May 8, 2025 • 22 mins
Episode 149 - Tools and Techniques for Actors
In part 2 of their interview on the Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, host Matt Chastain continues his conversation with accomplished actor Todd Terry. Known for his roles in popular shows like 'Vindication,' '1923,' and 'The Chosen,' as well as many well known films, Todd discusses his career journey, the challenges of playing various roles, and his aspirations to diversify into comedy. He shares insights into the acting craft, emphasizing the importance of good writing, effective memorization techniques, and the impact of strong scene partners. The episode provides a deep dive into Todd's experiences and offers practical advice for aspiring actors.
Highlights Include:
- Spotlight on Recent Roles
- Comedy Aspirations
- Balancing Comedy and Drama
- Script Memorization
- Tools and Techniques for Actors
- Importance of Scene Partners
- Working with the Vindication Cast
- Future Projects and Aspirations
- The Resurgence of Westerns
- Respecting the Craft of Acting
Bio:
Todd Terry, a native Dallasite, began his career in television, film and theater over 38 years ago. He studied theater at The National Youth Theater of Great Britain, American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and Professional Actors Conservatory in Los Angeles. He has recently completed his fourth season as lead character, Gary Travis in the episodic series Vindication. Soon to be released film projects include The Senior, Hellcat and The Butcher. He will also be appearing in two comedic roles, the episodic series Fairwood and the film Empty Nets. He recently appeared in two of Taylor Sheridan’s episodic Lioness and 1923. Additional film credits include Unbreakable Boy, Disciples in the Moonlight, Jesus Revolution, Five Feet Apart, Unplanned, Beyond the Farthest Star, Because of Gracia, Arlington Road and Walking Tall II. Todd has co-starred in several network television movies of the week including: The Legend of Cadillac Jack, In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy and The Year Without Santa Claus. He has recurred on such shows as Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Fear the Walking Dead, and American Crime. Additional co-star roles include Walker, The Winchesters, Mr. Mercedes, Drop Dead Diva, Dallas, My Generation, Chase, Walker-Texas Ranger and Friday Night Lights. He has appeared in commercials for Birdseye, JSX Airlines, Home Title Lock, Leaf Guard, Texas Oncology, American Airlines, Visionworks, Cabella’s, Cooper Tires, Showtime, Blockbuster, TXU, Service King, Brookshire’s, Pepsi and Braum’s. He served as the President of the Dallas/Ft Worth branch of the Screen Actors Guild in 2001.
Todd Terry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddterryactor/
Purpose Film and Media Festival: https://www.purposefest.net/
FAFF Association Online Meetups: https://faffassociation.com/#faff-meetings
Screenwriters Retreat - Mexico: https://www.faffassociation.com/writers-retreat
Jaclyn's Book - In the Beginning, Middle and End: A Screenwriter’s Observations of LIfe, Character, and God: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R7XS9V
VIP Producers Mentorship Program
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt (00:00):
alright, we are back with another exciting and really fun episode, chatting with my friend and actor extraordinaire, Mr. Todd Terry.
And look for the sake of hopping backinto the conversation, which is far more interesting than me reading an intro to you, I'm not gonna read his bio again.
If you haven't listened to the latestepisode, the last episode, I would encourage you to go back and check it out or check out Todd Terry on IMDB.
(00:23):
So I teased a little bit inthe last episode talking about the future of Todd Terry.
As all of you guys know, Todd Terryis Detective Travis in vindication.
But this is funny, Todd, I've seen you,uh, obviously in, in a lot of things, but there were two nights in a row.
I sat down with my familyrecently and I watched, or not with my family, with my wife.
I watched an episode of 1923 and Iwas like, oh my gosh, there's Todd.
(00:44):
I don't know that guy.
Look at that mustache.
The very next night I sent my familydown to watch an episode of the Chosen.
And I'm like, oh, well there'sTodd Terry on the chosen.
And so I see Todd Terry on twoof the most popular shows in the country on two nights in a row.
But I noticed, so like, I was like,oh man, whether it's vindication where you obviously play detective or, or the chosen where you're a Roman guard or you're 1923 where you're a sheriff with a giant mustache, sort of in this lane of Todd's playing cops.
Terry (01:12):
That's right.
That's funny.
I didn't think about that.
Yeah, that's very good.
Yeah, I played a lot of, a lot of cops,DEA, whatever, in my, in my career, which I'm grateful for, but I. I'm, I'm hoping to mix it up more as we go along and to hopefully do some stuff like more comedy.
'cause I tend to do a lot of drama.
Matt (01:31):
Gene, are you listening?
He wants comedy.
Wait, you're on Treasure Coast right?
Terry (01:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
that's one of the.
Matt (01:37):
Okay, good.
Terry (01:39):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I have a couple that arecoming out that are in that vein that are more comedic.
Ones a more of a Biblicaltimes comedy called Empty Nets.
Uh, I don't know when it's coming out.
by Nathan Blair.
and one called Fairwoodthat should be coming out.
It's an episodic just on regularTV, tubie or something like that.
(01:59):
So anyway, that's what I want to domore on 'cause I get too serious and so I want to do some fun stuff too.
Matt (02:05):
I'm always blown away by actors who can do comedy and drama so well, I mean, think about real life.
There are certain peoplewho are just serious.
They're serious people,and they're just not funny.
And then there are people who arefunny in real life, but when they try to be serious, nobody believes them.
So being an actor who can pull offboth, how do you approach that?
Terry (02:25):
Well, you know, a lot of comedy is, is just being serious in the moment and that's what makes it funny.
I mean, I, the person thatcame to mind is who's the most serious actor I could think of?
