Shanda Quintal with Actors Access team.
Jason Hewitt, producer & CEO, Films in Motion.
ing director for Academy Award-winning films The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Social Network; and Rhavynn Drummer, casting director for For Better or Worse and other acclaimed Tyler Perry Studio productions, who will be holding auditions at the event. Beth Sepko, casting director for Friday Night Lights and the new Dallas, who made her Expo premiere last year, returns as a panelist and will hold auditions, as well. Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, casting director for Sparkle and Fruitvale Station, is holding a general audition as well as casting for the role of Gymnastics Olympian, Gabby Douglas. Also new to The Expo, Fern Orenstein, CBS VP, Casting, and Tiffany SmithAnoa’i, CBS VP, Diversity and Communications, present The Actor’s Workshop, an intensive experience designed to help actors land roles. And Diego Martinez, president of Nu Image/Millennium, joins the Film Finance Forum. The event features film executives and casting directors who are invested in the regional film community and return each year to share their knowledge and support. The Expo welcomes back Michael Arata, producer, Odd Thomas, The Courier; Liz Coulon, casting director, The Iceman, 21 Jump Street; Lisa Marie Dupree, casting director, Blood Out, Break Out Kings; Steven Esteb, WGA screenwriter and teacher, Favorite Son, Dirty Politics; Ryan Glorioso, casting director, Now You See Me, Straight A’s; Henry Griffin, WGA screenwriter, director, and University of New Orleans professor; Jason Hewitt, producer and CEO, Films In Motion; Anne Massey, casting director, Final Witness, True Blood; and Eric Thompson, Esq., whose clients include New Regency Productions, Fox Searchlight Productions, Lionsgate Films, et. al., Three Stooges, The Internship, Water for Elephants. “Agents 101: Headshot and Resume Review” and “Casting Critiques” form staple 16
LOUISIANA FILM & VIDEO MAGAZINE
ISSUE FOUR 2013
programming for beginning actors, and are slated again for this year’s Expo. “Casting from A-Z” delves into Extra work, use of MyCastingFile.com, and what actors need to know to transition from background to speaking roles. Talent agents on the panel “Branding Yourself ” discuss how to distinguish yourself as an actor. “Casting a Wide Net” explores how regional casting is leveling the playing field for actors. Expo sponsor Breakdown Services will demonstrate how beginning and advanced actors can use Actors Access and EcoCast to best position themselves for virtual auditioning by top casting directors and talent agents. The Acting Studio presents four coaches using unique techniques to teach acting and character development: Laura Cayouette, author of the acclaimed book Know Small Parts; Jerry Katz, teacher of the renowned Chubbuck technique; Lance Nichols, coach and actor for Emmy-nominated Treme and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; and Dr. Tina Thomas, a TED Talk speaker, back by popular demand to present “Applying the Science of Personality to Improve Your Art.” Independent filmmakers will learn strategies for creating an online buzz for their projects from social media strategist and Idea Village Entrepreneur Week 2013 presenter Megan Hargroder. Melissa Wiseman, manager of Entertainment Partners and EP Financial Solutions, presents “Budgeting for Your Project,” including an introduction to the company’s premier software, Movie Magic Budgeting. “Film Finance Forum” and “Making the Pitch” are back by popular demand to address the filmmaker’s primary
concerns: how to attract investors and finance a project. Getting a project distributed is also another challenge for many filmmakers. Online as well as traditional distribution tactics will be covered in “Securing Distribution.” And Breakdown Services’ CEO and founder Gary Marsh presents “Casting Your Script,” about streamlining the audition process using the film industry’s premier online casting portal, Actors Access and EcoCast, the virtual audition system. Whether engaged in a workshop or audition, captivated by a star-studded panel discussion, or enjoying a demonstration of the latest equipment and career-enhancing tools, participants will gain valuable insight and networking opportunities that are the hallmark of The Expo. Actors and independent filmmakers seeking the resources, information and opportunities that their California and New York counterparts have can find it at the Film Industry Expo. LFV
Lolita Burrell, Chief Operating Officer, joined forces with Shanda Quintal in the expansion and production of the 2012 and 2013 Expos and oversees business development. In recent years, she was honored as a “Woman of the Year” by New Orleans CityBusiness magazine for spearheading the “New Orleans Does Business Right! Corporate Governance and Ethics Conference.” Lolita is also an artist and was named one of “New Orleans Jazz Divas” by Offbeat magazine in 1999. She graduated from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, and is a licensed CPA with 15+ years of internal auditing experience. She is an alumna and board member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, and founder of Kids for Community, Inc.