EP 12: Ken Ferguson: Teacher/Court Reporter Turn Actor

2022-04-29

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On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Ken Ferguson, another second act actor who came to the screen after a very varied career which included turns as a court reporter, a teacher, a professional bather, and a traveler. Since starting acting, he’s had background roles in major films such as Suicide Squad, and he’s also appeared in many commercials and in a self-directed project where he took baths in strangers’ houses. Ken gives some great advice that will be helpful to any other new actors, from how to tell a good ag...

On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Ken Ferguson, another second act actor who came to the screen after a very varied career which included turns as a court reporter, a teacher, a professional bather, and a traveler. Since starting acting, he’s had background roles in major films such as Suicide Squad, and he’s also appeared in many commercials and in a self-directed project where he took baths in strangers’ houses.

Ken gives some great advice that will be helpful to any other new actors, from how to tell a good agent from a bad agent, to what the difference in schedule is between a union and a non-union actor. He also explains how his acting classes with Second City and Lunacy Cabaret helped him to prepare for going to real auditions. Later, we talk about type casting, which can sometimes help an actor to book roles but can also be a constraint.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Second Act Actors podcast so that you don’t miss out on fun conversations with other new actors, sharing their wisdom and their perspective.

Timestamps

[0:33] Clicking with acting class buddies

[4:10] The parts that casting directors expect you to play based on your appearance

[6:17] The big secret about casting directors

[7:38] Ken’s very first acting role

[9:30] Moving to Japan and becoming a teacher

[13:20] Ken’s many first acts

[17:10] Taking clown classes

[20:08] Ken turns 30 and breaks a tooth, breaks his phone and starts acting

[22:32] Ken’s bath series

[23:08] Ken’s advice on how to pick a good agent

[25:43] The difference between being a union and a non-union actor