Today we’d like to introduce you to Talia Thiesfield.
Hi Talia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Baby, after YEARS of trying to fit into plain brown boxes, wasting time and money on ineffective training, feeling entirely misunderstood by casting and agents – I said “Beyonce take the wheel!” It was time for something new.
And wouldn’t ya know, I stopped “trying to be an actor” and embraced bringing MYSELF into my work. And everything changed.
I created The Act of Style Coaching in 2014 after years of trying to fit the breakdowns instead of bringing myself to the roles. None of my previous acting training had emphasized the importance of tapping into my own individuality and strengths. My DOPENESS. My work was missing a personal touch as well as an understanding of how the business actually worked!
So I developed a new approach to personalizing my work and creative process. Not only as a performer but as the CEO of my acting career. Hashtag “bossgurl” or whatever the kids are saying these days.
I’m now a full-time actor working on stage, screen, and in VO. As a coach, I help other actors feel confident, seen, and empowered in their work and careers through the free information I provide daily on Instagram as well as through private coaching, workshops, and university lectures.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I meeaaannn…what road is ever really smooth in this business…amirite? The bumps in the road are what really lead you to the self-awareness and endurance you need in order to have a long-lasting career.
Sure, I’ve had my car repossessed. I’ve eaten plain rice for dinner when I couldn’t afford groceries. I’ve been pinned or put on hold only to be released at the last second more times than I can count. But I don’t believe in romanticizing struggles. Struggles are subjective. What feels hard to one person may be a minor inconvenience to someone else.
What’s important to recognize is that we all have to learn to jump hurdles of various sizes in this business…and that if you fall, you have to be able to jump up, lick them wounds a lil (cuz that’s healthy too), and then keep it pushin’…
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a working actor, I’m in the trenches every day with my clients. I get what ya’ll are going through! That’s why I call my clients and Instagram followers my “frens” and I refer to us as the TAOS House. We’re a community and we are all in this together.
The cornerstone of The Act of Style Coaching is AUTHENTICITY. My offerings include acting & audition training, career coaching, and branding services for actors – all which foster a more confident sense of self. In working with TAOS my clients find themselves feeling more in control of their careers and they learn to bring their personal panache into every role, meeting, or industry encounter.
I also am the creator of The Archetype Shade Method™ of branding. Branding is such a “buzzy” word right now and oooh child…there are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about what “branding” actually is. But my goal is to change how people view the purpose and process of it all. Because it shouldn’t feel limiting! Your branding should simply reflect where you are RIGHT NOW and it should guide you to discover the multitude of ways you can bring yourself into your endeavors, making your work and materials more authentic…and dare I say more versatile! I always remind my clients that there’s “versatility in specificity.” I know that probably sounds like a contradictory statement, but those that work with me get it. IYKYK.
I take a lot of pride in the fact that my clients are always reporting back that they feel seen, supported, and empowered. In a recent self-audit, 100 percent of clients who reported back rated their experience as “excellent” and 60% who reported back said they had seen major gains in their career through bookings, gaining representation, and increased positive feedback. In an industry with a 2% success rate…I count those as major wins, hunny! Can we get a little commotion for the stats?!
And lissen, NO ONE can promise you work. But I can certainly promise my clients a stronger sense of self and control over their careers. And that is just as valuable, if not more, than booking a job.
Pricing:
- General Career Coaching – $80/hr
- Audition Coaching & Self Tape – $80/hr
- Scene Coaching only- $75/hr
- Branding Session (Archetype Shade Method™) – $100
- Headshot Styling – $100
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theactofstylecoaching.com
- Instagram: @theactofstylecoaching
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/talia-thiesfield-aa373936/
- Other: www.taliathiesfield.com
Image Credits
Darnell Bennett Shani Hadjian Sharod Duncan
