Positive Baggage Transformation Stories: Share Your Experience

Everyone has baggage – personal and professional — that needs tossing. My baggage circa 2019 – 2023, was a cascade of monumental personal loses I allowed to pile high on my life-train’s journey.

I NEARLY WON TRAGEDY POKER:

You don’t want to win Tragedy Poker. To win is to wallow in your tragedies. Folding the hand you’re dealt = finding solutions to stand again.

At the start of COVID-Lockdown I lost my best friend for life, a parent, my home, my fur-footed family, and many fair-weathered friends. Tragedy Poker isn’t blameless unless you, the lone hand, play victim. I almost played that annoying role. I spiraled as rumors swirled regarding fictional and fantastiscal skeletons in my closet. I destest gossip, and the creatures for whom bounderies don’t exist. That’s when I b*tched-slapped myself, and detractors with transparency. No longer would I carrying baggage mine (or that of enablers who gossip).

TRANSFORMATION – Mine.

I began shredding and transforming mistruths (and truths) into positive works. This was my personal threapy, and return to life. That’s how the following video came to be. I share here with you a positive transformation of negative baggage. A creation of a colorful animation from my imagination joyfully set to Ah-ha’s TAKE ON ME.

After viewing the video, post your baggage transformation stories in the comments section below. Besos, Paul

ABOUT PAUL RUSSELL – PAUL RUSSELL CASTING

Paul Russell is a highly accomplished figure in the entertainment industry, known for his multifaceted career as a casting director, director, and author. His book, ACTING: Make It Your Business, offers valuable insights for actors seeking to navigate the complexities of the industry and find success. With experience casting for prestigious entities like 20th Century Fox, HBO, Broadway as well as directing New York and regional theater, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to his actors. His recognition in American Theatre Magazine and work at the Tony-award recognized Barter Theatre further attest to his expertise. Additionally, Paul’s commitment to education through teaching master classes at university BFA and MFA programs, and online coaching for actors worldwide, highlights his dedication to nurturing talent. His journey from a successful working actor to an influential mentor and industry professional is truly inspiring.

For daily tips and insights from Paul Russell, follow him on Instagram.

Actors: Presenting thier Best Professional Image (EXCLUSIVE Video)

Casting director, director, and author Paul Russell in 2011 joined Broadway and Off-Broadway producer Randall Wreghitt (multiple TONY & Drama Desk winner) and acclaimed director, writer and lyricist Bill Russell who wrote Side Show, Pageant and The Texas Chainsaw Musical. The powerhouse panel shared with actors industry insider’s tips for actors that are rarely spoken publicly beyond the closed doors of casting sessions. Combed from over 75 years of high profile experience in show business the trio was welcomed by an intimate sold-out gathering of artists. In this exclusive 90 second clip Paul Russell candidly devulges actor audacities that are leathal miscalculations that were killing several actor’s professional hopes.

Self-awareness as an actor is just as vital as is the actor’s skills, and business savy.

Paul Russell’s career as a casting director, director, acting teacher and former actor has spanned over thirty years. He has worked on projects for major film studios, television networks, and Broadway. Paul has taught the business of acting and audition technique at NYU and has taught master classes at acting programs at over two dozen universities including Hofstra, Elon, Yale, Temple, LSU, Wright State University, and Rutgers. He is the author of ACTING: Make It Your Business – How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor.

For more information on Paul’s projects, visit www.PaulRussell.net. And scroll down below to see what A-lister casting directors like Bernie Telsey, esteemed talent reps, university programs, and actors are raving about Russell’s best-selling book for actors!

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CASTING DIRECTORS, TALENT AGENTS, DIRECTORS & ACTORS

LOVE PAUL RUSSELL’S BEST-SELLING BOOK FOR ACTORS
ACTING: MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS!

“Humorous and witty…

Actors everywhere who are trying to succeed in the business, young or old, on stage or on camera, anywhere in the world, take note:

This is your roadmap!”

— BERNARD TELSEY, casting director – CSA
(Mary Poppins Returns, Hamilton, This Is Us,NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar – LIVE!, Wicked)

“All the right questions asked and answered…
and with a generous portion of good humor.”

— SUZANNE RYAN, casting director, CSA
(Law & Order, Deception, 666 Park Ave., Unforgettable)

“I love this book!

Paul’s book tells you what you don’t want to hear but really need to know

EVERY actor should read this book!”

— DIANE RILEY, Senior Legit Talent Agency Partner
Harden Curtis Kirsten Riley Agency

“Paul’s book made me proud to be a part of this community we call ‘show!’”

— KAREN ZIEMBA, TONY & Drama Desk Award Winning Actress

“Paul Russell’s words are not only blunt & accurate they zero in on all the questions every actor wants to know but is afraid to ask!”

— KEN MELAMED, Talent Agency Partner
Bret Adams, Ltd.

“I had my Business of Acting, BFA Seniors, class do book reports on a variety of “business of acting” books and ACTING: Make It Your Businesscame out a clear winner—considered to be essential for their bookshelves!

— Dr. NINA LeNOIR,
Dept. Chair – Dept. of Thtr.
Chapman University

Get smarter on the business of acting from legendary Hollywood & Broadway actors and talent agents in a casting director Paul Russell’s Best-Selling Book ACTING: Make It Your Business!