A day in the life of an actor: Jim Hogan at TEDxPSU

What would you sing if you had 4 bars to showcase your skills? Being an actor isn't as glamorous as you think. Jim shows a glimpse of the toils of being an actor in NYC in this funny and revealing talk about the reality of the profession and the competitive auditions that occur on a daily basis to find work. Follow Jim @jimhogan220.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@mattskinner846]

Honestly this TED talk is a brilliant career move

[@thavambase6907]

Except it didn’t help his Career at all, what big movie did you see him in after this ? He’s jsut too average to make it

[@benthomasstrong4033]

@@thavambase6907 well as he is a MUSICAL THEATRE actor I can't say I expected him to be in a "big movie"...he has done several national tours understudying LEADS (very high level theatre) as well as currently being on AGT with his vocal group T3. This guy is anything but "average" and has been very successful in a short amount of time.

[@Taramariesmith]

As a fellow actor, I hate that having an actual acting career is so rarely discussed unless you're a movie star. Glad he did this!

[@booktalk8205]

He explained how I feel about acting in a few minutes. I don't understand why I want to act and sometimes I wish I could go to another career path, but somewhere deep in my heart I know acting is probably one of the only things I may be good at. No matter what career I look at nothing compares to how I feel when I act. Acting is my addiction.

[@vikasbharat9277]

Same here ...Mara 👍

[@alexiswatt4013]

Thank you Jim. It's so reassuring to know that I'm not alone in this addiction and that other people go through the same battles.

[@stemikger]

This was really fantastic. If this guy doesn't make it in the business, no one can. I'm a 54 year old guy and not an actor, but this inspired me to no end. He is an extremely talented young man.

[@jayroye7079]

His work with Josh & Carson was fantastic as well

[@wilmanorman330]

Just discovered his incredible singing voice.Did not know he is an actor as well. ❤️❤️❤️❤️👍

[@dhackettm]

We just saw him in Phantom of the Opera national tour

[@ExperiencewithMichaelVernon]

Beautiful! That is art right there , you got me going. Great Job!

[@kishasmith8307]

Jim you are incredibly dope. Thanks for the courage and ambition.

[@rachelkarengreen99]

Did he just use a TED talk as an audition/self promotion?

[@DarkHearts4]

+xxbluejay21 That's what talented actors do. If somebody important sees this and likes his voice, that could get him a lot of recognition.

[@Taramariesmith]

That's hustle!

[@dontcuffme]

Smart!

[@billybobdeniro]

Of course he did. That's what actors do.

[@AdelinaMonroe]

gotajerb genius

[@LoopDeeLoopsMC]

I watched this in theater mode

[@davidcattin7006]

You could expand this from childhood to the present and make it a great one-man show.

[@akrialet]

A day in the life of an EQUITY actor. Someone should totally do a Ted Talk on what it is like being a non-equity actor in New York. Very different!

[@aiya3130]

Yes - I would love to see that too!

[@jonclement]

I know nothing about acting... can someone give a hint at a couple differences?

[@ottol4692]

@@jonclement mostly it’s the same except instead of getting to sign up and be seen you sit in one audition area for the full day and then they come out and say “thank you all for coming but we are out of time. We will be happy to take your resumes though!” Before sending you home and putting your resumes in a paper shredder.

[@thomasschneider9777]

hey man! first of all you're great!! got to you via josh guitar video, this talk was great although i cannot relate to new york life .... dont get me wrong dont know how else to formulate that since im german but i had a good laugh .... not AT you but BY your performance ... great show my friend! And thank you so much for giving the public a chance to peak into your life

[@jeannemurphymeyer696]

Great job Jim!

[@seriouslyreally5413]

Brilliant! The only TED talk given on a rectangular red rug... the ubiquitous TED rug is traditionally circular in nature, rounds, ovals, as if to symbolize the transformational nature of compelling stories, that we are always changed, " brought around, full circle" The speaker often stands on the red circle as if to cue a nervous person to focus on topic or story with the least amount of extraneous nervous motion, " here, stand on this spot, stay in this boundary" so you are less likely to pace or wander and can focus all your energy to delivering this "everything you need to know about _______ in 20 minutes or less" talk. Notice that actors, truely great actors function "outside the box" not always in the round... but with edges, a rectangle. Not "Stand here. In the boundaries of the red rug." But, over there. On the other side of the stage where the audience might not think to gaze; to look. To explore. Bring sheet music. Bring an accompanist. Roll out a piano. Less talk. Show me. Brilliant Jim.

