You have probably seen actor Eric Lange as the coach on an episode of “Modern Family” or as Radzinsky on ”Lost” or in any one of many other parts he’s had in the past couple of years. He has been working for a while now, but as he says in his profile, it wasn’t until he settled on his current look that he really started gaining momentum in his career. Read on to find out more about the career of this talented working actor.

Current part:  I am currently recurring on “Weeds.” I’ll be in the last three or four episodes of the season. I also recur on “Victorious” on Nickelodeon. I play Mr. Sikowitz, the eccentric acting teacher at the talented and gifted school the kids go to. I’m also on a web series called “Easy To Assemble” (set in IKEA) playing Manager Erik, the Manager of IKEA.

College & degree:  I have a BFA in theatre from Miami University of Ohio.

Internships: I did an internship at the La Jolla playhouse in San Diego, CA the summer of my freshman year in college. I was an apprentice on “Tommy” while I was there.

Acting while in school (professional or amateur):  In middle school, I was in a show choir. My freshman year, there was no show choir to join. A friend was going to a meeting of the drama club and I went with him. I fell in love with it. So I started acting in high school. I did a number of plays and musicals there, including “The Music Man,” “South Pacific,” “The Desperate Hours,” “Charlie’s Aunt,” and “Our Town.” Then in college, I got to work quite a bit. Seems like I was always in a play or musical. I did “Man of La Mancha,” “Cabaret,” “Burn This,” “Bedroom Farce”… too many to list here, really. I got a ton of experience.

Day job while you were working towards being a working actor:  When I first moved to LA (three months after college), I got a job as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios working on the trams. I was there about six months and, during that time, I got a commercial agent and started auditioning. I left Universal for various reasons and started auditioning more. So I got a job at Paramount working as a transcriber for “Hard Copy.” I took the job because it allowed me flexibility to audition. At that point I had booked a couple commercials. Then I went back to Universal and worked as a “Blues Brother” in their stage show there. Singing and dancing five shows a day. It was a fun job, but eventually I got so busy with commercials, I left and started making my living as an actor. I was pretty fortunate that the acting income picked up as quickly as it did. Never was a waiter.

First post-graduate acting job:  I was always doing theatre and commercials while trying to get representation for TV/Film. But my first television gig was on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I had like two lines. Haha!  

How did you get repped?  I had a commercial agent very early on. I got that agent from submitting a headshot and resume. Later, I either mailed a headshot and resume or got a referral to get my first theatrical (TV/Film) agent. I was with her a year and very little happened. Then I got another theatrical agent (don’t remember how) and was with him a year with very little progress. I eventually sort of gave up and kept doing theatre just hoping someone with the clout to DO something for me would see me.

That happened when I played Mitch in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Rubicon theatre. A friend brought her Manager to see me, he liked me, we started working together and, in three months, I had a guest star on “The West Wing.” It’s been seven years and he’s still my manager. It took me eight years to meet him, but he completely turned my career around.

What was your “big break” (or series of breaks that got you working)?  After I guest starred on “The West Wing,” it was much easier to get in to audition for other guest stars, so that was one of them. The more I worked, the more people got to know me. So, it’s hard to say what the “break” was, but certainly my role on “LOST” was the most high-profile job I had gotten. It put me on “the map”, as it were.

Do you continue to train (acting classes, coaches, workshops)?  I don’t. I used to say, “If I’m not in a play, I’ll be in a class.” But now, I work so regularly I keep pretty busy regularly trying to crack the puzzle of one part after another. I still do theatre when I can because I love it and it flexes muscles you don’t get to use in TV/Film. I love the theatre and the process.

Has ageism been factor into your experience as an actor?  If anything, I’ve been cast older most of my career. As a balding man, people took me as older, but I was balding from a pretty early age. So at first my hairline didn’t match my age or face and that created a difficulty finding roles for me. I was young and old at the same time. But, then I hit 30, filled out a bit, got a few wrinkles and the hair (or lack thereof) matched the face. That’s when things really started to roll for me.  

