Pros & Cons – Photography Edition So in my February Update this year, I wrote about how I was planning to get new headshots. The reality of them was a little... Harrowing. I don't just mean the whole act of taking photos that set up my "branding" for years to come -- though that's absolutely part of it. I mean the money sunk can be pretty gnarly and I've had such a slow term, I'm worried about the expense. So I made myself a pro con list because you know me and that is what I do! I figured you guys might like to see it -- go gentle, I wrote this in my private journal and this is unedited, so take things with grains of salt.

So in my February Update this year, I wrote about how I was planning to get new headshots. The reality of them was a little...

Harrowing.

I don't just mean the whole act of taking photos that set up my "branding" for years to come -- though that's absolutely part of it. (Join for more)

February 2026 Patron Update Hoo boy, it's been a rough start to the year. Some day job stuff... Last fall, I had several students either graduate or move on to standing on their own (which is, of course, the goal) all at the same time. At that point, I had several test prep kids to kind of pad the earnings and things were still steady...

New Patron Post all about headshots and feeling anxious!

January 2026 Patron Update Patrons! I booked a gig! And shot it - so you get the whole damn story.

Patrons! I booked a gig! And shot it - so you get the whole damn story. EEE!

November Patron Update Hello, you wonderful humans who continue to support a working artist in a year where Hollywood appears to be napping harder than a sedated panda.

November Patron Update

Hello, you wonderful humans who continue to support a working artist in a year where Hollywood appears to be napping harder than a sedated panda.

October Take Comparisons Hello, all! I have a cool scene for us to dive into today -- I shot this back earlier in the summer (hello from the past) so I've been excited to share for a while!

October Take Comparisons

Hello, all! I have a cool scene for us to dive into today -- I shot this back earlier in the summer (hello from the past) so I've been excited to share for a while!

October Patron Update Hello, friends! This month I have some news to share about the feature I wrote and a few more scenes to share, plus news about auditions and day job stuff. Also, my take on that AI fake-actor you're seeing hubbub about.

October Patron Update

Hello, friends! This month I have some news to share about the feature I wrote and a few more scenes to share, plus news about auditions and day job stuff. Also, my take on that AI fake-actor you're seeing hubbub about.

September Patron Audition Vault Got this audition through my agent and immediately loved the writing — smart, sharp, and full of little moments to play with. As I worked through it, I kept finding fun details to dig into, and it ended up being one of those tapes that’s just funto do. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed working on it! I did actually send two takes of this. Let me know if you'd like to see the other one!

September Patron Audition Vault

Got this audition through my agent and immediately loved the writing — smart, sharp, and full of little moments to play with. As I worked through it, I kept finding fun details to dig into, and it ended up being one of those tapes that’s just funto do. Hope you…

September Patron Update Guess what, Patron friends? The script is finished and delivered.

September Patron Update

Guess what, Patron friends? The script is finished and delivered.

Time for my semi-annual reminder that I run @katestutoring — my day job & lifeline in the entertainment world. Virtual, flexible, kind, and effective tutoring for all ages. Fall spots are filling fast! Info at www.katestutoring.com 💪✏️

August Patron Update I finished the first draft!!! It still needs a polish, but I'm excited to share the first few scenes.

I finished the first draft!!! It still needs a polish, but I'm excited to share the first few scenes.

July 2025 – Take Comparisons Let's do a take comparison for a spot I shot a few months ago. What works? What doesn't?

July 2025 – Take Comparisons

Let's do a take comparison for a spot I shot a few months ago. What works? What doesn't?

Check me out -- nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a short film for the 2025 San Diego Film Awards! @filmconsortiumsd
Get your tickets here: https://filmconsortiumsd.com/special_events/2025-san-diego-film-awards/

June Patron Update Hi team! If you missed last month's content, here they are: Vlog all about anxiety, Q&A about soft joy, Take Comparisons, and May's update.

Sharing an update with my Patrons today -- I'm up for another award! Also have a bit of news...

The industry is so bad right now and we all know it's bad. I can't keep reading these doom & gloom posts on here, but nor do I want to bury my head in the sand.

So instead: An Industry Win From This Year.

* I won a best actress award
* & was just nominated for another!

