The Vermilion Podcast
Misha Calvert
The Vermilion Podcast is a free library for actors, writers, directors, and creatives. Host Misha Calvert draws on her decades of experience as an entertainment professional to give you revelatory behind-the-scenes information and inspiration to continue making your work. Each week, she answers practical questions related to the entertainment industry, ranging from craft to mindset to career strategy. Special episodes include interviews with established guests that shed light on what life is like for the decision-makers in the business.
Episodes
Guest Episode: Jeb McCormick
Apologies for taking a few weeks off, it's been crazy busy over here! To celebrate our amazing 2 year anniversary of the Vermilion Podcast, we scored the social media-famous Jeb McCormick from 15 Second Film for a candid chat with Misha! Both of them showcased their work at the Tribeca Film Festival, and reflect on their time at the festival, how to stay energized to create work, social media, and what’s going on with Timothée Chalamet. Tune in to this episode to explore the World of Jeb’s origin story, getting the most out of the Instagram Series tab, dancing at people’s doors, and how to foster creative abundance in an increasingly digital age. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest: Jeb McCormick Edited by Xinyu LiMusic by Zeyu Wang Follow Jeb on Instagram & Tiktok! Kate Eberstadt's Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/worldofjebKate Eberstadt's Tiktok Account: www.tiktok.com/@worldofjeb 15 Second Film on Instagram: www.instagram.com/15secondfilm If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Actors Access Vs. Backstage Vs. Casting Networks
In this unprecedented moment for Hollywood, self-submitting is an essential form of marketing. Just five minutes a day, five days a week can change the entire game for you. Misha explains how to strategically use key platforms—Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks—in order to get more auditions. Booking work is still entirely possible, but when the industry gets quieter, you must get louder! Grab a pen and paper for some critical strategies for self-submitting that you won't hear anywhere else. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn YewMusic by Zeyu Wang Reel courtesy of Gem Marc Collinswww.instagram.com/gemmarccollins If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Creating An Acting Reel That Books
Are you on hour ten of editing your reel? Take a break and get some tips and tricks from our hostMisha on what will make yours stand out. A reel is an important tool used by people in thefilm industry to show off their skills and talent. In this episode Misha provides practicaladvice about what to include in your reel, how to get it to reach the right people, and a great example of one working actor's reel that has gotten him many high-level bookings! You’ll learn what to prioritize in a highlight reel vs a self-tape reel. Don’t feel limited by lack of resources. Start with what you have! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Jonah KrynskiMusic by Zeyu Wang Reel courtesy of Gem Marc Collinswww.instagram.com/gemmarccollins If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Formatting Your Acting Resume
Everyone once in awhile we meet a casting director or agent who says the first and most important thing they look at with an actor is....that's right....their resume! Are you prepared for such a meeting? Your resume is more than a list of credits. It's a marketing tool that tells industry folks a years-long story about your training and work From industry-standard formatting to showcasing training, experience, and special skills, every detail is a factor in how you're perceived. This conversation explores how to build a resume that is professional, easy to read, and tailored to the work you want to book. Whether you're creating your first resume or updating one you've had for years, these insights can help you put your best foot forward! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Jonah KrynskiMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
3 Things Every Actor Needs
Do you know the most important marketing materials for an actor? It’s simple, and yet so many actors are not up to date with these things. Headshot. Resume. Reel. In this episode, Misha shares why these three essentials matter, why consistency beats talent alone, and how simply showing up and doing the work can put you ahead of most people in the industry. We also discusses what it really means to treat your acting career like a business. While many people dream of making it in the industry, far fewer are willing to put in the time, effort, and persistence required to build a sustainable career. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Jonah KrynskiMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Getting The Perfect Headshot
This week, our host Misha Calvert covers one of the most important parts of an actor's career: headshots. Drawing from her own experiences as an actor, Misha discusses why headshots remain an essential marketing tool, how to find the right photographer, and what makes a headshot stand out to casting directors. She also shares some cautionary tales about "headshot trauma," the importance of setting boundaries during a photoshoot, and how you can bring your own authentic energy to a shoot in a way that is marketable. This episode is packed with practical advice to help artists approach your next headshot session with confidence. Most importantly, Misha reminds us that the public wants to see the real you. You are the product, after all! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Jonah KrynskiMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
