Actor Brian Thomas Smith (The Big Bang Theory, Bad Monkey) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 361. Brian stops by the bungalow and discusses going 0 for 6 on avails last year, why he still chooses to audition for commercials, how he used to crash auditions, doing reality shows before acting, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Brian slates.
00:14 - Introduction.
01:56 - The podcast clips on Instagram.
03:09 - Handsome and funny.
06:11 - Facial hair.
09:48 - Outlook for 2026.
12:58 - Stuart Fails To Save The Universe.
14:29 - Zack spinoff of The Big Bang Theory.
20:01 - Getting multiple episodes added after booking the one.
23:29 - Pay rate with more episodes.
25:12 - Self tapes.
28:59 - Sticking with commercials.
31:17 - Getting caught in the KMR scandal.
32:52 - Crashing commercial auditions.
36:42 - Last day job.
40:25 - Pivot from commercials to TV.
43:34 - Being on reality shows before success.
47:35 - Hobbies like basketball league.
50:46 - Who took a chance on Brian.

The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/361

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MORE COURTNEY RICHARDS --
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Visit Brian’s website.

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Actor Courtney Richards (Insecure, Alex, Inc.) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 360. Courtney stops by the bungalow and discusses audition confidence, booking momentum, commercial comedy, mindset shifts, what success really means, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Courtney slates.
00:14 - Introduction.
01:42 - Meeting at a commercial callback.
04:53 - What is success.
08:07 - How much is Courtney auditioning.
09:27 - Secret sauce to booking.
13:03 - Understanding the comedy.
19:18 - Anti keeping track of auditions.
21:51 - Audition rituals.
24:40 - Courtney's kids acting now.
26:37 - Self tapes.
28:44 - Growing up in Minnesota.
30:50 - Day job sellings houses.
35:52 - Taking classes after moving to LA.
42:56 - Commercial pay going down.
46:59 - Hobbies.
52:28 - Who took a chance on Courtney.

The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/360

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MORE COURTNEY RICHARDS --
Check Courtney’s IMDb.
Follow Courtney on Instagram @courtney_richards7.
Follow Courtney on TikTok @courtney_richards7.

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MORE BOX ANGELES --
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Actor - and commercial session director - Reece Rios (Scandal, Ray Donovan, Young Sheldon) joins us on the Box Angeles podcast episode 359. Reece stops by the bungalow and discusses the nuances of auditioning, the impact of self-tapes, the psychological demands of the entertainment industry, what he's learned from teaching the Commercial Class, and more!

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BEATS--
00:00 - Reece slates.
00:10 - Introduction.
02:35 - Time spent on video games.
09:03 - Session directing.
12:35 - How exhausting that job is.
17:46 - Giving actors the benefit of the doubt.
24:23 - Returning to in person auditions more lately.
27:26 - Thoughts on self tapes.
31:23 - Have self tapes impacted quality of in person auditions.
33:01 - What does session directing teach you as an actor.
40:09 - The need for a psychology of acting class.
43:33 - Journey to joining Groundlings Sunday Company.
48:06 - Why Reece books more dramatic work.
54:04 - Six different named roles in Scandal for the same character.
1:03:36 - Who took a chance on Reece.

The full video and pics -- boxangeles.com/359

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MORE REECE RIOS --
Check Reece's IMDb.
Follow Reece on Instagram @reecerios.

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MORE BOX ANGELES --
Follow Box Angeles on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.
Support Box Angeles on Patreon.