Lifted directly from an actual, real date I had and absolutely 0 apologies to him. 💅🏻

Art, meet life.

#writing #workinprogress #writer #actor #feminism

Spent all that time doing my hair for a self tape, sooo… I recorded something special for my patrons. 
🎭 Monologue scenes
🎥 Take-by-take breakdowns
🧠 What I’m thinking between each go

Patron-only peek at the process:  https://www.katehackett.com/blog

#actorslife #selftapelife #patronexclusive #bts

I shared this video with my patrons in our secret Instagram account a few months ago & thought you might like a peek too!

🎬 Breaking Down a Script: Step by Step! 🎬

Ever wondered what goes into an actor’s script prep? Here’s a look behind the scenes as I break down each layer! 💭✨

May Patron Update I'm really excited to share some actual audition news with my patrons!

I'm really excited to share some actual audition news & industry happenings with my patrons!

Not every role is sweet. Some are sharp, some are shadowed—and some feel like slipping into your own skin.

Starting this quarter, I’ll be rolling out a new Patron-exclusive feature — a behind-the-scenes peek into my audition process. First one goes up in May! Read more: https://www.katehackett.com/2025/04/24/coming-soon-take-comparisons/

Patron Q&A #19 Thanks so much for the question from Allan this month! We're doing a dive into what my favorite kind of writing is... and then taking a sharp left turn so I can talk about why I loved Classic Alice's Nathan so damn much. It gets unwieldy in here.

Thanks so much for the question from Allan this month! We're doing a dive into what my favorite kind of writing is... and then taking a sharp left turn so I can talk about why I loved Classic Alice's Nathan so damn much. It gets unwieldy in here.

Posted first for my amazing Patrons 💌 Join at www.katehackett.com/patronage for extra pics + the full story.
Sex scenes are famously UNsexy—tons of crew, cramped spaces, total chaos. Scroll all the way for a wild BTS bath shot!
Got questions about filming spicy scenes? Ask away!

Boston fam - Ambush at St. Mary's is playing at IFF Boston! Get your tickets at the link below. 

APRIL 27 @ 12:15PM - SOMERVILLE THEATRE - SCREEN 3
APRIL 28 @ 5:45PM - SOMERVILLE THEATRE - SCREEN 3

https://iffboston.org/series/the-festival/screening/shorts/dartmouth-narrative

Patrons! You have a new vlog on the site for April: https://www.katehackett.com/2025/04/15/candid-career-vlog-19/

I really enjoy doing these for you my team. If you're not a patron, I'd love to invite you! If you can't support financially right now, your SHARES & LIKES mean the world: thank you!

Candid Career Vlog #19 Howdy Patrons! We're still a little quiet, so we've got a vlog all about the roles that changed me and my life. Hope you enjoy!

Howdy Patrons! We're still a little quiet, so we've got a vlog all about the roles that changed me and my life. Hope you enjoy!

Hopped on the horses before it got ragingly hot this week -- WHY, LOS ANGELES, WHY??!? Please pray for cooler weather for your redheaded pal.

Last week, I asked my Patrons where I should put my new award and one (shout out Dave!) generously provided me not with just a suggestion but an a+ tier digital image markup of where I should keep it.

Any other suggestions that'll top "enormous necklace strung with black cord"?

April Patron Update Let's talk about script analysis + writing act 2 of a feature...! I'm so reenergized after starting with my new coach & ready to dive deep.

Hello, dear Patron family!

Last time I wrote, I had awesome news about starting private coaching, about WINNING A DANG AWARD, and about a writing gig I've been working on. This last month has been continuing to build on all of those things.

🎥 Behind the Scenes: "Happy Little Accidents" 🎬
Sometimes set mishaps lead to the best moments—creative magic, unexpected solutions, and so much fun to look back on! A patron asked me to share some stories, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. ✨
📺 https://f.mtr.cool/xfsrntzlad

Patron Q&A #18 Today we have a question from a patron asking about behind the scenes "mishaps" that had a surprising impact on my career or a project -- happy little accidents! Excited to share some stories.

Today we have a question from a patron asking about behind the scenes "mishaps" that had a surprising impact on my career or a project -- happy little accidents! Excited to share some stories.