You Are A Creative Genius
This week, our host Misha ventures into the forest on a mini writer's retreat to work on her latest screenplay. She offers some encouragement and support on the idea of creativity and how to start to value your work as an artist more. Did you know that 98% of us are testing at the "creative genius" level at age five? Where does it go? Why do we stop imagining and expressing? Returning back to your creativity is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Check out this episode if you need a little boost in your creative process this week. And, if you can, try to get out and enjoy nature on an artist's retreat. Even if it's just for a day! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Jonah KrynskiMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
What Directors Actually Look For in Auditions
Did you know that your acting is not the only thing you need to think about in your audition? Many actors thing their craft is the deciding factor in whether they get a part or not, but it goes way beyond craft. This episode includes a candid list of some of the hidden things that directors (and casting directors) actually look for when deciding whether to cast an actor. Hopefully you can take this on board and get in the driver's seat of how you're coming across in your auditions. The more you know, the more you grow (and book work)! How might some of these factors change the way you approach your auditions from now on? Hosted by Misha Calvert Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
A Brief History of Film
If your memory of film only goes as far back as Jurassic Park, this is an episode you don't want to miss! The history of filmmaking is fascinating, and it turns out that diversity, equity and inclusion was a part of filmmaking from the beginning. In this episode, Misha goes into some of the fascinating backstory of Hollywood, including how the studio system went from the underdog to the Goliath that it is today, as well as the birth of independent films. There's so much to be learned from history, and plenty of insights in how film will continue to evolve in the future. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Casen DowMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Big Announcement!
Big news today! Misha is honored to have been asked to include one of her recent films in the Tribeca Film Festival. Between this and her upcoming class with Sundance Collab, plus some of her other projects in development, it's a busy time! So we are putting it to you: our audience. Do you love the podcast? Do you want it to continue? If we hear demand from you the listeners (and watchers), we will carry on, but given that this is as of now an unsponsored show, we are reassessing how to apportion time and resources. Drop us a line at [email protected] with your thoughts. We want to hear from you! Hosted by Misha Calvert Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Actress Shannon Gisela
We are lucky enough to have grabbed Shannon Gisela for an episode before she completely blows up! Her new crime show M.I.A. on Peacock, from the creator or OZARK, is an absolutely stunning vehicle for Shannon’s talent. In this episode, Shannon talks us through her amazing journey from “normal” actor auditioning and living life, to being #1 on the call sheet in a brand new TV show. Be sure to tune in for her advice on confidence, navigating Hollywood, and how to use your mindset to start booking projects that will move the needle. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest Shannon Gisela Edited by Casen DowMusic by Zeyu Wang M.I.A. on Peacock: www.peacocktv.com If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Difficult Collaborators
The creative industry is by nature collaborative…but that doesn’t mean that every collaboration is fun. Sometimes they are incredibly difficult! The stress of production can bring out the worst in people, and also the best. It's up to you to decide who you want to work with, and how you want to handle situations as they arise, and when to walk away. And make sure you're not the difficult collaborator! Host Misha Calvert takes you through decades of experience as an artist dealing with all manner of collaborators. Be sure to tune into this episode for solid tips on working with others and how to handle bumps in the road. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Vertical Director Nancy Pop
Have you been wondering how to get involved with "verticals," i.e. vertical films and series? it's one of the fastest growing sectors of the film industry, and a great way to make a nice day rate while getting experience on set. This week host Misha Calvert interviews prolific verticals director Nancy Pop. Nancy gives you some stunning secrets about what it's like to audition for and get cast in verticals, and what you can expect out of the experience. Listen to her and Misha chat vertical audition faux pas, as well as the intensity of the verticals schedule, which can sometimes hit 20 pages a day! It's a $9B business worldwide, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest Nancy Pop Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang Website for Nancy's Production Company: www.icymiproductions.com If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Vermilion Writing Challenge
