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Learn from top casting directors, talent agents and managers... Hear from current child actors... Gain insight from union representatives... And much, much more... Check back often as more speakers are added! |
Vincent Martella stars in the new UPN show, Everybody Hates Chris, a comedy produced by Paramount Television that is loosely based on the childhood of comedian Chris Rock. Vincent began dancing at the age of 3, and delivered his first live performance in The Nutcracker. He began playing the piano at 5. Not long after, Vincent was performing in school plays and being seen in local commercial spots. At 6 he began acting and vocal training, and by 7 he was one of the hottest kids in the Central Florida market working both print and national commercials. By age 10 it became clear that Vincent was ready for Los Angeles. During his first trip to LA he landed a guest spot on Fox's Cracking Up and a recurring role on Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified, where he developed his own character for the role of Scoop. The following summer, Vincent nabbed his first film role working opposite Rob Schneider in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo. Most recently Vincent has guest starred on Fox's comedy, Stacked, starring Pamela Anderson and has lent his voice to the feature film Bad News Bears. Vincent's voice will also be heard in the Disney pilot, Can You Dig It. Vincent is very passionate about performing whether it be singing, dancing or acting. He recently recorded his first demo playing the piano and singing some of his favorite rock classics. He is also known for his quick wit and impersonations.
Breakdown Services occupies a unique place in the development of the casting process over the last 34 years. In 1971, Breakdown Services changed the way information about the roles being cast by casting directors was distributed to the representatives of talent. Today, Breakdown Services is the world leader using the Internet to both distribute casting information and provide a way for Talent Agents to submit actor's pictures, resumes and video via the Internet. More importantly, Breakdown Services empowers actors via its website at www.actorsaccess.com to provide a legitimate and successful way for talent to directly submit themselves for roles in television, feature films, theatre, commercials and other types of projects.
Anndi McAfee is a young actress who has appeared on many notable television series, specials, and sitcoms, and has lent her voice to countless animated programs and movies. Her employers include the likes of Disney, 20th Century Fox, CBS, ABC, and Nickelodeon. Born in Los Angeles, CA, Anndi began performing on stage when she was seven and soon began working in film when she was eight. She enjoys sports, racing her car, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends. In 2004 she received her Master's degree in Communication Studies.
Career building and longevity are Christine's goals for all her students. Students who have worked in feature films include Ashley Johnson with Mel Gibson in 'What Women Want', Josh Hartnett in "Halloween 7' continuing on to 'Pearl Harbor & Black Hawk Down', Camilla Belle, Hilary Duff, Sam Horrigan, Jessica Bowman, other students have worked opposite Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Dan Akroyd, Julie Harris, Nicole Kidman and actors of similar caliber. From 1996 -2001, seventeen students booked series regular roles; twenty-three students booked pilots; another student received a "Best Actress" award and four students have received "Best Actor" nominations in Hollywood's Young Artists Awards. Christine's classes are based on the Stanislavski system and innovations that stem from that; training actors in all the mediums - film and stage. Actors begin with a strong basis in sensory work and improvisation; then move on to advanced training in character work, script analysis and scene study. Film training addresses the main problems the actor has when working professionally: how to prepare alone with out rehearsal, how to create a line of truth while shooting out of sequence and preparations needed for repeating and spontaneity. Special innovative exercise work needed to be adapted and created for the young professional actors. These classes are one of the few to train young actors in character work, the belief being that this enables them make the age transitions.
Kevin McDermott is the founder of Center Stage L.A., now The Actors Circle with Marcie Smolin as Managing Director. Founded over twenty years ago, this innovative school has trained hundreds of young actors, many dozens of whom are successful in television and film. Our clients have won FOUR EMMYS and have had NINE EMMY NOMINATIONS. In addition to several television shows, Kevin was the on-set acting coach for numerous feature films including Buffalo Dreams, Haven, Angus, Beethoven, Beethoven's 2nd, All I Want For Christmas, Little Rascals, Free Willy, Kindergarten Cop, Dudley Do-Right and Rocky V. Kevin has directed and produced short films and documentaries including The Toast, the award winning A Dog and His Boy, The Miracle Project, Nick Sterling - Catch Me If You Can, Off Limits and The Case Against, as well as the first teen comedy improvisation group performing at the Laugh Factory for over a year in the 1980's, You've Got to Be Kidding. The long list of actors Kevin has trained includes Jeremy Sumpter (Peter in Peter Pan), Kelli Garner (The Aviator, Thumbsucker, The Toast), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Mysterious Skin, 3rd Rock from the Sun), Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie trilogy & director of LA DJ), Emile Hirsch (The Emperor's Club), Katija Pevec (Just for Kicks, Yours, Mine and Ours), Kianna Underwood (Hairspray, All That), Nick Paonessa (Unscripted), James Van Der Beek (Dawson's Creek, Angus), Leah Remini (The King of Queens), Jennifer Landon (As the World Turns) Jason James Richter (Free Willy, Neverending Story 3), Shawn Reeves (Tru Calling) and Malcolm David Kelley (Lost), to mention only a few of the hundreds of actors starring in film and television. In addition to coaching privately and on set and directing, Kevin also edits actors' demo reels and films actors for auditions.
