Coaching Lessons: 3 Fixes To Level Up This Year
By: Eddie Ramos | May 24, 2026 02:32 PM
Lately, I’ve been noticing a few patterns across the actors I’ve been working with and observing in the industry that, if I’m being honest, will hold you back from leveling up this year.
It’s not just the beginners or people who aren’t serious. It’s from the hard-working actors who really care. As soon as they started to implement these adjustments, they started seeing more consistency in their work and praise from their teams.
Here are 3 important things to notice in your own acting right now:
One: Listen For More Than Just Your Cue Word
Photo by @frankiefoto
Actors are waiting for their cue words… instead of actually listening to their partners full message. They are more locked in on when to speak rather than what’s being said to them.
I spoke on this in an acting nugget a few weeks ago. When you’re actually listening to the full thought your partner is giving you, you’ll notice that your reactions become more specific and alive rather than robotic and rehearsed.
⛑️ The fix: Listen for your partner’s subtext as much as the words they use. What are they saying that contradicts your reality or conflicts with your scene objective?
Second: When Asked To Do An Alt-Take Make Sure To Change Your Perspective
Photo by @kyleloftusstudios
The other thing I’m seeing is alt. takes that don’t go deep enough. It’s not enough to change one tiny aspect of a take; it should feel like two different perspectives.
There are ways to make it feel like the alt. take isn’t just your softer or stronger take. When casting directors ask for alt. takes, they are looking for distinct points of view that allow them to see your range.
⛑️ The fix: Double down on the blood and guts of the scene. You can also vary the intentions on every one of your lines as quick fix as well.
Third: Take Advantage Of The Slow Periods
Photo by @markusspiske
And the last thing I’m seeing, and this one is bigger than the craft work, is actors not taking advantage of this slower time in the industry.
A lot of people are waiting. Waiting for things to pick back up or waiting for their next opportunity.
⛑️ The fix: When auditions aren’t flooding in, this is the window to:
reach out to agents and managers
strengthen your materials
clean your profiles and resume
take classes and enhance your special skills
network and collaborate
So what I’d love for you to take away from this is that the actors who are finding success are building momentum during the down times. They are listening fully to their partners and making undeniably specific choices any chance they get.
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