Are you a screenwriter looking for an opportunity to get feedback from a professional production company? Here’s your shot! The Vermilion Writing Challenge runs from now until the end of the year and offers you the chance to send in up to 20 screenplay pages for a producer on our development team to take a look at and give you feedback. Misha is challenging YOU personally to this deadline! All submissions go to [email protected]. Ready, set, WRITE. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu WangColor by Jonah Krynski If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Slate Shots
Slate shots. They’re the simplest part of an audition, and yet they can feel impossible to get right. It's actually a question we get asked a lot about here at Vermilion, so this week Misha breaks down slate shot basics and gives you the cheat sheet for nailing them. This should be *most* everything you need to know about slate shots coming from the perspective of a working film director. Actors who tape at home - this one's for you! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit: www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit: www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Sundance Lawyer Sara Murphy
Who hasn’t dreamed of premiering at Sundance, the largest film festival in America? But have you ever spoken with someone who actually works for Sundance? Behind the reputation and prestige is a fleet of genuinely kind and passionate people including Sara Murphy, who serves as legal counsel to Sundance. This week, Misha and Sara discuss what it takes to get into the festival, the creative process, and thinking outside the corporate hustle and bustle. Check out this down-to-earth conversation and learn more about what it’s like behind the scenes at Sundance. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest Sara Murphy Edited by Casen DowMusic by Zeyu Wang Website for Sara Murphy's sound healing: www.shinewithsara111.com If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Envisioning Your Dream Life
Do you have dreams for the future? Are you on track to living them out? This week, Misha talks about one of the critical steps in achieving your dreams: creating a clear vision of them. You'll be guided through an exercise that helps you visualize your dream life and begin to embody that future self. By refining the vision of your dream life, you will be able to believe it more easily and start to create it. As Bad Bunny said during his legendary halftime show, "you are worth more than you think." Never, ever stop believing in your dreams! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Casen DowMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
How to Email Industry
The old Hollywood gatekeeping system is dying thanks to technology. Gone are the days where artists were barred from entry by iron gates and an army of assistants. Anyone can contact anyone now! Artists have direct access to executives, directors, producers, and investors at the highest level…but what do you say when you write to them? Welcome to the art of the pitch: each and every email should be captivating, professional, and clear. This week, host Misha Calvert uses her 25 years of experience in the business to talk you through all things email. They might seem simple, but one faux pas on email could cost you a job. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Selling My First TV Show
The first time Misha sold a TV show she was calm and confident. It wasn’t because the show was and is great (which to brag, it is) but because she didn’t know it was possible to sell a TV show in a cold pitch meeting! That confidence helped her sell not just one, but two projects to a streaming service. In this week’s episode, our host Misha Calvert gives you her secret to selling work as a film and episodic creator. You’ve made your masterpiece, and now it’s time to find it a home! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Should We Be Worried About AI
In this sobering episode, Misha walks you through some of the very real dangers of AI for people working in film and television. The flip side of the rise of generative AI is the increased need for creativity, not only as an industry but as a personal practice. Join Misha as she delves into some new ways to approach your art on the frontline conversation on what the future of AI is for creatives, and find out why, at the end of the day, AI’s impact on the climate might just be a blessing in disguise. But also…if you need someone to cathartically yell with, this is your chance. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Casen DowMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Actor Nicole Ansari-Cox
This week, the Vermilion podcast hosts an exciting guest: actor, director, and producer Nicole Ansari-Cox. Not only does she have a credits acting in three languages, but she heads up ‘The Climate Reality Project’: a non-profit focused on finding real-life solutions to the rising climate crisis. Nicole truly is a shining example of how to combine art and activism with grace and success. Listen this week as host Misha Calvert interviews Nicole about creating your own opportunities in the film industry, her insane journey toward landing a role on “Succession,” and what it’s like to work with her husband, world-renown actor Brian Cox. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest: Nicole Ansari-Cox Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Lowering Phone and Internet Bills
