Road to Stardom with David Firestone Season 1 Episode 4: Carol Jefferson

[00:00:00] This podcast is brought to you by, again and forever,

[00:00:14] Hollywood, California, the manager that we all love, David Firestone.

[00:00:51] Hi, this is Road to Stardom with David Firestone.

[00:00:54] On our last session, he told a cautionary tale that made me think a lot about this business and how to keep things going and stay focused and have an awesome career.

[00:01:09] And there's another gentleman that I've gotten to know who is one of those types.

[00:01:16] He's been around the business forever, and we're going to have him on the podcast here sometime in the near future.

[00:01:22] His name is Vinnie Radcliffe.

[00:01:23] He's been my personal photographer since probably six or seven years now since we really cranked up the business here in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Los Angeles.

[00:01:37] He was, he's been around for a while.

[00:01:40] He was Dick Clark's personal photographer for many years, and some of you may not know who Dick Clark is, but yeah, he has the Rockin' New Year's Eve show.

[00:01:49] I believe it still goes by that name.

[00:01:51] And they have another host now.

[00:01:52] It was Ryan Seaclip.

[00:01:54] I'm not sure if he's still hosting it.

[00:01:56] I think he did last year, but I'm not.

[00:01:58] I don't recall why they didn't watch the show, but he had the Dick Clark Rockin' New Year's Eve show.

[00:02:04] He did it for many, many years.

[00:02:06] Awesome broadcaster.

[00:02:08] He also had a show called Bandstand, which was also back in the day out of Philadelphia.

[00:02:16] Dick Clark Bandstand show.

[00:02:18] He always had young musicians, new musicians, and they were dancing, and it was a great show.

[00:02:28] And that is also back in the day.

[00:02:29] You can Google that now.

[00:02:31] The Dick Clark Bandstand show.

[00:02:33] So, Vinny is that kind of guy who is just such an awesome self promoter and people all over town know him as a photographer.

[00:02:44] So, we were at a New Year's Eve gala in Beverly Hills at a beautiful house.

[00:02:50] And they had an outdoor tent set up with music.

[00:02:54] Stars were there.

[00:02:56] And again, this is going back six or seven years ago.

[00:03:00] And we were at a red carpet also.

[00:03:03] So, we were meeting lots of people.

[00:03:05] Vinny was there taking pictures.

[00:03:07] Vinny's kind of got tossed like this.

[00:03:08] Come on, David.

[00:03:09] Get over here.

[00:03:09] I'll do this right now, right now, right now.

[00:03:12] And it gets lots of people's attention and takes great pictures out of this.

[00:03:15] Really awesome.

[00:03:17] So, we were in the main tent area where there was a musician and Jeff Goldblum was there that night doing his piano.

[00:03:29] So, he was playing songs, having a great time.

[00:03:31] And I think, well, I'd love, I'd never met Jeff, but I'd love to meet him in my mind.

[00:03:35] I'm thinking I mentioned a bit.

[00:03:36] If you know a way to get in front of Jeff, let me know.

[00:03:38] I'd love to meet him while we're here.

[00:03:39] So, now we're at the end of the evening.

[00:03:41] Things are dying down and like, they look quiet.

[00:03:43] People are still having fun.

[00:03:45] Talking about the music Oscars awards for that, that night.

[00:03:51] And then, Jeff stopped playing.

[00:03:53] The music kind of had died down and people were talking and going around.

[00:03:57] And Vinny came busting into the tent and said,

[00:04:00] David, get over, get over right now.

[00:04:01] Follow me, follow me right now.

[00:04:02] They're leaving, they're leaving.

[00:04:03] I told Jeff, I talked to him.

[00:04:04] We'll have a picture with you.

[00:04:05] Come with me right now, right now.

[00:04:06] So, grab me.

[00:04:08] He ran out of the tent, past the red carpet, out to where the limos were pulled up and there was Jeff Goldblum.

[00:04:16] And I actually had a young female talent at the time.

[00:04:20] And she was very great, great gracious.

[00:04:22] She came out with us.

[00:04:23] And we all got pictures together with Jeff.

[00:04:25] And that's, that's the picture I actually have on my IABD pro page.

[00:04:31] And that's with Jeff Goldblum.

[00:04:33] And that's how that happened.

