The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

AI "Actor" Tilly Norwood Stirs up Hollywood and an AI Studio BOMBS - What do we make of all this?

Welcome to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 48! And what a week it was… we cannot NOT talk about AI this week, as a new starlet has come on to the scene. Welcome Tilly Norwood, a completely AI generated “actress” if you can call her that. Talent agents are lining up at her door, and E-Kan and Rían have thoughts…
And where is the union on this matter? Contract strike 2023 vibes, right?
On the flip side, Lionsgate comes out and admits that their venture with AI startup Runway has bombed, and apparently making great film and tv is still really hard.
And Disney as well tried to deep-fake Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the “Moana” live action, and that did not go well either. Good times, ya’ll.
 
Leave a review if you enjoy the podcast, it really helps others find us. Also follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media!
 
@ekansoong @riansheehykelly
 
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eline-van-der-velden-2ab8285a_aiinfilm-futureofentertainment-syntheticactors-activity-7359693830360612865-kAfM/?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAAmmHVABGF2dc2G4Te6otRpC587bI-IkRi4&utm_source=social_share_video_v2&utm_campaign=share_via
https://deadline.com/2025/09/talent-agent-ai-actress-tilly-norwood-studios-1236557889/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPHjndVkgxI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://petapixel.com/2025/09/23/movie-studio-lionsgate-is-struggling-to-make-ai-generated-films-with-runway/
 
HIDDEN GEMS:
Bilt Credit Card (get rewards for paying rent)
Carbon Food Track App
 
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:23) Meet Tilly Norwood, AI "Actor"
(4:00) Who created Tilly
(9:00) Are people going to watch this? 
(14:30) The spectacle is dying
(22:25) Actors are humans
(26:05) Lionsgate AI experiment bombs
(29:30) Disney tried to deep-fake the Rock
(31:40) Hidden Gems

Emmy's Hits and Misses, Speaking Fake Chinese, and Why Does Everyone Love One-Hour Dramas?

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 47! Apologies for the upload issue on last week's episode, it has been resolved and E-Kan and Rían are here with the big Emmy's recap- the big surprises, heartfelt underdog wins, and what was up with that Nate Bargatze bit?
You also will hear how it was for E-Kan sleeping in Central Park last week, and is he the Bear Grylls of the theater world? 
E-Kan and Rían also discuss what's so captivating about the one hour drama and what our experiences were working on some iconic ones like NCIS and Chicago Fire. One was Rían's first job on US television, and E-Kan's... well, you'll just have to hear what happened when he had to speak Chinese in his callback. 
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack. Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media. 
@ekansoong @ríansheehykelly
Opening Sketch Emmys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pajwxwDLfao Nate Bargatze Opening Monologue Emmys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d99zMO03yBs
Hidden Gems:
Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann - https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Writer-Practical-Philosophical/dp/0399590803
@coconutcult - Yogurt, available in grocery stores
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:05) E-Kan is the Bear Grylls of the theater world
(8:20) Rían vs the squirrels
(10:10) Nate Bargatze on the Emmy's
(17:00) Why Rían can't watch the Pitt
(22:30) E-Kan's auditioned for NCIS thirty five times 
(27:00) When Rían booked Chicago Fire his first US tv job
(40:00) Could they handle success well at a young age? 
(49:30) Hidden Gems

(RE-UPLOAD)Why is E-Kan Sleeping in Central Park?

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 46! E-Kan and Rían get back to some of the happenings around town after back to back interview episodes. FYI this was recorded BEFORE the Emmy's, we will do our recap of the Emmy's next week. The Actors Access Terms of Use has been causing many actors drama confusion the last month.   E-Kan breaks down what actors need to know and why he feels a relief about what went down... for now. 
The HBO Max hit "The Pitt" productions assistants have officially unionized.  Is that a good thing? E-Kan and Rían discuss it's implications and what it might mean for the industry. They also share some highlights and takeaways from recent guests Tim Davis and Shaan Sharma and reflect on how much an actor should focus on one thing in their career and how to find more clarity. 
You also will hear what E-Kan is up to, and what has him sleeping in Central Park this week. 
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack. Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media..
@ekansoong @ríansheehykelly
https://iatse.net/marvel-studios-vfx-workers-unanimously-vote-to-unionize-with-iatse-marking-historic-first/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/the-pitt-union-election-pas-vote-unionize-1236362437/
 
