31 Activities for Every Day in August

Shine like the summer sun! Welcome back to your actor activities roundup, friends. In this space, we recommend everything from empowering exercises to the best entertainment events for each day of the month, so you can fill your calendar with acting-related fun.

From summer blockbusters to back-to-school buzz, enjoy these 31 carefully curated activities that will light your creative spark with end-of-summer inspiration this August.

Advice & Inspiration

1. Actors are Olympians, too. With the event taking over international airwaves this month, let your work ethic be inspired by how athletes focus on their craft.
2. Ace your self tapes with this easy and simple technique.
3. Ask yourself: if I could sign on to my dream project tomorrow, what would it be? The more detailed our goals, the more detailed our plan of action is.
4. Feed your imagination with this prompt from the magnificent Morgan Harper Nichols.
5. Alright, alright, alright – don’t forget to have fun this summer! Start by enjoying this feature on 50 iconic movie lines that were ad-libbed by actors.
6. The Hollywood Reporter released their full actor’s roundtable with Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara, Nicole Kidman, Anna Sawai and more, a banquet of gems for actors!
7. Get a creative pep talk from Josh Groban and more creatives on The Art of Kindness podcast.
8. Throwback read of the month: An oldie, but a goodie, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert could be the creative reset you’ve been looking for.
9. This month’s Instagram spotlight goes to Shari Shaw Studios: Follow for videos glimmering with effective acting tips from A-list names to Shari herself.

Summer Blockbusters & Binges!

New TV

10. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (young adult mystery) creeps onto Netflix August 1: Wednesday star Emma Meyers leads this book to series as a student in a sleepy English talent determined to uncover the truth about a serial killer.
11. Cowboy Cartel (docuseries) gallops onto Apple August 2: Your next true story binge races onto your screen, unearthing the massive money laundering operation behind American horse racing.
12. The Umbrella Academy (superhero) season 4 bows out on Netflix on August 8: After a two-year hiatus, the popular genre-bending show returns for one last blast.
13. Mr. Throwback (comedy) dribbles onto Peacock August 8: This mockumentary focuses on a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer (Adam Pally) looking for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Steph Curry.
14. Bad Monkey (comedy) hits Apple on August 14: Based on the bestseller of the same name, this limited series packs a two-punch. It’s helmed by Ted Lasso creator Bill Lawrence and stars Vince Vaughn as a former police detective looking to break back into the force.
15. Only Murders in the Building (comedy) returns to Hulu on August 27: Everyone’s favorite NYC-anchored podcasters (Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez) take to LA for season 4, meeting a starry new cast of guest stars.

Movie Mayhem

16. Trap (psychological thriller) sneaks into theaters August 2: M. Night Shyamalan brings his signature style back to theaters this summer with a rockin’ romp. Josh Hartnett channels a serial killer known as “The Butcher” who takes his daughter to a pop concert only to find it’s a trap set to catch him.
17. Harold and the Purple Crayon (family) draw audiences to theaters on August 2: The classic children’s book gets the big screen treatment, following Harold and his magical purple crayon that brings whatever he draws to life.
18. Borderlands (sci-fi action) bursts onto screens August 9: Cate Blanchett graces the movies once again alongside a colorful cast of characters played by heavy-hitters like Kevin Hart, Jack Black and newly-minted Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis. Based on the video game series of the same name, Borderlands is a misfit mission surely looking to fill the void left by Guardians of the Galaxy.
19. It Ends With Us (romance) releases in theaters on August 9: Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel plays out onscreen with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (who also serves as director) as the loved-up leads.
20. Jackpot (comedy) cracks up Amazon Prime August 15: Bridesmaids director Paul Feig brings his latest LOL-journey to the screen alongside Awkwafina and John Cena, set in a future where a sadistic lottery game rules California.
21. Alien: Romulus (sci-fi) launches in theaters and IMAX August 19: The Alien franchise goes back to its extraterrestrial roots with Romulus. Follow a group of young space colonizers as they encounter the most terrifying life form in the universe yet.
22. Blink Twice (thriller) races into theaters August 23: Zoe Kravtiz makes her directorial debut with this propulsive story starring Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum and centered on a chance encounter turned nightmare.
23. The Crow (action) soars onto screens on August 23: What summer would be complete without a superhero flick? Bill Skarsgård is resurrected as a comic book legend armed with crow-like powers and hellbent on revenge.

Wellness Activities:

24. August actor’s affirmation: “As Olympians train tirelessly for their moment in the sun, every rehearsal, audition, and performance I undertake is a step toward my inner triumph. Enjoying my process is the gold medal of the acting world.”
25. Want a free wellness boost? Research shows that exercising outdoors benefits your well-being more than indoors.
26. Retreat to Jenna Leigh Miller’s “Things You Need to Hear as an Actor” series.
27. August is National Wellness Month! Although we hope you prioritize self-care every month, let this national experience be a reminder to put just as much energy into taking care of yourself as you do your career. We cannot give from an empty cup!

Live/ Virtual Events

28. Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum bum! The 2024 Olympics torch has been lit in Paris. Tune in to the global festivities through August 11th.
29. From Broadway concerts to free classes, New York City’s iconic Bryant Park offers a field of summer programming. Don’t live in NYC? Uncover the hidden gems of your local park!
30. Gear up the gondolas! Film enthusiasts will flood Italy as the Venice International Film Festival glides into motion on August 28th, showcasing the best in global cinema.
31. August ends with the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, another chance for movie lovers to congregate and celebrate excellence in moviemaking.

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