EP 164: Ashley Tabatabai – Actor & Host of The Ash Taba Show on You Booked It podcast!
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EP 164: Ashley Tabatabai (autogenerated)
[00:00:00] Dane Reis: [00:00:00] you booked it. Episode 164. Okay, let’s get started. I am excited to introduce my guest today, Ashley, to batter by. Are you ready for this Ashley?
[00:00:17]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:00:17] Let’s do it. I’m ready.
[00:00:18]Dane Reis: [00:00:18] All right. Ashley is an actor and filmmaker who has spent over a decade working in the digital marketing industry. He produced, wrote and starred in the award winning short film falsified, which premiered at the LA international short.
[00:00:33] Film festival in 2017. Ashley is also the host of the Ash Tabba show, where he chats with some of the leading casting professionals in the U S and UK. Ashley. That is a quick intro of who you are and what you’ve done, but why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself, fill in the gaps and a little bit more about what you do as a professional in the entertainment industry.
[00:01:01]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:01:01] Oh, I don’t know, man. I like that cliff notes version. I’m going to use that in my own obituary. We’ll just stick with that. Um, Um, no, I, so my background is I, uh, culturally I’m British. Um, although the accent sounds otherwise, uh, my dad was also from Iran, so I’m a little bit of a cultural nomad. I moved to Spain when I was five and went to international school, which is where the weird.
[00:01:24] Sort of North American Canadian hybrid accent comes from, and it always confuses people. So big, old cultural mongrel. Uh, I started acting, I’d say around on 14, 15 years old in high school and then went off and did the traditional academic thing like that. I said my dad was Iranian. So anyone that knows people from that part of the world, academics is a big thing.
[00:01:48] So academic cause I was kinda in my, uh, in my, for fortune there and, uh, I went off to study at university didn’t management. But something felt like it was a bit off. Something was missing in my final year, I kind of realized, just doesn’t quite feel like things clicking here. And I reminded myself of when I was performing in my team back then, I didn’t realize it could be a career.
[00:02:14]Um, and I decided to. To kind of get into classes properly, uh, in my final year of college. And from there, it’s kind of just, like you said, over a decade that makes me feel really old. Um, but it, but it kind of goes from there. We all know how it goes. You sort of train and you do stuff and you grind and there’s no overnight success.
[00:02:33]And it’s just been a case of doing that steady stream of student films, independent films, small jobs here and there. And then building up to the point where it made the choice to make my own stuff. And I think that’s going to be probably a big through-line. Of our chat today day. And I think a lot of it’s going to really fall back on this whole notion of making your own work, because that’s been the big game changer for me.
[00:02:58]Dane Reis: [00:02:58] . And especially with the current situation of the world, with the pandemic and everything that really creating our own work is not only, I think, important, but also fulfilling and kind of vital to continuing to get to do what we do. And our industry’s gone away.
[00:03:16]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:03:16] I couldn’t agree more because we don’t know what the deal is with, with any industry, but especially ours. There are definitely things happening. I have friends that are working on productions, both in front of, and behind the camera here in Europe. I know stuff in the States is picking up, but it’s not the levels that we’re accustomed to.
[00:03:35]So. I don’t have a magic ball, but it’s going to be a little while. I’m sure until it starts to really pick back up and all we can do as artists is really satiate our own creativity and waiting for the phone to ring has never been a viable option, but to your point, even less so now than ever before. So, you know, make your own stuff you’re going to otherwise, you’re going to go nuts.
[00:03:54]Dane Reis: [00:03:54] Yeah, for sure. And let’s dive into this first section here and Ashley, look, I am a sucker for a good quote. What is your favorite quote? You’d like to share with everyone
[00:04:07]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:04:07] I really all over this one. Cause I was thinking, Oh, do I have one? Do I have a favorite quote? And I don’t know if I have a favorite one, but I’m going to give you the one that seems to be coming up a lot for me when I’m talking to people on my show and then that I’ve. Kind of Kind of had in my mind for the last say year or so.
