The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

What Everyone Can Learn from Lin-Manuel Miranda and How to Create Your Own Work, Part 2

Welcome to Episode 35 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World! This week, CA got some big news and a step forward for getting production back in CA. E-Kan and Rían talk about the latest progress in CA’s $750 million film/tv tax credit as well as what just went down the FilmLA contract renewal. FilmLA is the non-profit that helps LA filmmakers get permits for their productions, at least that’s the idea. But with productions leaving CA in droves, LA filmmakers want some major change and showed it by making their voices heard at a town hall in Downtown LA. You’ll hear what went down.
The guys also continue their conversation on making your own work, obstacles and roadblocks they’ve faced, and some practical tricks and methods to trick your brain and get sh#* done.
E-Kan also saw a talk with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. and shares incredible lessons on leadership and collaboration from the Broadway gods themselves. And that gets them to Rían’s worst audition story for a musical and what could’ve been… if Rían just knew how to dance. You’ll also hear why Christopher Nolan said “You don’t need to be typing to be writing”, and E-Kan says “Write what makes you angry.”
If you find yourself hitting stumbling blocks, this episode might help you.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/l-a-renews-film-office-contract-five-more-years-1236297718/
https://deadline.com/2025/06/california-passes-750m-film-tax-credit-funding-1236444493/
 
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr conversation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzHVG7r0G0c
E-Kan directed a short- No Laughing Matter: Tears of A Clown link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sleaN1b0og8&t=1s&sttick=0
 
Hidden Gems:
The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield - https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/9395741538/ref=asc_df_9395741538?mcid=5fad61ab3eb73b24b49e34f8e10be519&hvocijid=10747138887357338460-9395741538-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10747138887357338460&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003384&hvtargid=pla-2281435178778&psc=1
B&H Bild Expo- https://www.bildexpo.com/
Time stamps
(0:00) Intro
(3:50) CA Film TV Tax Credits
(5:10) FilmLA Tax Renewal
(08:40) Creating your own work
(09:45) Rían’s worst audition story was for a musical
(12:20) E-Kan enters a singing contest
(15:00) Rían was almost a pop star
(17:00) Why Lin-Manuel Miranda’s the best
(21:00) Roadblocks that Rían faces
(23:00) Practical ways to get started creating
(26:40) Trick your brain
(29:00) Get a deadline
(38:00) Lesson E-Kan learned and why consistency is key
(40:25) Hidden Gems
 
 

Disney Sues Midjourney, AI Tools We're Scared to Use, and What it’s like to Work on a Tom Cruise Set | Ep 34

Welcome to Episode 34 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World! This week, the guys talk about why Disney and Universal is suing AI powerhouse Midjourney. It's time to root for Disney this time, and E-Kan and Rían talk about why it's a big deal for creators and the future of AI regulations. They dig into what Midjourney does exactly and the tricky debate about whose at fault if a copyrighted image is created - the user or the tool? Is Midjourney like using other tools like Photoshop? 
E-Kan also opens up about AI tools he's scared to use and why we need to look into the terms of service for these sites. Can we trust anyone? So far, it's unclear.  They discuss the importance of AI regulations and the power of unions which gets them onto Tyler Perry and his tricky relationship with unions in the past. 
And a side tangent- what does it mean when we say someone's intense? Is E-Kan intense?
We then get into a conversation about Tom Cruise, how he's saving the movies, and what makes him, according to us, possibly the best movie star we have today. The dedication he has to working on camera and what actors need to learn from him. E-Kan then shares a story about how he did background on a Tom Cruise film back in the day which thrills Rían. This is a fun one, folks. 
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack. Follow us on social media at @actorsguidepodcast!
Disney vs Midjourney Dain Walker post - https://www.instagram.com/p/DK0pmxdTupE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.wired.com/story/midjourney-generates-videos-of-disney-characters-amid-massive-copyright-lawsuit/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/business/media/disney-universal-midjourney-ai.html
https://blavity.com/entertainment/heres-why-tyler-perry-could-get-in-trouble-with-labor-unions-again-with-new-play-madeas-farewell
 
Hidden Gems: 
The Artist's Way (Julia Cameron) https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252
Magnesium L-Threonate (I'm not a doctor, shocker, please do your research)
 