[@ChaseandLondon]

I loved this.

[@nycetalk5312]

Beyond amazing

[@darwinchangman]

inspiration

[@johnmurphy208]

Very cool…..keep fighting the good fight.

[@MarijnvdZaag]

Jim is a really good singer with a unique voice. Please give him a bigger microphone next time, and lock the volume instead of automatically adjusting it

[@benstrong2273]

This guy is the highest tenor I've ever heard! His "Tonight" sounds kinda like Aaron Tveit!

[@jdwmysterious7806]

Amazing. I'm an aspiring actress. Emotional

[@mexiaznann]

Omg that cover of Bon Iver 😭😭❤️❤️🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@HumdrumComedy]

Good on ya mate

[@psychialma5929]

He's gonna be big

[@davidcattin7006]

Is this the guy from T3 on America's Got Talent?

[@ethanmintmire7289]

Yes

[@MauriceWilliams]

OMG 😱 he can sang! Tyler Perry needs to pick him up frfr. He sings so soulful 10:00

[@motionon]

Higadito !!

[@strangeparticles3230]

Wow

[@matthew69696969video]

It's crazy how such a big talent still gets rejected. Makes a baritone like me afraid to even try.

[@mattskinner846]

Wow, tough crowd humor-wise

[@adamajoseph3011]

nicely

[@benireland7126]

He was great in Mystery Alaska

[@dubnessIII]

Sing four bars in an audition when you have a falsetto? Pretty much anything from Frankie Valli

[@EMILBUS4390116]

Have you seen his Frankie Valli video with Guitar Josh?? You owe it to yourself.

[@Ijustbogeyedinmypants]

@@EMILBUS4390116 that’s how I found this. One of my favorite KZbin videos. I’ve been watching Josh turners channel for over a decade.

[@EisB11221]

He said ‘a month ago.’ 🫣

[@sadgirllokaaa]

he better have landed some roles after this ted talk

[@mura_saki]

He has a KZbin channel :P

[@madelinehoward7493]

He has a KZbin channel and is part of a group called T.3 official and Jim is my favourite from the group. He is such a beautiful and humble person. I love him

[@demonitized6208]

this guy has a permanant kawaii blush.

[@6maxgrinder549]

And yet Mark Wahlberg and Zach Efron come out with a movie a month somehow.

[@vikasbharat9277]

U r 23 yr old ...I mean .. seriously

[@craigallday1236]

About acting and starts singing ..🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mura_saki]

It's called Broadway

[@Arschkratzer]

this guy sings well, but he's missing expression. he looks more like an salery man than an actor. sorry, guy.

[@juanf.crespo2639]

I think in retrospect he would agree with you in this case. I felt his singing was a little underacted, so to speak, and that it went against his assertions of himself as an actor.

[@Fll_9]

art studies or degree is a wasted time of young people lives .. spending your money and ur time on people needs is smarter than losing your time studying people pleasures

[@benstrong2273]

you sir need to understand that art is a valuable medium. there have been musicals that have raised awareness so much more effectively than a professor with a science degree trying to explain the severity of AIDS. While science may inform it is nothing without art to connect. Everything down to the color a professor uses on a slideshow to show notes is the essence of art.

[@coledd9487]

Needs may keep you living through time young sir, but desires are what make that time worth living. “All the soarings of my mind began in the passion of my blood” - Rilke.

[@dubdub2000]

Someone needs to tell this guy he can't sing - seriously his voice is screechy and weak - singing loudly doesn't mean your voice is powerful if it becomes all screechy - don't know if he can actually act but he certainly can't sing good enough for a broadway musical, nowhere near.

[@adammccall2244]

dubdub2000 His technique is true. His honesty in vulnerability is apparent. There is a chance you are not a fan of the genre of musical theatre. But, you are completely incorrect as to his ability to sing. He is well able. Your preference is irrelevant.

[@cjandrews7898]

Can’t tell if your joking 😕

[@matthew69696969video]

This guy definitely has no ears for music. Lol.

[@juanf.crespo2639]

You are clueless.