[00:04:25] And it’s, um, faster, alone, further together. I think it’s an African proverb as far as I’m aware, but, um, I really like like that quote because I think it really encapsulates a lot of what we are as artists. Right? There’s this whole idea that you can get a lot more done when it is just you and there’s a time and a place for that.
[00:04:46]But ultimately you’re going to get a lot further by collaborating and by finding the people that you resonate with, that you can collaborate with and make stuff happen with because you know, you know, as well as I do this, isn’t a game of isolation re work that we do here is creatives. We all rely on the sum of our parts and it’s a big old circus, and everybody brings their airy game to make something come to life.
[00:05:13] And so. You do need those people to be part of your tribe. And I think that quote is one that really encapsulates that. And like I said, I naturally just seem to have it slipped out of my mouth when I’m talking on my show. So that’s my current favorite one, I guess. I guess.
[00:05:27]Dane Reis: [00:05:27] Yeah. And that’s so true. I’ve not heard that one. Uh, and I completely agree that yeah, there is a time for sure that we have to do the thing alone, hone our skills or, you know, create that project or the beginning parts of it. Right. Right. And get it kind of some of that momentum going, right. Some of the groundwork needs to be done alone and you can do that quickly, but yeah, ultimately it’s all about connecting with others, whether that is simply.
[00:05:54] Say like a podcast where you’re connecting with listeners and people that need it and need that information or find value in that information. Or if you’re doing a full-on production where you need to collaborate and act, and dance and whatever else with a group of people,
[00:06:09] Ashley Tabatabai: [00:06:09] It’s the feedback too, right? I think for me the best example that I can relate it to where I really seen tangible, uh, effects of that is, is writing because in the writing process, you, you, you need to go and someone has to do it and you can’t do it as a group. So someone’s putting hands to keyboard or.
[00:06:27] Pen to paper, if anyone still does that, and you’re creating the initial kernel of what the story is, but eventually you get so close to it and you’re so involved. You can’t see the woods from the trees and you need outside input and outside feedback to let you know if it’s resonating in a where you’re going, right. right.
[00:06:48]And where you’re going wrong and really use that writer’s room for lack of a term. To really propel it further, a lot quicker and a lot faster than if you were trying to be stuck in your own head, figuring it out for yourself because you don’t have the same vantage point as someone who might be, you know, you’re kind of there on the beach and they’re up on the cliff looking down and they can see a whole load more of the, uh, of the sea front than you can.
[00:07:13] And so I think that viewpoint from others is essential.
[00:07:17]Dane Reis: [00:07:17] . Really like that imagery as well to beach in the new mountain. Really good. And let’s move on to this next section here. And Ashley, of course you are an entertainer. I am an entertainer. And I think that you would agree that this industry can be one of the most subjective, brutally, honest, personally, emotional industries in existence.
[00:07:41] And you know, you know, as well as I, that in order to create and have a successful career in this industry, like your having now, it takes a lot. Of dedication and hard work. And while yeah, there is an outrageous amount of fun and excitement being an entertainer, doing what we do. There are also our fair share of obstacles, challenges, and failures.
[00:08:02] We are going to experience and we’re going to have to move forward through. So tell us, what is one key challenge, obstacle or failure you’ve experienced in your career and how did you come out the other side better because of it.
[00:08:16]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:08:16] Yeah. You know, I was trying to think about a really poignant one-off moment. That would be a really cool soundbite for that. And I don’t know if I have one, but what I think I would say is it’s the challenge that you and an all of us have, which is. That it is that instability and it is that uncertainty.
[00:08:33] And I think that in some ways is the biggest challenge because it’s never sort of a big peak necessarily. It’s just always there. It’s always quietly a rumbling in the background, like when the air con is on and it’s humming and it’s always sort of sort of lingering that even when I’ve got a job or a gig, when that ends, then what you know, and I think we’re always living in that.