Tommy Lee Jones.
Very serious and never say.
But then when he did Men in Black,he was funny because he was playing off these real absurd situations.
Ben Stellar's a great example of just thesmall little things, but it's all based in reality that make his stuff so funny.
Matt (02:52):
That's a good point.
Depends on the writing, right?
Terry (02:54):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
Again, good riding.
Does everything.
I mean, it allows you as anactor just to do your job and you don't have to add a ton to it.
You know?
It's just trust the writer.
Matt (03:07):
You don't have to be Will Ferrell, right?
You could be, Brian Cranston'sa good example, right?
Think about what he did on the,the farce of Malcolm in the middle.
But then he also went to theBreaking Bad role, which is, there was nothing funny about that, and I think the difference really isn't the, well, he's a brilliant actor, but obviously in the writing as well.
Terry (03:25):
Well, and I see all these clips of like Seinfeld with him, Brian Cranston and he's cracking Jerry up and I'm like, it's just because he's so serious in the moment.
It makes it a hilarious Andthat is trusting what the writer's written for you to do.
You know, I'm not saying youdon't bring anything to it as an actor, but a It is in the right.
Matt (03:44):
I think what you do bring it to it in the actor, especially if you're trying to play a dry role where people are bouncing off of you, is being able to remain dry and remain serious and have your character not really know that funny things are going on around them and not respond to the funny.
That's what makes it funny, right?
Terry (04:00):
Yeah, I'm just thinking of so many funny things.
I was thinking of Ben Stellar andMeet the Falkers and him saying that prayer, and it's, it's that song.
These things, I pray day by day.
I forgot what it is, but it's,it's so simple and so funny 'cause he's so serious about it.
Matt (04:19):
Well De Niro that series De Niro.
Terry (04:21):
He's a great example of
Matt (04:23):
Come on.
I've talked to a lot of actors aboutDe Niro's view on acting when he talks about how most of acting is suppressing emotion rather than emoting itself, because that's what people do.
Terry (04:33):
Yeah.
I do that.
That's, that's interesting.
I think that's where.
We talk about learning things.
You as you go along, they're such asa young actor, you tend to want to go for, I've gotta be emotional, I've gotta get in touch with that thing.
And you're right, so much of it is aboutwhat you're not showing and allowing the audience to experience it through you fighting that and they see you fighting and struggling through that thing.
(04:58):
So it's not always about bawling, crying.
I'm not saying there's nottimes for that, but it's about.
Trying not to go to that place and allowthe audience to go there instead of you.
Matt (05:10):
Yeah, as an audience, we wanna see you fighting the emotion.
When I see that, that's whenI'm really with you, right?
Because that's real life.
Um, I wanna talk more, some toolsand techniques that professional actors use because, well, I'm gonna go back to vindication for a second.
You guys probably shoot morepages in a day than a lot of big giant Hollywood blockbuster movies because frankly you have to.
(05:34):
And so simple memorization becomes,I would think, becomes a challenge when you're having to shoot.
What do you guys shoot?
Eight, 10 pages a day?
Terry (05:42):
Yeah, I would say it's, yeah, that's, that's pretty common.
Absolutely.
Uh, I think the most we'veshot in a day was 16 pages.
Heavy dialogue, but we get throughit and, and you know, a lot of that, it's attributed to having a really good crew around you and, you know, everything's gonna run smoothly and we just, you go, you go, you go.
But yeah, I would say, yeah, 16.
16 is light.
And I know some filmmakers that areputting out several movies a year, but they're like, one, two takes and let's move on because they, you know, they're shooting 20 plus pages in a day.
(06:14):
That's a lot.
Matt (06:15):
I think Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Tyler Perry does like 30.
Terry (06:19):
Yeah, I, I heard some.
Crazy number, like 60plus on some of his stuff.
And I don't know if that's true,but you know, and I think there's a point where you're gonna lose quality because you're just rushing to get it done versus taking some time.
But
Matt (06:34):
There's gonna be zero continuity too.
Zero continuity.
Terry (06:37):
finding that sweet spot that works for the, you know, the producers and the actors is, is great.
But
Matt (06:42):
If you're doing 10 to 16 pages a day, how do you approach memorization in that sense?
When you all get your sides andyou've got 16 pages in a day, how do you approach memorization?
Terry (06:51):
There's two ways.
So if I'm going on a set that I've neverbeen on before, I'm gonna prep, I'm gonna do a lot more prep ahead of time.
Show like vindication.
It's not that I'm not gonnado prep, it's just I'm not.
Is concerned about my lines like weeksbefore, because one, I wanna be fresh and I also, it's easier for me 'cause I'm not worried and stressed out.
(07:14):
Like being on a set where youdon't know anybody and you're like, oh, I don't wanna screw up.
and so I have an app, it'scalled 'Cold Read'.
And if you're an actor outthere, I highly recommended it.
It allows you to tape the other.
Person's lines along with yoursand play 'em back and forth.
So as soon as the other person readson the app, you start your line.
(07:35):
As soon as you finish your lastline, it picks up their line.
So it's almost having a fluidconversation on the app.
It's a great one.
You can actually recordon the app as well.
That's really helpful because I canplay that over and over again because you can memorize your lines, but.
It's really being able to listento the other person's lines that bring any scene alive.
(07:57):
Listening is such an importantpart of acting, so I think the more you're able to hear those other lines and bring yours to life because of your response to that, it's huge.
So I, it's a great app.
Highly recommend.
Other than that, I don't have anyspecial techniques other than just, you know, going over 'em and over 'em and over 'em and then trying to understand, you know, the gist of why I am saying what I'm saying.