Internationally recognized vocal technique and performance coach Steven Memel has aided in building the careers of some of the most talented and successful people in the world of entertainment. Steven has created a unique and impactful method that enables him to achieve rapid and dramatic results. He has also had his own multifaceted career as a singer/songwriter, recording artist and award-winning actor and director. Steven's clients include artists recorded on Universal, Sony, Jive, J Records, DreamWorks and BMG, including Maroon 5, Taryn Manning of Boomkat, and legendary blues singer and two time Tony Award winner Linda Hopkins. Among the young students who have gone on to successful acting and recording careers are Britney Murphy, Brie Larsen and Asher Book star of Disney's "Pop Rocks" with Gary Cole. Steven has also worked with Tony Award winner Lauren Bacall, actors Mariel Hemmingway, Isabella Rossellini and many other up and coming bands and solo artists. He was the keynote speaker for the 2004 TAXI Music Road Rally and has taught at Musicians Institute, UCLA Extension and lectured at seminars, music conferences and universities around the world.
Marilyn Mosley,
speaker, author, and director of Laurel
Springs In conjunction with a team of master educators, Marilyn developed an innovative and varied curriculum that honors her principal philosophy: Every child is a living treasure, and possesses the capacity for genius. Marilyn has said, "The best learning environment is one that is loving and supportive. What matters most to children is that they have family, friends, and teachers who say 'I know who you are, I love you, I admire you, I believe in you." We at Laurel Springs honor the uniqueness of each of our students and appreciate the myriad learning styles they present to us."
Under her directorship, Laurel Springs High School received the United
She currently serves as the President of the United
Nations Global 500
Michael Sanford,
CCDA, freelanced in casting for almost a decade with some
Judy Savage is a veteran of over thirty-five years in show business. The Savage Agency is recognized as one of the premiere talent agencies for kids and young adults. Judy currently has dozens of children appearing on television series and many more doing commericals, feature films and theatre. She has nutured the careers of performers such as Kellie Martin, Danica McKellar, Elizabeth Berkley, Chad Allen, Heather Tom, David Tom, Hillary Swank, Christopher Castile, Ashley Johnson, Ross Malinger, Larisa Oleynik, Danielle Fishel, Jodie Sweetin, Taran Smith, Mackenzie Rosman, Barry Watson, Chris & Danny Masterson, Lynsey Bartilson, Luke Edwards, Ryan Malgarini, Rider & Shiloh Strong, Soren & Grace Fulton, Brittany Curran, Amanda & Alyson Michalka, Scott Clifton, Dakota Sky, Lindsey Shaw, and her grandson, Keaton Savage. Judy Savage is a member of the Association of Talent Agents, Women in Film and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She's on the board of the Actor's Fund Looking Ahead Program, helping kids 12-18 to transition from acting to college or other careers. In 1999, Judy was named businesswoman of the year by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Francene Selkirk-Ackerman, CCDA, has been a Commercial Casting Director for the past 12 years, a Commercial Producer for 10 years and an actress throughout. She has cast over 1000 commercials, some of them for film directors such as Ridley Scott, Greg Hoblit, Gore Verbinski, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Amy Heckerling. She cast the NBC/Bravo sitcom "Significant Others," and did a pilot for MTV recently called "Zoo TV." All the while, still casting docudramas, music videos, industrials, voiceovers and print. Francene began her acting career in New York City as a child, attending the High School of Performing Arts. She has performed on stage, television, and film. After line producing commercials for 10 years, she found a job that she loves...casting.
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