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SCHOOL NEWS
February 2006
Casting Director, John Peros
John Peros has
been part of the
We had a chance to sit down and talk with
him about his point of view on the industry!
Q #1: As a Casting Director do you feel
the talent in
JP: Yes
and No. Many actors are extremely
well-prepared and professional. They
make my job easy. They make clients
happy. I appreciate their hard work and determination. That being said, for every one of these
actors there is the other extreme – the Mighty Clueless. These are the people who have no idea where
they are or why. They don't ask their
agents for information. They don't know
how to take direction. The list goes
on. We know who they are, they haven't quite figured it out yet…enough said.
Q #2: Is it really necessary to have
training to become an actor?
JP: To
become a GOOD ACTOR, definitely YES. In
any market, whether you're talking about
Q #3: Is it a conflict
of interest to be a school and a talent agency or casting company in one?
JP: That
depends on who you ask and if you're asking me I'll say yes with some
qualifications. There is no substitute
for a dedicated school or studio whose sole purpose is devoted to grooming
talent. A school or studio should, in my
opinion, be a safe place to grow, develop your craft and make mistakes.
Casting
Directors and Talent Agents come from varied backgrounds that include acting,
directing and business. Some have
incredible real-world knowledge and insight to share. In
Personally,
I've acted, produced, directed and taught acting, both here and in NY, before I
became a Casting Director. When I was
Artistic Director of Manhattan South Studio Theatre, I taught film and
commercial classes to people who really wanted to learn and develop their
skills. When I became known as a Casting
Director I quit teaching because the fun was gone for me, people were attending
just to get in front of me and it became uncomfortable. The
conflict-of-interest works both ways.
As
far as Talent Agencies go, a reputable Talent Agent is your business partner,
your mentor, and your friend, but should not, in my opinion, be in the
photography or education business.
Q
#4: What is the most important thing an actor should do while auditioning?
JP: SMILE,
exude confidence but not cockiness, be courteous, professional and
PREPARED. Also, don't forget to have
fun. Talent sometimes forgets that we
want everyone who walks through our door to be right for a role. Television is a visual and auditory medium,
people forget that. Your audition starts
the moment you walk into a building.
Q #5 How important is improvisation skills
for an actor?
JP: Very. Actors who can think on their feet are
invaluable. Most commercial auditions
are improvisation-based. Solid
improvisation skills are a great foundation for any actor regardless of
age. For kids it’s a great set of
character building skills, and for adults, it’s a great way to free yourself of common every-day baggage.
Q #6 What should an actor remember to NEVER do on an Audition?
JP: 5
things: 1) Make excuses of any kind; 2)
Relish in negativity; 3) Argue with the
Casting Director or Casting Assistant; 4) Lie; 5) Forget to turn off
their Cell Phone.
Words
of Wisdom from
School
President, Debbie Wisner
Persistence is what makes the impossible
possible,
the possible likely and the likely definite.
In The
News
Paul Amadi, will
make his debut in the CBS/Hallmark movie, The Water is Wide. The movie premiered on January 29th on CBS. Paul began studying at The Maile School when
he was four years old. Since then, he
has done commercials for clients including Pringles and Universal. Way to go, Paul! Keep up the great work!
Marnee McClellan can be seen in upcoming
episodes of America's Most Wanted and the Discovery Health
Network's Skeleton Stories. She recently filmed TV commercials for Beall's Department Stores and Saturn. Her biggest
recent thrill was receiving a call from the Mali Finn Casting Agency in
Kaitlyn Chana recently
completed a commercial shoot for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Expedition
Everest. She also went with the National
American Miss Queens to the Miss America pageant in
Grad Tom Horan is the new host of the radio
talk show, “Speaking of Golf,” which was recently added to Sportsradio 1310 big WISE in Asheville, NC. “Speaking of
Golf,” which will begin airing on February 4th, will feature
Rachel Titen was a featured extra in a Sonny’s Barbeque commercial. The commercial will run during Ellen, Extra,
Entertainment Tonight, Oprah and Conan—just to name a few! Congrats, Rachel!
Debby’s Points of
Interest
- If you’re interested in booking a private lesson
with Kevin O’Neill or Al Hubbs, call Loretta
Rispoli at the school, or email her at: lorettar@lisamaile.com
- Tim Tew is offering a
special on headshots for Maile graduates. Photos are shot here at our school! Call the front desk for more
details.
- Are you on our mailing list? If not, be sure to give us your email
address so we can add you!
- If you missed a class, please call the school to
schedule a makeup date!
In Print, Live Connection, Moving
Pictures
Jackie Levine - HB Productions
Richard Britton - HB
Productions
Joe Baggett - HB Productions
Nkezia McKenzie - HB
Productions
Greg Montmorency - HB
Productions
Alan Aaron - HB Productions
Izayah Thorb - WB-18
Cassidy Tapia - WB-18
Grace Praytor - WB-18
Alex Koller - WB-18
Katie Lewis - WB-18
Brianna Beard - WB-18
BJ Beard - WB-18
Brittany McDaniel - WB-18
Francine Assioun - WB-18
Britt McGriff - WB-18
Rick Britton - WB-18
Jennifer Wisner - WB-18
Jamie Britton - WB-18
Kelly Britton - WB-18
Rachel Lietzke - WB-18
Britany Oliver - WB-18
Liz Wright - WB-18
Michael Henderlite - WB-18
Juan Padilla - WB-18
Juanita Addeo - Brighthouse,
Health Fair
Linda Taylor - Precision Pill Splitter, Blue Cross/Blue Shield,
Marriott’s Grande Vista, Health Fair USA, Brighthouse
Jean Wilkes - HSN, Visa
Nicholas Verneau - Brighthouse
John Weyrick - Universal Mardi Gras, DJ Elvis Sock Hop, Solavita Vacation Homes
Hortense Knowles - Liberty Bank,
Disney, Care Plus
John Dahl - USGA, The Spirit of
the Game
Tony Senzamici - FX Solutions, Clarian Healthcare, 5th 3rd Bank
Jim McDonald -
Space Coast Transit Authority, Grandpa Hangs the Holly, vocal performance at
Miss Seminole County
Bill Davies - Brighthouse
Rick Britton - Brighthouse
Upcoming
Seminars & Class Start Dates
Image
Tuesday, Feb 21st
Saturday, March 25th
Adult Acting
Thursday, Feb. 16th
Teen Acting
Saturday, Feb. 18th
Advanced Teen Acting
Saturday, Jan. 21st
Children’s Acting
(4-6yrs)
Tuesday, Feb. 28th
Advanced
Children’s Acting
(4-6yrs)
TBA
Children’s Acting
(7-10yrs)
Saturday, Feb. 25th
Advanced
Children’s Acting
(7-10yrs)
Saturday, March 4th
Improv
Monday, Feb. 6th
Scene Study
Monday, March 6th
Children’s Modeling
Wednesday, March 8th
Professional Modeling
Tuesday, Jan. 31st
John Peros Seminar
Monday, Feb. 20th
Breaking into the
Industry
Thursday, February 23rd
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The next session of Breaking
into the Industry is:
Thursday, February 23rd
It’s open to all Teen and Adult Acting
grads and students, and the parents of students in our Children’s
programs. Reserve your space by emailing
If you are unable to attend the Breaking
into the Industry Seminar, don’t worry! This must-see seminar is now available
on DVD for only $20! Call or see the front desk to place your order!
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