Daily Inspiration: Meet Amanda Reed

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Reed.

Hi Amanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This year, Amanda has had a strong year of projects coming out, including acting alongside two Emmy Award–nominated actors in Disney/Marvel’s Wonder Man and Hulu’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles, as well as Searchlight Pictures’ new film Behemoth, coming to theaters in December and starring Pedro Pascal.

But this isn’t where she started—not even close. Over the last 15 years, she has been busy working on 25+ TV shows and films. Before that, she spent her teenage years gracing the stage, averaging 400+ performances before her mid-20s.

“I couldn’t decide on a profession as I grew up. I found them all fascinating. And then I realized that I found people fascinating, and acting was a place where I could explore that fascination.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“Nothing worth doing comes without its barriers.”

I’ve had my share, haha. It took me about 10 years to get my union card and find representation that could get me TV and film auditions.

Before that, I dealt with teachers who were manipulative and tried to deter me from succeeding in writing and acting. I studied acting for 10 years and still felt like I didn’t really know how to succeed.

And until recently, acting roles for plus-size actors—at least for women—were few and far between, and were mostly about their weight or, to be honest, being the butt of a joke.

And I mostly refused those types of parts.

But despite the struggles, I’ve found that you have to be insouciant in this business. Taking yourself too seriously is death as an actor, haha.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been an actor since I was 14. And I’ve also been an acting coach at The Acting Center for almost 20 years.

I still feel like I have so much I want to accomplish but I’ve been blessed to have worked with some amazing actors and directors over the years. I think I’ve worked with about 7 Oscar Nominated artists, I’ve lost count haha. I’m very excited about my current project I’m in, BEHEMITH! Written and directed by Tony Gilroy (Oscar nominated for Michael Clayton) starring Pedro Pascal!
I love working with people at the top of their craft. Who also encourage others to be the same.
I think also because I’ve been teaching for so long I have a patience and a way of making people around feel that they can do their best that I’ve become an asset to any set I am on. As a lead actress on a set you have the responsibility to set the tone of that day or production. And I’ve had many of great examples to emulate:)

I also am know for approach and take on a character I’m going to play. I’ve learned with using The Acting Center’s Technique of acting that your ideas and your ability to deliver them, believably and compellingly, is what people want. They want your competence. It’s what talent is, right?

I also love that I represent the “every person.” I want others to see themselves in the characters I portray. I think that’s what a great actor does is bring an empathy and realness that makes others see themselves.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I have a ton of advice, hahah!

But I’ll give you a couple of the big ones.

These are my rules for myself that have helped me and worked to keep me moving forward and always creating my future as an artist:

1) Your understanding of a character, your ideas you embed the script and character with, ARE what they want.
The better and more clever you are at understanding the story and message, and then finding what YOU are interested in playing, the more you make “your style.”

2) Don’t play a version of yourself.
Or rely on your experiences to inform a character just to be believable. Everyone has their own unique view of the world. Find your way to see theirs. Imagination is key and more dynamic.

3) Be your own best friend.
Follow your gut and never allow anyone to take you away from what you know is right for you.

4) Be the nicest on set and help the whole set be better.
No one is better than another in a group. The director is our Captain of the ship. Make everyone feel seen and heard.

5) Keep your nose clean.
You won’t allow yourself to achieve your dreams if you’ve been doing things against your own knowingness of what is moral. Work hard and deserve your successes.

6) Mosquitos are attracted to bright lights. Watch out for them.
They will suck the life from you. SERIOUSLY.

7) Don’t spend too long in the Non-Union world.
Build a solid resume and get SAG-eligible FAST! Again, use your own instincts. Spend the time you need to practice auditions and get some credits and footage, but get your booty into auditioning for TV/film. It’s a balance.

8) You could do 100 auditions and not book, and that isn’t bad!
But always become a better actor. Strive for better and better. Do that by enjoying every audition and making it great. IN YOUR EYES, NOT OTHERS’.

9) An acting coach should not teach by opinions or just directing.
They should teach by skills that you can use tomorrow on set or in an audition. I recommend The Acting Center. It’s what saved me 🙂

There are so many more, but that’s a few good ones.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1943192/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
• Instagram: @theamandareed
• Other: https://Theactingcenterla.com

Image Credits
Snaps By Sullivan