Recap: March

From Hollywood to Glasgow: What the Industry's Upheaval Means for Actors Like You

March was...a lot.

While the rest of the world slowly transitioned into spring, shaking off winter blues and preparing for a seasonal reset, Hollywood spent the month in something of an identity crisis. The box office stumbled, television delivered both prestige and controversy, and behind the scenes, major shifts began to reshape the geography of the industry—literally.

But instead of seeing this as chaos, maybe we can reframe it: This time should be a wake-up call. For all of us.

While decisions are being made (in Hollywood and everywhere else), it might feel like there's not much that we can control and that we are just collateral damage in all of this.

That's simply not true. There's a lot we can do...we just have to stay focused in order to navigate through all this noise.

Sundance Heads to Boulder: What a Festival's Move Says About the Future

For over 40 years, Park City, Utah, has been the spiritual home of independent cinema each January. That changes in 2027. The Sundance Film Festival is officially relocating to Boulder, Colorado—a move that might seem like a simple geographic shuffle but actually signals something deeper.

Festival leadership pointed to Boulder's vibrant arts scene, strong community partnerships, and university proximity as their reasons. But reading between the lines? The indie film world is looking to reinvent itself.

For actors, this matters. Sundance has always been where careers were made—not because people chased celebrity, but because the work mattered. It's where raw, risky, deeply human performances found their audience. The shift to Boulder doesn't mean Sundance will lose its soul. It might actually help it find a new one.

And with everything that's going on with studios, A.I., and what opportunities new technology can provide to filmmakers (not just studios), independent filmmaking might really be the future. Look at Anora (although it is extremely fair to point out that the $6-million dollar film spent an additional $18 million on its Oscar race).

Regardless, if you've been telling yourself there's no place for your voice in today's content machine, think again. Independent film isn't dying—it's migrating. And where it goes, you might want to follow.

I'm not saying "move to Colorado," but I'm not NOT saying "it might be time to relocate" (whether that's your energy, your efforts, or your physical home).

The Box Office Is Bleeding

Let's be honest: the 2025 theatrical box office is off to a rough start. Disney's Snow White remake opened to a highly disappointing $43 million domestically—pretty weak by studio standards, especially for a tentpole IP. Not to mention, the reviews and controversies are as rotten as that apple. Meanwhile, The Alto Knights, a gangster epic with Robert De Niro (and one of the rare studio dramas made for adults), barely made a dent with a $3 million debut. Everyone's pointing fingers at audience fatigue, outdated marketing, and over-reliance on "sure things" that clearly just aren't so sure anymore.

It's easy to think, "That's way above my pay grade." But here's why you should care: when studios lose confidence in the box office, they pivot. Fast. Usually toward what they see as safer bets—sequels, franchises, reality formats, or content made specifically for streaming.

That can mean fewer original stories. Fewer nuanced characters. And yes, fewer jobs for actors, especially those just breaking in.

But here's the flip side: in a sea of formula, your authenticity becomes valuable.

I want you to STOP and read that again.

Now read it again.

One more time.

If there was ever a time to lean into what makes you different, this is it.

Welcome to the White Lotus...again!

Television continues to do what film is struggling with: generate conversation, captivate audiences, and create complex characters that actors dream of playing. The White Lotus returned for its third season, trading Sicilian ruins for a luxurious Thai resort. The cast is stellar, the writing razor-sharp, and the themes are—predictably—dark, messy, and incredibly watchable.

What really matters is this: TV is where the meaty roles are happening. While the box office figures itself out, television is quietly carrying the torch for the actor's actor. Don't sleep on it. If you're not already watching prestige shows from a craft perspective, start now (it would be a crime not to mention Severance). These are your acting masterclasses. Break down the choices. Study the structure. Then get ready to bring your own magic.

Hollywood Goes Global (Literally)

Halon Entertainment—a major player in visual effects and pre-visualization—is investing £28 million into a new studio in Glasgow, Scotland. This is huge. The move will create over 250 new jobs and marks another step in Hollywood's gradual decentralization.

This isn't just about VFX. It's about the entire production infrastructure. It's about jobs moving out of LA. It's about actors being needed in new markets—markets that are growing faster than anyone predicted.

The takeaway? Don't limit yourself to the 30-mile zone. Whether it's Glasgow, Toronto, Madrid, or Atlanta, being open to work elsewhere might be what keeps your career moving when LA gets quiet.

So... Where Do You Focus Now?

The industry is shifting. That's nothing new. But the speed and scale of change this year is worth paying attention to. If you're trying to build or rebuild an acting career right now, you need more than talent—you need focus, strategy, and resilience.

Let's get proactive:

A Focus Exercise for April

I want you to sit and meditate. I know that can sound woo-woo-wa-wa (especially if you've never meditated before), but hear me out.

Just set aside a time to put away your phone and just sit quietly.

Take a moment to sit in stillness, breathing deeply and letting your body soften.

In your mind, imagine stepping onto a quiet, empty stage. In front of you, is your Self. This is the version that lives within you that knows. They just know.

Ask them: What change have I been resisting? Let whatever arises—images, words, sensations—speak without judgment.

Once an answer has come to you, visualize a small fire at your feet. It’s here to help you release what no longer serves you: a limiting belief, a habit, an old version of yourself. Offer it to the flames.

When you’re ready, place a hand on your heart and say to yourself:

“I am allowed to change. I trust what I know.”

This is about reconnecting to your inner compass. Not fixing. Not forcing. Just listening—to the part of you that’s been whispering all along. Write down what came up. Trust it.

There's no perfect roadmap for where the industry is heading. But that's both the terrifying and beautiful part—it means there's still room to carve out a path that's entirely your own.

So let's walk boldly into April. Stay curious. Stay flexible. And as always...

#stayfocused