Hidden Gems:
Papi Taco's and Churros - @papitacoschurros
Creatine (Please do your research)
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(1:46) E-Kan's adventure in NYC
(7:07) Actors Access Drama 
(12:40) Transparency in SAG-AFTRA
(15:25) The Pitt Productions Assistants unionize
(21:09) The After Party for Tim Davis and Shaan Sharma
(28:20) E-Kan just wanted to eat
(36:15) Hidden Gems
 
 
 

PAs on the Pitt unionize and Why is E-Kan sleeping in Central Park?

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 46! E-Kan and Rían get back to some of the happenings around town after back to back interview episodes. FYI this was recorded BEFORE the Emmy's, we will do our recap of the Emmy's next week. The Actors Access Terms of Use has been causing many actors drama confusion the last month.   E-Kan breaks down what actors need to know and why he feels a relief about what went down... for now. 
The HBO Max hit "The Pitt" productions assistants have officially unionized.  Is that a good thing? E-Kan and Rían discuss it's implications and what it might mean for the industry. They also share some highlights and takeaways from recent guests Tim Davis and Shaan Sharma and reflect on how much an actor should focus on one thing in their career and how to find more clarity. 
You also will hear what E-Kan is up to, and what has him sleeping in Central Park this week. 
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack. Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media..
@ekansoong @ríansheehykelly
https://iatse.net/marvel-studios-vfx-workers-unanimously-vote-to-unionize-with-iatse-marking-historic-first/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/the-pitt-union-election-pas-vote-unionize-1236362437/
 
Hidden Gems:
Papi Taco's and Churros - @papitacoschurros
Creatine (Please do your research)
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(1:46) E-Kan's adventure in NYC
(7:07) Actors Access Drama 
(12:40) Transparency in SAG-AFTRA
(15:25) The Pitt Productions Assistants unionize
(21:09) The Afterparty for Tim Davis and Shaan Sharma
(28:20) E-Kan just wanted to eat
(36:15) Hidden Gems
 
 
 

Actor and Union Leader Shaan Sharma on The Chosen, Masterminding Your Career, and the Fallout After the Strike

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 45! This is a monster episode, so get ready because class is in session.  This week, Actor, union leader, educator Shaan Sharma wrapped Season 6 of the worldwide hit "The Chosen" where he plays "Shmuel" and is currently running for re-election for Los Angeles SAG-Aftra Board right now (ballots are due this week!). It's a miracle he had time to join the show this week. 
You probably know Shaan's record of service for the union, programs he founded, or classes he taught, but you'll hear how his journey in the arts started and how he went from being the skinny Indian kid that was picked on to starring in musicals and playing in bands, and eventually making his way to Los Angeles where he helped transform the local acting community and Los Angeles branch of the union. (List of some programs Shaan has founded below.)
Shaan shares how he got an edge early in his career by soaking up information wherever he could, primarily working for casting directors and eventually became one of the top session directors in the city. With that knowledge, he has taught actors throughout the city at the SAG Conservatory and his own studio.  He also discusses why many drama schools fail to prepare their students on how to work on camera for film and tv and what he teaches to his acting students. 
Through diligence, resourcefulness, and providing value for others, Shaan became an indispensable asset which eventually got the attention of the union. He gives E-Kan and Rían a brief and turbulent history lesson of the union, and breaks down what are the union's biggest obstacles, and what he hopes for the union in the future. 
Shaan also talks about what it was like being on the Negotiating Committee during the Strike, being the only leader who said NO to the contract, and the fallout that happened afterwards. Was there a huge opportunity for the actors missed? There are many lessons learned here, and keep in mind, the contract will be up for renegotiation next year... 
And last but not least, they talk about how Shaan's hit The Table Read Podcast came about, how they just won a Webby, and how it may have manifested his goal of becoming a series regular.  There's so much covered in this episode and so many hidden gems-  this is a must listen for actors. 
(Shaan has founded The Storytellers Conservatory, an on-camera acting studio, Adjunct Professor for PACE University's School of Drama, and Solidarity, a grassroots SAG-AFTRA education group.)
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, including video on YouTube and Substack. Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media. 
@ekansoong @ríansheehykelly
Shaan Sharma @shaan_sharma
 