You’re paying too much for your phone bill! With so much competition in the phone plan market, you should be paying $30 a month maximum! Misha tells you which phone plan provider she uses and gives you some practical tips on how to negotiate down your monthly phone bill without switching providers. She also touches on your internet bill, which may also be over-charging you. As a creative you should be smart about finances every chance you get, so grab a pen and paper and get ready to pay less for your utilities. Please note this is not an ad...just practical, real world advice to save you money. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva Giri Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
How to Beat Final Bosses
Do you have one big, scary thing that you know you need to do, but you’ve been putting it off for days, weeks, or even years? This is your “Final Boss.” It’s not just a test…it’s what’s standing directly in the way of your dreams. In this mind-altering episode, Misha lays out the "Final Boss" paradigm as a clear roadmap for personal growth. She explains that when you dodge the big, scary challenges, be it financial, career-related, relational, or beyond, that you’re telling your brain you don’t really matter. By stepping up and "slaying" this boss, you aren't just solving a problem; you are giving your brain the physical evidence it needs to value yourself more The bigger and more intimidating the boss, the bigger the reward waiting on the other side. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Actor Sarah Pribis
Our guest this week is actor and influencer Sarah Pribis — you know her from Instagram and TikTok, but there’s a lot more to her! In Sarah and Misha’s candid conversation, she pulls back the curtain on maintaining a professional acting career while leveraging a successful social media presence. They discuss sobriety, workaholism, the definition of success, and how mental health can either make or break you. You’ll walk away inspired by your ability to influence those around you, and hopefully feel a renewed sense of possibility. Sarah has rebuilt her life from the ground up, and she is a testament to how resilience and the joy of creation can pay off. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest: Sarah Pribis Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang Follow Sarah Pribis on Instagram & Tiktok!Sarah Pribis' Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/sarahpribis Sarah Pribis' Tiktok Account: www.tiktok.com/@sarahpribis If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit: www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Tracking Email Opens and Clicks
In this episode, Misha tackles one of the most isolating aspects of the creative journey: the feeling that your work is being sent into a "black hole." Even though rejection is a big part of being an artist, sending email after email and never hearing back takes a huge toll on your mind. Misha offers a practical solution to reclaim power through email tracking, which you can use selectively to at least know if your emails are getting opened. By using tracking tools like Boomerang, you can transform silence into actionable insight and become exponentially better at emailing as a result. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Janiva GiriMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Top 3 Ways To Book Acting Jobs (No Agent Required)
In celebration of the new year, we are reposting one of our top-downloaded episodes of all time! This incredibly helpful episode gives you the top three ways we have seen actors book work. Misha takes you through "the triangle" of strategy as an actor to get you from zero auditions a week on up to ten auditions a week. And if you're doing all three tactics at once, you are almost guaranteed to book something. Have fun, and get ready to be booked and busy with these straightforward, helpful strategies! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Meher MirpuriMusic by Manor of Animals If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Social Media Star Haley Dixon
In this episode, Misha sits down with actor and social media creator Haley Dixon on how she achieved her overnight TikTok stardom. Haley opens up about the discipline required to manage a platform of half a million followers, ignoring hate comments, monetizing her work, and how she used social media to book her first short film and sign with a manager. This conversation is a masterclass for any artist looking to embrace social media in a way that’s enjoyable, even if you’re starting with 10 followers and your phone in the beginning. Hosted by Misha Calvert Special Guest: Haley Dixon Music by Zeyu Wang Haley’s TikTok Account: www.tiktok.com/@haley_dixon Haley’s Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/haley_dixon4 If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit: www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit: www.clubvermilion.com
How to Decide
Misha breaks down some of the hidden mechanism of decision-making, specifically how to use it to activate your creative potential as you head into a new season of life. She discusses the root of the word “decide” as latin for “to cut off.” From this framework, Misha invites you to recognize that indecision is itself a choice and can lead to more more loss and discomfort than the actual decision. At the end of the episode, you’ll get a powerful exercise to help pull your deepest desires toward you quickly by bravely cutting off the people, places, and things that are standing in your way. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Actor-Singer-Songwriter Kate Eberstadt