[00:04:35] Thanks to Vinny Ratcliffe.

[00:04:37] And his energetic, positive attitude.

[00:04:40] Because that's what you need here in Hollywood.

[00:04:42] Keep going, don't stop.

[00:04:44] Never quit.

[00:04:45] And maintain a positive outlook.

[00:04:46] And you never know what might develop.

[00:04:49] Even for a picture.

[00:04:51] Have a great one.

[00:04:53] We'll talk later.

[00:04:54] Hey Nick, can you turn this on?

[00:05:02] Battery and abuse.

[00:05:03] Frost Casino has released video footage of an incident two days prior to the playing with Mr. Hill coming to his wife's place of work in an apparent drunken rage.

[00:05:11] I've never heard anything like it.

[00:05:14] Oh my god!

[00:05:21] Baby!

[00:05:25] It's great to have you guys here again.

[00:05:27] But I think I'm gonna call it a night.

[00:05:29] Thank goodness, it's about time.

[00:05:31] Whatever Darren.

[00:05:33] Jessica, please don't let this be the last time I see you, okay?

[00:05:36] This is it.

[00:05:37] I'm checking you into the VO Psych tomorrow.

[00:05:39] Why don't you just let me die?

[00:05:43] Darren, when you're like this, I don't know who you are anymore.

[00:05:50] Mr. Hill was detained by hotel security and later, at his wife's request, released without charge.

[00:05:59] Hi Carolyn, welcome to the Road to Stardom podcast with David Firestone.

[00:06:03] Great to have you here.

[00:06:04] How are you?

[00:06:05] I'm doing great.

[00:06:06] Thank you for having me today.

[00:06:08] Yes, we've been in a...

[00:06:09] God, when did you first join Firestone Talent?

[00:06:12] I'm having trouble recommending it out.

[00:06:14] I want to say maybe 2021?

[00:06:18] Yeah, it was like right after COVID.

[00:06:20] So the timing was pretty good.

[00:06:22] Yeah, yeah, it worked out really well.

[00:06:24] I've been very happy.

[00:06:25] Yes.

[00:06:25] And if I may interject that Carolyn is a Northern California gal.

[00:06:32] Happy in Southern Cal, doing her thing down here.

[00:06:38] And Carolyn and I have become good friends and she's such a wonderful actor, actress, and also is always very diligent with her additions, which is why we love her so much.

[00:06:49] And it's been a great talent for us.

[00:06:51] So we're going to dig into some interesting questions.

[00:06:53] And we'll see how it goes.

[00:06:55] And Carolyn, feel free to not answer.

[00:06:57] This is not a cross-examination.

[00:07:01] Thank you.

[00:07:04] Yeah, so watch out.

[00:07:05] Carolyn's a lawyer so watch out.

[00:07:07] And a very good one at that.

[00:07:09] Besides being a great actor.

[00:07:11] I think this is a really great question.

[00:07:13] We've used this in the podcast before and is what initially sparked your passion for acting?

[00:07:18] Was there a particular role or experience that solidified your commitment to really go into it big time?

[00:07:23] Or what kind of got you here?

[00:07:25] Yeah, you know, that's a really great question because I am on a very unconventional path.

[00:07:31] I didn't grow up thinking about being an actress at all.

[00:07:34] It wasn't something that I aspire to.

[00:07:37] But it's interesting.

[00:07:38] I was just having a conversation one day, I guess, I don't know, several years back with a friend about wanting to pursue some different things, interests outside of my legal career.

[00:07:48] And she said, you know, there's a community theater down in Midtown in Sacramento.

[00:07:52] You should go check it out.

[00:07:53] And I was like, oh, well, I never thought about that before.

[00:07:56] But okay.

[00:07:57] And I went down and I met the director there at Claudio, who has since passed on, but a wonderful gentleman.

[00:08:03] And he gave me some great opportunities to participate in theater there.

[00:08:07] And I just fell in love with it.

[00:08:09] And it's just progressed since then.

[00:08:11] And obviously, I'm now in L.A.

[00:08:13] And I love it.

[00:08:15] I'm very happy.

[00:08:16] So, yeah, it's been a very interesting journey.

[00:08:19] Excellent.

[00:08:20] Excellent.