Matt (08:19):
But do you like take a, do you take an hour during, when they're changing the set or flipping the world?
are you taking that time andjust memorizing this scene and concentrating on this scene?
And then when, when we go to the next one,I. We rehearsed, and then while they're setting everything up in your makeup, now you're memorizing the next scene.
Is that kind of how you do it?
Terry (08:37):
Yeah, I mean, I, I'm not memorizing on the day, I'm memorizing at least the day before, especially on something like Vindication, because every day is a full new set of lines.
So I don't wanna overload my brain.
I'll, I'll look at the lines overalland, and start working on them a little bit, but not letting them sink in.
And then the day or two before, depending.
(08:58):
I'm hitting 'em harder so that on theday they're pretty fresh there, then it becomes a matter of running it with castmates and allowing it to be fresh in the moment and not over- rehearsed.
Matt (09:09):
Hundred percent.
Well it's all castmates then.
'cause acting is is reactingas much as it is anything.
Right.
scene partners means so much whenyou have a scene partner that there's this one guy I've shared a scene with, he had a big role on, uh, on Ozark.
he's kind of at that level, but beingin a scene with this guy, he can have no lines, and there's something about him that will pull you into the hypnosis.
(09:34):
That's kind of what I call it.
When I'm, when I'm there and I'm incharacter and I know that this is not a real world, that yet it is.
I'm in the hypnosis and just.
Looking in this guy's eyeswill pull you into a hypnosis.
So that's what I find the value ofscene partners when they're, the better they are, obviously the better you are.
So you had a chance to work withon Vindication and others, some really, really great actors.
Terry (09:54):
Yeah.
And, and everyone's different.
And that's why I think if you overprepare too much, you, you know the world of your character, but if you're preparing responses.
Then you're not acting anymore.
I mean, you're not.
You're just kind of performing something.
So being able to listen toevery individual where they're coming from is imperative.
I mean, that's what brings it to life andmakes it fun, and also doesn't make it stale because you're always listening from where they're coming from based on the problem that you have as the character or whatever it is you're trying to overcome.
(10:27):
Yeah, it wouldn't be anyfun just by yourself.
Matt (10:29):
No.
Can you think of any stories, though,specifically when you were sharing a scene with someone and there was just something about the moment that On Cut, you just knew that something special had occurred because of how amazing that scene partner was.
I.
Terry (10:42):
I don't have anything.
Just jumping to mind.
I can think of timeswhere I was doing something.
Based on what I felt like I was gettingfrom the other actress, you know, and it was a well-known actress, but then the other, but see, this is the interesting, when you come into somebody else's set as a guest star or a CoStar, there's a world already created there and.
(11:03):
The great thing about this was thatthe guy that I was also working with, he said, Hey, remember you're my friend in this and blah, blah, blah.
And I'm like, well, I'm goingoff what she's giving me.
Uh, yeah, I know, but you are my friend.
And it changed how I approachedthe scene, and I'm glad he did it because that's his world.
It's not my world.
And you have to be willing to kind ofcome in there and take some direction, even sometimes from actors, and actors are very finicky about like.
(11:32):
Wanting to hear any kind ofcorrection from another actor.
You, you, you have to be careful.
But it, it was a good thingin this, it was not said.
It was just like, youknow, keep this in mind.
And I'm like, okay, yeah, I get it.
Matt (11:45):
Yeah, maybe he was like almost giving you permission.
Terry (11:48):
Yeah.
It, it was, but he was alsobringing in something that I didn't really take into account.
The whole fact that I wasfriends with this guy that's not established in the scene in a big way.
Gave me a different take on how I wouldrespond to this other actor in the scene.
And, uh, it helped me in the long run.
cause he knew the big world that, uh,they're trying to show especially, uh.
(12:12):
Related to this scene.
So, but yeah, I can't, Imean, there's been a lot of great people I've worked with.
I couldn't single anybody out.
But can always tell if there's someonewho's there to play or if there's somebody there who's like these are my lines.
I'm gonna do it the same way every time.
You know, they're not listeningto you, and that's no fun.
Matt (12:30):
When I see you and say Venus, Monique on camera together, she is, she's a pretty amazing actress herself, and so it feels like you and her really have good kind of partner chemistry, not only as Travis and and her character's name, I forget, but as actors, I.
Terry (12:45):
I love working with her.
I mean, I, I love working withall my castmates, but she's definitely one that I just feel like I don't have to do anything.
I can just sit there and listenand play off her, you know?
It's just allowing that energy,for lack of a better word, that's there, to allow that scene to grow.
She's wonderful to work with.
So was Peggy, so was Steve.
(13:06):
They're all great.
I never wanna single anybody out, butsince she brought her up, she's awesome.
Matt (13:11):
Ah, you can single people out when you're saying nice things about 'em, Steve will get over it, right?
I've seen him give you crap onsocial media so you can single him out in any way you want.
I just became friends with him.
He, he friend requested me and I'mlike, where's this guy been all my life?
He's hilarious.
Terry (13:25):
He is the biggest trash talker there is.
I mean, if you just follow his Facebookfeed, it's like he's constantly got this rolling dialogue between him and his wife, and I don't even know if his wife said any of this stuff, but it's always like, how's wife's putting him in his place?
He is.
He is really funny.
Matt (13:41):
We're talking about, uh, Steve, I don't even know how you pronounce his last name?
Mokate?
Terry (13:45):
Steve Mokate.
Matt (13:46):
Mokate.. Yeah.
Yeah.
He plays Sergeant Tomlinsonfor those of you who are, um, wondering what we're talking about.
But yeah, that's the beauty of havingcastmates that you've been working with for, for years and years and years.