Have you used your acting career- or are you planning to use it- as a way of  branching into producing or directing?  I directed a play in college and liked it, but haven’t done it since. I think it’s a natural progression as, eventually, when the acting thing is sort of taken care of and your career is moving along, you naturally become curious about other things. Producing will allow you greater control over where your career goes, as you can make your own projects instead of waiting for someone to put you in theirs. But, right now, I’m really just focusing on climbing higher and higher in the acting world.  

Eureka moment:  I had always had very short hair, because it was so thin on top.  I thought this would make me “right” for more roles, professional roles, doctors, lawyers, etc. It’s where I felt I fit. But then I did a six episode pilot called “Twentysixmiles” (now on Hulu.com) and I grew my hair out for six months before it. I had to be a Jimmy Buffet, beach bum type and I thought long hair would be great. I did that and it was a fantastic experience.

Then “LOST” happened and a string of other roles after that, so this is my look for now. I think the eureka moment is that if you try to make yourself “fit” in a wide array of roles, then you end up looking like a lot of other people. As a character actor, with long hair, a beard, and glasses, it sets me apart. I’m not right for a lot of things, but those I am right for, I usually do quite well with. And frankly, I like “me” more this way. It suits me.  

Most significant roles:  I had a big guest star on “Criminal Minds.” The pilot “Twentysixmiles” was my first series regular. “LOST” just because I got to do seven episodes of one of the biggest shows in the history of television and play a very damaged, dynamic villian. Since then I did a pilot for ABC called “True Blue” which did not get picked up, but was one of the best experiences of my career. I’d say those were some milestones.

Favorite part or project?  ”LOST” was phenomenal for me, as I was a huge fan of that show and always wanted to be on it. I was only supposed to do two episodes, then I went home for Christmas and they called and said they wanted me to do five more. That was a great feeling, as well. The size of the show, the scope of the show, it’s done so well, and its worldwide appeal all made it one of the best experiences I’ve had.

But Malcolm, my character on “True Blue,” will always hold a special place in my heart. You get a pilot like that, with the cast and crew we had and you think, “Holy crap, if this thing gets picked up, this could be HUGE for me.” It’s very exciting. Until they tell you they didn’t pick it up. (Back to the drawing board.)

Most difficult part or project? Hmmm…. sometimes you don’t like a script as much as others or the part isn’t anything to write home about. Sometimes it is just a job and you have bills to pay, so you do it. It’s not bliss, but it’s certainly not digging ditches either. So I really can’t say I have a “most difficult” one. I always learn something, it’s always good to work.

Describe a typical work day:  I just start thinking about the character a lot. Just daydream about it and see what instinctual thoughts come into my head. I read the script quite a bit, I like to have the lines down as much as possible so I don’t have to think about them and can let the scenes “happen.” By “happen,” I mean that the technical part of learning the lines is over, so I’m free to be more spontaneous, be present in the scene, listen, allow the other actors to inform me… all without worrying about the lines. So I go over the lines quite a bit, usually while doing house work. If you can do something that takes your focus away and still do the lines, that’s a good sign. I may watch movies or shows that will fill in more inspiration for whatever the part happens to be. But as much as you want to plan, you have to stay flexible. When you get to the set, you’ve never seen it before and there’s always adjustments that will be made on the fly, so you can’t get too rigid in your preparation. Then I just show up, as relaxed as possible, and let it fly. Other than that, I’m usually auditioning, preparing for an audition, working in some way on my house and checking my email.

Best thing about being a working actor:  Getting to do what you love and get paid for it. I mean there are highs and lows, and often there’s no telling where the next check is coming from. Eventually, if you work regularly enough, you’ve built up some stability financially. I’m tremendously lucky to be doing what I’m doing. I pinch myself on a regular basis. It really is a dream come true. The people I meet, the places I get to go, the people I work with… It really is an amazing gift. The hard part is enjoying the moment, enjoying the journey and not looking ahead to “when will I get that big job.” I’m a very lucky guy to be doing this for a living.

Worst thing about being a working actor:  Not knowing what next month or next week will look like. Sometimes you get a job and two days later you’re on a plane to somewhere for a month. It makes it difficult to plan things, to find consistency and routine.  And I’m finding more and more, I do well with routine. And often you’re not working… and that might last a week or a month or many months, so the down time can be hard. You start to wonder if you’ll ever work again, etc.  

