EP 16: Jen Gardiner: Cake Decorator Turned Actor

Second Act Actors

*Trigger warning: This episode contains references to eating disorders and pregnancy loss*

On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with Jen Gardiner, who made the unlikely transition from being a professional cake maker and decorator to being an actor. Jen started out by taking a cake decorating course on a whim and discovered a passion for baking and eventually booked a regular slot on a local daytime TV to talk about her cake creations. Once the show ended, a producer recommended that she audition for another show and she landed the part and never looked back.

Jen talks about what she brought from her first act into her second, as not only did she already have experience working in front of a live camera, but she also believes that her cake decorating gave her an eye for aesthetics and attention to the visual aspects of acting. She goes on to talk about how she built up her camera confidence through mindset work and programming her brain to expect success in auditions - listen out for her tips on how to trick your brains into forming good habits! At the end of the episode, she also gives tips for aspiring actors on how to make their acting dreams come true.

If you enjoyed listening to Jen’s words of wisdom, make sure that you’re subscribed to the Second Act Actors podcast so that you don’t miss an episode.

Timestamps

[0:39] How Jen got into acting

[2:37] Working on TV and Jen’s first audition

[4:08] Why Jen decided to pursue acting

[6:00] Founding a non-profit, The Lakota Project

[10:18] Being a caring person in a caring family

[11:48] The roots of Jen’s creativity

[12:56] What Jen took from her first act into her second

[15:40] Managing imposter syndrome through mindset work

[18:46] Jen’s tips on how to reprogramme your brain to learn good habits

[21:28] How Jen brings her brain training into the audition process

[24:10] How should an actor visualize a scene that they’re auditioning for?

[25:40] What surprised Jen about getting into the entertainment industry

[30:15] “You create your own life”

[34:46] Jen’s dramatic slip-up filming a scene for TV

[35:42] What Jen’s looking forward to in 2022

[37:15] How Jen’s family describe her career

[39:00] Advice from Jen for aspiring actors

Links

Jen’s website

Jen on Instagram

Jen on Twitter

Jen on IMDb

Jen on YouTube

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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