We’re wrapping up our 6 month season and taking a little break to circle the wagons and cook up an even better show for you!   Jenny Walters is back and we’re talking about walking through your daily life and finding what is nourishing to you and what is depleting -- and as usual I want you to check in with your breath!   The Somatic Experiencing author Jenny mentions is Peter Levine (http://www.traumahealing.org/peter-a-levine-phd.php)   Don’t forget to sign up for the mailing list on the website (www.firstbreathspeech.com) We will miss you -- but you’re going to be on our minds and in our hearts! See you soon!

First Breath Speech by Speak Well US - Better Voice Better Life

Nourishment Exercises for Everyday

Books: Actor-y An Actor Prepares (Stanislavski) - tried and true about how NOT to act in novel form The Second Circle (Rodenburg) - prior recommend - about acting, being present and harnessing your life-force for good! Acting In Film (Caine) - it’s a quick read and some if it seems a bit trickster-like, but it’s a unique point of view about film acting from one who has been doing it for decades.   Human-y (modern classics) The Alchemist (Coelho) - if you haven’t read this yet, please do… now, please! The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger) - if you just skimmed this in middle or high school, go back and read it - great seamless example of transparent inner life. To Kill A Mockingbird (Lee) - story about prejudice vs. compassion - go back and read it!   (front list-ish) Between the World and Me (Coates) - OK I haven’t read this yet, but it’s on my nightstand and the reviews are nuts! Conceived in letter form from the author to his son. A Little Life (Yanagihara) - I’m not gonna lie, this book is loooong but the writing is acute and one of the 4 main characters is a actor. Takes place in NYC over several decades. If you have the time and the bandwidth for sadness, it’s a great read. Girl on the Train (Hawkins) - This was the big thriller hit last year and of course they are making the movie as we speak. Can you say unreliable narrator? (I knew you could).   Ted Talks: Researcher Brene Brown in her now infamous talk about vulnerability https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability Neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor - about the stroke she had in her 30’s which transformed her understanding of existence https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight Dan Pallotta’s most recent about humanity and dreaming together https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_dream_we_haven_t_dared_to_dream   Classes in LA: Jamison Jones Acting Studio -- just moved to Burbank The masterclass is an ongoing scene study class Monday nights from 7-11 in Burbank (across the street from Argentum photolab) Grand Opening for the Burbank space on May 14th at 4pm and on May 19th at 7pm there is a FREE Open class It's a class about finding your power as an an actor and honing your skill and unique sensibility. It's also about pointing out your weaknesses and your actor ticks and tells and getting rid of them, it's about awareness and specificity and being able to walk in the audition room or onset or stage with your most confident self, with your work prepared and complete. Email: jonesactingstudio@gmail.com   Art of Acting 5-week Shakespeare Intensive 5 weeks, 20 hours per week, 10 of which will be in rehearsal for a play -- by WS! If you mention my name, you’ll get a 50% discount! http://www.artofactingstudio.com/classes/shakespeare-intensive/ Audition Class with me - Breathe -- stop choking! Two Saturdays per month in June, July and August, I will be giving an audition class around breathing. We’ll focus on scenes or speeches you would be preparing for auditions and how to breathe through them (and not hold your breath) so you can stay connected to the inner life of the character and to your scene partner/reader. Come once -- come again. We will work with whatever you got and make it better! Space TBA in Burbank or Hollywood. Email me: lauren@firstbreathspeech.com if you’re in LA and you’re interested!   Online Class: How Your Voice Works - Elissa Weinzimmer (Episode #12 - Your Voice and Your Vibrator) How Your Voice Works is a new online class from vocal health specialist Elissa Weinzimmer, explaining the anatomy and mechanics of the voice in clear and simple detail. Visit www.voicebodyconnection.com and enter your information to get the first module of the course for free!   New mobile headshot with The Headshot Truck -- in LA and coming to NYC soon! http://www.theheadshottruck.com/ One of my acting students works as a make-up artist for them - ask for Kristin! Go where the truck is or have it come to you -- starts at $300 and is quick and fun.   Apps: Mediation -- Ok people, I have been remiss in the meditation, but I am re-upping and have found some good apps for you to try...   Meditate Me --Kelly Howell - The Brain Whisperer -- there is one for $2.99 and I think it’s worth it. It’s a guided mediation so we can help our brains to process our thoughts and experiences - like our bring laundry, you know? Dirty shirts cleansed and folded and back in the drawers? http://meditate.me/   Sattva This one is free and the structure of the app is pretty cool with a timer and a choice to engage in challenges and post on FB etc. There is a plethora of meditations from which to choose, which is super-fab. The sound quality is not up to the bar set by the tech, but they work just fine. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sattva-meditation-timer-tracker/id930904592?mt=8 Speech Ring I’ve developed an articulation tool that everyone is LOVING so far -- we’re not going to sell it online yet, though as we are still in the testing stage, but if you take my summer workshop classes OR you send me a message from the Facebook page we can probably work out a way for you to have one! Re-brand - taking a break -- if you want to know about all we’re cooking up, please go to the website and sign up for the mailing list so you don’t suddenly suffer from FOMO!

