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Generation In-Between: A Xennial Podcast
Xennial co-hosts Dani and Katie talk about their analog childhoods, digital adulthoods and everything in between.
Generation In-Between: A Xennial Podcast
BONUS EPISODE: Acting Lessons and Fan-girling with Alexey
What's this? Our aftershow for everyone?
Join us as we continue our conversation with Alexey about Cobra Kai, acting, Billy Blanks, and more.
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Well, hello there. Patrons. Welcome to the after show, Power Rangers part two, and our special guest, Alexei, is still here. Hello. We also still have our studio audience members, Amanda and Bobby Roll Call. Say here, if you're here, Amanda, Bobby, yes, okay, and Danny and Katie and Alexei are still Yeah, we had so much fun talking about para Rangers, but there was something in the bio that we wanted to loop back for our patrons on, and that was to hear a little bit more about your time working on Cobra Kai. Yes, very zennial karate kid says, Did you like the Karate Kid movies? Oh, my God, I was in love with Ralph Macchio. Hello. Yes. That's a whole month. Yes, yes. I love the Karate Kid movies. I have to say, I have not watched Cobra Kai. I watched the first I think I watched the first episode, and then I just, I'm not a TV watcher, so, like, it takes me 60 years to get around. Yes, it is. Let's start there, where we see you. Yeah, if we watched it,
Alexey Del Castillo:I would be in season five, Episode Four. It was just a, you know, it was a, it was a co star. But the coolest part about it was, I watched Karate Kid A lot, yeah, when I was a kid, like, I love martial arts, as you can see with Power Rangers. I love that movie. I loved all of them. And people did not like all of them, but I did, and Ralph macho was great. And I, like, looked at him. I was like, it's the first time. I was like, That guy kind of looks like me, yeah,
Dani Combs:yeah, oh. Like,
Alexey Del Castillo:I was like, I kind of looks like I was a little kid. And I was like, Oh, that's so cool. I so cool. Um, the show. What's great about Cobra Kai is it dives deeper into his relationship with Johnny. Like they're adults now, like they have lives, yeah, like the karate tournament really wasn't everything. It didn't matter. You know, like you learn you're adult, there's real life, but that. But it's funny that that moment did affect them very profoundly because of the people that were their teachers, the people that were in charge. So it's really cool to watch the show and like, so I'm in a part with, like, Johnny is now down on his luck, and he's, like, got a new job. He's an Uber driver, and so Billy's Billy zapka is a wonderful person. Like, just, he's
Dani Combs:not like him, like his, his counterpart actor.
Alexey Del Castillo:Well, what's funny is he's a jerk in the old one. And, you know, there was a nice in this one, yeah? Like, like, yeah. Well, he learns what it's like to be a father in this one. Like, he, I remember, like, yeah, it's about him growing up and being like, let go of this thing that didn't matter. And, like, what's cool is, there's like that camp that loves Karate Kid. There's like, that little camp that goes like it was Johnny's movie, and like, Ralph came in and just like, you know, he, like, started getting his girlfriend and stuff, man, like it was Johnny's movie, he was a brawl, like he had his life ahead of him. He ruined it. And I'm very much in that camp, because, like, you watch the series, and that's kind of what it like, the lens it tries to take at the beginning, and you find out, Oh, this is just Johnny being okay, delusional, got it. But, like, he was so fun. It was like, great to sit on set and see how everything worked, and to speak with an actor who I had admired as a kid. I was like, I was like, wow. Like, Karate Kid was such a big movie. Like, I remember it piece by P i remember everything and to talk to somebody and they be this kind open because, I mean, open human. We were talking about his friendship with like, Zachary Levi, and we were talking about how he misses LA and how, you know, I think he's in like, I'm not gonna say where he lives now, because that's not fair. But it was cool to see somebody talk about the industry and how it has changed. And then for us to be in a car and then him be open to my ideas was really cool
Dani Combs:because in the senior end, he was the Uber driver, and you were, you were his, like, patron, or whatever.
Alexey Del Castillo:Yes, yes, I was supposed to be the annoying patron. Oh, I
Dani Combs:love that.
