A Brief Look at my Multi-Faceted Career

Writer/Director

 

Space Station 76

A Sony Pictures film, co-written and directed by Jack and starring Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler and Matt Bomer.

Space Station 76 is a comedic drama taking place in a 1970’s version of the future. The drama unfolds when tensions rise among the ship’s crew and other residents of the station.

Disaster!

A 2016 Broadway musical co-written and directed by Jack! New York Times “Critic’s Pick”!

On a summer evening in 1979, partiers head to the grand opening of NYC’s first floating casino and discotheque. Little do they know that their night of boogie fever will turn into a…DISASTER!

Video Night

Video Night is a comedy/horror short co-written and co-directed by Jack and Jim Hansen. Jack also appears in it.

What starts out as a fun night making videos goes terribly wrong when they discover something unexpected in the raw footage.

Lovespring International

A 12-episode Lifetime Television series produced by, starring, and often co-directed by Jack.

The show revolves around six employees at a dating agency located in Tarzana, California (even though it sells itself as an “elite Beverly Hills” company).

“(Jack) taught me things that were so fucking brilliant. They are things that have stuck with me and helped me as a human being in this world.” 

– in Paste Magazine

Liv Tyler

The Lord of the Rings, The Incredible Hulk, Ed Astra, Harlots, Ed Astra, The Leftovers, The Strangers

My gratitude for Jack is through the roof. I literally could not have done it without him. He very quickly restored my faith in myself as an actor and my passion for my career. 

Milana Vayntrub

New Warriors, This Is Us, Other Space, House of Lies, AT&T commercials

Movie & Television Actor

 

2020 Theatrical Reels

Recent recurring roles include Grace & Frankie, Z Nation, and Reno 911.

Recent guest star roles include The Rookie: Feds, CSI: Vegas, Call Me Kat, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Sex Lives of College Girls,  and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Comedy Shorts

I love making silly comedy shorts; it’s my favorite hobby. I hope they make you laugh. And it’s been wonderful having the Disney shorts (I began making during quarantine) go viral! 

“Jack has an innate ability to communicate a sense of freedom. Whether at work or at an audition, I always feel there are elements of Jack’s perspective from which I can draw to help guide my experience. Our work together has allowed me to more reliably get out of my own way and connect to the material at hand.”

Zachary Quinto

Star Trek movies, NOS4A2, The Slap, Heroes, American Horror Story

I’ve printed out evcery page of Jack Plotnick’s website and made an ‘acting Bible’ for myself. I thank God daily for giving me Jack as a friend; I’ve never met a more encouraging person.”

Wendi McLendon-Covey

The Goldbergs, What Men Want, Bridesmaids, Reno 911, Rules of Engagement

Teaching Workshops

I love holding acting workshops and lectures when my schedule allows. If you would like to be notified when I am scheduling an event, please contact me at [email protected]

Also, I also do private coaching, in person or via Skype.

New Thoughts for Actors

I wrote this ebook as a way to give back to my community. It is my sincere wish that these lessons will ease your journey and brighten your way. Please feel free to pass it on to your friends.

Section 1

THE POWER OF THOUGHT

ACTOR AFFIRMATIONS
My personal favorites for right before an audition or performance:

  • I release and destroy my need to get this job.
  • I am going to take it from where I am. However I’m feeling and however
    prepared I am is a fine place to begin this scene.
  • I release and destroy my need to control this scene. I know that I am not
    strong enough to control it, and therefore ask my higher power to lovingly
    guide me through it.
  • I am going to approach this scene as if it’s the ninth take (like an improv).
  • I release and destroy my need to be an “Actor”. Let the other people here be
    the “Actors” and have all the responsibilities that come with it. I am just here to
    be myself and enjoy playing in the circumstances.
  • (For Comedy) I release and destroy my need to be funny. I am just here to
    tickle myself with my own genuine human behavior.
  • (For Drama) I release and destroy my need to make choices, but more
    importantly I will allow choices to happen to me.
  • I release and destroy my need to impress them. I give myself permission to
    hate them. Fuck them.

Daily affirmations:

  • I am grateful for all the good in my life. I am worthy of all the good in my life.
  • All is well in my world. I am one with the universe and have more than I need.
  • I am relaxed, trusting in a higher plan that is unfolding for me.
  • I release and destroy my attachment to results. I am here to enjoy the journey

About the Book

In these writings, I share the techniques I have discovered over the years that can help you release the mental blocks that keep you from getting what you want.

Whether you’re new to the business or a working actor on a series, this ebook will give you secrets and tips that you can apply right away to your acting. Once you change the way you think about your art, it all becomes easier and more fun. And the good news is that when you approach your acting in this way, you book more work!

I cannot take credit for many of the philosophies and concepts. I picked them up from many different sources. However, what I’ve done is to apply these self-help techniques to the specific needs of actors.

I must give credit to the following writers; Peter McWilliams, Marianne Williamson and Louise L. Hay. They have all inspired me greatly, and I am deeply thankful for the effect they’ve had on my life.

“I’m so happy that I met Jack. I used to dread auditions, but now I have a great time. He completely unlocked what was locked in me. I seriously couldn’t have done it without him. His words of wisdom are always with me.”

Allyson Hannigan

How I Met Your Mother, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, American Pie

“At the core of what Jack teaches is how to get out of your own way. His approach cuts through the bs and, in turn, teaches you how to do that for yourself. His book, ‘New Thoughts For Actors’, is my bible and the fact that he offers it as a free download from his website is only a testament of how unselfish he is with his gift.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Emmy for The Cosby Show, The Resident, People v. O.J., Suits, Community