SAG Conservatory - https://www.sagaftra.org/los-angeles/local-programs/los-angeles-conservatory
Solidarity Meeting Zoom - SolidarityMeeting.com
Table Read Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/table-read/id1673590083
Watch “The Chosen” - https://www.thechosen.tv/en-us
Shaan's book - "Commercial Acting in LA: A Session Director's Guide" - PDF - http://bit.ly/1I2tpSM
 
Hidden Gems:
Diary of CEO w/ Mr. Beast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjrJ2DJN_pA
Mark Rober's "Mario Effect" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vJRopau0g0&t=2s
Jordan Peterson video “How to Gain Self-Respect” - https://youtu.be/I5y19Vapk1A
Bread Head - @breadheadla
Delmonico's Steak - https://www.theoriginaldelmonicos.com/
 
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:51) You can disagree with people you like
(05:10) How arts saved Shaan as a kid
(13:10) Being one of the top session directors in the city
(15:25) The power of the Union
(18:15) Having a savvy business mind
(21:44) How to be indispensable
(29:30) The cup of success never runs out
(35:35) How Shaan eventually got involved in the Union
(37:00) You need to have a goal as an actor
(39:00) How did the Table Read Podcast happen
(54:30) Table Read tips
(58:50) How the union works
(01:03:35) What we can learn from Mr. Beast
(01:05:02) A history lesson of the Union
(01:18:20) The fallout after the strike
(01:26:30) The Chosen and how it’s changed his life
(01:34:55) Shaan’s biggest struggles
(01:40:05) Hidden Gems
 
 
 
 
 

Timothy Davis: Crazy On-set Stories from "Billions", and what no one tells you about the Actor's Studio

(Apologies- this file was accidentally  replaced by Episode 46. Sorry for the inconvenience, we are trying to repair it ASAP.)Welcome to Episode 44 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World!
A good friend of the podcast, actor/playwright/teacher/Brazilian JiuJitsu badass Timothy Davis, joins the show this week and it was a blast.  Tim talks about growing up in the midwest and going from jock and journalism major to studying theater at one of the most prestigious drama schools in history, the Actor's Studio (DeNiro, Hoffman, Ellen Burstyn, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando to name a few students). 
Tim shares what he learned, a brief history of method acting and its misconceptions, why he feels some drama schools fail to prepare their actors for the professional world and how much he appreciates his time at studying at Lesly Kahn Studios where he is also teaches. 
Tim takes the guys on a real ride this week with stories of victories, hard lessons, missed opportunities, and even being homeless for a period of time. Tim, also a Jiu Jitsu blackbelt and teacher gives an incredible and poignant description of all the benefits of Jiu Jitsu and why it complements acting so well. You'll also hear the most heart-wrenching first day on the set of Billions ever, shooting an indie film with Steven Soderbergh, and the time he was asked to be James Gandolfini’s assistant. 
Also keep an eye out for Tim's Distress Signals Project launching in October in Los Angeles - a theater experience aimed to raise funds and create awareness and discussion for communities in need. 
Through the highs and the lows, this is a gritty story of a working actor.  Enjoy, everyone! 
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review, it'll help other people find the podcast as well! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on social media for clips during the week!
@ekansoong and @riansheehykelly on IG
Timothy Davis- @itstimothydavis (IG, Bluesky) 
Distress Signals Project live in Los Angeles @distresssignalsproject
Tickets available here - Oct 3-5, 11, 12, 2025 - https://shorturl.at/f09JU
Hidden Gems:
Brazilian JiuJitsu, 
Subconscious JiuJitsu in North Hollywood - https://www.subconsciousbjj.com/
Electrolytes for hydration
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:25) Growing up in Iowa and how Tim knew acting was for him
(12:25) Getting in to the Actor’s Studio
(16:30) The shortcomings of Drama School
(33:30) The problem of the “starving artist” lifestyle
(37:30) Being a “shadow artist”
(39:50) No one taught Tim how to read a TV script
(42:00) Getting drunk on a Soderbergh movie
(47:40) Working on the pilot of “Billions” and the worst first day ever
(58:00) Launching theater philanthropic project Distress Signals Project in Los Angeles
(1:03:50) Saying “no” to James Gandolfini
(1:06:00) Hidden Gems