EP 24 - Tools to GROW on from me to YOU

How a delightful dancer from Columbia and a cunning production guy from Quebec created a successful multi-media entertainment company in LA. This is the story of Rene and Donald. Rene Veilleux and Donald Lopez are partners in business and in life. I went to their Verite Entertainment offices in the heart of Koreatown to get to know them and what they do (which is a helluva lot!). They share some great insights about what they look for when hiring actors…(Practice practice practice!)   Check out ALL they do here (http://veriteentertainment.net/) Like them! https://www.facebook.com/veriteentertainment/?fref=ts

EP 23 - A Story About Embracing Your Own Diverse Diversity

This week it’s me talking to you about your voice. I’ve been noticing people are paying more attention to the way people sound -- especially with the growing popularity of podcasts -- and there have been many studies done of late about how your voice affects both listener and consequently, you. I give you some homework at the end of the Ep to help you become more aware and more in touch with your voice. Please send questions and comments to lauren@firstbreathspeech.com

EP 22 - How Important Is My Voice?

This week Jenny Walters is back to help us break up the hard stones of self-criticism and just curious about our confusion.       From the Wiki for Sankhara: The Buddha taught that all such things are impermanent (arising and passing away, subject to change), are essenceless (not worthy of reifying attachment or aversion), and are not reliable sources of pleasure. Understanding the significance of this reality is wisdom. Saṅkhāra is often used in this first sense to describe the psychological conditioning (particularly the habit patterns of the unconscious mind) that gives any individual human being his or her unique character and make-up at any given time.   Jenny’s website: http://www.jadetree.la/jenny.html BIO Jenny Walters (Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (#80042) earned a B.F.A. from the University of Oregon, and an M.F.A. from University of Illinois at Chicago, before going on to earn a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She received depth psychological training at Counseling West in Sherman Oaks, CA and continues her training with Dr. Sam Rader in Los Angeles. Additional professional training includes Somatic Experiencing and mindfulness meditation.   Jenny approaches therapy from the belief that each of us holds the capacity and power to heal. To nurture this innate healing process, she helps her clients become aware of the conscious and unconscious beliefs that shape experience. Jenny acts as an empathic and curious guide as clients experience relief from symptoms, gain deeper understanding and find more meaning in their lives.  

EP 21 - Dazed and Confused is Ok

This week it’s all about web series and all about winner for best supporting actress,Darcie Siciliano! We chat about her popular web series, He’s With Me (http://www.heswithme.tv/), and about how she learned to accept herself as one who does not fit in to typical “actress” molds, and how she got more comfortable about her own process.   Links: He’s With Me web series (http://www.heswithme.tv/) Indie Series Network (http://www.indieseriesnetwork.org/) Indie Series Awards (http://www.indieseriesawards.com/) Darcie Siciliano is a professional actress based in NYC who has had the privilege of collaborating on stage with Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris, Academy Award nominee Michael Weller and renowned actress Kathleen Chalfant; and on-screen with such acclaimed directors as Joe Pytka, Bob Giraldi and Neil Kraft.  She has recently completed her second season on the hit indie webseries HE'S WITH ME - for which she won an Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, after being nominated twice. Follow her @damedacia and www.darciesiciliano.com.  

EP 20 - Web Series Chat with Best Supporting Actress Winner Darcie Siciliano

In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with my pal Nancy Linari about voice-over and particularly the world of Audiobooks! Nancy began her career in Chicago with the famed improv comedy group, The Second City. She appeared in David Fincher’s Academy Award-winning The Social Network and Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center.  Her numerous television credits include guest-starring roles on Bones, Brothers & Sisters, Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, ER, Frasier, Fringe, Grey’s Anatomy, and Modern Family. On stage, Nancy has been seen in resident and touring productions at the revered Briar Street, Drury Lane, and Wisdom Bridge theaters in Chicago, and the Geffen, La Mirada, Canon and Victory theaters in Los Angeles. She originated the role of Myrna Thorn/Emily Block in “Ruthless! The Musical” a schizophrenic combination of an uptight, pill-popping 3rd grade teacher having a nervous breakdown, and a sexy, hardboiled newspaper reporter with the hots for the leading lady – all this in Bob Mackie designed costumes! She’s a popular voiceover artist for broadcast commercials, video games and animation, and starred as Morticia in the ABC cartoon, The Addams Family. Nancy is also an award-winning audiobook narrator, whose passion for performing books comes in part from her childhood desire to play all the parts.  And she doesn’t have to share a dressing room. Some of her audio books are: This first book is the second in the series, following FRAGILE: Darkness, My Old Friend: A Novel   This is a new release - a romance/chick lit genre: A Girl's Guide to Moving On: A Novel   And she is one of 3 readers on this collection of Truman Capote stories: The Early Stories of Truman Capote

Ep 19 - Voice Over World, Part Two - Audiobooks with Nancy Linari

Hey Easy Speakers, Some recommendations from today’s Good Friday hodge-podge-cast! Podcasts I like: http://offcamera.com/ http://www.wtfpod.com/ http://www.onbeing.org/   Book oriented podcasts I like: http://booksonthenightstand.com/ http://bookriot.com/category/podcast/   Audio books: http://www.audible.com/ Song of Achilles (Miller) Paying Guests (Waters)   Check out the Hillary C post on the website: http://firstbreathspeech.com/voice-notes-on-our-us-political-candidates-part-one-hil/    Love Ya! Speak well….