[00:08:56]Potential doom of not having work at everything that goes with that creativity, uh, financially, we can’t pretend that this isn’t also an important part of what we do. And I think was, it was a challenge and still is a challenge. But I think I got to a point where I sort of made my peace with it a little bit where early on in my career, like I think most people do, you’re kind of trying to figure it out.
[00:09:21]Kind of trying to chase things down a little bit and taking things personally, because it’s such a personal thing that we do. Like, I hate this phrase. We are the product because it sounds so corporate and a little bluff, but there’s truth to it because when you don’t get a job or you do a really great audition and you don’t get it, it, It’s hard to understand why, if you did a great interview in a banking job, nine times out of 10, you’d probably get it.
[00:09:47] So for me, I suppose, I suppose, traversing, that challenge was more of a mental mindset game. And I feel like that was the biggest win of all, because that’s less about technique as a performer. You can learn that, but I think the mindset learnings that have come from that journey and that challenge. Has been more valuable than anything because it’s allowed me to go to a place where I’m not pretending that I don’t care about getting a job.
[00:10:17] Cause I think that’s nonsense. I do care and I want to get the job, but to find a way to let it go with a bit of peace and not feel like, okay, I am not worthy or valuable if I don’t get a job and have my self worth attached to it. But B to also think that that’s my only chance to be creative. And, you know, I kind of kind of warned you.
[00:10:39] I said, I was going to go back to that thing of making your own work. That that’s, that’s the whole thing behind it. It’s. The shift was going from, I’m relying on other people to validate me, by giving me something to saying, cool, that’s going to come sometimes and it’s not going to come other times. But what I can do is at least find ways to tell the stories that I want to tell and say shaped that creative need.
[00:11:03] And I think that’s been a. A turning point for me in terms of dealing with that challenge of instability and never knowing where it’s going to go and how it’s going to end up. And when you’re getting at a chance to act again,
[00:11:16]Dane Reis: [00:11:16] yeah, satiating, that creative need is what you said, and that is so true. And I think it’s brilliant. How, like you said, you have created , the idea that you do your own work and it really does. Round out everything. And you can’t put all your stock, like you said, into getting that job and letting them completely destroy you emotionally because it’s, it’s a tough industry, right?
[00:11:40] We are on this crazy rollercoaster of extremes all the time, going into rooms and auditioning and putting ourselves out there, but doing. Our own work and being creative is so,so, so important. And that is, I think what gives a lot of balance. And I also like that you hit on the fact that look, acting class, whatever you can learn, that you can go, you can get the skill sets.
[00:12:02] So there’s a lot of things that are really learnable, right. right. And that’s what the schools and the training programs are all for. And I’m glad you talked about that a bit because it’s really the mindset stuff. It’s how do you. How do you create a career out of this and sustainable and stay balanced and in tune with yourself.
[00:12:20] So you can still show up every day. That’s the hard part of being a professional in this industry. And that’s the stuff that really there’s hardly anyone out there talking about or teaching.
[00:12:31]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:12:31] Because I don’t know if you can teach it necessarily that you can talk about it. And I think that’s important to have chats like this, but I think that it’s so subjective. Like you said, that it’s going to be different for everybody. And I think that’s the beauty of it in some way, too, right? Like everybody’s journey into their own self development and awareness and growth is there is in part of their life.
[00:12:53] But without delving into that, how can we ever really come to the work creatively and tell stories authentically, but also no one we’re fulfilled by it. Like. I could fall into getting a series, regular role on something and then we’ll roll onto something else. And then there’s going to be more and more and more hopefully.
[00:13:12] But at some point you do have to draw the line as well, too. You know, I always remember watching inside the extra studio and it was the episode with Dave Chappelle and it was after he’d kind of done his whole quit. The Chappelle show thing, gone to Africa got called crazy by everybody. And then he came back and spoke about it and he said, no, like.