They become like family and, as isproof and vindication, the quality of it just gets better and better.
So, I know you're an actoroutside of Vindication, obviously, like I said, I saw you on 1923.
I hope to see more of you inthe Taylorverse, by the way.
(14:08):
'cause I think that's a great fitfor you and he likes to use the same actors over and over again alot.
So, um, hopefully I'm not gonna put youon the spot and ask you, but hopefully you'll get to do more in the Taylorverse.
Terry (14:19):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, I've been fortunate.
I've gotten to work inthat universe twice.
I worked on lion s uh, I think lastyear, sometime last year, and then 1923.
And you never know, I mean.
There's other shows of his andthen these incentives that are hopefully gonna get passed will.
Be a big boon for Texas and hopefullymore of that kind of production.
But yeah, I, in fact,that's another thing.
(14:41):
Other than the comedy westerns, I'vealways loved westerns and I got to do one about a year ago that, I dunno if you know Micah Lyons, he's a director.
He was the director on thisand hopefully that's gonna come out hoping in the next year.
I don't know the title 'cause they'vechanged it, but, uh, it's got some good actors in it and it's a lot of fun.
(15:01):
But I get to.
Full on play at 18 hundredsWestern, so it's a blast.
Matt (15:06):
One thing the Taylor versus has done is kind of brought westerns kind of a, another resurgence of Westerns into the zeitgeist.
Well, not only that, but I'llbet you, but since Val Kilmer died a couple weeks ago, my.
Feed is now filled with Tombstoneclips and going back and realizing what a just perfect movie that was and what a perfect performance Val Kilmer puts on in that movie.
(15:29):
So God bless Westerns and Texas.
Terry (15:32):
he, I mean, I don't wanna say he was underrated because he was well known for what he does, but he was such a skilled actor.
I mean, I, I've seen, uh, even,what was that one where they had the robbery at the bank?
It was real well known.
It was him, Al Pacino and I, I forget thename of it, but a real well known one.
But they were talking about howeven military guys looked at how he, uh, I don't know if it was in.
(15:57):
Ar or what it was, how he loadedit and went right back into shooting, said it was so skilled.
You could tell he practicedand practiced and practiced.
That's what it takes,you know, to be great.
And he
Matt (16:08):
It's respecting the craft.
It's respecting the craft.
He wasn't going to, you know, dothe Doris movie unless he could sing exactly like Jim Morrison.
One thing that drives me nutsis if you're an actor out there, never agree to do this.
If you don't play guitar, never letthem put a guitar in your hand because everybody you plays guitar is gonna know you're not playing that guitar.
(16:30):
And I think just like you're talking aboutVal Kilmer, it makes me think that person doesn't respect the craft of acting.
Don't do anything thatyou're obviously not doing.
Terry (16:38):
No, you're right.
There's so many little avenues youhave to understand and you know, that's another thing for actors Life experience is so important.
So the more you can learn aboutanything and other things, it's great.
You know, another language orwhatever it may be, it really helps to bring that life experience.
So it translates on film.
Matt (16:59):
A hundred percent.
All right, so what's the nextbig thing for Todd Terry?
You mentioned some projectsthat you have coming up.
Um, well this is a question I meantto ask you before I get to there.
Long, are you willingto go with vindication?
I mean, if this thing goes, ' I feel goodthat you guys are gonna get a season five.
It's gonna be super successful onAngel and they're just gonna wanna sign you to a three, four year contract.
(17:19):
You willing to keep going withDetective Travis or do we need to let Jared know that he is gonna lose his
Terry (17:24):
are gonna get me in trouble one way or another here.
Matt (17:26):
That's the goal.
Terry (17:27):
It would be nice.
I kinda leave my expectations at thedoor every season because it's been a bit of brilla warfare for vindication.
As far as you know, we wouldshoot two episodes, not know if we'd go on to another two.
and I will shout out to Redeem tv, who hasreally been the biggest player in this and allowing vindication to do what it has.
(17:49):
But, uh, yeah.
No, I would absolutely, as long asthe stories are interesting and you guys always write and I'm including you 'cause you're part of it.
Write great stories.
Yeah.
As long as it's thecharacter's interesting.
And I don't feel like we're justrepeating a bunch of stuff just to do it.
Yeah, I definitely would be on board.
But, uh, yeah, I mean as far as otherthings that are going on right now, I'm getting ready to shoot a movie called Christmas at the Cabin with one of my other castmates who is in vindication.
(18:16):
I won't say who it is.
You can look it up on IM bbb.
And, uh, it's actually, shewrote it, it's Maryanne, I'll just say it, but she wrote it.
Matt (18:25):
Because I'm looking it up right now.
I wanna.
Terry (18:27):
I just gave it away, but, uh, she wrote it and is shooting in Colorado, which is gonna be a lot of fun.
It's a comedy.
That's next on my agenda.
And then I've got some moviesthat are coming out in the, hopefully in the next year.
One called The Senior with Michael Chila.
It's kind of been out there for awhile, but I just hadn't made it to the, the screen, this other western.
(18:49):
And then, uh, a comedy seriescalled Fairwood that I'm hoping is gonna come out this year.
Other than that, it's audition toaudition, waiting for the next gig.
So it's fun.
Matt (18:59):
That's awesome.
Well, it takes a lot to be an actorand not to, it takes a lot of faith.
Right.
That's why I think knowing the Lord andplacing your faith in God is such a huge help to being an actor because you don't know where it's coming from next, and it's best not to stress about it and just let God put you where he wants you.
Right.
Terry (19:16):
Yeah, no, there's so many years of you.
You just don't know when you'regonna work and when you love to do something, it's nice to know that you have hopefully another job coming up.
