April 12, 2017 ~ Casting Director Panel, Part 1

Panel of Casting Directors #1

 
The question actors often ask is, “Where’s the work?” For actors, the answer is: Casting Directors. These hard-working professionals are the decision makers as to who gets invited to audition for roles. Actors need to know exactly what casting directors do, how they think, what they look for, what their responsibilities are, and what they expect from actors.

The Network Austin Mixer will be offering that information and more at our next 2 mixers on Wednesday, April 12th & Wednesday, May 10th when we’ll feature a panel of casting directors at each, and both will be held at Sherlock’s Pub & Grill @ 9012 Research Blvd, where Happy Hour lasts until 9PM!

This month’s panel will consist of these fantastic four casting directors:

Sally Allen & Toni Cobb-Brock of Brock Allen Casting

Michael Druck of Michael Druck Casting & The Extras Factory

Donise Hardy, CSA of A Casting Place

We will start the evening with an introduction from each casting director sharing with the audience about themselves, their experience, and their companies. We will then open the floor to the audience for a Q&A session, which will last approximately a half hour.

Actors are invited to bring at least 3 sets of same-size headshots & résumés stapled back-to-back for placement at a designated table upon arrival, preferably prior to the beginning of the program, so that each casting director can have your submission package to review when they leave.

More details will be forthcoming about the casting directors featured on Wednesday, May 10th. So make sure you’re on our mailing list, checking our website, and following us on Facebook & Twitter.

 

January & February

We’re so grateful to the generous talent agents who graced our panels and shared their expertise at our first 2 mixers of 2017:
The Atherton Group (TAG), Collier Talent, DVA Talent, Tory Christopher Group, Variant Talent K Hall Agency, Condra/Artista, BLVD Talent, Agence TalentAcclaim Talent

 

Still Scouting Venues

Since the sudden closing of our mixer’s former home at Baby A’s we’ve been looking for a new home for the Network Austin Mixer. And you can help. We’ve got a few good leads, but haven’t settled on a permanent place yet. So, tap into your inner location scout and let us know about other venues for our 2nd-Wednesday-of-the-month-mixers that may meet these criteria:

  • private room with 100+ people capacity
  • preferably a stage
  • ample parking
  • no charge
  • serves food & libations
  • not too far north, south, east, west

Any additional amenities would be wonderful, such as lighting, sound, and screen.

Since the Network Austin Mixer’s inception over 12 years ago, our mixers have had a history of bringing lucrative business to the venues where we’ve held them. So any club, restaurant, or other venue will benefit financially by guests enjoying food & drinks, just as Baby A’s did and other venues have.

Please let us know about places you’ve personally visited that may fit the bill in a comment here and/or our group discussion.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at Sherlock’s for our next 2 Network Austin Mixers!

 
Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking @ 6:00PM, Announcements @ 6:30, Speakers @ 6:45
Followed by More Mixing & Mingling and Networking

September 14, 2016 ~ Donise Hardy, CSA & Author

 

Book Signing: Donise Hardy, CSA & Author

book cover cropped bordered

This month I, Gary Wimmer, am thrilled to announce that our speaker will be our very own Donise Hardy, CSA, Casting Director, Acting Coach, and now Donise has earned yet another title to her name, Author!

As you may know, Donise and I have been organizing the monthly Network Austin Mixer for the past 12 years. It would not be what it has become without Donise’s passion, intelligence, hard work, inspiration, enthusiasm, and professionalism, and as a community, we are all grateful for her continuous contributions, specialized courses, and unique insights.

Donise’s brand new book, “Acting Career Basics: On-Camera Audition & Industry Tips“, is a guide to on-camera auditions and contains many industry tips that only an insider such as she would know. Released just this summer, it is available from CreateSpace & Amazon. But books will be on sale at a deep discount of just $12 — sans postage, since they’ll already be at the mixer!*

Editor Diane Beckham, who created the page design and production of the book, and Ellen Martin, who helped edit it, will also be onsite to facilitate book sales & signings and answer questions.

As if this month’s mixer couldn’t get any better,

Donise will have a special announcement for the audience, and

There will be a Door Prize!

 

Last Month

We are extremely honored to have featured Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Assistant Director of the City of Austin Economic Development Department, as our guest speaker on Wednesday, August 10, 2016! Sylnovia provided an overview of the department, particularly as it pertains to funding for film, television, gaming, and other arts & media, among them the Cultural Funding and the Creative Content Incentive programs of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division. She spoke about many of the programs offered by the City of Austin, how to apply for grants, where to find such information and more, then underscored how much she and her department work to get people involved and fund projects that meet necessary criteria. Sylnovia then introduced 2 members of her staff, Jim Butler, Multimedia Manager, and Anna Bradley, Art In Public Places Coordinator, who described their respective programs. In all, it was a superb mixer, and we urge everyone to check out their links and information. Thank you for a most informative & inspiring presentation, Sylnovia, Jim and Anna!

 

So please join us for this special mixer at Baby A’s on Wednesday, September 14th, and bring some friends. Arrive early for a cold libation, networking, and meeting new folks with like minds.

* If you want to buy the book at the mixer, then please come with cash or checkbook.

Note:  Baby A’s will place pylons on parking spaces reserved for our speakers behind the restaurant.  Please do not park in those reserved spots!

Pass along our website and check it for details about each month’s speaker(s)!
Get on our mailing list and keep up with us on social media:
Like our page & join our group on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Mixing & Networking begin @ 6:00PM, then the Speaker starts @ 6:45.