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Martin Bentsen

Struggling to book your first speaking role in a network-level production?

If so, this podcast is for you. You'll learn how to find and sign with great agents, how to start getting access to high-quality auditions, and how to book major union speaking roles.

Each episode addresses specific challenges faced by aspiring screen actors, including:

- What casting directors are really looking for in screen actors.
- How to find and impress legit, high-level agents.
- How to build strong industry connections (even if you don't know anyone yet).

New episodes are released Mondays and Thursdays, each filled with tactical advice to help you work through different challenges. Host Martin Bentsen has helped over 6000 actors since 2009, and has been featured in Backstage, Casting Networks, NYU Tisch, and more

Ready to dive in? Start by listening to fan-favorite Episode #14: "Where to Find Legit Auditions (Without an Agent)."

The Actor's Career Compass

Did you know that your personality could be the key to booking more acting roles?

Casting directors aren’t just looking at talent—they’re also considering personality to see if you’re the right fit for the role and the team.

In this episode, we’ll dive into how being authentic, confident, and friendly can set you apart, making casting directors eager to work with you.

 • Discover why casting directors value a genuine, friendly personality and how it affects their choices.
 • Learn how to project confidence and flexibility in auditions, boosting your chances of landing the role.
 • Find out simple ways to keep connections alive through professional follow-ups, increasing future casting opportunities.

Listen now to learn how to make your personality work for you and attract more acting roles!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 114: Why “Playing It Safe” in Auditions Could Be Sabotaging Your Acting Career

Have you ever auditioned for a big role only to be offered a much smaller part? What should you do next?

Getting downgraded to a smaller role can feel like a setback, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing how to respond can turn a disappointing moment into a career-boosting opportunity.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

 1. How to communicate effectively with casting directors to advocate for a better role.
 2. A proven email template to negotiate for what you want.
 3. Tips for deciding when to accept the role, negotiate further, or walk away.

Hit play now to learn how to take control of your acting career, even when the role offered isn’t what you hoped for!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 115: How To Turn a Minor Acting Role Into a Bigger Opportunity... Step by Step

What if you could completely transform your life, no matter your age or the obstacles in your way?

This episode dives into the remarkable story of Paulette Szalay, who faced life-changing challenges like extreme weight loss and stroke recovery. Despite these hardships, she redefined her future, becoming a model, actress, and author.

Learn how mindset and perseverance can pave the way to success, even when the odds are stacked against you:

 • Discover the steps Paulette took to lose 110 pounds and regain her health.
 • Hear her stroke recovery story and how she turned adversity into a driving force for success.
 • Gain actionable tips and motivation for pursuing acting or creative goals, regardless of age or setbacks.

Tune in now to hear Paulette’s inspiring journey and start redefining what’s possible for your own life!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 116: From Stroke Recovery to Acting & Modeling Career: Paulette Szaley's Inspiring Story

Have you ever wondered how background actors are sometimes able to randomly get offered speaking roles on set?

This episode reveals how small, calculated risks and building relationships on set can transform your acting opportunities, even if you start as an uncredited extra.

By tuning in, you’ll discover:

 • Professional techniques to stand out subtly and positively as a background actor.
 • Step-by-step guidance on upgrading to a featured or speaking role without crossing boundaries.
 • Long-term strategies for building relationships with directors, crew, and cast to secure future opportunities.

Listen now to unlock insider tips and proven techniques to stand out on set and turn background work into career-defining speaking roles!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

 

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 117: How to Upgrade a Background Acting Role into a SAG-AFTRA Speaking Role

Are you missing out on auditions because your headshots don’t have slate shots?

Casting directors and agents often skip over headshots without slate shots, making it harder to get noticed, even if you’ve spent money on great photos or a polished demo reel.

By listening, you’ll discover:

 1. Why slate shots are essential for showcasing your personality and appearance.
 2. How not having a slate shot could cost you representation or auditions.
 3. The simple steps to ensure all your headshots include slate shots, maximizing your chances for major roles.

Don’t let a missing slate shot cost you your next big opportunity—listen to this episode now!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 118: Are Slate Shots Really Optional for Acting Auditions? Here's the Hard Truth

What’s the secret to landing bigger roles, like a Series Regular on TV?

Eddie Ramos shares how he turned his passion for acting into a thriving career, highlighting the strategies, steps, and lessons he learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for your first big break, this episode has tips for you.

By tuning in, you’ll learn:

 1. The specific actions Eddie took to go from student actor to TV star.
 2. Steps to break into television and book recurring or series regular roles.
 3. Hidden lessons Eddie realized only after landing his breakthrough role.