[00:08:20] And Carolyn, you started out with some really nice self-tapes.

[00:08:24] I think that was really a lot of actors struggled with that initially.

[00:08:26] Not self-tapes, but excuse me, a reel.

[00:08:28] And a lot of actors struggled with that initially.

[00:08:30] But you had some great reels when you first started off.

[00:08:33] That was a very good move for you.

[00:08:35] Were those done down here in Northern Cal or just in different areas of the state?

[00:08:39] Oh, Northern Cal.

[00:08:40] Yeah.

[00:08:41] I'm so thankful for the opportunities that I had there because when I got here, I had something to submit and show people what I could do.

[00:08:48] And I think that was really important because it's very competitive here.

[00:08:51] And at that point, I didn't have any episodic credits, obviously, but I did have some short films, some independent films.

[00:08:58] I had done some commercials, some industrials.

[00:09:01] And so that really helped a lot.

[00:09:02] So I'm really, really grateful for that.

[00:09:05] Right.

[00:09:05] And I'm going to give a little secret because you are also were a, well, still are a broadcaster and has some great experience that really, I think, helped you in front of camera to do that.

[00:09:17] That's some local markets around the country, which is great.

[00:09:20] Yeah.

[00:09:21] That's how, yeah, it was my first passion was, was journalism and had aspired to do that since I was a little girl and had the opportunity to do that.

[00:09:28] My last market was Vegas, which was amazing.

[00:09:31] Oh, really?

[00:09:32] Yeah.

[00:09:32] And then transitioned into law school and it helped me in the courtroom as well, being a litigator, trying cases in front of juries and all of that.

[00:09:40] So it's, it's really served me well.

[00:09:42] Fantastic.

[00:09:43] And let's talk a little bit about you and how successful you've been since 2021.

[00:09:48] And you really booked some nice roles, thanks to our team effort together.

[00:09:54] Yes.

[00:09:55] And if I recollect one was Poker Face.

[00:09:59] Yes.

[00:09:59] If I recollect.

[00:10:00] And did a great job as a reporter on there.

[00:10:04] And then before that, I think American Horror Story was before that, if I recollect.

[00:10:09] Yes.

[00:10:10] That was, yeah, that was the first one.

[00:10:11] Yeah.

[00:10:12] So you really started out of the box really well and had some really nice coast turn roads and some, and some pretty, as American Horror Story is very well known.

[00:10:22] Yes.

[00:10:22] And Poker Face has come along and developed a nice, I think, a viewership.

[00:10:25] And so it's been a great experience working with you and you're still auditioning quite a bit.

[00:10:31] Breaking news, Charles Manson, the infamous cult leader who led a string of murders in the 1960s.

[00:11:09] Yeah, there's always the idea, and you've done a lot of great additions recently, of the struggle for an actor to maintain their, maintain that auditioning.

[00:11:18] Keep things going when you do a lot of auditioning and you think, well, I really nailed that one, but gosh, why didn't I get that booking?

[00:11:25] How do you, how do you deal with that?

[00:11:26] What are the things you can tell other actors on how you, how you deal with that emotionally?

[00:11:31] Yeah, I think we all kind of go through that like initially, but I think I'm at the point where I remind myself the when, as you taught me, is the audition, is to get the audition.

[00:11:42] And when things are slow, there's still things that I can do as an actor that, that contribute to my craft.

[00:11:48] Training, I think is huge. And you know, I don't think we should ever stop training.

[00:11:53] We see a lot of the big names on sets, they have coaches.

[00:11:56] So that's, I think something that, you know, we can definitely continue to do while we're kind of waiting for the next audition or the next big break.

[00:12:05] And I think you have to love the craft.

[00:12:07] So I, I really try to avoid getting caught up in the outcome per se, but really focused on, on the journey and, and what I'm doing day to day that I think will contribute to growing and excelling in this in the long term.

[00:12:23] I think that's kind of how I view it as a long game.

[00:12:26] I like to run.

[00:12:27] So I look at it as a marathon.

[00:12:31] Nice. That's a really great way to look at it.

[00:12:33] Because sometimes people think of it as a sprint. Well, it's not.

[00:12:37] It is a marathon.

[00:12:38] The audition is like a sprint.

[00:12:40] Cause sometimes you get what two, three, sometimes one day.