So.
I just even appreciate theopportunity to audition.
'cause I kind of go in those with,I'm gonna get this, you know?
But I also am not incrediblydisappointed if I don't.
(19:37):
But you kind of have to have thatattitude is that I'm not just Fruitlessly doing this, hoping I'm gonna get it.
I'm committed to gettingit, but I may not.
And that's the attitudeyou have to develop.
I think at first, as an actor and you'renewer in the business, it hurts a lot.
You know, you're like, oh,there's so much rejection.
I. But you can't live in that worldtoo long, or it'll just destroy you and you just, it'll, you'll become bitter and that's not good either.
Matt (20:04):
Well, Todd Terry, I'm not gonna take too much more of your time.
Up.
We just wanna thank you so much forcoming on the Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, and we look forward to seeing you and all your upcoming projects.
Tell 'em how they can findyou on social media in case.
Are you an X guy?
Where, where do people follow you?
Terry (20:18):
I don't do X, I don't think I have an X account.
Instagram is the simplest thing for me.
I just do one and then itpropagates to Facebook.
So I think I have a profile, ToddTerry, actor on Facebook, but at Todd Terry, actor on Instagram is probably the simplest place where I post things that are coming up, that kind of thing.
Matt (20:36):
That's awesome.
Thanks so much, man.
We appreciate it.
Terry (20:38):
Absolutely.
Thank you, Matt.
alright, we are back with another exciting and really fun episode, chatting with my friend and actor extraordinaire, Mr. Todd Terry.
And look for the sake of hopping backinto the conversation, which is far more interesting than me reading an intro to you, I'm not gonna read his bio again.
If you haven't listened to the latestepisode, the last episode, I would encourage you to go back and check it out or check out Todd Terry on IMDB.
(00:23):
So I teased a little bit inthe last episode talking about the future of Todd Terry.
As all of you guys know, Todd Terryis Detective Travis in vindication.
But this is funny, Todd, I've seen you,uh, obviously in, in a lot of things, but there were two nights in a row.
I sat down with my familyrecently and I watched, or not with my family, with my wife.
I watched an episode of 1923 and Iwas like, oh my gosh, there's Todd.
(00:44):
I don't know that guy.
Look at that mustache.
The very next night I sent my familydown to watch an episode of the Chosen.
And I'm like, oh, well there'sTodd Terry on the chosen.
And so I see Todd Terry on twoof the most popular shows in the country on two nights in a row.
But I noticed, so like, I was like,oh man, whether it's vindication where you obviously play detective or, or the chosen where you're a Roman guard or you're 1923 where you're a sheriff with a giant mustache, sort of in this lane of Todd's playing cops.
Terry (01:12):
That's right.
That's funny.
I didn't think about that.
Yeah, that's very good.
Yeah, I played a lot of, a lot of cops,DEA, whatever, in my, in my career, which I'm grateful for, but I. I'm, I'm hoping to mix it up more as we go along and to hopefully do some stuff like more comedy.
'cause I tend to do a lot of drama.
Matt (01:31):
Gene, are you listening?
He wants comedy.
Wait, you're on Treasure Coast right?
Terry (01:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
that's one of the.
Matt (01:37):
Okay, good.
Terry (01:39):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I have a couple that arecoming out that are in that vein that are more comedic.
Ones a more of a Biblicaltimes comedy called Empty Nets.
Uh, I don't know when it's coming out.
by Nathan Blair.
and one called Fairwoodthat should be coming out.
It's an episodic just on regularTV, tubie or something like that.
(01:59):
So anyway, that's what I want to domore on 'cause I get too serious and so I want to do some fun stuff too.
Matt (02:05):
I'm always blown away by actors who can do comedy and drama so well, I mean, think about real life.
There are certain peoplewho are just serious.
They're serious people,and they're just not funny.
And then there are people who arefunny in real life, but when they try to be serious, nobody believes them.
So being an actor who can pull offboth, how do you approach that?
Terry (02:25):
Well, you know, a lot of comedy is, is just being serious in the moment and that's what makes it funny.
I mean, I, the person thatcame to mind is who's the most serious actor I could think of?
Tommy Lee Jones.
Very serious and never say.
But then when he did Men in Black,he was funny because he was playing off these real absurd situations.
Ben Stellar's a great example of just thesmall little things, but it's all based in reality that make his stuff so funny.
Matt (02:52):
That's a good point.
Depends on the writing, right?
Terry (02:54):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
Again, good riding.
Does everything.
I mean, it allows you as anactor just to do your job and you don't have to add a ton to it.
You know?
It's just trust the writer.
Matt (03:07):
You don't have to be Will Ferrell, right?
You could be, Brian Cranston'sa good example, right?
Think about what he did on the,the farce of Malcolm in the middle.
But then he also went to theBreaking Bad role, which is, there was nothing funny about that, and I think the difference really isn't the, well, he's a brilliant actor, but obviously in the writing as well.
Terry (03:25):
Well, and I see all these clips of like Seinfeld with him, Brian Cranston and he's cracking Jerry up and I'm like, it's just because he's so serious in the moment.
It makes it a hilarious Andthat is trusting what the writer's written for you to do.
You know, I'm not saying youdon't bring anything to it as an actor, but a It is in the right.
Matt (03:44):
I think what you do bring it to it in the actor, especially if you're trying to play a dry role where people are bouncing off of you, is being able to remain dry and remain serious and have your character not really know that funny things are going on around them and not respond to the funny.
That's what makes it funny, right?
Terry (04:00):
Yeah, I'm just thinking of so many funny things.