EP 18 - Good Friday

This week we talk to actor Joe Mortimer about how a jock from Philly ended up at grad school to study theater, and then on to LA where he launched a very successful career in voice-over (much to the surprise of his voice and speech teachers)! Joe Mortimer Joe Mortimer is a professional voice actor.  He can be heard on t.v.’s and radio’s trying to convince you to buy something.  He graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia and has an MFA from West Virginia University.  In his free time he enjoys writing and making shit up at Improv Olympic in LA.

EP 17 - Voice Over World, Part One with Joe Mortimer

In this episode my good friend Jenny Walters and I talk about being human. When I teach a class or workshop or coach a client, I am helping not only to open up the vocal instrument, but often times we get into opening up the psyche in regards to self-judging and holding onto old beliefs that don’t work, ideas that tend to manifest physically in the form of tension. Jenny, an artist and therapist, sheds some light about what goes on in the subconscious and how we might look to form a sense of safety internally so we can free ourselves and our voices from constriction. BIO Jenny Walters (Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (#80042) earned a B.F.A. from the University of Oregon, and an M.F.A. from University of Illinois at Chicago, before going on to earn a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She received depth psychological training at Counseling West in Sherman Oaks, CA and continues her training with Dr. Sam Rader in Los Angeles. Additional professional training includes Somatic Experiencing and mindfulness meditation.   Jenny approaches therapy from the belief that each of us holds the capacity and power to heal. To nurture this innate healing process, she helps her clients become aware of the conscious and unconscious beliefs that shape experience. Jenny acts as an empathic and curious guide as clients experience relief from symptoms, gain deeper understanding and find more meaning in their lives.

EP 16 - Talking About Being Human

Following your fear vs following your bliss is what this episode is about. An email I got from Marie Forleo got me to thinking about fear related to our voices and how we speak, and how working on freeing our voices might well we worth the risks.

EP 15 - Change Your Voice Change Your Life

This week we connect with screenwriter, Deb Setele to hear about her PitchFest experience. We get some great tips and take-aways about how to handle the stress when you’re pitching -- which goes for auditions too! Deborah Setele Screenwriter/Story Analyst Deborah started her career as a screenwriter by writing short stories in her bedroom as a kid. In an effort to become more social as a teenager, she studied acting in high school and then continued her acting and theatre studies at Virginia Tech. While her love of movies brought her to Los Angeles, she also wrote and performed sketch comedy. After some time bouncing around different day jobs, she landed at a production company where, as part of her job, she had to read screenplays every day. She then studied screenwriting, at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program where she earned a Certificate in Screenwriting. Her credits include the independent feature “G.I. Jesus” (winner of the grand jury prize at the Cinevegas Film Festival) and the short film “Latchkey.” In addition, she provides script coverage and/or story notes for hundreds of scripts for contests and production companies. Her IMDB page is here

EP 14 - Pitch Perfect with Deb Setele

This week I’m talking to producer, director, actor, stunt-person, America Young. We talk about how she broke into the business from Nebraska of all places, and how she went from being accepted into med school to having 32 stunt credits on IMDB, and the importance of good relationships. America Young is currently working in many aspects of film-making. A show she co-created has been licensed by POW! (Stan Lee’s production Company) and Comediva. She has directed 5 entire web series, and episodes from two others. She has directed 2 music videos and 7 shorts. America is so excited that all her years of production experience and geek obsessions culminated into directing her first feature, a pop-culture comedy called, The Concessionaires Must Die!! which is now in post Her IMDB page is here and her women in film project is here:chimaeraproject.org

EP 13 - America Young

This week I Skype with Elissa Weinzimmer, a vocal health specialist. She’s got a new program explaining in detail How Your Voice Works launching later this month. She’s also the co-creator of the Vibrant Voice Technique with David Ley where vibrators are used to improve your vocal production and resonance. Elissa attended the University of Southern California and after losing her voice she began to study and then became certified in Fitzmaurice Voicework ®.In 2012 she earned an MFA in Theatre Voice Pedagogy at the University of Alberta

EP 12 - Your Voice and Your Vibrator

This week I’m letting you in on a conversation I had with veteran dialect coach, Andrew Jack about being on big sets like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Check out his website here. I also tell you about how they found the sound for BB8 for the latest installment of SW. Here is the article in Post mag  

EP 11 - Words from a Veteran Dialect Coach About Working on Big Sets

First Breath Speech is a podcast for anyone looking to improve the way they speak, or minimize a natural accent. Host Lauren Lovett speaks with a wide range of experts from casting directors, to yoga practitioners about how to harness the power of clear speech.

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First Breath Speech by Speak Well US - Better Voice Better L...

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