Jeffery Brooks
Talent Manager, Producer, Casting Director
Jeffery Brooks has worked in the entertainment industry for over thirty years. He appeared on several top-rated television shows and feature films before turning to coaching. Jeffery has worked as both a private and studio coach for actors of all ages and levels, including a stint of seven years on NBC's Friends as a dialogue coach.
Jeffery works with actors to blend the business of the industry with the creativity of acting. In addition to helping actors learn how to book jobs, Jeffery also coaches actors on character development and how to obtain representation. Rather than concentrating on one technique, Jeffery teaches students to utilize all disciplines and tools at their disposal to become the actors they want to be.
Most recently, Jeffery's talent management company has shifted into production and continues to grow. The company, RedRock Entertainment Development, is in various stages on several projects. Jeffery's love and dedication to the arts have also led to the creation of the Life Through Art Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to funding educational opportunities in the arts for young students who otherwise would not be able to finance such endeavors.
Jeffery Brooks' has coached actors to find success on such shows as CSI: MIAMI, Without A Trace, National Commercials (Heineken and McDonalds), Heroes, Everybody Hates Chris, Little Miss CEO (Pilot), many, many indie features such as Loved Ones, The Tony Mendez Show (CBS.com), ROOM 401 (MTV), My Alibi, CSI: NY, MADTV, ER, Life, Zoey 101, CSI, ER, Everybody Hates Chris, Two and a Half Men, Ghost Whisperer, EX List, Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Entourage, Life, LAPD, Grey's Anatomy, I Carly, Young and the Restless, General Hospital, Cold Case and NUMB3RS. He has also worked to place actors with some of the biggest agencies in town!
Please visit www.ltaf.org for more information on Jeffery's charity.
CLASSES: Audition Technique, Invitation-Only
Nick Anderson
Casting Director
Before opening is own office Nick worked with many top casting houses including: Junie Lowry Johnson (True Blood, Ugly Betty, Dirty Sexy Money, Big Love), Dava Waite (My Name is Earl, Yes Dear), Tracy Lillienfield (Will & Grace), Alison Jones (40-Year-Old Virgin), and others. This season he has branched out on his own and is currently casting five SAG feature films: Coyotes, Jacob's Edge, Skinned 1 & 2, and The Playground, and has several others in development: A Touch of Magic, Horsepower, and Americus as well as several SAG commercials and shorts.
CLASSES: Comedy Intensive, Drama Intensive, On-Going Advanced Scene Study
John Swanbeck
Director, Writer
John Swanbeck (Writer/Director/Producer) made his directorial film debut with THE BIG KAHUNA, starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. In pre-production for THE TUTOR (SENSEI), scheduled to shoot in Tokyo, summer 2010 - producing and directing. In pre-production for IN CASE I HAVE TO KILL YOU. In development for BIO DAD. Screenplays include the romantic comedy, THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN, and the time travel comedy, BORN LOSER. Short film scripts include, THE PACKAGE (co-writer w/Isabel Ferrer), THE PARANOIDS, THE RETURN OF THE FLY, and UBERGIRL. His stage play, ANTIGONE AT THE WHITE HOUSE, was produced in Los Angeles by BlueSwan Productions, with Swanbeck directing. Also in Los Angeles, he directed the critically acclaimed stage productions of the U.S. Premiere of WINTER, by Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse, which subsequently traveled to Britain and Scandinavia, and the U.S. Premiere of THE FORCE OF CHANGE, by Gary Mitchell, an Irish Thriller set in Belfast. Among Swanbeck's New York stage credits are the Off-Broadway U.S. Premiere of NEVER THE SINNER by John Logan, whose films include GLADIATOR, THE AVIATOR, SWEENEY TODD and the U.S. Premiere of ALL KIDDING ASIDE by Richard LaGravenese, whose films include BELOVED, THE HORSE WHISPERER, and THE FISHER KING. Has directed a number of stage productions in Chicago, where he received a Joseph Jefferson "Best Director" Award for his production of Stephen Berkoff's GREEK. His production company, BlueSwanFilms, is located in Los Angeles.
CLASS: On Camera
Ellen Sandler
Writer, Producer
Ellen Sandler received an Emmy nomination as Co-Executive Producer for the CBS hit Everybody Loves Raymond. Currently she is the Executive Producer and Director of Marisa Rules, an original comedy webisode series.
She has worked as a writer/producer on over 25 half hour network television series including ABC's long running comedy, Coach. In addition, she has created original pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Family, Oxygen, and The Disney Channel.
Ellen began her career in the theatre where she continues to work as both a playwright and a director. She has directed Fran Dresher, Anne Heche, Daniel Stern, Megan Mullally, Joe Regalbutto, Doris Roberts, Frances Fisher, Rhea Perlman and many other prominent actors in her own plays as well as the plays of others.