Brush with greatness:  I’ve gotten to work with many incredible actors, but I’d have to say working on “You Don’t Know Jack” with Al Pacino was an incredible period of time. He’s such a legend and so good at what he does. To be able to sit for days and watch him work and work WITH him was a privilege few people ever get. Add to that the project was directed by Barry Levinson and you have what most people would call a “dream.” It really was a phenomenal time.

Sidelines (clothing line, painting, etc.):  I used to write music. I don’t do that much any more, though I do still play the piano fairly regularly. It’s a stress releaser for me. My house has become a creative outlet for me. I like to take on projects, learn how to fix things, decorate, etc. I love my house. I did make my first painting last year that I’m quite proud of, but I haven’t made another since. (I’m a perfectionist so I can be very hard on myself if something isn’t “perfect.”) Right now, I’m full steam ahead on climbing up the acting ladder, spending time with friends and family, and learning more and more about myself.    

Secret of your success/advice to the newbie:  Work as much as you can. Whether it’s a play, a movie you make with friends, a scene… anything. Just do it as much as possible. It’ll remind you you’re an actor, keep those muscles loose and then when the big audition comes you haven’t been just sitting in your apartment for the last three months getting stiff and doubting yourself.

Know who you are, as much as you can, and what you bring to this industry that’s special. Find balance within your life and get ready for a fight, because it’s not going to be easy. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support you. Watch as many great performances as you can. Go to movies, plays, etc. and get inspired. You have to just go for it, you can’t just dip your toe in the pool.

And if you move to Los Angeles, find something to listen to in the car. You’ll be in there quite a bit.

Next move: I’ve been guest starring and recurring on shows for years now. The ABC pilot was a great step in the direction of finding a place for me on a one hour drama. I’m getting closer and closer. I like the schedule of television and the format of one hour. But the things that really moved me when I was younger and dreaming of being an actor were movies. I’d like to do more of those, as well. I just did SECRETARIAT, which comes out in October, so that could help move things along. But all in all, I’m just trying to enjoy the journey.

Know anyone who could use an entertainment industry insider? If so, please encourage them to subscribe to YourIndustryInsider.com and sign up to receive YII’s Mogul Mindset eBlasts today! Also, please visit Your Industry Insider Store to check out recommended books and DVDs. Content will be added regularly as suggestions come in from industry insiders!

A seasoned actor who has been onstage at some of the top regional theaters in the country as well as in well-received indies and short films, Lester Purry’s maiden voyage into the land of motion capture was both unlike anything he’d done before and, in some ways, a lot like things he’d done before. 

Here’s his story of becoming a key character in an upcoming major videogame release, the sequel to a very popular game by one of the top companies…

“I thought it was for a voice over when I went in to meet with the producers. I was surprised to find out I was being considered to play a character in the game. The process was really interesting because I felt like I was auditioning for a theater piece, as far as the technique.

Lester in Othello

“For film and TV, you do something once or twice and you’re done. In theater, they give you several redirects and even ask you to do one version on your own. I was in the room with a producer for fifteen minutes getting different direction on a monologue. Got a thank you and then I left. And a couple weeks later, they called and booked me with no call back.

“I’d never seen motion capture done before, though before the shoot I watched some of the behind-the-scenes footage from AVATAR to get an idea of what to expect. The studio we shot in had done everything from Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” video to PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

“First we did a table read and I got a breakdown for my character. The wild thing is, for any film and all the theater I’d done, you have sets and costume. We had none of those. In lieu of a costume, I wore a neoprene scuba suit with the mo cap dots all over it and I also had mo cap dots all over my face. It took 2 hours to have those put on. (See top of post, left side, for a close-up of Lester with the mo cap dots on his face.) 

“Shooting was so interesting because they have over 400 cameras lining all the walls, all focused on you. (See top of post, right side, for a shot of the studio.) First you go in for a test and you say a few words to make sure the movement of your lips and jaw are tracking. You do certain body movements and then you go off and they put everything in the computer.

No Mo Cap!