I was thinking of Ben Stellar andMeet the Falkers and him saying that prayer, and it's, it's that song.
These things, I pray day by day.
I forgot what it is, but it's,it's so simple and so funny 'cause he's so serious about it.
Matt (04:19):
Well De Niro that series De Niro.
Terry (04:21):
He's a great example of
Matt (04:23):
Come on.
I've talked to a lot of actors aboutDe Niro's view on acting when he talks about how most of acting is suppressing emotion rather than emoting itself, because that's what people do.
Terry (04:33):
Yeah.
I do that.
That's, that's interesting.
I think that's where.
We talk about learning things.
You as you go along, they're such asa young actor, you tend to want to go for, I've gotta be emotional, I've gotta get in touch with that thing.
And you're right, so much of it is aboutwhat you're not showing and allowing the audience to experience it through you fighting that and they see you fighting and struggling through that thing.
(04:58):
So it's not always about bawling, crying.
I'm not saying there's nottimes for that, but it's about.
Trying not to go to that place and allowthe audience to go there instead of you.
Matt (05:10):
Yeah, as an audience, we wanna see you fighting the emotion.
When I see that, that's whenI'm really with you, right?
Because that's real life.
Um, I wanna talk more, some toolsand techniques that professional actors use because, well, I'm gonna go back to vindication for a second.
You guys probably shoot morepages in a day than a lot of big giant Hollywood blockbuster movies because frankly you have to.
(05:34):
And so simple memorization becomes,I would think, becomes a challenge when you're having to shoot.
What do you guys shoot?
Eight, 10 pages a day?
Terry (05:42):
Yeah, I would say it's, yeah, that's, that's pretty common.
Absolutely.
Uh, I think the most we'veshot in a day was 16 pages.
Heavy dialogue, but we get throughit and, and you know, a lot of that, it's attributed to having a really good crew around you and, you know, everything's gonna run smoothly and we just, you go, you go, you go.
But yeah, I would say, yeah, 16.
16 is light.
And I know some filmmakers that areputting out several movies a year, but they're like, one, two takes and let's move on because they, you know, they're shooting 20 plus pages in a day.
(06:14):
That's a lot.
Matt (06:15):
I think Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Tyler Perry does like 30.
Terry (06:19):
Yeah, I, I heard some.
Crazy number, like 60plus on some of his stuff.
And I don't know if that's true,but you know, and I think there's a point where you're gonna lose quality because you're just rushing to get it done versus taking some time.
But
Matt (06:34):
There's gonna be zero continuity too.
Zero continuity.
Terry (06:37):
finding that sweet spot that works for the, you know, the producers and the actors is, is great.
But
Matt (06:42):
If you're doing 10 to 16 pages a day, how do you approach memorization in that sense?
When you all get your sides andyou've got 16 pages in a day, how do you approach memorization?
Terry (06:51):
There's two ways.
So if I'm going on a set that I've neverbeen on before, I'm gonna prep, I'm gonna do a lot more prep ahead of time.
Show like vindication.
It's not that I'm not gonnado prep, it's just I'm not.
Is concerned about my lines like weeksbefore, because one, I wanna be fresh and I also, it's easier for me 'cause I'm not worried and stressed out.
(07:14):
Like being on a set where youdon't know anybody and you're like, oh, I don't wanna screw up.
and so I have an app, it'scalled 'Cold Read'.
And if you're an actor outthere, I highly recommended it.
It allows you to tape the other.
Person's lines along with yoursand play 'em back and forth.
So as soon as the other person readson the app, you start your line.
(07:35):
As soon as you finish your lastline, it picks up their line.
So it's almost having a fluidconversation on the app.
It's a great one.
You can actually recordon the app as well.
That's really helpful because I canplay that over and over again because you can memorize your lines, but.
It's really being able to listento the other person's lines that bring any scene alive.
(07:57):
Listening is such an importantpart of acting, so I think the more you're able to hear those other lines and bring yours to life because of your response to that, it's huge.
So I, it's a great app.
Highly recommend.
Other than that, I don't have anyspecial techniques other than just, you know, going over 'em and over 'em and over 'em and then trying to understand, you know, the gist of why I am saying what I'm saying.
Matt (08:19):
But do you like take a, do you take an hour during, when they're changing the set or flipping the world?
are you taking that time andjust memorizing this scene and concentrating on this scene?
And then when, when we go to the next one,I. We rehearsed, and then while they're setting everything up in your makeup, now you're memorizing the next scene.
Is that kind of how you do it?
Terry (08:37):
Yeah, I mean, I, I'm not memorizing on the day, I'm memorizing at least the day before, especially on something like Vindication, because every day is a full new set of lines.
So I don't wanna overload my brain.
I'll, I'll look at the lines overalland, and start working on them a little bit, but not letting them sink in.
And then the day or two before, depending.
(08:58):
I'm hitting 'em harder so that on theday they're pretty fresh there, then it becomes a matter of running it with castmates and allowing it to be fresh in the moment and not over- rehearsed.
Matt (09:09):
Hundred percent.
Well it's all castmates then.
'cause acting is is reactingas much as it is anything.
Right.
scene partners means so much whenyou have a scene partner that there's this one guy I've shared a scene with, he had a big role on, uh, on Ozark.
he's kind of at that level, but beingin a scene with this guy, he can have no lines, and there's something about him that will pull you into the hypnosis.
(09:34):
That's kind of what I call it.
When I'm, when I'm there and I'm incharacter and I know that this is not a real world, that yet it is.
I'm in the hypnosis and just.
Looking in this guy's eyeswill pull you into a hypnosis.
So that's what I find the value ofscene partners when they're, the better they are, obviously the better you are.
