Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a photographer:

1. You will save A LOT of time and money shooting digital, and anyone who tells you the quality isn’t as good is uneducated.
   

1. Make sure you NEVER shoot inside a studio with harsh lighting unless it is for print work. Always shoot in natural lighting with natural backgrounds because it is much more flattering and effective. A good photographer may use a depth of field that will somewhat blur the background making you the focus.
   

1. Make sure a photographer guarantees their work.
   

1. For women, always use a professional make-up and hair artist who is available to touch you up throughout the session. Why spend money on a photography session and not look your best?
   

1. In most cases, your photos are the only tool that gets you in the CD’s door. Therefore, make sure your photos are specific. Here are a few examples… Young mom, college student, blue collar  worker, business professional, detective/cop, druggie/streetwalker, victim, beauty queen, etc. Make sure you discuss your casting with Tiffany or your manager if you are unclear.
   

1. Most established photographers do not give you a full resolution CD of your work until you order the photo. Make sure that they do include a full resolution CD once you have ordered the print.
   

Many of you have requested referrals for great photographers, acting classes, demo production, voice coaches, stylists, website design, etc. We have lots of experience working with top notch professionals and are happy to pass along their names and contact info. Some of these industry professionals offer special prices and packages for our clients only so make sure when interviewing them or signing up you mention that you are an RPM client. Please remember that you are free to work with ANYONE you wish as long as the quality of their work is competitive.

Many of the following acting instruction courses are taught in our building, but are not affiliated with RPM. We highly recommend always auditing a class before enrolling to see if you connect with the class and the instructor.

Allen Levin - lifebookacting.com (818) 557-7700 N Hollywood

Brian Reise - Brianreise.com (323) 874-5593

BeverlyHillsPlayhouse.com (310) 855-1556

Richard Lawson - Richardlawson.net (310) 855-1556 Ext. 30

Alan Feinstein - Feinstein-Tuerpe.com (323) 650-7766

John Homa - JohnHoma.com (866) 297-8718

Acting coach for adults and kids.

Jack Plotnik - (323) 314-0456

Fantastic Acting Coach! Jack is an actor who constantly works in all mediums. JPlotnik@aol.com

John Sudol - JohnSudol.com (818) 505-1223

Fantastic teacher who offers wonderful FREE seminars for new students.

Actors Annex - (323) 460-4528 Call for updated schedule

Weekly Casting Director Workshops with the Biggest of the Best!

Angela Campolla Sanders (Actors Annex) - Ongoing Acting Classes for Kids ages 13-18. Angela Campolla Sanders has been an acting coach and casting director for a combined 22 years. She worked recently with Allison Jones on NBC's hit series "The Office", and the new feature film "Step Brothers" with Will Ferrell. She has cast for NBC, CBS, ABC, The WB, MTV, Showtime, HGTV, the Hallmark Channel and Nickelodeon. Angela has also privately coached actors on-set as well as in a studios. She has a unique style of Audition Acting, allowing students to make the most of their audition. Angela's students have appeared in films and TV programs as Napolean Dynamite, Titanic, Bring it On, CSI, Ugly Betty and 24.

BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE

Date: Saturdays

Time: 1:00 - 3:00

Cost: $90.00/month members   $180.00/month  non-members 

ADVANCED  (ADVANCED STUDENTS MUST AUDITION.  CALL FOR AUDITION APPOINTMENT)

Date: Saturdays

Time: 3:00 - 5:00

Cost: $90.00/month members     $180.00/month non-members

Sam Kass - SamHenryKass.com (Actors Annex)

A Cold Reading and Audition Technique Workshop with Award-Winning Writer, Director, Producer. A series of one Day Intensive workshops covering audition techniques for Television, Film, Commercials, Industrials, Infomercials, Soap Operas, and Voice-overs. Learn quick audition techniques that will get you the callback and then the booking.

Bridget Flanery – (Actors Annex) Ongoing  Acting Classes  for Kids ages 5-18.

