Back To One

Oliver Cooper has one of the greatest stories about breaking into Hollywood, landing his first role in "Project X." I'm grateful he takes his time telling it on this episode. It's a story about hilarious naiveté, unwavering belief in himself, and an unlikely friendship with a person unfairly pushed to the margins of the business who fueled him with the support he needed. That story is so formative that he still wants to tell stories about people who were counted out, but who keep the dream alive. His latest collaboration with filmmaker Joe Burke, "Burt," is about that and so much more. Cooper stars opposite real-life roommates Burt Berger and Steven Levy. He talks about working with these two incredible personalities who were basically playing themselves, and the acting challenge he had in serving them, letting them shine properly, while not standing out himself as the "actor." He succeeds wonderfully, and you can (and should) check out "Burt" on your favorite streaming service. It was made for $7000 in a few days with an extremely small crew and will make you laugh, cry, and capture your heart so deeply that you'll wonder why most movies have to waste so much money for so little impact.
Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. 
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Tom Brittney first rose to global prominence with his multi-season turn on the celebrated British series "Grantchester," where he built a devoted international following through a performance defined by emotional depth and restraint. With his new series "The Westies," he hops "the pond" and ventures into darker and more volatile territory while delivering layered, character-first work surrounded by stellar co-stars like J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver. On this episode, he explains why the lack of belief in his abilities that he felt from his teachers in drama school resulted in his own lack of faith it what they were teaching, how seven seasons playing the same character made him a better actor, why he will never get used to the instability of this profession, and much more.
Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. 
Subscribe to Back To One on Substack
Follow Back To One on Instagram

Ken Marino is very funny. All the time. Maybe even "too funny." Starting with the legendary comedy group "The State," more than three decades ago, Marino has been the go-to comedy gold in countless television shows, stealing so many scenes in movies, always bringing the funny. The films he's co-written with David Wain are some of his highlights — "The Ten," "Role Models," "Wanderlust," and now "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" (which comes out July 10th). On this episode, Marino ponders the origins of his brand of comedy (or if he even has one), explains why he doesn't like humor that punches down, makes a case for why he thinks he has "a good grasp on 'asshole,'" talks about what has brought him to a place where he makes bold choices right off the bat, lays out how it all comes down to "specifics," and much much more.
Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. 
Subscribe to Back To One on Substack
Follow Back To One on Instagram

Karolina Wydra's performance as Zosia in Vince Gilligan's new hit series "Pluribus" is impressive on many levels, but it wasn't until I talked to her for this podcast that I realized the absolute herculean challenge this role is for an actor. Zosia is part of the single consciousness, and is no longer ruled by the hang-ups, shortcomings, and flaws of a normal human existence. "Remember, she has no nerves!" Gilligan kept telling her. Luckily Wydra faced the challenge head-on. On this episode, she talks about her journey from Poland to America, from model to actor, dipping in various acting disciplines before she created her own blend, and the break she took from her career to feed another love in her life. It was during that break, when her reps had dropped her, that the Pluribus team went looking for her, not knowing that it was her absolute dream to work for Gilligan. This is an inspiring episode about being fully dedicated to the work, following your heart, and letting love lead the way.
Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. 
Subscribe to Back To One on Substack
Follow Back To One on Instagram

Mark Strong has made a name for himself playing villains or stealing scenes (or both) in movies like "Sherlock Holmes," "Kick-Ass," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," "The Imitation Game," the list goes on. On this episode, he talks about his work in the theater, particularly two of his most celebrated performances for the stage: Eddie in "A View From The Bridge," and "Oedipus" (which just earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor In A Play). He explains why he needs to understand a character fully before he can play it, why extensive research is often not necessary, why specifics in direction usually doesn't work for him, why trust is so important, how going bald changed everything for the better, and much much more.
Back To One is the in-depth, no-nonsense, actors-on-acting podcast. In each episode, host Peter Rinaldi invites one working actor to do a deep dive into their unique process, psychology, and approach to the craft. 
Subscribe to Back To One on Substack
Follow Back To One on Instagram