In this episode, we have actor-singer-songwriter Kate Eberstadt in a truly inspiring interview as she celebrates her new album, Heaven on Earth. Kate and Misha, who became friends after shooting a film together for the album, explore how Kate’s background in theater and acting informs the storytelling of her music. Kate shares the raw emotional journey behind her work, from the experience of a flow state to the deeply personal evolution of the album as Kate transitioned through various life events. She also tells you the secret to how she channeled her authentic voice as an artist, created her first solo show, and signed with one of the top talent agencies in the world. Hosted by Misha Calvert Special Guest: Kate Eberstadt Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang Follow Kate Eberstadt on Instagram & Tiktok!Kate Eberstadt's Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/kateeberstadt/ Kate Eberstadt's Tiktok Account: www.tiktok.com/@kateeberstadtHeaven on Earth on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/album/10NpmquO5y7WImsHRJ1JLS?si=nuXC-AxOSRWvC0e8a2lIyg If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Casting Director Harley Kaplan
Misha and Brett Epstein sit down with veteran casting director Harley Kaplan, whose credits include Sex and the City, dozens of feature films, and Misha’s own digital series All Hail Beth. Kaplan shares that his casting process is guided by intuition and an actor's "energy" or "aura," noting that a compelling essence often outweighs rigid adherence to character breakdowns. He offers blunt, actionable advice for actors: be confident, make bold choices, and never apologize in the room. This heart-warming episodes reminds us that all of us who are working in entertainment, including casting directors, are human, and that we should never take rejection personally. Hosted by Misha Calvert and Brett EpsteinSpecial Guest Harley Kaplan Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Director’s Commentary: All Hail Beth
This week's episode takes you behind the scenes of the making of Misha’s hit web series, All Hail Beth. After Misha pitched BRIC TV at the Tribeca creator’s market, they brought her on as writer, director, and show runner of this original short-form series All Hail Beth. It went on to win awards and become of the more successful narrative series BRIC TV has greenlit. Check out Misha’s director’s commentary on the pilot episode, including technical secrets, casting tips, and juicy, legally-approved set gossip. All Hail Beth is a six-episode comedy series that was released in 2019 on BRIC TV. All of Season 1 is available for free on YouTube and BRIC TV at the link below! Don’t miss the thrilling next episode as Beth explores her newfound powers! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang Watch All Hail Beth: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX1W43ZgDnWEyPoIV-1oyWGry4j-iOrdD If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Find Your Money Energy
What if money was all around you, just waiting for you to grab it? Spoiler alert: it is! If you crave more money but have trouble understanding how it works and how to generate it, this episode is a must-listen. Misha works with the idea of money as energy, and expands the term "currency" far beyond just cash. She also breaks down one framework of wealth mentality and how you can prevent scarcity by rejecting both martyrdom and entitlement. If you’re ready to welcome in more money this year, grab a pen and paper for the wealth inventory at the end of the episode! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
How to Deal with Conflict
We live in conflicted times, and the strain of that can hit extra hard for artists. In this episode, we cover conflict management and how to take responsibility for a situation to transform disagreement into deep healing. Drawing from conflict resolution experts, Misha shares actionable strategies for creating a safe space, understanding the difference between emotion and analysis, and ultimately using conflict as a powerful catalyst for personal growth. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Severance Actor Cassidy Layton
Actor Cassidy Layton joins the Vermillion podcast to share her unique journey, from her work on critically-acclaimed series like Severance and Hunters to her very first TV acting gig playing Donald Trump on ice. She reveals how she was able to secure early roles through Actors Access without representation, and how she caught the attention of her current agent. The conversation delves into the high-level craftsmanship that goes into making Severance, and you’ll get a sneak peek at what some of the stars of the show are really like to work with. Hosted by Misha CalvertSpecial Guest Cassidy Layton Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Agents and Managers Q&A
Want an agent or manager? Unsure of how to get one? The entertainment industry has been on a wild ride the past few years, and the right rep can help you sink or swim right now. In this Q&A session, Misha tackles audience questions about agents and managers. She cut through the confusion: Do you need an agent AND a manager? Should you still be self-submitting? And how do you know if it’s time to jump ship or stick it out with crickets at your current rep? She also shares the non-negotiable step every actor that must take to become "world-class." We are selling out quickly on our massive December Agent/Manager Program. More info here: https://www.clubvermilion.com/showcase Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Best Of: Auditions