[00:13:31]My dad asked me when I was young, before I got into doing stand-up what my price was like to really reflect on what financially and creatively I wanted. That would make me happy so that you would never compromise your values throughout your career. That’s why he left the Chappelle show because the money wasn’t it, he’d already known from the age of whatever 18 or something that.
[00:13:55]He had a figure in his mind, that would be enough for him. I think that’s really powerful, not just financially, but with whatever we’re doing, to have some idea of what the blueprint is and be malleable of course, because things evolve, but not just to get swept up in the current of whatever, you know, sea or ocean we’re dwelling in at the time and then get led astray.
[00:14:18] And I think that’s it. We’ve got to create. Things for ourselves, implicitly is in stories and narratives and shows and films, but also create, I guess, an internal mindset and frame of reference for ourselves that works for us as an individual. That sounds really a cereal, but I do believe in that I’m going to stop talking now because if I don’t, I’m going to keep going.
[00:14:43] Dane Reis: [00:14:43] good though. And you’re right . I can even, you know, equate that to just say a handful of years ago in my career and I was on. You know, that, that streak of doing things right. I was booked all the time, which was great. Like from the outside, you look at it and go, wow, I’m working all these different things in all these different parts of the industry and having a lot of success.
[00:15:03] Right. Right. But what was happening with myself internally was I was not really all that happy because I was doing a lot of things simply because they showed up and because it paid money and. While, yes, there was a point of, you need to say yes. I had gotten to the point where I’d said yes, so much where it’s kind of kind of becoming a problem.
[00:15:24]Right. And I wasn’t, and it was pulling me away from what I really wanted. And I think in some regards, everyone needs to kind of get to that point a little bit, but it’s easy to get stuck in there in that rut as well. But I did find it a few years ago. I said, you know what, this year. I will not do anything that I don’t want to do now.
[00:15:44] I also understand and appreciate that that was a very wonderful position to be in. Um, but I found myself there and that whole entire year, and since then, I’ve not done projects that I’m not happy to do. And it really makes all the difference if you know what it is that you want and get clear on that.
[00:16:02]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:16:02] And I think to your point, yes. Like that’s not going to be a place that everybody is in for various reasons, but I think still being able to have some conversation with yourself about what you might like that to look like and to try and design it in your mind’s eye before you’re ever were ever anywhere near that.
[00:16:22]It is still powerful because when the time does come and you’re in a place that is of that nature, you’ve already prepared yourself a little bit for how you might respond and. I do think that having that self-introspection is equally as important as the acting training and the craft and all of that stuff that we need as well.
[00:16:42] If not, you know, the machine can eat you up. Any machine in any industry can and especially ours. Um, I think the other thing you mentioned, which I just kind of wanted to touch on, cause I got a little excited was you spoke about, you know, your stock not being, um, invested in just one thing and. I thought implicitly of actual stocks and shares.
[00:17:01] And it is the same thing that if you were investing in the stock market, you’re not going to pick just one and put all your eggs on that and hope it wins because the market goes up and down. And if your money gets lost, because that company goes bust, you’re done what they advise you to do. Is spread your stocks across different industries and different commodities and in different places.
[00:17:22] And maybe you put stuff that’s also in property and real estate, and that’s how people get rich and way to enrich yourself artistically with your I’m doing air quotes here. Stock is to look at all the different ways of how you can invest your time to tell stories and. Implicitly just auditioning or booking a job is just one strand of many possible ways of doing that.
[00:17:47]Dane Reis: [00:17:47] Yeah, so good, great imagery. Great analogy. Love that. Thank you. And let’s move on to a time that I like to call your. Spotlight moment. That one moment in time you realized, yes, I am going to be an entertainer for a living or maybe it was, yes. This is what I need to be doing as an entertainer. Tell us about that.
[00:18:13]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:18:13] I think it’s a hybrid. The two, I think I mentioned high school and doing plays and drama, and I don’t think I realized it was something as a career, but I think it was when I first felt. This clicks, this is the first time I’ve done something that just makes sense in a way I can’t describe. And so we had a high school play and me and my ego was expecting and thinking that I was going to get cast in the lead because.