Alexey Del Castillo:I was supposed to have a snippet. It was supposed to be, like, a little thing, and they just ended up keeping all the funny bits that we chose to do. I love it, yeah, like him. And I decided, like, Hey, so what? What if you like, try to jump back here and beat me up. And I like, get out, and I like, run out of the car afraid. And they kept the bit, and they kept everything we put in and him. And I was just like, just even if we never see each other again, it was such a great experience, and that's how people should conduct themselves, like I was not starstruck. I was just, this is great. I have a co worker. My coworker is this person who I admire. This is an amazing experience. Is awesome. So
Dani Combs:fun. That's why I could never be a film actor, because I would fangirl everywhere. I would be the I can't keep my my shit together. Like, I would be like, Oh my god, I loved you so much. Like, you know I was in love with Fred Savage. He was my first Liberty crush. Wow, I know he's kind of a dick now, so like, you're on our patron but I swear to. God, if I was like, Oh yeah, let's put you in a commercial spread Savage, I'd be like,
Alexey Del Castillo:Oh my God. Like, I would not, I can't. That's what your trailer is for. That's what it's for.
Dani Combs:I can't. I could not keep it together like I would be. I've met a few celebrities in my life that and that were like, I'm mostly works. They were like, bless celebrities. And I was ridiculous. I Okay. One of them was Billy Blanks, if y'all don't know who that is, Tybo exercise guy, yes, I
Alexey Del Castillo:It's the typo guy, and you're just like, I met him.
Dani Combs:We also even know I met him at a furniture store. Stop, oh my god, I freaked the F out. No kidding. I literally, because I used to do typo in my apartment in college all the time, I know. And I was like, I saw I was like, You're why I became a fitness instructor. I of you, Tybo guy,
Alexey Del Castillo:it was you, the rhythm, the expression, the journey. I needed all of it.
Dani Combs:And then his daughter, Shelley is, like, in in videos with him, and she was there somehow her so I'm like, geeking out and like, got there. Wait, it gets so much worse. I did get a picture with them. I haven't oh, we need to find that picture. Yeah. So then and I lost, I lost a bunch of weight in college doing typo or whatever. And I, like, of course, because I think he must need to know all the things about me. I told him all this. And they're like, Oh, well, we're gonna getting ready to do some new videos. Can we get your contact info? But this was before I, like, super went weird, and they got, they gave me their email and stuff. And I was like, Oh, I would love to make him there. Like, good. So anyway, um,
Alexey Del Castillo:so Katie builds the bridges with the celebrities
Dani Combs:I met, Uzo Aduba on a film set, I would lose my mind. I so literally a PR client of mine was is a real life person that this movie was being made about. Oh, so Uzo was playing her. Wow, so I got to go. This was years ago. The name of the movie is Miss Virginia. And it's about a mom who reforms education in DC. Oh, and this was, like, she was big from Orange is the New Black. It was filmed in like, 28 2017 2018 but like, not as, like big as she is now, because she's gone on to do so many of it. It was like the in between time. And so when we first got there someone my client who had become good friends with her for, like, the film, and met with her, and they, you know, they spent a lot of time together because he was a wanted to know her mannerisms and how she spoke and her accent and all the things a good actor does. And so my clients like, Oh, this is Katie, and she's kind of like, smile, smiles. So later in the day, you know, I'm just like, I'm on the set. They're like, doing all the extras, are doing all this stuff. And it was, it was amazing. And it was like, we were in DC, like the capital was behind them for the shots and everything. And at the end, someone said something like, oh. And then this is Katie, and she, or she, they go, this is she goes, Yeah, that's Katie. We already met. Are you having fun? And I was like, I have a picture of us too.
Alexey Del Castillo:It's the face for me. I've
Dani Combs:got this, like, floral top on and like this, like, bleach blonde hair not that long ago, and I'm just like, and she's, like, looking great, and her like, I can't, you know, and confident, and I look like an idiot. So you fangirl too. I didn't know I was going to, because I like her, but I was like, Oh, I'm here on a professional basis, so and I just fell apart. Katie to places, but not me. I'm not allowed to go anywhere. You know, when you make your big break, invite me somewhere, but y'all can put me in a corner. Okay?
