We had the good fortune of connecting with Talia Thiesfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Talia, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Letting go of comparison. Once I embraced the reality that authenticity and individuality is the key to success in the business, the whole game changed. I found it much easier to approach my work with an attitude of gratitude, play, and freedom. Instead of feeling trapped by the comparisons to others we often make early in our careers, I now feel empowered by my own “je ne sais quoi.” Can’t nobody do ME like ME.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created The Act of Style Coaching in 2014 after years of recognizing that there were two major holes in my previous acting training – a deeper knowledge of the “business” side of Show Business, and the importance of embracing my own individuality and essence. So I developed a new approach to identifying and sharing my brand identity to the entertainment industry. I call it The Archetype Shade Method – a method that is based on the idea that it’s possible to fit standard casting archetypes in a multitude of ways, making your own unique contributions to a role one of the most valuable tools you have.

The cornerstone of The Act of Style Coaching is AUTHENTICITY. I offer on-camera acting, audition & career coaching, and branding services for actors that illuminate a more specific industry identity and sense of self. My goal is to help actors on their journey to feel confident, seen, and empowered.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am currently living in NYC, but I lived in Los Angeles for 8 years (and return every year) so I’d like to think I know it pretty well Obvi, we’re hiking Runyon.

Who doesn’t love their exercise with an Instagramable view?! Driving up the PCH to Malibu for some beach time would definitely be on the list. I pretty much exclusively go to Zuma…it’s my favorite beach. And while we’re up there, maybe a trip to the Getty Villa cuz I love me a museum moment. If there’s something cool playing at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, I’m down! We have similar outdoor movie situations here in NY (at the parks and beaches) and I love seeing a good flick al fresco. And as basic as it may sound…I truly could just spend half the day at The Grove grabbing a bite at the Farmer’s Market and strolling around the little cobblestones sipping an iced coffee. Grab some fondue or mussels at Monsieur Marcel Bistro!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have known my manager, Harold Lewter (of CLA Partners) for over 20 years. We were friends long before he became my manager, so he’s listened to and supported nearly every idea I’ve had, from brilliant to hairbrained. I don’t think I’d be where I am today, both as a performer and a coach, if it hadn’t been for his constant pushing to ignore critics and forge my own path. Once, while prepping a pilot audition years ago, I lamented that the character didn’t feel like me. I asked him why I wasn’t being called in for the funny, hot mess character like usual…why was I being seen for the uptight Type-A role? And he said “Talia, you ARE a Type-A in your own way. Think about how particular you are about certain things – your apartment, the way you do things, how annoyed you get when it isn’t done that way.” LOL. He was so right. And that conversation changed everything – in my acting work and my business. My focus shifted from guessing what the role was “supposed” to be to bringing MY version of the breakdown into the room…and later, teaching people how to do the same thing. I have Harold to thank for that.

Website: www.theactofstylecoaching.com

Instagram: @theactofstylecoaching

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/talia-thiesfield-aa373936/

Image Credits
Shani Hadjian, Lenny Stucker

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