Refine your audition skills with insights from three top casting directors across essential screen genres: television drama, TV comedy, and independent film. Each session is thoughtfully designed to elevate your performance, transforming every role—big or small—into a lasting asset for career growth. This is more than a learning experience; it’s a pivotal step forward, aligning your journey with your highest aspirations. Don’t just gather credits—craft a remarkable career path that defines your unique place in acting.
Course Descriptions
Mark Teschner, CSA, “The Art of Impactful Auditions”
In The Art of Impactful Auditions, Emmy Award-winning Casting Director Mark Teschner offers actors an intensive, hands-on journey into mastering character preparation and audition skills. This course empowers actors to bring their unique qualities and authenticity to the forefront, enhancing their audition impact across roles, whether contract, recurring, or day player. Through personalized guidance, Mark will lead participants in script and character analysis, helping them uncover essential elements to shape memorable performances. Actors will delve into character motivations and develop bold, grounded choices that stand out in auditions. With practical scene work, students will learn techniques to deliver nuanced, captivating performances that draw the attention of casting directors, directors, and producers. Mark also provides invaluable insights into the casting process, ensuring every actor is equipped with practical skills and a clear understanding of the expectations and nuances of the industry.
Howard Meltzer, CSA, “Finding Your Unique Comedic Voice”
Finding Your Unique Comedic Voice with Howard Meltzer, CSA, is crafted to help actors sharpen their TV comedy skills and develop a distinct comedic style. This session dives into the unique elements of TV comedy, from the pacing and tone of multi-cam sitcoms to the nuanced beats of single-cam series. Emphasizing character development, actors will explore their individual strengths, learning to create memorable, relatable characters that leave a lasting impression in auditions. Through hands-on exercises, participants will refine their timing, delivery, and punchline execution, gaining the confidence to deliver humor seamlessly—whether in rapid-fire dialogue or in subtle comedic moments. This session equips actors with essential tools for thriving in today’s diverse comedic landscape.
Paul Ruddy, CSA, “Auditioning for Independent Films”
In Auditioning for Independent Films, renowned Casting Director Paul Ruddy, CSA, offers actors an immersive, hands-on experience focused on mastering dramatic scenes for indie films. Actors will perform scenes from actual film scripts alongside an experienced reader, bringing depth and authenticity to their characters. After an initial performance, each actor will receive personalized feedback on their choices, emotional resonance, and delivery, gaining insight into the subtleties that elevate their work. Guided by Paul’s expertise, actors will then reperform the scenes, applying nuanced adjustments to enhance their portrayals and deepen their connections with the characters. This interactive session encourages bold, impactful choices and adaptability, equipping actors to respond confidently to direction. Through this process, participants will refine their approach, reconnect with the material, and gain the tools needed to deliver powerful, authentic performances that leave a lasting impression in auditions and on set.
About Howard Meltzer
Howard Meltzer, a seasoned Los Angeles casting director since 2003 and originally from New York, began his career casting Broadway hits like Chicago, Grease, and Annie with Stuart Howard Associates. Known for his authenticity and humor, he excels at finding talent that brings writers’ visions to life across TV and theater.
In LA, Howard has cast pilots, animated series, and indie films for major networks like CBS, Disney, NBC, Netflix, and Warner Bros. He’s notably discovered young talent, casting Hannah Montana, Raven’s Home, and Disney Channel’s longest-running series, Bunk’d. A two-time Emmy nominee and three-time Artios Award winner, Howard has served as Vice President of the Casting Society of America and is currently a Governor of the Television Academy.
About Paul Ruddy:
Paul Ruddy, CSA: Paul has cast over 200 films and television series for Netflix, Tubi, Lifetime, Hallmark, Disney, Dreamworks, Syfy, Fox, and NBC/Universal, with A-List talent including Nicolas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Constance Wu, Rita Moreno, Vivica A. Fox and Jack Black. An Emmy-Winner for the Netflix series “Eastsiders,” Paul’s recent television credits include the AMC horror anthology series “Creepshow.” Other notable talents Paul has cast include Sydney Sweeney, Peter Bogdanovich, Justin Long, Mena Suvari, Fran Drescher, Harvey Guillen, Molly Ringwald, Ryan Kwanten, Lou Diamond Philips, Brandon Routh, Gena Rowlands, Cameron Monaghan, Chad Michael Murray, Jackie Weaver, Vinnie Jones, Steve Guttenberg, Patrick Swayze, Keith David, Kelly Hu, Tanner Buchanan, Darren Barnett, and Cole and Dylan Sprouse.
About Mark Teschner:
Mark Teschner, CSA, a native New Yorker, has been the Casting Director for ABC Daytime’s “General Hospital” since 1989. Renowned for his exceptional eye for talent, Rolling Stone calls him “an actor’s casting director,” and TV Guide praises his “unparalleled track record for finding top new talent.”
Teschner has won eleven Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Achievement in Casting” and eight additional nominations. He is also a seven-time recipient of the prestigious Artios Award from the Casting Society of America, with sixteen additional nominations.
Teschner has served as vice president of the Casting Society of America and as a Governor of the Television Academy. This year, he was inducted into the “Silver Circle” at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences.
DATE, TIME & LOCATION
Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Location: Westside, Los Angeles, CA
Instructors: Casting Director Mark Teschner, Howard Meltzer, and Paul Ruddy
Tuition: $365
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