Welcome to our first best-of episode! We've compiled some of our best tips and hacks from the archives on one of our most requested topics: auditions. Misha gives you some of her strategies to build confidence and advises actors to treat self-submissions as a vital marketing tool, even if you're repped by an agent or manager. Most importantly: never apologize in an audition unless it's an emergency. You should instead think of the experience as a meeting of equals and a chance to share a little bit of your best self with the room. Head high, no apologies! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Network Executive Kuye Youngblood
If you've ever wanted to sit down with an actual network exec, this is your chance. Kuye Youngblood, the General Manager at New York's BRIC TV, has dedicated much of her life to being a champion of community and accessible storytelling. In this episode, she shares the secrets to pitching film and television from years of sitting on the other side of the table greenlighting shows. It's rare for an executive to be so candid and generous in a conversation like this, so be sure to listen to the end! Hosted by Misha Calvert and Brett EpsteinSpecial Guest Kuye Youngblood Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: TV Showrunner Tom Fontana
This week's podcast features an unforgettable conversation with groundbreaking writer, producer, and TV showrunner Tom Fontana—the visionary behind some of television's most influential shows and one of the creators of “prestige drama.” Fontana walks us through his career, from getting up at 5am to write every day of his life to a lifetime of creating shows that fundamentally changed the landscape of premium cable. If you’ve ever wondered what matters in a pitch meeting and the secret to a career as a writer, this is a must-listen! Hosted by Misha Calvert & Tom Fontana Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Mental & Emotional Support
It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed right now. The anger, fear, and panic are real and justified, and if you're an artist you probably have been feeling it for years. In this episode, Misha shares some essential tools for mental and emotional support to help you stay healthy and happy. She reveals how she built a strong foundation after she hit a low point a few years ago, leading to her current energy, optimism, and success. Whether utilizing therapy, somatic movement, coaching, or simple habits for brain and body health, by committing to just one tool this month you can start to see massive improvements in your day-to-day mental and emotional state. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
How to Create a Successful Brand
Your brand is your art! Time to start acting like it. If you want a successful brand, you must create an emotional connection with your audience through story. For artists and performers, proactively managing that story is the critical difference between getting paid and being left behind. In this episode, Misha breaks down the five basic pillars for every successful artist using the B.R.A.N.D. acronym. Learn why being Beautiful, Respectable, Available, addressing a Need, and creating Demand are the non-negotiables for success and higher rates. The time to take control of your career is now. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Bonus Episode: Sex & Saying No
Sex isn’t just a physical and emotional event; there are also powerful chemicals released that can have a huge impact on what happens next! In Part 2 of this “Life as an Artist” series, we dive into the science of dating, the power of saying no (especially for women), why “mixed signals” are a myth, and the vital concept of "The Opposite is the Medicine." Misha explains some of the actual “chemistry” in physical chemistry as she breaks down how she called in her current committed partner. This bonus episode will help you identify and attract high-quality partners and raise the bar for dating!Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Phoenix BooneMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Life as an Artist: Dating & Love
Due to popular demand, we finally created a two-part special on love and dating that’s part of our larger “Life As An Artist” series. This episode walks you through some of the unique challenges of romantic love as an artist including: how to discern their chemistry from your own, dating with an unpredictable career, cultivating masculine-feminine polarity while still maintaining equality, and maintaining your boundaries when you’re an empath. Misha offers a new way to think about what a healthy relationship looks like, sharing her personal journey from years of dead-end dating in New York City to cultivating a relationship that has exceeded her wildest dreams. This episode is for anyone who is ready to increase their dating confidence and call in the kind of love that truly feels like home. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Secrets of Email Marketing: Part 2
You’ve figured out your goal for this legendary email campaign, and you’ve gathered your contacts…now it’s time to finalize your pitch and send it! In part two of “Secrets of Email Marketing,” we cover the mindset needed to survive one of the most stressful parts of the whole process: actually hitting send on hundreds if not thousands of emails at once. Misha also covers what to do with unsubscribes and the occasional “hate mail” you might get as a response (spoiler: it’s probably them, not you)! Use these episodes as accountability to carry out your email marketing, and let us know how it went! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Secrets of Email Marketing: Part 1