[00:18:41] You know, You know, why, why wouldn’t I get cast in the lead? And, um, I wasn’t casting the lead. I wasn’t even, you know how, when you do theater and especially in high school, if you’re not in one of the big roles they normally give you two or three or four different roles to give you more time on stage, I didn’t have two or three.
[00:18:59] I just had three. Maybe four. I was barely in it. I had the least amount of stage time out of anyone in the entire cast. And I took it a little personally. I really thought like, well, what’s going on? You know, from thinking I’m going to get the lead, I’ve got this. So I made it my mission, I guess, to really just throw everything into playing this one role of this character and. When we came to actually doing it, we were doing it in front of the entire school. And I think we can all appreciate that your peers, especially at that age. Of that time in your life, or probably the most critical if you’re not funny or entertaining, they’ll let you know. So the play opens in the first 10 minutes.
[00:19:44] I’m not on stage at all and it’s going all right, but there’s no real laughs. It was a comedy. There was no real laughs apart from the polite ones that people give, but you know that they don’t meet it. And I remember coming on stage and doing my bit and it just flowed and I remember people laughing.
[00:20:00] That felt organic. And I walked off stage and this was the moment I walked off stage went backstage. And one of the girls who was in the show came up to me and said, how did you do that? And I didn’t know what she was talking about. And I literally said to her, what do you mean? What, what do you mean? How did I do that?
[00:20:19] Do what she said, how do you make laugh? And I didn’t have an answer. I literally. I’m sorry. I, I, I don’t know. I just did. And then in that moment, something kind of clicked. What was a case of going? This feels not easy. This, that sounds really pretentious. It wasn’t easy, but this feels natural. It feels like a good fit.
[00:20:38]I don’t feel like I’m doing anything, but everybody seems to think that I’m doing something that’s getting this reaction. Maybe that means something. Maybe there’s something. In that. And I think that was the first time where I really realized, huh. Okay. Maybe I’ve stumbled into an area that might be, might be the right thing for me.
[00:20:58]Dane Reis: [00:20:58] Yeah, very cool. And I want to piggyback on that real quick and talk about your number one, booked it moment. Walk us through that day, the auditions and callbacks. If they happen to be a part of it, what was going on in your life? And what about that moment? Makes it your favorite? Booked it moment.
[00:21:19]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:21:19] This is going to sound like a really awful answer. And like I’m on the fence. Uh, I’m not a politician. I promise to God, I don’t think I have one yet. And that’s not to be ungrateful. I think I’ve, you know, I’ve booked a lot of commercials and small indie films and things here and there that I’m super grateful for it, but if I’m being honest and it will be remissive, want me to not be honest?
[00:21:41] I think when I got those roles, a big part of me sort of sort of thought. Well, yeah, I should be getting them. And that goes centric. I don’t mean it in an egocentric way. I just never necessarily have had that all inspiring moment of, of crazy screaming around the house. Yes, I’ve booked it yet. And I hope I do when I do walk back, but I don’t think it’s quite come yet.
[00:22:05] And that might not be the right kind of answer to good thing to say. But like I said, I feel like I just need to be candid.
[00:22:11]Dane Reis: [00:22:11] Yeah, for sure. Because look when we’re in the heat of it and we’re on the grind and we’re getting things, you know, , uh, It’s like you had said earlier, going to the auditions, booking that gig is just one strand of what we do. Right. Right. So that completely makes sense to me that, you know, we are out there putting, you know, we’ve got a million irons in the fire and we’re making sure that we are showing up at lots of different things and putting ourselves out there for loads of different things.
[00:22:38] It’s almost like when they do come, sometimes it feels like, well, like, well, yeah, I’ve already put myself forward for 200 different things. Of course, I got one, you know, you know, and I completely understand that. Very cool. And let’s take a moment to talk about the present. What projects are you working on now? What are you looking forward to? And look, it’s a weird time, right? We’re a bits, this global pandemic. How do you see the entertainment industry moving forward in the next couple of years?
