Actors Guide To Success with Bernard Hiller

Kevin Pollak has had a long and prolific career as a standup comedian, impressionist, character actor, and director. He has appeared in over 90 films, including The Usual Suspects, A Few Good Men, Casino, Grumpy Old Men, and the award-winning original show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has worked with some of the biggest stars and directors in the industry over the course of his career including Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholsen, Tom Cruise, Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren, and so many more. In this episode of Actors Guide to Success Kevin and Bernard talk about how Kevin got his start in the industry, tell some hilarious tales from the movie sets he’s worked on, and share his philosophies on acting, auditioning, and directing. Show Notes: 4:47 - Kevin reminisces about his early interest in comedy 8:50 - Kevin talks about his start as a stand-up comedian 10:38 - Kevin examines his talent as an impressionist 11:58 - Bernard “interviews” Kevin’s Christopher Walken impression 12:45 - Kevin talks about how impressions and comedy helped him to create characters 15:35 - Kevin discusses “bombing” as a comedian and rejection in auditions 17:06 - Kevin names his main inspirations in standup comedy 17:37 - A brief tangent about James McAvoy in Cyrano de Bergerac and other powerful stage performances 19:07 - Kevin confesses his insecurities about being an actor 21:17 - Kevin talks about what it was like on the set of A Few Good Men 23:22 - Kevin tells the story about when his mother flirted with Jack Nicholson 28:10 - Kevin further elaborates about what it was like on set and not being able to “get there” in an intense scene 32:08 - Kevin talks about the subtle anti-Semitism in the classic court scene of A Few Good Men 34:32 - Kevin remembers when he stood in for Jack Nicholson 37:44 - Bernard asks Kevin where he developed compassion for others 39:49 - Kevin talks about Barry Levinson and auditioning for Avalon 46:33 - Kevin shares his advice for actors just getting started in the business 54:53 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the process and heartbreak of auditioning 55:28 - Kevin talks about the transition from auditioning to getting offers; agreeing to a role in The Usual Suspects 1:02:30 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the importance of taking risks and being a poker player 1:04:38 - Kevin talks about being a character actor and the character actors he has admired; Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau 1:08:14 - Kevin reminisces about working with Sophia Loren 1:11:08 - Kevin gives further advice on acting and being intentional 1:13:29 - Kevin explains what he still loves about the industry; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 1:15:32 - Kevin advises actors to create their own material and adapt their favorite stories 1:17:47 - Kevin talks about Casino and working with Don Rickles and Martin Scorsese

Jackie Lewis has been an agent for the past 30 years. She started as an agent in NYC and then came to LA to open her own agency. Her insight into Hollywood and show business is invaluable. Listen to her advice, it will take your career further. She started her career representing kids and now works with some of the top talent in LA. We love her having attended our class and she has found many actors in our classes that she now represents.

SHOW NOTES:Brian discusses how he originally moved to California and began an acting career [4:42]Brian offers advice on succeeding as an actor [7:59]Brian details his transition from struggling actor to screenplay writer [9:49]Brian describes some of his first screenplays [11:16]Brian shares his current projects and sources of ideas and creativity [12:50]Brian offers his best 3 tips for starting as an actor [14:38]Brian discusses working with Peter Farrelly and the actors on Green Book [16:52]Brian shares how Peter and himself convinced Viggo Mortenson to star in Green Book [20:40]Brian shares the importance of staying positive and the best advice he’s received [24:10]Brian shares his experience at the Oscars [27:07]Brian offers advice on how to start a career in film writing [32:03]Brian and Bernard discuss the nature of show business [34:30]Brian offers advice on becoming a producer and how he met Peter Farrelly [35:25]

Film Director and Writer Peter Farrelly has been mostly known for his quirky and romanticcomedies that he together with his brother Bobby directed and produced - the Farrelly Brothers.His films include Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, Myself and Irene. In thefirst Episode of Actors Guide to Success with Bernard Hiller, Peter tells us about his life journeyand an incredible 26 years career as a filmmaker. Learn how from being a salesman he wentinto making movies and becoming a two Times Oscar Winner for writing and directing the bestPicture of 2018 - "Green Book”. As we dive deeper into the interview Peter gives invaluableadvice to upcoming writers and actors. He talks about how not getting his dream job as a writerfor Sinefeld was a turning point in his career and how he never directed a movie before makinghis first hit Dumb and Dumber.In This Episode:Peter talks about receiving an unusual call after the academy awards - 2:20Conversation between Steven Spielberg and Peter Farrelly at the Oscar party - 4:15Peter talks about how in his mid 20’s he decided to pursue writing as his career and howsoon after he discovered that it’s not that easy to make a living with writing - 5:15Peter talks about how he and his friend wrote a screenplay called Dust to Dust, an earlyversion of his hit movie Dumb and Dummer - 8:30Peter talks about how he started writing with his brother Bobby - 9:40Peter describes why nobody wanted to read a script called Dumb and Dummer andhow he had to change the title so people will actually pay attention to it - 11:20Peter talks about the role spirituality plays in his life, why fear is actually your friend andthe importance of starting writing today because you can always make it better later - 12:15Advice for writers - 19:15Peter talks how the idea for filming Green Book came to life - 24.46Advice for Actors from Peter Farrelly. An exercise that will help you act and soundmore natural - 25:30Peter describes how he never directed a movie prior to making Dumb and Dummer andthe importance of asking for help - 29:05Peter talks about faith. How he always felt that everything is going to be ok despitebeing as he says “the worst student in class” - 33:53Peter explains his unique way of writing screenplays and how he changes the viewer'sperception of the villain - 34:55Peter explains the challenges his brother and him went through when writing There isSomething About Mary - 38:13Peter talks about various scenes in Dumb and Dummer and how he resisted the moviestudios trying to influence changes - 40:00Peter talks about his involvement with Sinefeld and how not getting his dream job at thetime set him up for a successful career as a director and filmmaker - 42:44Peter talks about working with Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali - 45:30Another Advice for actors from Peter Farrelly and the importance of creating your ownopportunities - 50:22Peter talks about his upbringings - 53:29Peter speaks about the invaluable advice he has been given when starting his career - 55:50Peter talks about his experience at the 91st Academy Awards - 58:45Peter talks about the importance of enjoying life now and that winning two Oscarshaven’t made him less or more happier - 1:02:40