Alexey Del Castillo:Do you have a child section, yeah, no, no. I mean, for me, what's funny is, I've, I've fangirled over Rangers. Honestly, we went to Ranger stop and like, oh, I can't the guy who played Rocky, like, walked by. He's like, and I was like, I had him over there. Oh my god. And I was like, Wait, that just came out of my body. But it's funny because when I'm on set, like, I've worked with Academy Award winners and, like, I've been in scenes with them, and I'm just like, Whatever, dude, we're co stars. You're so cool. I'm not, though I'm not. I just, it's just that it's like, a job. I've just done it. It's just my job. I love it so much, but it's a job. And I go, like, the thing I learned from the covid journey was, like, think about the other person. Like, How annoying is it to have that happen at all times of the day, and I'm sitting here, like, oh, I don't want to do that to them. And like, what's beautiful is that, what Anne Hathaway said is this is a moment for them that they may never get back. Like. Think this is every day for you, but for me, when I'm on set, when we're backstage, that's like a sacred space, and that's like a safety safe for them to focus on their work. And so, like, we were there and like, right, yes, like, I had Kate Mara like, I'm in the makeup chair, and like, I'm just doing my thing. And then she, like, sits next to me. She goes, Hi, I'm Kate. And I'm like, Oh yeah, I know, yeah, it's nice. And but then we just went about our business. I can't do it's like, it's like, we were just right here. She's like, Oh, you're gonna throw me against the wall in a minute. I'm like, Yeah, I am. Well, my stunt double will. I will not. I'm not gonna. Like, yep, I can't afford that, that paycheck. But no, it's like, it's always been classy and respectful and out of work, I get excited when I see somebody like, Oh my God. But it's so weird when my brain is like, when I drive on to set and I'm like, just getting my coffee, and I'm like, Just talking to like, Hey, where's where am I going to be? When's my call time? When's it I'm just working. So it's like, my brain is like, I need to know what I need to be doing, what I need to have memorized, where my mark is going to be, what the scene's going to look like. Is my costume. There's just so many check marks you have to hit. And then on top of that, I have to have my obligatory hour long meltdown. Yeah. Have you seen, have you seen once upon a time in Hollywood? Yeah, you know how Leonard DiCaprio is in his trailer, and he does that crying in the mirror. Every actor does that because in your trailer or honey wagon, there's literally a mirror there. So you're just like you were born to do this. Yes, you're supposed to do this. You're not a fraud. You're not gonna find that out. You're supposed to be here. And then Mr. Del Castillo, 10 minutes, I'm right there. Thank you so much. You got this man, and you just saw like, but no, it's like, but it really is that it's like, you need time to, like, get in the zone, focus on what you're doing, especially if, like, it's a crying scene, because unlike theater, it's not chronological, right? So my schedule could say, like, these stones, the thing that I was in. It's a guest star piece. And so I was there for multiple days, not just a few hours or one. And so I'm like, okay, so this day we're doing this scene. I'm like, Oh, that was not on the sketch. The schedule was this, but I guess because of the weather we so now I'm like, I have to switch so fast, because in 30 minutes I got to get in front of a camera, and everybody's gonna be watching me to, like, do the thing, because we're on a schedule. And it was, it's such a fun it's like, hard mode, yeah, me and your hubby talked about this that it's like, yeah. Like, we love games that are like, super hard mode, because, like, when you do it at the other side of it, you're like, I did that
Dani Combs:thing, and I'm the opposite. I need the easiest level ever start Troy's lightning, what like? Dr, Mario. I'm like, easy, and Troy's like, super hard, and I'm like, and he still beats me, but that's fine, yeah, but I get it. I can see what you're saying. Yeah. Like, you're able to separate the reward to like, yeah, challenging yourself to do that. How that feels on the other side, yeah? And I had great teachers, you know? Yeah. Well, that's shout out to the Kate, to the great performing arts teachers. Yes, because I'm in this room, I'm just saying it's honestly,