[00:12:43] And in the episodic, the features all a bit longer, give you more time to, to get it all together.

[00:12:48] Right.

[00:12:49] Get those lines.

[00:12:50] Now through SAG, you don't have to memorize your lines when you do an audition, but it always helps to impress the casting director when you have them down, as we all know, get that little edge.

[00:12:59] Perhaps in that regard.

[00:13:02] Yeah.

[00:13:02] Now I know that you have a day job, which is really nice with the financial aspect of things to keep yourself going.

[00:13:10] I guess the biggest question, how do you, how do you balance the full work schedule with doing auditions?

[00:13:15] And obviously self tapes helps a lot in that regard.

[00:13:19] Yeah.

[00:13:19] Yeah.

[00:13:20] That's an excellent question because I do have a day job.

[00:13:23] I'm a lawyer still, and that's not a nine to five gig.

[00:13:27] It's a, it's a demanding profession.

[00:13:28] Sometimes I have to travel now as well.

[00:13:31] And I don't think there's an easy answer for that.

[00:13:34] I just really do my best to try to work ahead.

[00:13:39] You know, as soon as I get an audition, I start working on it.

[00:13:43] And, you know, some weeks are busier than others.

[00:13:46] So there are times when I'm just going to be up late or I'm spending the weekend, you know, working on an audition to make sure that it gets done and it gets done well.

[00:13:53] So I think you just have to have the work ethic and the commitment to, to get it done.

[00:13:58] Um, there's just no easy way around it, you know, especially when you have a full time job and you're right.

[00:14:03] Self tapes have helped tremendously in that respect.

[00:14:06] Um, but you know, sometimes you still, you know, have to go into the room and you've got to figure out how, how to do that.

[00:14:12] Um, I know of like the workshops and stuff like that.

[00:14:15] Sometimes they offer like, um, evening or weekend opportunities as well.

[00:14:19] So I definitely take full advantage of that as well.

[00:14:22] So, um, yeah, no easy answers for that.

[00:14:25] I do think self tapes do help a lot, but sometimes even with those, depending on, you know, the nature of it, you know, it can be kind of a quick turnaround too.

[00:14:34] So, yes, that you've let it kind of led into another interesting question is that the whole idea of networking, how crucial it is besides just doing the tapes and, you know, and you kind of already mentioned the casting workshops and how do you navigate and build those relationships in such a competitive landscape with as busy as you are.

[00:14:53] I think you've kind of figured that one out.

[00:14:56] Yeah.

[00:14:56] Yeah.

[00:14:57] It's not easy, but it's so important.

[00:14:59] And then that's something that I started to focus on more and more, um, doing the casting workshops and, you know, staying in touch with casting folks that I do meet.

[00:15:09] Those relationships are really important.

[00:15:10] And I, I just had an example of that where I went to, um, a casting workshop and, um, just followed up with a casting person and just said, you know, thank you so much for the opportunity.

[00:15:20] And I didn't hear anything back, but I was like, okay.

[00:15:23] And then a couple of weeks later he reached out and said, Hey, I'm casting for, you know, this opportunity.

[00:15:27] Would you like to submit for it?

[00:15:29] And actually he knew me when I walked in to do the casting workshop, because you submitted me for a couple opportunities with their office.

[00:15:37] And so he remembered me.

[00:15:38] So thank you for that.

[00:15:40] But yeah, it goes a long way.

[00:15:42] I know LA is huge in a sense, but it's still kind of a small community when it comes to the business.

[00:15:47] People know people.

[00:15:49] So I think the more that you can do good work and get out there and network and show people who you are as a person as well.

[00:15:55] I think that's really important.

[00:15:57] And it does go a long way.

[00:15:58] People do remember.

[00:16:00] Right.

[00:16:00] And you just mentioned that it connects to a relationship that just led directly to an opportunity to that relationship.

[00:16:06] So you got to be, you got to do it all.

[00:16:09] You got to do the trade apart, do the work, practice your craft.

[00:16:13] You also get out and meet people.

[00:16:15] And some of those, you never know who you might meet in a set, no matter what the role is, small or big or large.

[00:16:20] You can meet that one person that could lead to something else.

[00:16:25] I wasn't really going to talk about social media, but I know that's not something that we do a lot of, but it's a tough one when you're as busy as you are.