Bridget comes to The Actors Annex highly recommended by Shannon Flynn. Bridget has a Master's degree in acting from the Yale School of Drama. She has starred, recurred and guest-starred on numerous televisions shows and has appeared in several films, including:  Will and Grace, Without a Trace, General Hospital, All My Children, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 7th Heaven, Unhappily Ever After, Teen Angel, Boy Meets World and Sweet Valley High to name a few. Ms. Flanery has performed in nearly 100 stage productions in New York, Los Angeles, Williamstown Theatre Festival and regionally. She has coached all levels of actors on both coasts in the last decade and began studio teaching in Los Angeles in 1996. Bridget offers a fresh, energetic approach to your craft.  This class will allow actors to work on material they feel passionate about, while sharpening their acting chops. You will cultivate and refine your skills, allowing you the freedom to make effective choices that bring the scene to life.

BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE

(recommended ages 5-12)

Dates: Sundays starting May 18th

Time: 1:00 to 3:00

Cost: $90.00/month members     $180.00/month non-members

Dana Barron  - (Actors Annex) Acting Classes for Kids ages 5-12

Young actors will have fun while exploring: Improvisation, Commercial Study, ABC Fundamentals of Acting, as well as Do’s & Don’ts At An Audition.  Acting is a fun game at any age and that’s why Dana’s classes are fun, fun, fun! Simple, no pressure, no competition. Dana believes that every child has a unique creative path and her classes help explore and nurture the student’s process of discovery. Dana’s classroom is a safe space for young actors to freely express their individuality.

Dana started acting in commercials at 10 years old and by 11 landed her first role in a film, He Knows You're Alone. This led to many notable projects through the years, including her most recognized role as Audrey Griswold in "National Lampoon's Vacation.  By 2002, Dana became an executive producer for National Lampoon and produced several projects for their television network.  Her last project was a co-production between Symphony Pictures and National Lampoon called, Pucked.

BEGINNERS (recommended ages 5-8)  ADVANCED (recommended ages 8-12)

Dates: Saturdays, Beginning June 7th  Dates: Saturdays, Beginning June 7th

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am    Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

James Quattrochi - Famed Director/Producer (Actors Annex)

Currently working on many children’s projects.

MGM Workshops - Jen Lurey  (Actors Annex)

Jen is CASTING for all MGM Projects, so run to this! She has made careers and gives four week workshops, so this is a great opportunity to really get to know her! Call for session dates and pricing. 323-460-4832

Hannah Montana casting director Howard Metzler and set coach Shannon Flynn

Call for current session dates and pricing 323-460-4832

Voice Lessons / Voiceover

Dennis John (818) 563-2263 Studio (818) 400-5434 Cell  

318 N Cordova St. Burbank , Ca. 91505

$60/hour for piano or voice instruction. Beginning children $30/half hr. 

Adam Tait (818) 921-8431 actait@gmail.com

one free half-hour lesson for RPM clients, and after that lessons are $35/half hr $50/hr.

Patrick Griffin (818) 843-2022 grifmusic@mac.com

$250 Voice Over Reel. 1 hr record 1 hr produce.

Demo Reel DVD/CD/Video Duplication / Printing

United AV Group (818) 980-6700

LA Casting - LACasting.com (323) 462-8200

Crossroads of the World, 6671 Sunset Blvd Ste 1511, Los Angeles CA 90028

The Casting Studios, 200 S La Brea, Los Angeles CA 90036

Beverly Long Studios, 11425 Moorpark St. Studio City CA 91602

310 Casting Studios, 2329 Purdue Ave. Los Angeles CA 90064

LA Casting is responsible for the majority of Commercial Breakdowns in Los Angeles. It’s a place online where you and your agent can submit you to different breakdowns every day of the week. 

LA Casting is used send your headshot and resume to casting directors via internet. It also acts as a website for you and your career. You can add your demo reel to your LA Casting account and send industry people your headshot and resume to their email.