“You basically have nothing around you. You are hitting blind marks and, from take to take, you have to remember within a couple of inches where your blocking is. The director and the boom guy can be right there in the shot and because they don’t have the mo cap stuff on, they are invisible. I, on the other hand, had to leave the studio right after they were done shooting me because the mo cap cameras would catch me even if I wasn’t in the scene.

“Being in a situation acting with no sets and no costumes really took me all the way back to being a little kid in the south playing pretend with a stick or something like that, with no assistance from the environment, making it all up in my head. I can’t wait to see how it looks when the game is released.”

Lester Purry can be found on DVD in the short film BOOKIE, a film noir set in Seattle jazz scene in 1963, and is currently working on the independent film, SEA OF DREAMS, which will be hitting the film festival circuit when it is completed. To get more information on Lester or to contact him, visit his website, www.LesterPurry.com. 

Know anyone who could use an entertainment industry insider? If so, please encourage them to subscribe to YourIndustryInsider.com and sign up to receive YII’s Mogul Mindset eBlasts today! Also, please visit Your Industry Insider Store to check out recommended books and DVDs. Content will be added regularly as suggestions come in from industry insiders!

Next Monday, join us as Your Industry Insider (aka Jenny) interviews Jennifer Dawson, actress and creator of “Party Girl Plus One,” which recently took home three prizes at this year’s LAWebFest Awards:

The call will focus on the nuts and bolts of making a web series – budgets, crews and casts, getting equipment, shooting, editing, etc., as well as how Jennifer got her series into the limelight so it could garner her attention as an actress and as a content creator.

Join us Monday, April 12th at 5:45 pm PST/8:45 pm EST (NOTE NEW TIME) for what is sure to be an informative and inspiring conversation. To sign up, email YII@YourIndustryInsider.com and put PARTY GIRL CALL in the subject line. Call-in instuctions will be sent to you later in the week.

Actress Jennifer Dawson is a perfect example of someone who launched their entertainment career from afar and then, with some professional experience under her belt, relocated to Los Angeles to make it big in her chosen profession. She has also utilized modern technology and her growing network of talented friends and associates to create and star in the popular web series, “Party Girl Plus One,” based on her own dating diaries. Read on to hear her story…

College- I attended Florida International University, majoring in marketing & international business.

Internships- I did a PR internship during college because I thought I might go into that field.

First job: I worked in advertising out of school, at two different agencies. I made my way up to Junior Account Executive, before applying my marketing skills to work with my then-husband in his business.

What was the moment of inspiration to be an actress? I was a performer growing up, the after-dinner act as a kid, cheerleader in high school and college.  I don’t think those personality traits ever go away.  It wasn’t until after I was married that I realized I had to be true to who I was as a person. So I began to seek out whatever performance opportunities presented themselves, which was primarily commercial and hosting work. 

I really had no idea how to pursue an entertainment career, so I jumped into an acting class and someone would say, “You’ve gotta get pictures!” So I got pictures.  And then I found an improv troupe to sharpen my quick-thinking skills, and eventually sought out agencies for representation and just built a network. It’s a building process, very similar to what I’ve done in LA, but on a very small scale, of course.

What was the impetus to move to LA? When my marriage didn’t work out, I found myself with the opportunity to put my money where my mouth was.  And I did.  I moved out to LA knowing two people.

What was your first move when you came out here? The first thing I did was look for an acting coach. I had gone to a small theater school in Miami and did a summer program in New York with the Atlantic Theater, but I knew I needed more grounding. I audited probably seventy-five teachers. It’s very overwhelming coming out here, so you have to trust your gut. If someone gives you a name, follow it, there’s a reason that piece of information has come into your life. I decided on Ivana Chubbuck, who I am still studying with.

I didn’t want to be green when I sought representation out here so I waited. When agents see you, they either see money or not. That’s their job; they are sales people.  Without a product, they’re not going to represent you. When I felt confident I had something to sell, I started contacting agencies by referral and through casting director and agency workshops. I had great photos by then, but I wasn’t straight out of school, so I needed to hear the truth, be clear so I could roll with the punches.  I put myself out there, took meetings with anyone and everyone who would see me. And I asked for the truth. Once I knew the truth, I knew what I was working with.