Listen now to uncover Eddie Ramos’ path to success and start building your own roadmap to bigger roles!

Check out Eddie at:

@themodernactor_ on Instagram and YouTube 

@actoreddieramos on Instagram

www.The-Modern-Actor.com

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 119: From Local Theater to Prime-Time TV as a Series Regular: Eddie Ramos Shares his Acting Journey

The first step to booking more acting roles is understanding the casting process from start to finish. In today’s competitive industry, aligning your headshot, resume, and reel with the role’s breakdown can make or break your chances.

Want to know how to stand out from thousands of submissions? This episode gives you the exact roadmap to succeed:

 1. Discover how casting directors prioritize actors and how to get on their “favorites list.”
 2. Learn why professional self-tape setups can dramatically increase your callback rate.
 3. Uncover the importance of building lasting relationships with casting directors to set yourself up for future opportunities.

Don’t miss this episode—play it now to uncover strategies that help aspiring actors land more auditions and roles!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 120: How to Stand Out From 5,000 Submissions... Audition and Acting Secrets

Have you ever wondered what it means when you keep getting auditions for the same show but never book the role?

This episode dives into why frequent auditions for the same production are a big opportunity and how they show you’re on the right track to booking a role.

Learn what casting directors are really looking for and how to make your mark:

 1. Understand why repeated auditions for the same show mean casting directors are rooting for you.
 2. Learn how to align your performance with a show’s tone to impress the casting team.
 3. Discover relationship-building strategies to strengthen your connections with casting directors for future roles.

Play this episode now to learn how to turn repeated auditions into career-changing bookings!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 121: What It Really Means When You Keep Auditioning for the Same Show (And How to Turn it Into More Acting Work)

Do you really need to build a social media following to succeed as an actor? While many actors feel pressure to create a big online presence, the truth is, social media isn’t as urgent as you might think.

This episode explores when it’s actually useful and how to use it strategically to grow your career without it taking over your life:

 1. Learn when it’s the right time to start focusing on social media for your acting career.
 2. Find out how to connect with industry professionals online in a way that feels natural and valuable.
 3. Get tips on networking without being pushy or spending hours glued to your phone.

Listen now to discover how and when social media can enhance your acting career while keeping your priorities in check!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 122: When to Start Worrying About Social Media in Your Acting Career

Have you ever wondered if social media could be the key to landing bigger acting roles?

While it might not seem essential for your acting career, social media is quickly becoming a powerful tool for casting directors to find and evaluate talent, especially for bigger roles.

With the right strategies, you can showcase your brand, connect with industry professionals, and increase your chances of booking more significant roles:

 • Learn how to create a professional, eye-catching profile that represents your acting brand.
 • Discover the types of posts—like behind-the-scenes clips or monologues—that engage followers and casting directors alike.
 • Get insider tips on hashtags and daily interactions that boost your visibility without taking up too much time.

Listen to the episode now and start turning your social media profiles into powerful career-boosting tools!

Contact Info and Resources

Martin's Email: martin@cityheadshots.com

Martin's Website: https://www.martinbentsen.com

Headshots: https://www.cityheadshots.com

Shoot Footage for Your Reel: https://www.actorscreenershoot.com

Edit Footage Into a Reel: https://www.demoreelsnyc.com

This podcast dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 123: How to Leverage Social Media to Book Bigger Film Acting Roles

Want to take your acting career to the next level?

Becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible opens doors to bigger roles and better pay. But how can you get there quickly?

Many actors struggle with the slow process of landing a union-speaking role, but faster options exist. In this episode, we break down three proven ways to speed up your eligibility.

What you'll learn:

 • Why commercial acting is a shortcut to union status.
 • How background work can earn you SAG-AFTRA vouchers.
 • How other union memberships might unlock faster eligibility.

We’ll also explain why staying SAG-Eligible before joining might be the smartest move.

Don’t miss this episode—it could change your acting career!

Contact & Resources:

 • Email: martin@cityheadshots.com
 • Website: 
martinbentsen.com • Headshots: 
cityheadshots.com • Shoot Footage: 
actorscreenershoot.com • Edit Reels: 
demoreelsnyc.com

This show dives deep into the world of acting in film, exploring the journey of movie acting with stories, building confidence among aspiring actors, navigating auditions and productions, and offering insights from acting agents, coaches, and the challenges of becoming SAG-AFTRA eligible to advance your acting career, skills, and landing roles.

Ep. 137: How to Join SAG-AFTRA FAST Through Non-Traditional Methods (background acting, etc.)

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