So you had a chance to work withon Vindication and others, some really, really great actors.
Terry (09:54):
Yeah.
And, and everyone's different.
And that's why I think if you overprepare too much, you, you know the world of your character, but if you're preparing responses.
Then you're not acting anymore.
I mean, you're not.
You're just kind of performing something.
So being able to listen toevery individual where they're coming from is imperative.
I mean, that's what brings it to life andmakes it fun, and also doesn't make it stale because you're always listening from where they're coming from based on the problem that you have as the character or whatever it is you're trying to overcome.
(10:27):
Yeah, it wouldn't be anyfun just by yourself.
Matt (10:29):
No.
Can you think of any stories, though,specifically when you were sharing a scene with someone and there was just something about the moment that On Cut, you just knew that something special had occurred because of how amazing that scene partner was.
I.
Terry (10:42):
I don't have anything.
Just jumping to mind.
I can think of timeswhere I was doing something.
Based on what I felt like I was gettingfrom the other actress, you know, and it was a well-known actress, but then the other, but see, this is the interesting, when you come into somebody else's set as a guest star or a CoStar, there's a world already created there and.
(11:03):
The great thing about this was thatthe guy that I was also working with, he said, Hey, remember you're my friend in this and blah, blah, blah.
And I'm like, well, I'm goingoff what she's giving me.
Uh, yeah, I know, but you are my friend.
And it changed how I approachedthe scene, and I'm glad he did it because that's his world.
It's not my world.
And you have to be willing to kind ofcome in there and take some direction, even sometimes from actors, and actors are very finicky about like.
(11:32):
Wanting to hear any kind ofcorrection from another actor.
You, you, you have to be careful.
But it, it was a good thingin this, it was not said.
It was just like, youknow, keep this in mind.
And I'm like, okay, yeah, I get it.
Matt (11:45):
Yeah, maybe he was like almost giving you permission.
Terry (11:48):
Yeah.
It, it was, but he was alsobringing in something that I didn't really take into account.
The whole fact that I wasfriends with this guy that's not established in the scene in a big way.
Gave me a different take on how I wouldrespond to this other actor in the scene.
And, uh, it helped me in the long run.
cause he knew the big world that, uh,they're trying to show especially, uh.
(12:12):
Related to this scene.
So, but yeah, I can't, Imean, there's been a lot of great people I've worked with.
I couldn't single anybody out.
But can always tell if there's someonewho's there to play or if there's somebody there who's like these are my lines.
I'm gonna do it the same way every time.
You know, they're not listeningto you, and that's no fun.
Matt (12:30):
When I see you and say Venus, Monique on camera together, she is, she's a pretty amazing actress herself, and so it feels like you and her really have good kind of partner chemistry, not only as Travis and and her character's name, I forget, but as actors, I.
Terry (12:45):
I love working with her.
I mean, I, I love working withall my castmates, but she's definitely one that I just feel like I don't have to do anything.
I can just sit there and listenand play off her, you know?
It's just allowing that energy,for lack of a better word, that's there, to allow that scene to grow.
She's wonderful to work with.
So was Peggy, so was Steve.
(13:06):
They're all great.
I never wanna single anybody out, butsince she brought her up, she's awesome.
Matt (13:11):
Ah, you can single people out when you're saying nice things about 'em, Steve will get over it, right?
I've seen him give you crap onsocial media so you can single him out in any way you want.
I just became friends with him.
He, he friend requested me and I'mlike, where's this guy been all my life?
He's hilarious.
Terry (13:25):
He is the biggest trash talker there is.
I mean, if you just follow his Facebookfeed, it's like he's constantly got this rolling dialogue between him and his wife, and I don't even know if his wife said any of this stuff, but it's always like, how's wife's putting him in his place?
He is.
He is really funny.
Matt (13:41):
We're talking about, uh, Steve, I don't even know how you pronounce his last name?
Mokate?
Terry (13:45):
Steve Mokate.
Matt (13:46):
Mokate.. Yeah.
Yeah.
He plays Sergeant Tomlinsonfor those of you who are, um, wondering what we're talking about.
But yeah, that's the beauty of havingcastmates that you've been working with for, for years and years and years.
They become like family and, as isproof and vindication, the quality of it just gets better and better.
So, I know you're an actoroutside of Vindication, obviously, like I said, I saw you on 1923.
I hope to see more of you inthe Taylorverse, by the way.
(14:08):
'cause I think that's a great fitfor you and he likes to use the same actors over and over again alot.
So, um, hopefully I'm not gonna put youon the spot and ask you, but hopefully you'll get to do more in the Taylorverse.
Terry (14:19):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, I've been fortunate.
I've gotten to work inthat universe twice.
I worked on lion s uh, I think lastyear, sometime last year, and then 1923.
And you never know, I mean.
There's other shows of his andthen these incentives that are hopefully gonna get passed will.
Be a big boon for Texas and hopefullymore of that kind of production.
But yeah, I, in fact,that's another thing.
(14:41):
Other than the comedy westerns, I'vealways loved westerns and I got to do one about a year ago that, I dunno if you know Micah Lyons, he's a director.
He was the director on thisand hopefully that's gonna come out hoping in the next year.
I don't know the title 'cause they'vechanged it, but, uh, it's got some good actors in it and it's a lot of fun.
(15:01):
But I get to.
Full on play at 18 hundredsWestern, so it's a blast.
Matt (15:06):
One thing the Taylor versus has done is kind of brought westerns kind of a, another resurgence of Westerns into the zeitgeist.
Well, not only that, but I'llbet you, but since Val Kilmer died a couple weeks ago, my.
