Sold Out

October 8, 2019

The October Virtual Showcase is now sold out. Thank you to everyone who signed up! This month’s recording will take place on the 23rd, with a November date TBA. Although the industry slows down around the holidays, it’s actually a great time to record a showcase. Agents have a bit more time to view the audition footage. So if you didn’t get a spot this month, no worries! We have a growing wait list for the next round of registration. Sign up now at chicagovirtualshowcase@gmail.com.

The Showcases Are Up!

October 3, 2016

     The September Virtual Showcases have been posted! This includes both the adult showcase and the teen showcase (Second City edition).

"What is a Virtual Showcase?"

     The Virtual Showcase was created by Matt Miller to provide actors a cost-effective way to be seen by industry professionals. Actors record a scene or monologue along with commercial copy and a brief interview, and the footage is posted online with their headshot and resume. The showcase is then emailed to more than 200 industry contacts in Chicago.

"So only Chicago industry professionals will see it?"

     Not necessarily! Since the showcase is online and accessed via a link, that link can be sent to contacts outside of the Chicago area. Trying to land an agent in New York? You can send them the link to your footage. All they have to do is click on the link in their email. It's that simple.

"This sounds awesome. How do I sign up?"

     See the box below that reads MATT MILLER'S VIRTUAL SHOWCASE? Click that.

Saturday Session - Audition Taping with Miguel

September 10, 2016

I love a session on Saturday morning - hardly anyone is on the train! Today I worked with Miguel G. on his audition monologue. Thanks for coming in, Miguel! I look forward to seeing more of your work here in Chicago.

Need an audition taping? Be sure to take advantage of this month's discount! Click HERE for the code phrase.

"I need an agent, but agents want to see footage, but I don't have any footage, so I need an agent..."

August 11, 2016

     It can leave you feeling helpless: you're taking acting classes, you audition for plays whenever possible, yet you can't seem to get your foot in the door with any of the film/television casting offices. I need an agent, you think. But most agents want to see some of your work - ideally your on-camera experience - before they decide to take you on as a client. That can be difficult, since the way to get on-camera auditions is typically, well, through an agent.

     In your ideal world, you have multiple clips in varying genres that you can compile into a reel. In reality, you have a blurry iPhone video of you dancing at Lollapalooza that doesn't exactly scream "Oscar."

"So how do I get footage if I don't have a reel?"

     Back in the olden days (aka 2006), submitting a reel required you to download your footage to a disc, which you then mailed out to a list of agents in the hopes that a) the disc didn't break in the mail and b) the agent actually opened it. Times have changed. Now a reel can be emailed in seconds via a link, and agents can view it with a simple click of the mouse.

     Guess what? Audition footage is viewed the exact same way. Preparing a few quick scenes to tape as you would a self-taped audition gives you footage. And that's all the agents really need to see - footage. So why not try taping a few scenes and commercials to compile into an "audition reel," so that if an agent asks, "Do you have anything on tape?" you can answer, "Yes."

     I'm not talking about audition footage you shoot at home on your phone (reread the Lollapalooza comment above). I'm talking about professionally-shot footage you tape at a studio, with a reader and proper lighting.     

     Another incentive to having professionally-shot audition footage is that agents get an idea of what to expect from you when they send you to the casting office. They can see and hear you slate, notice how you dress and present yourself, and assess your on-camera technique through your read.

     So why not try it? If you're interested, click here for more information - I'm happy to help!       

Another Virtual Showcase Come and Gone!

July 23, 2016

Virtual Showcase

We had a smaller group than expected today (darn cancellations!) but they were fierce, nonetheless! I had a great time with these delightful actors; they came prepared and ready to record. I hope to see much more of them on the audition circuit SOON.

Update (October 22, 2019): Matt Miller’s Virtual Showcase is now known as the Chicago Virtual Showcase. The format is the same - actors prepare a slate, scene or monologue, one to two pieces of commercial copy and a brief interview, which I record and then send to Chicago industry professionals. The Showcase has been going strong for ten years and counting! It’s helped numerous actors find agents and book jobs. Interested? Send us an email at chicagovirtualshowcase@gmail.com.