Marvel Leaves Georgia and How Much an Actor Makes in the UK Compared to the US

Welcome to Episode 43 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World!
Marvel drops the bomb it’s no longer doing business in Georgia and hopping over the pond to the UK. Has this been happening for years? E-Kan and Rían will get into that and discuss why they think UK has been bustling with film production. They also get into the nitty gritty, break down the differences between what an actor makes in SAG-Aftra in the US vs in the UK, and why E-Kan thinks the race to the bottom isn't sustainable. 
On a bit of a lighter note, E-Kan also brings up a revealing article that might spell good news for LA and the Hollywood industry. 
Stay to the end and you'll hear, did E-Kan really have an extra tooth? 
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review, it'll help other people find the podcast as well! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on social media for clips during the week!
@ekansoong and @riansheehykelly on IG
Marvel Leaves Georgia - https://nypost.com/2025/08/18/business/marvel-leaves-georgia-to-film-in-uk-gutting-states-movie-industry/
The productions numbers LA vs NYC vs Georgia - https://www.instagram.com/p/DMdFbz4O1WM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Hidden Gems:
@industryjazzcafe - https://industry-cafe-jazz.res-menu.com/menu
Wilson US Open Scavenger Hunt - @wilsontennis
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:30) Marvel Has Left Georgia for the UK
(8:15) The current number of productions LA vs NYC vs Atlanta
(11:55) How it's like predicting stocks
(17:50) How much does an actor make in the UK
(28:15) Who's to blame? 
(39:55) Hidden Gems
 
 

The NY Times Top 100 Films of the 21st Century and what they missed

Welcome to Episode 42 of the Actor's Guide to the End of the World!
This episode is one for the film lovers - mostly. Tarantino has a gripe about the current state of film, calling it "repressive" while Richard Linklater has a word of caution for young filmmakers. On the brighter side, the NY Times released their Top 100 Films of the 21st Century and E-Kan and Rían break it down - what they got right and what they think they missed - and why they appreciate these films more now than ever.
Meanwhile Amazon invests in a startup that has launched a streaming platform of AI generated content called "Showrunner". It will allow users to create their own animated tv shows in hopes of becoming the "Netflix of AI". Will it work? Is it more AI slop? E-Kan said it was going to be a fun episode but couldn't help himself. 
The guys get into a discussion about the art of acting and film today - with the rise of social media and influencers, is acting going to become more and more niche, like say opera and ballet? This one gets wild. 
If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a review, it'll help other people find the podcast as well!
Follow @actorsguidepodcast on social media for clips during the week!
@ekansoong and @riansheehykelly on IG
 
"Netflix of AI" - https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/netflix-of-ai-amazon-invests-fable-showrunner-launch-1236471989/
NYT Top 100 List-
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.html
Richard Linklater on young filmmakers - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL03De2S56-/?igsh=Mzc3ZTVlOWMwZA==
Tarantino on the "repressive era" of film- https://www.instagram.com/p/DM_0XwATpuU/
Hidden Gems:
Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon - https://www.pushkin.fm/audiobooks/miracle-and-wonder-conversations-with-paul-simon
Sundance Collab - https://collab.sundance.org/
Time stamps: 
(0:00) Intro
(2:08) Amazon invests in the "Netflix of AI"
(8:10) Richard Linklater's warning for young filmmakers
(10:30) Is acting for tv/film going to go out of date? 
(13:20) Why do people want to be famous? 
(14:15) Live events are booming 
(25:27) Tarantino calls it a "repressive era" of film 
(26:00) The NY Times Top 100 List
(55:00) Hidden Gems