Author: Anastasia Washington

I’m a book addict. Completely and totally must be reading something new and compelling everyday. And one of my major addictions is autobiographies by amazing people that I look up to. Career crushes if you will. Nothing pushes the reset button like encouragement and nothing is as encouraging as finding out your idols’ stories. The ups and the downs. You need to know about their failures to endure your own. One problem. So many books, so little time. Don’t worry I’ve read a bunch for you and have picked my top 5 most motivating autobiographies. So start your engines and…

This time of year is a time for career, body, and mind renewal. But who are we renewing for? When making career resolutions we tend to try and shape ourselves for what will get us cast. Which of course, is not a bad thing, but when you’ve been in the business as long as I have conformity becomes you, and you can lose the uniqueness that is you. Let’s resolve instead to bring unique content and talent to the screen. To be the best us possible, instead of the best cookie cutter image. So, here are my resolutions for the…

You’ve got the equipment, the concept, and it’s up and ready to go. Now what? How can you get people to listen? Here are 5 tips to get your podcast out there! Know your niche When you know your crowd, you will know where your people are. Nerdy? Go to your local Comic Book shops and conventions to get to know people. This is also how you will get excellent guests. When you are active in the community that you are podcasting about you not only benefit from listener boosts, but also guests, opportunities to cross pollinate and more. So…

So a company has seen your work. They love it! They want you to produce your show on their channel. All great news right? One thing about self-producers is that we are used to doing everything on our own. The A to Z of production is you, so there are no methods to learn, no protocols. It’s your style, your time line, and your way. So here are some tips from moving from a one-man army to a network producer in a snap. Ask. Be up on their procedures from the start. On your initial meeting green lighting your show…

Being nice is part of who I am. Helping out when I am asked, doing what I can to look for opportunities for other people is just an instinct within me. But, this is Hollywood and Yes girls don’t get priority in this world. While it may be great to always be on hand for people who are making their way in this industry, riding along doesn’t mean they will take you with them. Or even if they do, is that a good thing? So when do we say no? When it would pull you away from another opportunity. Sometimes…

Web Content is all the rage. And with so many opportunities for on camera work comes even more opportunities to be put in awkward situations. When should you get paid? How much? What level of professionalism should you expect when you do work for free? It’s scary out there. Here are some tips on when you should work for free, and what is ok to demand from the small but mighty productions. Even union jobs can be non paying, so here are some things to consider when taking a non paid gig.  Will this advance me professionally? Will their project…

So you decided to be an actor. Player One, you are ready to join the game. You know that you have a lot of things to do before you can achieve your high score. True, some have beginners luck and jump right on the score board. For those lucky few, there are still many levels and trophies they may have to back track to reach. Here’s your players guide to getting on the board. Level 1 As anxious as you are to move on to the good stuff, we all have to start somewhere. Level 1 is the basis for…

In a world of castings that list exact measurements including height and weight, what’s a girl to do? Lie? That would be evil. But how do you play “the game” while not being the Hollywood ideal when it comes to size? Be bold, be brave, and create opportunities. I was born and raised in the business, and that means I was quite young when I heard what my weight meant in reference to my value and castability. Like most women, I’m not a perfect size 2, and even when I was, I found it hard to maintain and live a…

Many women in the Industry have to deal with the dreaded troll. The people who hide behind the internet and grill you, judge, and lets face it, make you cry. It’s easy to let them get to you and deter you from doing the great things you want to do. Making you nervous to even be yourself and fear taking chances on yourself. Well I’ve always learned a strongly worded letter is great to get what you need out there. So to the trolls out there I have a letter for you. Dear Troll, As a host and writer of…

As a Bi-racial woman I have heard all the awkward questions and it can be embarrassing and infuriating when they come about. Recently we saw this happen on a very public platform, and I feel it’s my duty as a host and Multicultural woman to address this. Let’s address how to approach hosting and race. In light of what recently occurred on the red carpet with Rashida Jones (see video below) it’s time to talk hosting and how to avoid becoming the joke of the carpet. The most important thing right off the bat, Do your research. It’s really not that…

Recently I had forced downtime. Medical issues caused me to be less of an active participant in my career, which is not a usual thing for me. We all have to deal with down time. Whether things are slow, we can’t physically do as much, or we are just on some down swing mood. In this business it’s easy to get downtrodden especially when things are slow. But just like our bodies and souls our careers sometimes need a recharge and detox. Here’s some tips about what you could be doing instead of moping. 1. Applying There are many programs…

Hosting is dead. How could I, a host myself, say such a thing. Easy now, I’m not saying hosting as a career is dead. No, not at all, in fact there are more chances than ever to jump start your career as a host. So why is hosting dead. Well, to be honest, the day of the squeaky clean Barbie and Ken teleprompter robots is what, is in fact, a dead art. So where does that leave you. Fear not my host friends. It may be the dawn of a new era in hosting, but it’s one that’s more forgiving…

…What I learned from Ivy Isenberg at a CAP Workshop. Voice overs are an area that I have dabbled in since I was a kid. A passion of mine that I hope to launch into head first again soon. One thing I didn’t realize doing voice overs so young is the art and finesse that is needed when auditioning. When I sat in on the CAP workshop with Ivy Isenberg my mind was blown with tips that I could bring to up my game! Do’s: 1) Do put in the character work. Just like any other audition it helps to…

I’m sensing a trend in the air. A change in me that came on suddenly, without warning, and has hit me like a phaser to the face. What is this epidemic that has infected me? What is this strange sickness I am suddenly plagued with? It’s simple. I have lost my mean girl mojo. Now I know how this must sound. You’re a mean girl? Why would you be upset about losing her? And the answer is simply that I am not upset at all. I feel quite liberated actually. And I hope I infect people with this anti-mean girl…