Episode 11: Jenna Fischer

“I just started living an artistic lifestyle and it became a habit.
”

The generous Jenna Fischer (The Office) joins Eyeline. Jenna's earnest desire to stop the hysteria and bad advice actors receive started years ago when she wrote this blog on her myspace page. Jenna continues that trend as she and Nick talk about how understanding editing helps your acting, why being "in the moment" is like surfing, and confronting the demon of... blinking. 

Some things they got into: 

• Matt Weiner's blog about the value of artists revealing, not hiding, their process
• You, Me and the Apocalypse starring Jenna, Rob Lowe and Megan Mullaly and coming to NBC 
• Jenna's auditioning success taking off after a class with Robert D'Avanzo  
• And those two scenes from The Giant Mechanical Man. 

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Jenna and Nick had the Best Time Ever.

Episode 10: Karina Logue

“This is how I learn my lessons: this beast comes and just kind of takes me down, and I’m forced to ask some really big questions. And it’s scary.”

photo by Mara Casey

In probably the most quotable and foul-mouthed episode yet, the unimaginably articulate Karina Logue (Ray Donovan, The Affair, Argo) joins Nick. This episode is in two parts. In the first, Nick and Karina hang out at his place and talk acting shop: nerves, memorization and concussions, why you've got to have a gambling mentality, and being present. In the second part, they move over to Karina's and discuss her battles with chronic depression and how it is both harmed and helped by her life as an actor. Check out this deeply honest and brave person.

If you want more Karina, just turn on your TV as she has had an unstoppable last few months: How To Get Away With Murder, The Affair, Ray Donovan. Also look out for Anguish, this frightening horror film that Karina stars in, coming to theaters soon.

If you'd like to hear from some hopeful people discuss their depression hopefully, please visit this excellent Slate article by Phil Plait. It features amazing blogs and videos for those looking for help, a laugh, or a comrade in arms.

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Karina and Nick and a space alien had the Best Time Ever.

Episode 9: Chelsey Crisp

Chelsey and Nick had the Best Time Ever

Chelsey Crisp, a woman on the verge of exciting things, talks about her new life as a series regular on ABC's Fresh Off the Boat. 

There's no space for complaining or crankiness in this conversation. Want some perspective on having perspective? Want to know why a beginner's mind is important? Want to hear about the toxicity of not holding everyone innocent? There is truthful funny to be made -- come hear how Chelsey does it.

Get some more Chelsey goodness on her twitter, her site, her comedy group's site Duchess Riot, and the Fresh Off the Boat twitter. 

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

“When you realize that what we do is a very small piece of a big puzzle, it takes away this sense of ego, of “I have to get this right.” You don’t. You just need to show up and be open to the process.”

Episode 8: The Fearless Amir Talai

Photo by Blake Gardner

“That’s my organizing principle as a performer: get there and pay attention.”

Amir and Nick had the Best Time Ever.

Amir Talai, a man of a thousand acting jobs, joins Eyeline. Series regular gigs? Sure. Voice-overs for big animated movies? Yes. Constantly working commercial actor? Yup. Improv, Musicals? Why not? 

Listen in as Nick and Amir (What To Expect When You're Expecting, Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay) discuss his success with The Trigger Approach, how he is never positive if he knows his lines, and why logic keeps fear at bay.

Amir's twitter, Amir's imdb. And a host of Amir-related clicks: 

• Here is more about Richard Seyd and the Trigger Approach 
• Read this excellent Amir-written Buzzfeed piece: When A Brown Actor Plays A White Character, Who Really Wins? 
• Amir is a board member of this amazing thing: The Story of Stuff  

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Episode 7: GOTG's Sean Gunn

Photo by Nick Holmes

Sean and Nick had The Best Time Ever.

Sean Gunn (Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy) shows up and destroys a ton of silly acting conventional wisdom. Listen in as Nick and Sean discuss spontaneity, his pliable face, how he played Rocket on-set for GOTG, and why editors think he is unusual. 

Sean's twitter, Sean's imdb. And check out some goodies referenced during the podcast. 

• Goodman School of Drama 
• Edward Hermann - Actor With a Noble Air
• Sean on Gilmore Girls
• Jerzy Grotowski
• Buzzfeed story on Sean's work as the on-set Rocket in GOTG

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

“I welcome people to think that this is bullshit, but I really felt connected to the idea of acting being something that you give.”

Episode 6: Lynn Chen

Lynn and Nick and Julius had the Best Time Ever.

Lynn Chen - an indie film queen and TV regular (Silicon Valley, NCIS: LA) - does Episode 6. She and Nick talk Samuel L. Jackson's on-set chauffeuring, the intricacies of the waiting room, eating disorders, and whether sanity is essential for good acting. Also The Pajama Game. Tune in for a conversation with this mentally tough and exceptionally talented person.

You can follow Lynn on her site, on twitter or at her food blog The Actor's Diet. Also go here for more info on the National Eating Disorder Association.

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

“Now I just trust that whatever is going to happen is going to happen. And that I’m prepared enough. And that I’m enough. ”

Episode 5: Matthew Del Negro

“I’m not worried about getting it right…. Look, this is what we are doing, we’re sitting here, talking. We’re talking. These are the words. This is what I have.”

On episode 5, Matthew Del Negro, a man with recurring roles on all-time popular shows (Scandal, Sopranos, West Wing), and Nick answered the following questions:

• Do you need sheet music in an audition if you are wearing Chuck Ts?
• How do lacrosse players react when you tell them you are going to do a play? 
• Should you feel like a jackass spinning around James Gandolfini?
• And... why finding and hanging onto a group of fellow actors who will hold you accountable may be the most important thing you can do.

You can follow Matthew at his site, or on twitter or instagram. 

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Matt holds Nick like a baby

Episode 4: Virginia Madsen

Virginia and Nick had the Best Time Ever.

On episode 4, Nick chatted with Oscar-nominee and beautiful thinker Virginia Madsen. They answered the following questions:

• Can Cesar Milan and his dogs help you with depression?
• What does it sound like when Nick encourages cats to knock over the microphone?
• How do you stop witches from getting your acting mojo?
• And... why both taking care of yourself and standing up for yourself are pretty essential for a long career. 

You can follow Virginia at her site, on twitter, or on her lovely instagram. 

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Episode 1: Scandal's Katie Lowes

View fullsize

Eyeline is alive! Katie Lowes from Scandal kicks off the first episode. She and Nick sit down and answer the following questions:

• Are napping and acting related?
• Who chased Katie around in a bear costume?
• What is ugly cry-face and when should you use it?
• And...why being mentally healthy is more important to success than acting talent.

Follow Katie at @KatieQLowes or katielowes.com. And click here to see incredible footage of when Katie heard Shonda Rhimes tell her she booked Scandal.

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Katie and Nick had the Best Time Ever.

“You know, my key for everything is a goddamn nap.”

— Katie

View fullsize

Episode 2: Castle's Seamus Dever

“It’s probably just important that I’m secure in who I am and pursue the truth. And then let everything else take care of itself.”

— Seamus

View fullsize

Wise and funny Seamus Dever, a seven-year regular on the ABC hit Castle, joins Nick on the pod. Listen in as they answer the following questions:

• Does knowing what a Thomas Guide is make you old?
• Why is Seamus super mad at Artaud?
• What does he do in his trailer?
• And...why trying to become a different character for each audition is fruitless.

You can follow Seamus at @seamusdever and at seamusdever.com

Listen here or subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher.

Seamus and Nick had the Best Time Ever.