Actors Access - ActorsAccess.com (310) 385-6920

Main Office, 2140 Cotner Ave. Los Angeles CA 90025

Exclusive Casting, 7700 Sunset Blvd 1st Floor, Los Angeles CA 90046

Sande Alessi Casting, 13731 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks CA 91423

Judy Belshe Casting, 3317 E 10th St. Long Beach CA 90804

Actors Access is the “Breakdown Express” site for the theatrical breakdowns.

Now Casting - NowCasting.com

There are many stipulations regarding kid actors.

Children in Film - childreninfilm.com

This site will answer most questions about children actors.

Here is a link for CA regulations for minors. CA Regulations

Kids Work Permit Application.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

The film and television actor’s union.

American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA)

This union represents actors and other professional performers and broadcasters in television, radio, sound recordings, non-broadcast/industrial programming and new technologies such as interactive programming and CD ROMs.

Association of Talent Agents (ATA)

This is a nonprofit trade association composed of agency companies engaged in a talent agency business, representing clients in the motion picture industry, stage, television, radio, commercials and literary work.

Director’s Guild of America (DGA)

This union represents directors in theatrical, industrial, educational and documentary films, videos and commercials.

Writers Guild of America (WGA)

This union represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable and new technologies industries. Guild members also write news, animation, non-fiction and documentary programming.

Actors Equity Association (AEA)

This union represents over 40,000 American actors and stage managers working in professional theater.

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)

This union represents technicians, artisans and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live theater, film and television production and trade shows.

Costume Designers Guild

This union represents costume designers throughout the world in motion picture, television, commercial and stage.

Professional Musicians (AFM Local 47)

This union represents musicians, singers, songwriters, performers, orchestra, music copyists, etc.

BMI

BMI is a performing rights organization which collects fees for songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

ASCAP

ASCAP is a performing rights organization which collects fees for songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

Internet Movie Date Base (IMDB.com)

Everything about movies and who’s in them and who makes them.

Samuel French Bookstore

Large collection of almost everything in the entertainment industry.

Industry RSVP

Mostly free seminars to make more connections and further your craft.

Breaking Into Hollywood

Non-profit organization that assists aspiring professionals to achieve career goals.

Actorsite.com

Subscription service about all things actors.

Different Looks to consider for photos:

Blue collar

Rugged, flannel shirts, construction worker, people who work with their hands.

The Badass

If you are a big, tough and intimidating (or at least look like you are) this is a

good photo to have. Think bouncer or mafia enforcer.

Business

Types – power CEO, middle management, unkempt slacker, artistic/creative.

Tomboy

For female clients – this is a look that you might have if you were just “hanging with the guys” watching a football game – a team jersey, hair in a pony tail, little make-up – a “guy’s girl”

Dweeb/slacker

Loose fitting clothes, scruffy face, bed head hair, “lost in space” energy/look.

Athletic

More skin shown, an outfit you would wear to the gym or yoga, hair pulled back for women and VERY little make-up, messy and w/o products for men.

Midwestern/Outdoors

An outfit you would wear to go camping – Plaid patterns, jeans, khakis, t-shirts,

little make up, natural hair, possible scruff for men.

All American

Clean cut, well shaven, hair done, big smiles, kind of person you take home to meet the  folks, pending time w/ family, watching the football game, relaxed and comfortable.

Comedic

Expressive faces, odd outfits, creative hairstyles.

The Couple/family shot

This is a shot of you and your significant other  (you do not have to be married) together in the shot. Only do this photo if your other half is able and willing to audition with you. Often, casting directors request “real couples” and this shot is definitely a plus. The family photo is of you and, well, your family! On occasion, CD’s also ask for real families.

OTHER POSSIBLE LOOKS

Artistic, Edgy, Criminal, Military/Uniformed, Health-worker, Martial Arts, Hippy/Carefree.

Printing and graphic design

IOU Graphics (323) 460-4528