Alexey Del Castillo:it's honestly a beautiful thing when you find a and I'll say this to every actor out there, sorry to hijack this, but I'll say this to every show. I will say this to every single actor out that. I say this a lot of young actors as like, apparently, somehow I have a young actor named Lamont who asked me questions and is an amazing talent. And Lamont does not see this yet, and Lamont will, and I cannot wait, because I think that you should always find a teacher who wants to be a teacher first, yes, do not find a teacher who's like, Yeah, I'm a TV actor and I teach on this. No, that person is focused on their career. I understand they're trying to pay the bills and have something to say, but find yourself someone who loves to teach, because that person will go, I'm gonna get the best out of you, yeah, and you're gonna and I learned that, like, I used to be terrible at I was worse. It's like, for me, it was Gene Kelly all the time. Like, that's what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to sing it in the rain all the time. It's like, that's not how that works. It's not how he's yelling Stella and he's crying. I'm singing in the rain while I'm doing it. My teachers broke me of that, but they also broke me up the the little kid brain that I had on set, which was like, I would if I went on set at a younger age, I would have ruined my career, because I would have been so starstruck and not done anything and not spoken to. It's just a different thing. And I had a teacher. She's magnificent. Ruth nurkin will always remember her. She was really like, it's a job. You've done so many jobs already where you've acted it is a job. It's just a little bit bigger, but a job. And the second you kind of take that mentality into something that seems overwhelming, and you go, this is just a job. Or, like I told you, this is just the mission, like, this is just the thing I gotta do right now. Know, you don't really confuse it, or you don't make it bigger than it needs to be. You just get it done, which makes you look incredibly professional and makes you look incredible on set. If you just don't worry about everybody else and everything that's going on, don't think this is the last time you'll ever see a celery just do the job, do what you were hired to do, because you already got the job. You don't have to audition again, right? That's that. That's
Dani Combs:a big key there. I know I've said that to to my own kids and to myself. We've done some commercial acting, but even stage stuff, oh yeah, when they or me get like, really worked up, it's like, you've already been chosen. Yeah, you're here. So with that you need to bring yourself yeah and do the thing they chose you to do, right? Right? It's not You're not trying to be anything other than what they've picked you to be, right,
Alexey Del Castillo:exactly. And it's like you just auditions should be your job as an actor. Your actual job is to audition. Yeah? Like, that's your job. Because what is our job? Your job is to say, Hey, I've done the work to do this, and somebody to go, well, here's a piece of paper with words, build something out of this. And what you do is you just build your version of that person and present it. And if it's a no, it has nothing to do with you. It's just that's not the version they were looking for, but it's the version you could produce, and that's nothing to you. That is nothing against you. It is set it and forget it. Your job is to not care if you booked it, right? Because what's funny is, half the time that I've learned, like in Cobra Kai and stuff, when you're on the job, you're going to do exactly what you did in the audition, like they they're like, Yeah, that's what we want, right?
Dani Combs:Right? That's why you got the job. Yeah. Do something else, and you're
Alexey Del Castillo:never auditioning for that job. You're auditioning for the next one. Because he
Dani Combs:always tells people that to, like, remember, like, yeah, and myself, like, didn't book it. But guess what? I booked that next one already, right? Yeah? Because they, they looked at me and said, okay, not this time, but that there's that thing coming up that we wanted to do, yeah? You know, I
Alexey Del Castillo:have to tell people. I learned this in my journey. Because I quit acting for two years, yeah, I took a knee. I was like, this hurts too much. I can't do this anymore. This my soul is breaking just by wanting something that doesn't want me hard, yeah, and in New York, you know, no money, working three jobs. I was working seven days a week, just trying everything I could to just get there. And it was like this difficult thing. But I will tell everybody what I told Lamont, and what I tell myself, and what is very, very important is the career you chose is a long road, and you do not know where the other side of the road is. Your job is to just one foot after the other, walk through the fog, and you're gonna get hit with arrows, and you're gonna get hit with rocks, and you're gonna get like, beat up, and it's gonna hurt, and it is okay to take a knee, but it is not okay to quit. Oh, I like that. Like, you can take a knee, but you cannot stop moving, because if you stop moving, you'll never see the other side of the road. If you just one foot in front of the other. Someday you'll look up and be like, where am I standing, and how did I get here? Yeah,
Dani Combs:I love that so much. We've got to end it on that. Thank you for saying to talk to us about this. Yes. And Billy blank stories, I'm like, I built poor Billy Blanks, he's still thinking about that crazy lady he met in the furniture store looking out his window at night.
Alexey Del Castillo:Our guy, no. Thank you guys so much. This was amazing. I love it. Thank you.
Dani Combs:Thank you studio audience, and thank you. Studio audience, our live cheering and laugh track, we'll catch you guys next time. Bye, everybody, bye.
