Giving Gratitude

Issue No. 30, November, 2022

Hi There,

I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend and were able to spend time with your favorite people.

I took a step away from work to devote time to my family—and I also caught up on a lot of great television.

Next month’s Dialogue will be dedicated to some excellent reference materials and info to help with the busy audition season following the holidays. Until then, in the spirit of relaxation and unwinding, I’m sharing my top viewing picks—if you find yourself with some spare time to binge, I hope you’ll check them out.

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is a time of reflection and giving back.

I’m hosting a virtual workshop next month to benefit Feeding America—a nonprofit that provides meals to those who could use the help. The fundraiser launched yesterday with a goal to provide 10,000 meals.

And as donations were matched on Giving Tuesday, we’ve already met and surpassed that goal. Thank you to all who contributed!

You can find the details below—If you are interested in the workshop and can contribute, I’d love for you to sign up.

Be well,

Watching

Jamie’s Top Streaming Picks, Fall 2022

I spend most of my days reading and working with television scripts, but teaching most evenings means having little time to watch the shows.

Last week, I made it a point to catch up on viewing some of the shows created from the great scripts I’ve recently come across.

These are my top picks for now-streaming shows and series:

Bad Sisters (Apple+) — This show had me at Sharon Horgan (doing double duty as star and writer). This darkly funny, beautifully written, and sublimely acted series was only meant to be a one season-show. But the show proved such a hit that a second season is already in the works.
The White Lotus (HBO/Max) — I loved the off-kilter Season One of this anthology series. Sometimes the second season of an anthology takes a while for me to change gears and invest in the new cast and situations. Not this time. I was hooked right from the creepy, expansive credits.
Welcome to Chippendales (Hulu ) — Kumail Nanjiani is so much fun to watch in this true-crime mini-series about the beginnings of the infamous Chippendales male-stripper review.
The Last Movie Stars (HBO/Max ) — This documentary series about the lives and careers of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward landed on my list some time ago. Watching vintage footage from the Actor’s Studio, it’s incredible to think that there was once a classroom where a pre-fame Paul Newman watched and studied, in person, the already legendary Marlon Brando and Kim Stanley as they put up scenes. Some great behind-the-scenes footage and little-known exploits about this storied couple.
Reboot (Hulu) — I finished the last episode of this show a few weeks ago, but it’s so good that I had to include it. I’m a sucker for any show set in the entertainment industry. With its wicked comedy and excellent cast, Reboot does a great job honoring the absurdity and drama that goes into making a TV series.

Feeding America Benefit Workshop

Top 10 Questions from Actors

Due to rising costs and stagnant wages, the need for food banks is growing. For the last few years, I have hosted an annual workshop to benefit Feeding America—providing meals for those facing food insecurities.

This year I asked for suggestions for topics; there were so many great options that I couldn’t pick just one.

So, this year’s virtual workshop will cover the Top Ten Questions from Actors, including:

Which is a better pick for a beginning actor, NY or LA?
When should you pass on co-star auditions?
What are the best practices for keeping in touch with casting and reps?
What materials do you need to be competitive?
Why is finding an agent or manager so tricky?

The virtual workshop will take place on Sunday, 12/18, at 2 pm EST / 11 am PST.

You can sign up here:
https://teamfeed.feedingamerica.org/participant/jccoaching.