How did you get repped? I signed with Pantheon commercially and sampled a few theatrical agencies, Don Gerler (The Gerler Agency) included.

What was your first big break? Coming out of a commercial market in Florida, there was a very small learning curve for me, and a lot of commercials are simply a “look.” I had five commercials running last year.

Jen With One of the Mad Men Emmys

My film & television ”big break” would be attributed to calling one of the numbers someone in Florida gave me for a friend of a friend out here.  That phone call led to me reading for writers at the Coronet Writer’s Lab led by T. Jay O’Brien.  Wendy Goodman Thum, one of the writers, was also in casting.  She referred me to the people casting a new show called  “Mad Men,” which hadn’t even started shooting.  I went in, read and met Matt Weiner. As I was driving home from the audition, the casting department called to tell me they wanted to cast me for the featured part.  No lines, and I would have to cut my hair. I didn’t know where it would go, but knew it was an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up.

Turns out they liked me and asked me if I would like to work as a regular “office gal,” as they were selecting about 20 girls to be a part of the secretarial pool. The second season, they asked if I would read for the role of “Ethel,” which I did and got the part. It was a small part with lines. The following season, they brought my character back with a few more lines opposite Jon Hamm. 

How did Party Girl come about? When I first got to LA I wrote a screenplay based on my marriage/divorce experience.  I knew I didn’t have the resources to pull that off, so I condensed that idea to a TV format. But I knew I couldn’t do that immediately either.  In the meantime, I began doing coverage at a production company, got introduced to other people in the industry and each of them had their own opinion on who I was as a person.  One thought I should do stand up, another thought I should focus on “feature films” but it was my job to continue searching for my voice. 

With the popularity of LonlyGirl15 and all the new digital media, a friend suggested I get involved in the internet.  Another friend posed the question of what was my angle, another reinforced it was my job to make my own career.  All these seeds were planted in my mind.  And during a conversation about my dating diary, it all came to a head.  It took a while to figure out how to piece it together, but I knew the story was in my dating diary.  This was about two and a half years ago.  I started researching dating info on the web, web series, anything related. Before I knew it, I found really talented and wonderful people to help pull this thing together. One thing I didn’t count on was that people had lives outside of Party Girl Plus One, and so I’ve had the challenge of dealing with people coming and going on the project based on their work situation, own projects, availability.  But as one door closes another opens and often in the transition period, I’ve found myself with fresh ideas and a new set of skills I’ve been forced to learn.

What has been the response you’ve gotten?  The response has been phenomenal. It’s such a small community if you put yourself out there and get involved.  People find each other, and a lot of it is timing, being available, meeting new people, sampling other people’s work, and talking about your project.  If you don’t talk about it, no one will know you’re working on it.  At first I was hesitant to let anyone know what I was working on for fear they would steal the idea. But there is nothing new under the sun;  sure I had this great idea, but what I was really branding was myself. And no one can steal that from me.  

What has come out of it? Believe it or not, the learning process has been immense and intense.  I’ve learned everything from the importance of SEO (note: search engine optimization) to editing to scoring to techie computer babble.  I’m not claiming to be an expert in all of these fields, but I have developed a total respect for those people who are and bring their talent to the table.  There are so many talented people out there. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of them and I am very fond of them. I want an audience to see their work as much as my own.

The other thing I’ve realized is my voice.  My voice is my brand. That is the product I am selling.  This brand that I am creating for myself is a place of defining roles and that’s how the momentum starts: casting people start saying we need a “Jennifer Dawson” type and so on. I have been brought in to read for other projects because people have seen me on my web series and are looking for my comedic “type.” It’s a great feeling when people take notice.  Not to mention, I’m doing what I love and being true to myself. That’s where I always want to be.

Readers, please enjoy Episode One of “Party Girl Plus One” (beware: for sort-of mature audiences):

Know anyone who could use an entertainment industry insider? If so, please encourage them to subscribe to YourIndustryInsider.com and sign up to receive YII’s Mogul Mindset eBlasts today! Also, please visit Your Industry Insider Store to check out recommended books and DVDs. Content will be added regularly as suggestions come in from industry insiders!