[00:16:33] But I wonder what your thoughts are about social media and how you view that now from the standpoint of your acting career.

[00:16:40] Um, you know, it has a place.

[00:16:42] I mean, I think that's another tool that you can use to network, you know, potentially.

[00:16:46] And it's, it's nice to see what people are working on, what's out there.

[00:16:51] And it's nice to also be able to promote projects that you're involved in.

[00:16:55] So I do think it has a place.

[00:16:56] Um, I am of the mindset that working on my craft is first and foremost, you know, because if I'm not doing good work, if I'm not training, um, that's, I think going to be the biggest obstacle over social media.

[00:17:11] And, um, I think the more I work on my craft and do good work and, you know, audition and, and book things, the more I have to, I guess, you know, put on social media that is, um, quality content.

[00:17:26] And it's not just me posting five times a day about something random.

[00:17:30] So, so I, I really kind of on the mindset of, of really focusing on my craft and using social media, you know, as a tool, but first and foremost, doing the training and doing the work.

[00:17:43] This is an interesting question.

[00:17:44] How this is more of a question of how you may feel about things, but I think, again, you've done a nice job of accomplishing mental stability, mental stamina.

[00:17:53] I think that's a big part.

[00:17:55] Sometimes you, you feel a little stuck waiting for that big break.

[00:17:57] You already got some very nice breaks on the co-star roles, but it's all due to your hard work and diligence and helping develop those relations with the casting and doing what was required.

[00:18:07] What would you might say to actors who have in a similar position, trying to, trying to stay optimistic and keep, keep going and not, not quit?

[00:18:14] Well, I think you have to love this.

[00:18:16] You know, you have to love the craft and it's not about, am I going to be famous?

[00:18:21] Am I going to make a ton of money?

[00:18:22] It's about, do you love this work?

[00:18:24] I think that's really what motivates me and keeps me going.

[00:18:28] I get excited when I get an audition and I work on it and I work on it and I work on it and I get it to the point where I feel really grounded in it enough to be free to kind of play around with it.

[00:18:38] That's exciting to me.

[00:18:40] You know, obviously if I book it, wonderful, but I know that I have no control over casting.

[00:18:44] And so it's really about what I can do.

[00:18:47] And so that's kind of what I really focus on.

[00:18:50] And I think that that's the mindset that I, I try to stick with in terms of, you know, staying optimistic about things.

[00:18:58] Also surrounding myself with good people.

[00:19:00] I mean, that's really important.

[00:19:02] Your circle is really important.

[00:19:04] I keep my circle really tight.

[00:19:05] I've got a really tight knit group of people and they're amazing.

[00:19:10] We all support each other.

[00:19:11] Some are in the business, some are doing different things, are creative.

[00:19:15] And it's just amazing.

[00:19:17] And I think that you have to have that.

[00:19:19] And if you don't, I think it can be problematic because it is such a different kind of world and different kind of lifestyle that not everyone gets it and understands it.

[00:19:30] So if you have people in your life that are not supportive of it, it can be, I think, challenging.

[00:19:37] Right.

[00:19:38] I love the way you're so concise.

[00:19:40] We're like, we're going through this speed racer.

[00:19:44] It's great.

[00:19:45] I love it.

[00:19:47] So you, we really covered a lot of ground in a short period of time about your career.

[00:19:54] How do you, looking ahead, where do you envision your career going over the next few years?

[00:20:00] Are there any specific genres, episodes you'd like to head towards or films or how do you view yourself going, going forward with, with your career at this point after being successful with co-star roles?

[00:20:11] Obviously in the series area, it'd be great to get a guest starring role in or a reoccurring role.

[00:20:19] Those are always the, the goals that we like to achieve.

[00:20:22] But why don't you go ahead and comment on that?

[00:20:23] What your thoughts are?

[00:20:25] You know, I, I really just want to stay in the game and keep working and keep developing, keep growing, keep networking.

[00:20:32] And I think if I do that, the opportunities will come.

[00:20:36] I really want to stay flexible in terms of different types of roles and opportunities.

[00:20:40] I don't really want to put myself in a box.

[00:20:42] I think that that happens.

[00:20:44] And I certainly don't want that to be me.

