Another Self Tape with Ariel!
July 18, 2016
Ariel stopped by for another audition taping today. Great to see her again, and I'm super jealous of her hair. Happy Monday!
Audition Taping with Colin
July 16, 2016
I love an unexpected self tape! I'm so thankful Acting Studio Chicago was open today, being a Saturday. Thanks for coming in, Colin!
Me and my Canon. :)
Back By Popular Demand!
July 14, 2016
I'm pleased to announce that thanks to popular demand, I'll be heading up another Teen Coaching and Virtual Showcase at The Second City! July's workshop was a success - what a great group of talented kids we had. I can't wait to see where their careers take them. Agents and Casting Directors: I hope you're paying attention! These teens are going places...will you help get them there?
Can't I Just Record My Audition On My Cell Phone?
July 11, 2016
As an actor, you might be asked to audition for a project when you are not in the town the audition is being held. In this case, you'll need to send in a self-tape. Some might ask, "Can't I just tape my audition on my cell phone?" A cell phone certainly comes in handy for auditioning: it is small enough to fit in your pocket that you can easily pull it out to use as a prop, and it's a great tool to practice recording your auditions so you can see yourself on tape and make appropriate adjustments to your work. Depending on the project for which you are auditioning, it might make sense to use your phone to record and submit your audition as well, as long as you know how to compress your files based on the casting director's requirements. This method could certainly save you a few bucks, and might be practical if your audition is for, say, a local play or a student film.
However, for bigger projects, or for characters and scripts that you wish to have a bit of coaching, it's definitely worth spending a few dollars and having a professional take care of everything for you. You'll have peace of mind knowing the lighting will help make you look your best, the clips will sound great and the footage will be edited to your agent's and/or casting director's specifications.
“Having worked in casting...[Kate] provides a keen eye for what does and doesn’t work on camera. You won’t feel rushed and she makes sure you’ve got it in the can. She is also able to juggle any technical instructions from your agent about the files.”
So to answer the question: yes, you can record your audition on your cell phone, but do so wisely. If you have any doubts about whether or not your cell phone footage will be good enough for the project to which you are submitting, go with your instincts. If you do decide to use your cell phone, have someone do the filming for you, preferably using a cell phone stand, so your footage is not shaky. You will need to have a reader who can read the scene with you, and be sure to shoot against a plain background in a flattering color (black and white are typically not ideal).
The Second City: Teen Coaching & Showcase
July 7, 2016
All set up at Donny's Skybox at The Second City - ready to coach these teens!
Just coached my first workshop of teens at The Second City Training Center! I am recording their Virtual Showcase tomorrow and I. Cannot. Wait. These young actors were professional, asked smart questions and came ready to work. What more could an instructor ask for?
Audition Taping with Ariel
July 6, 2016
The gorgeous and talented Ariel came in today to record a self-tape. Thanks, Ariel - hope to see you again soon!
Actor Reels and Awesome Deals
July 4, 2016
Happy 4th of July!
To celebrate America's birthday, I'm offering a *FREE* reel to the first two actors that email me for this deal. Whether you already have footage or you want to shoot a couple of scenes to put into a reel, I can help! And it's totally free. Keep in mind, when it comes to reels, the shorter the better. Usually one to two minutes is ideal.
Want footage to post onto your personal website? Or would you like to include a link of your work to submit to agents? A reel allows agents and casting directors to see what you've done with just the click of a button. Just email me to set up a time to go over your footage. Oh, and did I mention it's free?
Summer and Showcases and Sales, Oh My!
July 1, 2016
It's July!!! 2016 is officially half over. Temperatures are heating up, and so is audition season. Are you ready? With school out, kids need a different outlet to release their creative energy. What better way than with the numerous classes and workshops offered throughout the city? A list of companies offering acting classes can be found here. Check back often - the list keeps growing!
Events coming up this month:
Coaching a group of teens at The Second City and recording a Virtual Showcase - just for them! Rolling out some special discounts...stay tuned!
The June Virtual Showcase has posted! What the heck is a Virtual Showcase, you ask? It's a great way for actors to be seen by more than 200 industry professionals with just the click of a button. To learn more, click here.
Registration is now closed for the Teen Virtual Showcase: Second City Edition. I can't wait to meet these young actors, give them coaching and record their showcases. We're going to have so much fun!
To learn more about the class, or to be put on a wait list, click here.
Happy Birthday, America!
It's America's birthday, and with birthdays come presents! What's a better present than a little extra cash in your pocket? For the ENTIRE month of July, I'm offering $5 off all 1/2 hour self-taped auditions and coachings, and $10 off all one-hour tapings and coachings. Just mention "OHMYJULY" in your email to me. And check back on July 4 for a VERY special deal!
Audition Taping with Mercedez
June 30, 2016
Just finished recording an audition for Mercedez. She emailed this morning, and her agent needed the link TODAY. I'm so happy I was able to schedule her in at the studio. She taped her audition and her agent liked the link - it's a win-win!
Plus, she spells her name in a really cool way. :)
Another #TBT Bit Tank Audition
June 30, 2016
Ever since I met these performers back in January during their Bit Tank auditions at iO Chicago, I've begun to notice them more and more on the audition circuit. Now, I'm not saying the two are connected, but...
Here's a look back at one of my favorite auditions from that day. Enjoy!