Time stamps
(2:17) Disney sues Midjourney
(5:37) Who’s at fault?
(10:33) Tyler Perry and Unions
(15:10) We’re scared to use certain AI tools
(20:08) Tom Cruise is saving movies 
(22:40) How well Tom Cruise understands the lens
(25:47) The intensity of Tom Cruise
(30:48) When E-Kan worked on a Tom Cruise movie
(40:09) Hidden Gems

Layoffs rip through Hollywood and How to Create Your Own Work, Part 1 | Ep 33

Welcome to Episode 33 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World! This week the guys discuss the massive layoffs happening throughout Hollywood, including WB Discovery, Paramount, Disney, and many more.  Looks like the actors and crew aren't the only ones looking for work. E-Kan and Rían find a little comfort in this turbulent time in the industry and talk about the only real thing to do right now - make your own stuff!
This is just skimming the surface and part two will come, but E-Kan talks about his experience directing, producing, writing, and starring in award-winning web series and short films (links below). They talk about their experiences collaborating  with others, gems like don’t let great be the enemy of good, how creating your own work will make you a better actor, and how to prioritize starting a production from the ground up with limited resources. 
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to creating your own projects, this is the episode for you. 
 
https://deadline.com/feature/hollywood-media-layoffs-list-1236007845/
Web series "Born Losers"
https://bornloserstv.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@bornloserstv2995
Short Film - "No Laughing Matter: Tears of a Clown" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sleaN1b0og8&t=141s
"How to Book with Lesly Kahn" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzSg6Q03W4o&t=22s
Hidden Gems: 
Ci Siamo (NYC) https://www.cisiamo.com/menus/
 
Time stamps
(0:00) Intro
(2:50) Layoffs at the studios
(7:15) The only thing you can do as an actor
(11:25) Don't let Great be the Enemy of Good 
(13:25) Making your own stuff
(15:50) How do you start? 
(17:50) The freedom in making your own work
(19:37) Minimizing expectations and the real purpose
(29:00) Where it all started
(29:50) The importance of finding the right partner
(32:50) Hidden Gems
 
 

Working with Tom Hanks and Debunking Self-tape Myths on the Internet | Ep 32

Welcome to Episode 32 to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World podcast!
Still coming down from last week’s epic episode with last week’s guest Kirsten Sheridan, E-Kan and Rían recap major takeaways and lessons learned. Be sure to check out her summer workshop happening this month in LA, info below.
They get onto a little blast from the past when E-Kan worked with a screen acting legend and all because he was an intern at the casting office. Listen in to hear how E-Kan’s ass got his first studio credit.  Rían also shares his first movie experience with Joel Schumacher and how he also worked at a casting office. You’ll hear what he learned about auditioning from watching and reading with so many actors as well as why “sexy indifference” is so appealing.
Rían also brings up wisdom from incredible actor Michael Kostroff that changed how he looks at auditions and how it helped to remember “you’re not going to get the fucking job.”
And then they discuss a controversial post about "self-tapes truths" from a former casting director that has caused a stir online. No ring light? Don’t act, just be yourself? No "bold choices"??  The guys get into it and what actors need to remember, especially newer ones. You’re going to want to hear this one.
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on Youtube and Substack!
Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media including IG and TikTok.
 
Kirsten Sheridan’s website-  www.kirstensheridan.net 
Summer workshop - www.bowstreet.ie/kirsten-sheridan-workshop 
Aaron Paul “Breaking Bad” audition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-6vWahav9E
Amy Adam’s “June Bug” audition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxxVcAc4gZc
Emma stone’s audition “Easy A”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f0UgVxpe9E
 
Hidden gems: Museum of Moving Image (Astoria, NY) Jim Henson and Mission Impossible https://movingimage.org/whats-on/screenings-and-series/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22307333704&gbraid=0AAAAAogSa6Wx8yyXir9YTjwyjqeZFYzj5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjJrCBhCXARIsAI5x66XlXeI3vGlrWaJ2gD1A1MEz2nVXJz1fo9cnMikUedk5lfQr6S7bsjgaAmNzEALw_wcB
Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari https://www.amazon.com/Nexus-Brief-History-Information-Networks/dp/059373422X
Time stamps
(0:00) Intro
(2:45) Kirsten Sheridan recap
(7:05) Working with legend Tom Hanks
(12:50) Rían first film experience with Joel Shumacher
(17:00) Lessons learned from interning at a casting office
(18:00) Audition workshop from "The Wire" actor Michael Kostroff
(23:30) "Self-Tape Truths" debunked
(35:24) Learn from the best auditions online
(37:00) Hidden gems
 