Her consulting company, Sandler Ink, provides script development, pitching & audition technique, and career coaching for professionals in the entertainment industry. She is a member of the Writer's Guild of America, earned an MFA from the American Film Institute, and is the author of The TV Writer's Workbook (Bantam/Dell).
CLASS: An Actor Prepares: For Episodic TV, Pilot Writing for Actors
Scott Wissner
Casting Director
Mr. Wissner has over 25 years experience in casting and production. Currently, he is developing a 1-Hour drama for television and a network reality show. He has directed thousands of commercial casting sessions, more than anyone in Los Angeles. In 1988 Mr.Wissner helped create and was an original partner in Beth Holmes Casting. Within 3 years BHC Casting had annual billings of over $1,000,000.00. Scott is a freelance Casting Director and works with ASG Casting, Beth Holmes Casting, Megan Foley Casting and Danny Goldman Casting. His work can be seen on ABC's hit reality show, SUPERNANNY. As the Casting Director of SUPERNANNY, Scott found not only dysfunctional, attractive and outgoing families, but also produced key story lines and guided the producers on psychosocial family issues. Mr. Wissner's Master Degree as a Marriage and Family Therapist has always proven to be a valuable asset in casting and production.
Mr. Wissner has cast many reality shows, including ABC's "Ultimate Love Test", and "The Benefactor." Within the last year, he has cast "Master Blasters" for the SCI-FI NETWORK, "Top Gear" for DISCOVERY CHANNEL, as well as "The Start Up," for NBC/USA and "One Week To Save Your Marriage" for TLC. He was also instrumental in casting The Mole, Seasons 1 & 2. As well, Scott cast Spike TV's, Joe Schmo and numerous reality TV pilots over the past few years.
Mr. Wissner's casting background began in the world of commercial production. He is known for his work with children, humor and "real people". In fact, it has been his work with established "real people" commercial directors, Mark Story and Jeff Gorman that led to his success in reality television.
CLASS: Commercial
Craig Campobasso
Casting Director
Craig Campobasso has been an active casting director and acting coach for 27 years.
Early in Craig's entertainment career, he began work for Dino and Raffaella DeLaurentiis and David Lynch on their production of "Dune." Craig learned from the master storytellers, working on the entire production for four years. He also worked on "Conan: The Destroyer" at the same time as Dune, both films for Universal Pictures and shot at Estudios Churabusco in Mexico City. He also worked behind the scenes on "Total Recall" starring Arnold Swartzeneggar.
Craig fell in love with the casting process. Raffaella put him to work in the casting office on her next big picture: "Tai Pan" starring Bryan Brown and Joan Chen. After that, Craig moved to Amblin Entertainment, as a casting associate for Steven Spielberg on his television show "Amazing Stories."
Craig picked up his first Emmy Nomination for David E. Kelley's "Picket Fences" for 20th Century Fox and CBS. With over 50 casting projects under his belt, here is a short list of some of Craig's movies past and present:
"Redline" starring Nathan Phillips (Snakes on a Plane), Eddie Griffin, Angus MacFadyen, Nadia Bjorlin and Jesse Johnson.
"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie. (additional casting)
"Gods and Generals," starring Robert Duvall, Mira Sorvino and Jeff Daniels.
"Forget About It!" Starring Burt Reynolds, Robert Loggia, Charlie Durning, Raquel Welch and Phyllis Diller.
"Prancer," starring Sam Elliott, Ariana Richards and Abe Vigoda.
"Tremors 3: Back to Perfection," starring Michael Gross and Sean Christensen.
"Screw Loose," starring Mel Brooks.
"The Godson," starring Rodney Dangerfield and Dom DeLuise.
Craig just finished casting:
"Magic Man," starring Billy Zane, Armand Assante and Bai Ling.
"Treasure Raiders," starring David Carradine, Steve Brand (The Scorpion King) and Sherilynn Fenn.
"The Perfect Host," starring David Hyde-Pierce (Frazier).
"Pizza With Bullets," starring Talia Shire (Rocky and Godfather movies), Vinnie Pastore (The Soprano's) and Danny Nucci.
"Rollers," A TV Pilot about young men who deal drugs and get rich quick and live the high, but dangerous life.
Craig is currently casting:
"Bennie & Gene," (The Benny Goodman & Gene Krupa story) set in the 40s world of musical entertainment. 10 Million dollar budget.
"In Love, In Death," a 3 ½ million dollar budget drama.
"In Our Time," a big budget contemporary version of the life of Jesus Christ.
"Zoyatchka," starring Heather Graham, a big budget drama.
Craig is prepping 2 westerns for 2010: one a comedy and one a drama, and a paranormal thriller called "Awakeners."
Craig was also Head of Casting for Sunland Studios.