“If only someone would hire me,” you cry out to the heavens as you wait for the phone to ring. But in this digital age, anyone can reach anyone! The people who are most excited to hire you probably don’t know you exist yet. That’s where email comes in. This two-part series gives you detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you master email marketing and get your name out there. From crafting your pitch to tracking down their emails to actually sending them, be sure to listen to both parts 1 and 2 if you want to conquer the essential tool of email! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: Actor Ser'Darius Blain
One from the vaults! This week, Misha and Brett Epstein interview movie star Ser'Darius Blain (JUMANJI, STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS) in a fascinating and, at times, shocking conversation about the reality of being a professional actor. Ser'Darius reveals some of his secrets to preparing for a role and staying sane in Hollywood, and was incredibly honest in a way that is rare for an actor at his level. Listen to the end for what it was like to work with The Rock and Kevin Hart! Hosted by Misha Calvert and Brett Epstein Featuring Ser'Darius Blain Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram.www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Success & Willpower
In the age of "nepo babies," entering the film and TV industry with no connections and no money can actually be one of your greatest assets. Why? Because privilege destroys willpower, and willpower is one of the single most important factors in longterm success. Did you know that scientists have isolated the part of the brain responsible for will power, and that you can actually grow that part of your brain with one surprising daily task? In this week's episode, Misha covers the simple recipe for increasing your willpower, why so many of us are addicted to failure, and how you can build a successful career with just four hours a day of work. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Actors Access Vs. Backstage Vs. Casting Networks
In this unprecedented moment for Hollywood, self-submitting is an essential form of marketing. Just five minutes a day, five days a week can change the entire game for you. Misha explains how to strategically use key platforms—Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks—in order to get more auditions. Booking work is still entirely possible, but when the industry gets quieter, you must get louder! Grab a pen and paper for some critical strategies for self-submitting that you won't hear anywhere else. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
How to Get What You Want
Don't miss this standout episode where Misha offers a compassionate and inspiring guide to get what you truly want in life. She reminds us that while the journey may not always be easy, the path to a better life begins by taking responsibility and changing your behavior. Through a series of powerful, self-reflective questions, she encourages you to honestly identify your deepest ambitions that might be parading as superficial desires. Then, by modeling your behavior on the people you admire, you can actively create the life of your dreams. Misha breaks down her formula on how to manifest your specific goals, as well as how to become expert at the feelings of joy and gratitude underneath your desires. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew Music by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Booking Blockbusters
Ever wondered what it takes to get called in for big-budget film and television projects? This episode is a masterclass in confidence, offering a detailed breakdown of how to ascend to the level of “blockbuster” acting. Misha explains "star" mentality, which is wholly different from being “just an actor.” A massive reach starts with taking massive responsibility for both yourself and the people around you, and you’ll be surprised to discover secrets to leadership and compassion along the way to booking the blockbusters of your dreams. Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited by Kaylyn Yew & Jess EichenMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com
Guest Episode: "Director on Director" with Misha Calvert
This special interview episode, “Director on Director” features host Misha Calvert in an interview with theater director AMT Tobin. You’ll discover how Misha's childhood passion for creating plays and movies evolved into a professional career, driven by a desire to craft her own opportunities. She shares how Steven Spielberg's epic storytelling influenced her work and dives deep into the fascinating differences between directing for the stage versus the screen. Tune in for a candid conversation about the highs and lows of directing, the importance of self-belief, and practical tips for navigating the film industry. Hosted by Misha Calvert and AMT Tobin Edited by Kaylyn Wey & Maryam AlkhajaMusic by Zeyu Wang If you liked this episode, slide into our DMs! You can reach our team at @clubvermilion on Instagram. www.instagram.com/clubvermilion If you want to contact Misha elsewhere, or view her creative work visit:www.mishacalvert.com If you are interested in a free phone consultation, classes, or coaching visit:www.clubvermilion.com