[00:23:11]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:23:11] Who was the big one to unpack Daniel, throw me, throw me, throw me a curve ball on that one. Um, I’ll I’ll, I’ll leave that one to last and unpack that at the end and answer in the order of your questions. I have a couple of short films that I’ve written that are at slightly different stages. One of them, it was actually supposed to film back in August and obviously the whole pandemic situation, Nerf that, um, hopefully next year fingers crossed.
[00:23:35] We’ll get to do that. It’s a political film that I written, uh, it’s about 20, 25 minutes long. And the idea is to use it as a standalone. Project, but then use that to pitch for a bigger, uh, I think one-off series as it stands. So right now that is just waiting and good to go to be filmed when the time comes.
[00:23:57] So I’m using the rest of my time to develop a bit of a series idea and series arc, which is an interesting challenge because I’ve not done something that’s quite that expensive yet, but I’m enjoying that process. And then the other is a. This is a definitely a standalone short film. It’s inspired by the events of the us travel ban.
[00:24:18] As I said, I’m half Iranian and that’s. Something that had actually, when it came to pass early 2017 impacted my family directly. Uh, some of my cousins by my cousin in Iran, couldn’t travel to San Francisco, knowing that her father had be taken ill and eventually passed away and she wasn’t able to visit him knowing what was happening.
[00:24:42] And so. Still hasn’t been able to go and see him since, and at the same time, her brother and mom who were in America and still are, couldn’t leave the country because if they did, they couldn’t go back. And so she hasn’t seen her family. And is that to deal with all of this yourself? And I think that’s one story of countless, like it, of people that are regular folks, uh, just.
[00:25:05] You know, You know, being deprived of being able to live their lives and do the things we all take for granted. And so I’ve written short about that and I’m trying to find the right time to go into funding for it. So that’s another one of my next big projects and things to look forward to. And I guess too, your final question of where I think the industry’s going. It’s what you said. It’s a crazy time and no one can quite be the Nostradamus to predict it. I get the impression that it’s going to be a good year or two until things start to pick back up. And it’s very much contingent on things like vaccines and things like the finance that’s going to be available for especially independent films to get made again.
[00:25:57]What I do believe is in this interim, there is going to be a clamoring for content. And I think that for independent filmmakers who can be a little bit more nimble and to work within the parameters of COVID guidelines, there might be potential to get exposure on your projects that maybe we otherwise wouldn’t get an, a more for lack of a term saturated market.
[00:26:21] So it’s an interesting time from that perspective. I think the evolution and ongoing growth of the streamers is only going to continue. And I think my longer projection, if I tap into my digital marketing background that you alluded to at the top is probably that we’re going to get more contextualized.
[00:26:41] Films and shows delivered to us based on our tastes and interests. And so you, Dane might see something totally different in terms of the kinds of films suggested to you. Then once maybe curated to me based on what my habits are from what I watch on Amazon or Netflix, but probably eventually also based on just my behaviors based on what I purchase based on where I go and what I engage with, because there’s so much data there.
[00:27:10]That I think these companies will eventually tap into that. And that’s a little scary in some ways, but I also think for the smart, independent filmmaker, it gives them the chance to level the playing field. You might not necessarily get to an Avengers style audience, mega box office hit, but you can carve out your little niche of, you know, a hundred thousand fans that are gonna watch your films.
[00:27:35] And that’s kind of cool and kind of exciting.
[00:27:36]Dane Reis: [00:27:36] Yeah, very cool. I really like your insight on that. Thank you.
[00:27:42]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:27:42] Pleasure.
[00:27:43] Dane Reis: [00:27:43] And it is time to move on to one of my favorite sections in the interview. I call it the grease lightning round. I am going to ask you a handful of questions. I want you to answer them as quickly and concisely as possible one after another.
[00:27:58] Are you ready?
[00:28:00]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:28:00] We’ll find out.
