video about CA tax credit  -https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHKEmNNygtS/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Hidden gems-
https://newbridgehouseandfarm.com/
Capri Club - https://capriclublosangeles.com/ner.com/products/sal-suds-biodegradable-cleaner?srsltid=AfmBOormctFIcl9lQ3AJZd_ejc9q20QuVNFjTynNd3UF7sdGQm9HmrmF
Time stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(04:10) Rob Lowe says LA should be fired
(08:00) The most surprising thing about Rob Lowe’s comments
(10:50) Filmmaker gets denied for tax credits three times
(13:30) Dublin taking over Hollywood?
(14:20) The problem with studios going international
(17:30) How many podcasts fail
(21:00) What can actors learn from the YouTubers
(23:30) How actors should measure their growth
(27:30) Why podcasts followers are stronger than social media followers
(30:20) Hidden Gems