[00:20:47] I want to be able to, to do all kinds of different things.

[00:20:49] I was just kind of thinking the other day about different types of things.

[00:20:52] Like I've never played a villain, you know, so that would be kind of fun.

[00:20:57] Um, I, I've never done that before.

[00:20:59] So, um, I'm just open and I, I'm just excited about the future.

[00:21:05] I feel very blessed to be where I'm at right now.

[00:21:08] I moved to LA, not really knowing, you know, if this was even a possibility.

[00:21:13] I, I came here with, um, just a dream and, and, you know, the dedication to work really hard and, and try, um, while I continued my, my legal career.

[00:21:24] And, um, I have been really fortunate.

[00:21:27] I feel so incredibly blessed because this business is highly competitive.

[00:21:32] Um, and, uh, just to be at this, this place, I'm just excited.

[00:21:37] And now to really start networking and, you know, people know who you are a little bit.

[00:21:42] That's exciting.

[00:21:43] So I'm just committed to, to continuing on and growing and developing and just working really hard and seeing where the journey takes me and just keep enjoying it.

[00:21:54] So that's, that's awesome, Carolyn.

[00:21:56] And we love having you on board because you're diligent.

[00:22:00] You keep us aware of things.

[00:22:01] And it's the kind of talent we love having in fires as part of Firestone talent, because you do your work.

[00:22:07] And, uh, I'm not saying I'm unhappy with our talent in our organization.

[00:22:12] They're great.

[00:22:13] They're all great, but we all love it when someone is always on time and early and gets it in and then books too.

[00:22:20] That's really great.

[00:22:21] And now we want to continue that success with you and all move to the next level.

[00:22:28] We always know how challenged that is, but I think with the attitude you have and the, I mean, obviously you do have an advantage with financial stability.

[00:22:37] And that's something we talked about earlier podcast.

[00:22:40] So it was great that you have that worked out, which a lot of actors have to think through that in general.

[00:22:46] And it's a tough one.

[00:22:47] It's not an easy one to work through.

[00:22:50] Yeah.

[00:22:50] Your advantage is that you were more of a, an adult when you kind of really moved forward into the business, which I think helped, helped you from the standpoint of your stability and being able to be in a position to do those tapes.

[00:23:06] Is there anything else that you would like to talk about that we haven't covered so far in regard to your career?

[00:23:14] What might you tell other actors to help them along or what any other comments you'd like to make?

[00:23:21] I would say representation is really important and having a good job.

[00:23:25] That's right, Carol.

[00:23:26] You got the right manner to know you.

[00:23:27] No, I'm serious though.

[00:23:28] Thank you for the plug.

[00:23:29] I am serious.

[00:23:31] I'll take it.

[00:23:32] It's really important.

[00:23:32] It's really important.

[00:23:34] We'll take it.

[00:23:34] To get into some of these rooms, you have to have a really good rep.

[00:23:38] And I think so often people are quick to just find with someone and really not understand, you know, what that person's or agency's representation and reputation is in the industry.

[00:23:49] And that's really important.

[00:23:51] And it's lovely when I can stand with Firestone Town.

[00:23:54] People know you guys and it's all positive.

[00:23:57] And the opportunities that you have been able to provide for me in terms of auditions have blown my mind.

[00:24:04] I don't know if you remember, but you got me an audition for a small role in the Color Purple musical movie.

[00:24:11] And I was just like, oh my God.

[00:24:14] I was just like, I just sat there and looked at it for like 10 minutes because I'm like, does it say what I think it says?

[00:24:20] I was blown away.

[00:24:22] I would have never had that opportunity without Firestone Talent.

[00:24:25] I mean, it just wouldn't have happened.

[00:24:27] And so I'm just really grateful.

[00:24:29] And I think it's important when you have someone that believes in you, that's out there, you know, trying to raise your visibility, talking to different casting people about you, that you take it seriously and that you do your best to do good auditions, get them in on time.

[00:24:45] And really do your homework.

[00:24:48] Because that's a representation and reputation as well when they're out there promoting you.

[00:24:54] And if they promote you and then you don't do a good job or you don't even really do the audition, you know, it doesn't make them look good.

[00:25:02] So I think that's really important for people to take this seriously.

[00:25:05] And it's a two-way street.