Feed is now filled with Tombstoneclips and going back and realizing what a just perfect movie that was and what a perfect performance Val Kilmer puts on in that movie.
(15:29):
So God bless Westerns and Texas.
Terry (15:32):
he, I mean, I don't wanna say he was underrated because he was well known for what he does, but he was such a skilled actor.
I mean, I, I've seen, uh, even,what was that one where they had the robbery at the bank?
It was real well known.
It was him, Al Pacino and I, I forget thename of it, but a real well known one.
But they were talking about howeven military guys looked at how he, uh, I don't know if it was in.
(15:57):
Ar or what it was, how he loadedit and went right back into shooting, said it was so skilled.
You could tell he practicedand practiced and practiced.
That's what it takes,you know, to be great.
And he
Matt (16:08):
It's respecting the craft.
It's respecting the craft.
He wasn't going to, you know, dothe Doris movie unless he could sing exactly like Jim Morrison.
One thing that drives me nutsis if you're an actor out there, never agree to do this.
If you don't play guitar, never letthem put a guitar in your hand because everybody you plays guitar is gonna know you're not playing that guitar.
(16:30):
And I think just like you're talking aboutVal Kilmer, it makes me think that person doesn't respect the craft of acting.
Don't do anything thatyou're obviously not doing.
Terry (16:38):
No, you're right.
There's so many little avenues youhave to understand and you know, that's another thing for actors Life experience is so important.
So the more you can learn aboutanything and other things, it's great.
You know, another language orwhatever it may be, it really helps to bring that life experience.
So it translates on film.
Matt (16:59):
A hundred percent.
All right, so what's the nextbig thing for Todd Terry?
You mentioned some projectsthat you have coming up.
Um, well this is a question I meantto ask you before I get to there.
Long, are you willingto go with vindication?
I mean, if this thing goes, ' I feel goodthat you guys are gonna get a season five.
It's gonna be super successful onAngel and they're just gonna wanna sign you to a three, four year contract.
(17:19):
You willing to keep going withDetective Travis or do we need to let Jared know that he is gonna lose his
Terry (17:24):
are gonna get me in trouble one way or another here.
Matt (17:26):
That's the goal.
Terry (17:27):
It would be nice.
I kinda leave my expectations at thedoor every season because it's been a bit of brilla warfare for vindication.
As far as you know, we wouldshoot two episodes, not know if we'd go on to another two.
and I will shout out to Redeem tv, who hasreally been the biggest player in this and allowing vindication to do what it has.
(17:49):
But, uh, yeah.
No, I would absolutely, as long asthe stories are interesting and you guys always write and I'm including you 'cause you're part of it.
Write great stories.
Yeah.
As long as it's thecharacter's interesting.
And I don't feel like we're justrepeating a bunch of stuff just to do it.
Yeah, I definitely would be on board.
But, uh, yeah, I mean as far as otherthings that are going on right now, I'm getting ready to shoot a movie called Christmas at the Cabin with one of my other castmates who is in vindication.
(18:16):
I won't say who it is.
You can look it up on IM bbb.
And, uh, it's actually, shewrote it, it's Maryanne, I'll just say it, but she wrote it.
Matt (18:25):
Because I'm looking it up right now.
I wanna.
Terry (18:27):
I just gave it away, but, uh, she wrote it and is shooting in Colorado, which is gonna be a lot of fun.
It's a comedy.
That's next on my agenda.
And then I've got some moviesthat are coming out in the, hopefully in the next year.
One called The Senior with Michael Chila.
It's kind of been out there for awhile, but I just hadn't made it to the, the screen, this other western.
(18:49):
And then, uh, a comedy seriescalled Fairwood that I'm hoping is gonna come out this year.
Other than that, it's audition toaudition, waiting for the next gig.
So it's fun.
Matt (18:59):
That's awesome.
Well, it takes a lot to be an actorand not to, it takes a lot of faith.
Right.
That's why I think knowing the Lord andplacing your faith in God is such a huge help to being an actor because you don't know where it's coming from next, and it's best not to stress about it and just let God put you where he wants you.
Right.
Terry (19:16):
Yeah, no, there's so many years of you.
You just don't know when you'regonna work and when you love to do something, it's nice to know that you have hopefully another job coming up.
So.
I just even appreciate theopportunity to audition.
'cause I kind of go in those with,I'm gonna get this, you know?
But I also am not incrediblydisappointed if I don't.
(19:37):
But you kind of have to have thatattitude is that I'm not just Fruitlessly doing this, hoping I'm gonna get it.
I'm committed to gettingit, but I may not.
And that's the attitudeyou have to develop.
I think at first, as an actor and you'renewer in the business, it hurts a lot.
You know, you're like, oh,there's so much rejection.
I. But you can't live in that worldtoo long, or it'll just destroy you and you just, it'll, you'll become bitter and that's not good either.
Matt (20:04):
Well, Todd Terry, I'm not gonna take too much more of your time.
Up.
We just wanna thank you so much forcoming on the Faith and Family Filmmakers podcast, and we look forward to seeing you and all your upcoming projects.
Tell 'em how they can findyou on social media in case.
Are you an X guy?
Where, where do people follow you?
Terry (20:18):
I don't do X, I don't think I have an X account.
Instagram is the simplest thing for me.
I just do one and then itpropagates to Facebook.
So I think I have a profile, ToddTerry, actor on Facebook, but at Todd Terry, actor on Instagram is probably the simplest place where I post things that are coming up, that kind of thing.
Matt (20:36):
That's awesome.
Thanks so much, man.
We appreciate it.
Terry (20:38):
Absolutely.
Thank you, Matt.
Popular Podcasts
Boysober
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com