 

Our first guest! Oscar-nominated writer-director Kirsten Sheridan talks growing up on film sets, Cillian Murphy, and Hulu’s Say Nothing | Ep 31

Welcome to Episode 31 to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World podcast! This episode came out a little late this week but it’s worth the wait. We have our very first guest- Oscar nominated writer director Kirsten Sheridan stops by the show.  That's right. We might just quit after this episode.  We discuss so many things, from being nominated for writing “In America”, the indie hit based on her life story immigrating to the U.S., watching her legendary director father direct Daniel Day Lewis, and directing her first feature starring a 25-year old Cillian Murphy.
The incredible actors she has worked with include Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou, and of course Robin Williams. She has so much wisdom to share. 
Kirsten talks about the biggest lesson she learned from her father and the one piece of advice she always gives actors. Also what on Earth is Danny Devito’s Troll Foot? And what’s a 99?
Also Kirsten's latest show "Say Nothing" on Hulu is earning rave reviews. The gripping true story spans four decades during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and we discuss the impact it's having on audiences. She and Rían also reminisce as they happened to have gone to the same high school as one another.  As if that wasn't enough, she started a filmmaking community/school in Ireland and is bringing that experience to LA this summer (info below). We talk about how she likes to work with actors and how she helps them achieve their best work, as well what she looks for in self tapes. 
Kirsten is clearly a director an actor would dream to work with but also to have as a guest. Please enjoy this episode. 
Kirsten Sheridan’s website-  www.kirstensheridan.net 
Summer workshop - www.bowstreet.ie/kirsten-sheridan-workshop 
IG: @bowstreetacademy
Time stamps
(0:00) Intro
(1:24) Kirsten Sheridan
(3:11) Seeing the flaws of your old work
(5:09) Cillian Murphy is an incredible actor
(9:27) Pitfalls learning lessons as a young director
(09:54) The big lesson Kirsten learned from her legendary director father
(11:12) The worst thing a director can do
(15:24) Growing up on film sets
(18:20) How writing helped her find her voice
(18:54) Starting a film acting school
(21:11) In America
(23:03) Imposter syndrome
(24:26) Behind the scenes of In America
(30:27) Building a community in LA
(34:43) Hulu hit “Say Nothing”
(41:11) Ireland’s tumultuous history
(44:33) How to survive in the new industry of entertainment
(49:26) Danny Devito and Troll Foot
(50:24) Teaching classes and building community
(56:07) Viciously protecting your craft like Cillian Murphy
(57:51) Directing Robin Williams
(1:00:35) How do you keep up with all the content?
(1:03:09) The one piece of advice I always give actors
(1:04:44) Finding the actors’ essence
(1:08:44) What's next for Kirsten
(1:10:49) Hidden gems

DeNiro, Self-Tapes, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck | Ep 30

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World, Episode 30! Both E-Kan and Rían are having excellent days with this recording, you’ll have to listen to hear why.
E-Kan saw DeNiro speak and learned what it makes him such a great movie star and actor. It was also the first time E-Kan's sister was ever star struck. We talk about how the game has changed since DeNiro was coming up and a little about the pros and cons of self-tapes. What are actors missing out on not going into the room anymore? Does it hurt them on set?
We get onto a little bit about the process, memorizing lines, what we have found to be successful, and an interesting story about Anthony Hopkins and why he reads his script 200 times. 
Then E-Kan talks about how he sets boundaries, avoids getting overwhelmed by the news cycle and what he's learned about the Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. 
 
Follow us wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack.
Hidden Gems: 
Radio Bakery (NYC) @radiobakerynyc
Line Learner App
Anthony's Paint & Body Shop (Santa Monica) - https://www.yelp.com/biz/anthonys-paint-and-body-shop-santa-monica?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
 
Walton Goggins video - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJaSWnKs9mB/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Anthony Hopkins Westworld video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kSGkGKwp9U
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck-
https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713
(00:00) Intro
(05:08) Meeting DeNiro
(09:04) How the industry has changed
(10:50)The trap of self-tapes 
(13:40) How important is memorizing lines
(14:20) Anthony Hopkins' simple process
(19:00) What works for us
(26:00) How do you choose what to care about? And not get overwhelmed
(28:40) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
(30:00) Hidden Gems
 
 

AI Regulations Ban, the New SAG Commercial Contract, and Staying in the Game | 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