[00:25:07] I'm really glad you brought that up.

[00:25:08] Yeah.

[00:25:09] Yeah.

[00:25:09] And you've got to be hustling too.

[00:25:11] You can't just totally just depend on your reps.

[00:25:13] You've got to be out there hustling and doing the workshops and networking as well.

[00:25:17] And I think when people see you do that, they're even more willing to, you know, promote you and hustle for you as well because they know you mean business and you're serious.

[00:25:26] But I really am glad that you brought up the point of not doing auditions that your management team or your agent may have gotten for you.

[00:25:34] Because there's a reason why they've submitted you for that.

[00:25:36] There's a reason why casting picked you.

[00:25:38] And when the actor does not do the audition or doesn't get back in time and really explain what's going on and then they miss the audition, it's a reflection not just on the talent but also on the management team and the agent.

[00:25:51] Because it just, you know, casting people have long memories.

[00:25:56] And, you know, so that's part of the business of being professional.

[00:26:00] I mean, obviously there are always reasons perhaps maybe you were traveling, you weren't feeling well, you had to be on set that particular day.

[00:26:07] And you have to ask for an extension or perhaps decline the audition.

[00:26:10] But that's where the communication is really important.

[00:26:12] Absolutely.

[00:26:13] Between the acting group, the acting profession and the representation group.

[00:26:18] That's very important.

[00:26:20] So I think we really covered a lot of ground in that really concise.

[00:26:24] I can see why you're a lawyer now.

[00:26:27] I rest my case.

[00:26:29] Wow, that was impressive.

[00:26:30] I wouldn't want to be on the opposing team.

[00:26:35] I'm against, you know, Carolyn Jefferson.

[00:26:40] Yeah, Carolyn Jefferson, thank you so much.

[00:26:43] You're awesome.

[00:26:44] And we'll keep plugging away.

[00:26:47] And anything else you want to add before we end this wonderful podcast?

[00:26:51] Well, I know sometimes people get a little discouraged about being older or coming from another profession.

[00:26:57] But I hope that I'm an example of what's possible.

[00:27:01] You know, I worked in journalism.

[00:27:03] I went to law school.

[00:27:04] And I came into acting much later.

[00:27:06] But I believe there's definitely opportunities out there.

[00:27:09] And I think that life experience can really be your friend.

[00:27:13] I think it's going to be hard to find a 20-year-old convincing as a CEO of a major Fortune 500 company in a movie.

[00:27:20] I mean, it just isn't going to happen.

[00:27:22] So I think, you know, the mindset really needs to be that there are opportunities out there.

[00:27:28] Regardless of where you are in this journey, it's never too late.

[00:27:32] That's so true, Carol.

[00:27:33] Thank you for bringing that point up.

[00:27:35] Because you just never know.

[00:27:37] And some actors, as they mature, decide to drop out and may have opportunities you didn't expect.

[00:27:44] And if you keep at it and keep a great mindset as you get older, there are also great opportunities out there now.

[00:27:51] Especially with the streaming platforms.

[00:27:56] And Netflix and obviously Amazon Prime.

[00:27:58] And now all the studios and film people have the platforms out there too.

[00:28:02] Disney, obviously.

[00:28:04] So, yes, great point.

[00:28:05] Thank you, Carol.

[00:28:05] Bringing that up.

[00:28:06] Appreciate that.

[00:28:07] I would just say don't give up.

[00:28:08] If it's something you're passionate about, chase that dream.

[00:28:11] You know, it's worth it.

[00:28:12] It's so worth it.

[00:28:13] No matter what anyone says.

[00:28:14] I'm sure people thought I was crazy when I was going to move to L.A.

[00:28:17] But, you know, here I am, you know, making it happen.

[00:28:20] And I wouldn't have done that if I didn't take that leap of faith.

[00:28:24] And, again, thank you to Firestone Talent for believing in me.

[00:28:28] Thank you, Carolyn.

[00:28:29] It's wonderful to have you on board.

[00:28:30] I'm going to keep it going and take it to the next level.

[00:28:33] That's the plan here.

[00:28:35] Thank you, Carolyn.

[00:28:36] Have a great day.

[00:28:37] Okay, you too.

[00:28:38] Bye-bye.

[00:28:39] Bye.