Tag: acting

November 12, 2014

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Nan Dutton, Casting Director

 Nan Dutton on IMDB

We are proud to have Casting Director Nan Dutton as our Guest Speaker on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12th! Nan’s 35 year career has consisted of casting, acting, and teaching. She began casting in LA as assistant to Casting Director Reuben Cannon, followed by 4 years as an associate with Lynn Stalmaster. While casting both film and television with Stalmaster/Howard, she worked on numerous projects such as Jagged Edge, 9½ Weeks, and The Thorn Birds. In 1985, she established her own company, Nan Dutton Casting.

Nan received 3 nominations for the prestigious Casting Society of America’s Artios Award and was honored twice for EZ Streets and L.A. Law. Her casting resume lists over 60 projects inclusive of series, pilots, movie of the weeks, and films from In the Heat of the Night to Star Trek Voyager, and more recently CSI Miami.

She has worked with some of the most creative and talented producers and directors in the industry, including Paul Haggis, Howard Gordon, Chris Carter, Steven Bochco, Jerry Bruckheimer, Charles Gordon, Adrian Lyne, John Woo, Thomas Carter, Greg Hoblit, and Arthur Hiller, to name a few. In addition, Nan is credited for hiring many actors in their debuts, notably Jared Leto and Channing Tatum, as well as recognizing a myriad of actors in the early stages of their careers.

While acting, she trained at Hedgerow Theatre in Pennsylvania and later Boston University. During her senior year at B.U. she was granted a scholarship to the Arena Stage in Washington D.C., where she met the Tony Award winning director Alan Schneider. After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and relocating to New York, Nan studied with the talented Kim Stanley and was hired twice by Mr. Schneider as an actor and assistant director in the Broadway plays Loose Ends and Zalmen or the Madness of God before pursuing casting.

Recently, Nan’s passion for teaching and coaching has become her primary focus. As of 2004, she has taught workshops at various studios, SAG, and lectured at AFI. Having been an actor and casting director, she recognizes a void that exists for most actors. She hopes to close that void by teaching the craft of acting, television/ film camera technique, but more importantly what actors need to know about working in the entertainment business.

Join us on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014 @ Baby Acapulco’s – 5610 North IH-35, Austin TX 78751, have a cold margarita, network, meet new folks with like minds, enjoy a fun-filled evening with our attendees, and get fresh insights from Casting Director Nan Dutton!

 

Last Month…

We were indeed very lucky to have Heather Page, Director of the Texas Film Commission as our Guest Speaker on October 8, 2014! Our attendees were very impressed with her knowledge, passion and personality, and justifiably so. Heather talked about numerous aspects of the Texas Film/TV/Game industries and how the Texas Film Incentives have helped boost production in Texas. And after her very thoughtful and interesting presentation, she talked to every person who came up to her with comments and/or questions. Heather, we deeply appreciate your time and energy and we are proud that you so effectively fight for and represent the interests of the media communities in Texas.

 

Again, join us on WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2014 at Baby A’s, have a cold margarita, network, meet new folks with like minds, enjoy a fun-filled evening with our attendees, and get learn from esteemed Casting DirectorNan Dutton!

Let friends interested in the media worlds know about the Mixers. We put them on to provide opportunities for you folks to network and get information about acting, films, TV, and media.

Come early and carpool! Pass along our website and use it for details about each month’s Speaker(s)!

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NOTICE: PLEASE CARPOOL! Arrive early! If Baby Acapulco’s parking is full, you may park at either the Capital Inn (just north of Baby A’s) for $5 or at Super 8 motel (just south of Baby A’s) for $8. Be sure to pay the desk person at either motel when you park there so your vehicle doesn’t get towed away and DO NO PARK IN FRONT OF DUMPSTERS!

August 13, 2014

Posted onAuthorGary WimmerLeave a comment

Merlin Works Improv Panel

Merlin Works

It’s quite important to develop and exercise spontaneity in life. Let’s face it, if we don’t improvise, we get nowhere. Spontaneity and improvisation are of special concern to actors and performers, and the Network Austin Mixer is proud to offer some great insights into these important skill sets! How? Via our Guest Speakers on Wednesday August 13, 2014: Shana Merlin & Ted Rutherford!

Founder of Merlin Works, Shana Merlin, is one of the most experienced and effective improv teachers in Central Texas. The former Dean of The Heroes School of Improvisational Theatre, Shana has been an internationally touring performer and award-winning teacher since 1995. She has trained with some of the top teachers in the field of improvisation including Keith Johnstone, and members of Second City, The Annoyance, IO, The Groundlings and more.

With more than 20 years of performing and teaching experience, Ted Rutherford is a theatrical heavyweight. In the past, Ted has taught improvisation with the We Could Be Heroes School of Improvisation and has trained various corporate clients. For the last 7 years, Ted has performed with the Heroes of Comedy, Foolish Mortals, Vertigo Ramp and currently with Junk. Ted has a B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Mississippi and a M.Ed. from the University of Montevallo.

Merlin Works‘ Award Winning Instructors have won Best Improv Teacher and Best Improv Class, Austin Critic’s Table Awards, B Iden Payne Awards, Best of the Fest at Frontera Fest, and Best Improv Troupe in The Austin Chronicle. Check out more about Merlin Works and their instructors.

So join us on Wednesday August 13 at the Baby A’s Central Location, have a cold margarita, network, meet new folks with like minds, enjoy a fun-filled evening meeting our attendees, and tap into the magic, the art and the training involved in improv offered by our Guest Speakers Shana Merlin & Ted Rutherford!

Who knows? You may even be part of the show!

 

Last Month…

We are proud to have had the one and only Robert (Bob) Hinkle as our Guest Speaker on Wednesday July 9th! Mr. Hinkle is a genuine legend in the entertainment business. Actor, writer, director, and dialogue coach are just a few of his titles. Visit Texas Bob online to see some of his accomplishments and pick up a copy of his book, “Call Me Lucky, A Texan in Hollywood” for a great reading experience. Bob’s insight into the business during the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s was not to be missed. Thank you, Bob!

Dean Reading interviewed Bob. Dean entered the entertainment business as a child actor, rode in rodeos, became a TV producer & director of the syndicated series, “Dale Berry’s Six Shooter Junction”, and hosts his own syndicated show, “Entertainment Clipboard”. Dean has also been an extras coordinator, location casting director, location scout and driver on film sets. Dean has taught advanced film acting, television production and film history. Thank you, Dean!

 

Let friends interested in the media worlds know about the Mixers. We put them on to provide opportunities for you to network and get information about acting, films, television, and other media.

NOTICE: PLEASE CARPOOL! Arrive early! If Baby Acapulco’s parking is full, you may park at either the Capital Inn (just north of Baby A’s) for $5 or at Super 8 motel (just south of Baby A’s) for $8. Be sure to pay the desk person at either motel when you park there so your vehicle doesn’t get towed off and DO NO PARK IN FRONT OF DUMPSTERS!