[00:28:01]Dane Reis: [00:28:01] All right. First question. What was the one thing holding you back from committing to a career as an entertainer?
[00:28:09] Ashley Tabatabai: [00:28:09] Belief about finances.
[00:28:12]Dane Reis: [00:28:12] Second question. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
[00:28:17]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:28:17] I actually don’t think I have one. I think I have so many that it’s circumstantial, terrible answer. I know.
[00:28:23]Dane Reis: [00:28:23] third question. What is something that is working for you right now? Or if you’d like to go pre COVID, what was working for you before our industry went on? Pause.
[00:28:35]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:28:35] Having a discipline outline and routine of dedicating time for myself to have a morning routine of writing, working out meditating and creating and making time for me.
[00:28:48]Dane Reis: [00:28:48] brilliant. And the fourth question, what is it your best resource? Whether that is a book, a movie, a YouTube video, maybe a podcast or a piece of technology you’ve found is helping your career right now.
[00:29:01]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:29:01] I really thought about this. It’s going to sound cringe initially, but it’s my own podcast, but wait, bear with me because the guests that I bring on are casting professionals and I’ve been so lucky to talk to so many. That I’m getting all these insights and learnings from them and their experience. And that’s invaluable
[00:29:18]Dane Reis: [00:29:18] Hey, I’m right there with you. Hosting your own podcast is a brilliant way to train yourself and coach yourself.
[00:29:27] Ashley Tabatabai: [00:29:27] for real.
[00:29:28] Dane Reis: [00:29:28] Yeah. And the fifth question, if you had to start your career from scratch, but you still had all the knowledge and experience you’ve collected from your career in this industry, what would you do or not do?
[00:29:42] Would you do anything differently or would you keep it the same?
[00:29:45]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:29:45] I probably keep the majority of the same. The one thing I would say to myself is start creating your own stuff a lot sooner. As soon as you feel like you can just do it.
[00:29:55]Dane Reis: [00:29:55] Yes. And the last question, what is the golden nugget knowledge drop you’ve learned from your successful career in this industry? You’d like to leave with our listeners.
[00:30:06] Ashley Tabatabai: [00:30:06] I just said it make your own stuff, make your own work. Tell your stories. Cause that’s what you’re here for.
[00:30:11]Dane Reis: [00:30:11] brilliant. And to wrap up this interview, Ashley, it is time to give yourself a plug. Where can we find you? How do our listeners connect with you? Is there anything you want to promote?
[00:30:24]Ashley Tabatabai: [00:30:24] So the best place to connect with me on the socials would be Instagram or on Twitter. Uh, it’s at Ashley to bat by on both of those, but you’re probably the best stuff, uh, posting the description of my surname and the link there. Cause no, one’s gonna know how to spell it. And in terms of what I promote or plug, I don’t really want to plug it, but yeah, I have my own podcast.
[00:30:45] The Ash Tabish show, I talked to casting directors in the U S and the UK, like you said, and anyone that’s interested in just learning from them really. Feel free to come and check it out. It’s on YouTube. It’s also all podcasts, places, Spotify, Apple, Google. You can find it there.
[00:31:03]Dane Reis: [00:31:03] Brilliant and everyone listening out there, I have put the links to everything. Ashley just said, in the description of this episodes, you can easily connect with him, including the correct spelling of his last name. And also be sure to share this podcast with your fellow entertainers, coaches, teachers, arts, and entertainment educators, and anyone, you know,you know, aspiring to create an entertainment.
[00:31:29] Career it is integral to helping them succeed, helping you create a better, more fulfilling career in this crazy industry. And if you enjoyed this episode, please hit that subscribe button. So you don’t miss the next guest. Ashley, thank you so much for being here today. It’s been so great to catch, to catch up and to get to know you a bit.
[00:31:49] Ashley Tabatabai: [00:31:49] Likewise, Dave, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me on man. It’s been great to just chat to someone and be on the other side of the podcast interviewing game.
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