CLASS: Book the Job
April Wade
Producer, Owner
Nearly immediately after attending Chapman University to obtain a BFA in Theatre/Film, April Wade quickly opened her own acting studio in Los Angeles: Actors Creative Workshop (www.actorscreativeworkshop.com) Finding her way in independent cinema, April Wade has reached film festival screens and video shelves within a few short years. (www.aprilwade.com) After starring in numerous projects, she has turned her attention towards producing and acting. Creating Women on Top Productions, April's first major project, Junction, a quirky independent film that was completed in January 2008 and recently picked up by Around the Scenes Releasing. (www.junctionmovie.com) It premiered at the 11th Annual Dances with Films festival in July 2008. (www.danceswithfilms.com) Punching the Clown, her second completed feature film, took the Audience Award at Slamdance 2009 (www.slamdance.com) as well as playing at other top-notch festivals including GenArt and the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Her third feature was released in theatres in 2009 and remained number one on iTunes for several months. Titled April Showers, which stars Tom Arnold, Illeana Douglas, Daryl Sabara (Spy Kids), Kelly Blatz (Prom Night) and Janel Parrish (Bratz) in a gripping drama based largely on the Columbine High School shooting, through the eyes of a real-life survivor (www.aprilshowersmovie.com) Wade also mounting another feature this year: The Playground (www.theplaygroundmovie.com), a rock-film about street kids in Los Angeles.
With 5 features in development, April is also working on several New Media projects.
Sandra Payne
Writer, Director, Producer
Sandra J. Payne, founder of new media production company, SPwrite Productions LLC, is the director/producer of two web series, The Web.Files and Life with Kat & McKay. The Web.Files, was named Best of Clicker 2009 for a Web Nonfiction show, and has garnered a 2010 Streamy Awards nomination for its host/creator, Kristyn Burtt as Best Web Series Host. Sandra also created and writes her romantic comedy web series, Life with Kat & McKay, a finalist in the Best of Clicker 2009 for Best Web Original Comedy.
She has produced multiple award-winning short films, including “Everybody Games,” a Platinum Remi winner from WorldFest Houston 2009, three trailer winners for the Austin Film Festival trailer competition, winning in 2004, 2005, and 2007, and “The Secret Lives of Shopping Carts,” which won a Bronze award for best comedy short film from WorldFest Houston in 2001. As a screenwriter, Sandra has produced credits in children’s television as a former staff writer on the global juggernaut, “Barney & Friends,” along with having two optioned features. She currently teaches a class at the Actors Creative Workshop in Burbank helping actors leverage social media for their careers. If you stitch all of her twitter accounts together, she's delighted to report that she has achieved Frankenwhale status (more than 10,000 followers)..
You can find Sandra online at www.SPwrite.com and www.PurseDog.tv
...and on many, many more sites!
CLASS: Internet Intensive
Cheryllynn Carter
Casting Director, Producer
Cheryllynn Carter has produced and cast 100's of television commercials (including Super Bowl ads), radio, and interactive spots at TBWA/Chiat/Day in Los Angeles for almost 14 years before branching out on her own with Precision Talent, where she produces audio, coaches voice over talent, and casts commercial projects.
Currently, Cheryl Carter is the Founder and President of Precision Talent Voice Over Management. Her company centers on educating and empowering voice over talent as well as marketing them to the different media forms. As president, she oversees the acquisition of all talent, coaching, marketing as well as day to day administration. She is also a creative director, casting director and producer for all audio book, and multi-media audio production. She has spoken at the Actor's Network, UCI, CLU, and UCLA.
Voice Over audition director, marketing consultant, and voice over reel producer, she owns and operates ASKCHERYLLYNN.COM.
CLASS: Voice Over Intensive
Eric Kind
from Lionsgate Television
• Graduated top of class from the Acting Conservatory at Purchase College (Rated number one last year for undergraduate acting programs, ahead of Julliard)
• Worked at Don Buchwald and Associates (New York)
• Worked at Liz Lewis Casting (New York)
• Worked at Casting House East and West (New York and LA)
• Casting Producer for Discovery's Cash Cab 1 season. (New York)
• Has seen over 10,000 on camera auditions.
• Worked briefly at ICM in Los Angeles
• Worked as Development Executive for Independent Producer Stephen Belafonte http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1366451/ (LA)
• Works at Lionsgate, the Studio who produces Mad Men, Weeds, Nurse Jackie, Crash, Blue Mountain State and Tough Trade for past 3 and 1/2 years in the office of the Chief Operating Officer who is in the top 100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment, Hollywood Reporter. (LA)
• On the acting side have done 11 National commercials in 2 years. Recurred on As the World Turns. Worked with Top Stars in Wise Guys on Texas Holdem (Producer/writer/host) all before graduating school. After graduation, he moved into the business side of the industry.
• Is currently on the board of JHRTS which is the sister org to HRTS. www.hrts.org. Founding member of the creative team of JHRTS.
• Produces/writes web series and content for digital media (the next stage of evolution in entertainment)
CLASS: Casting Intensive