Previous Guests

Special Thanks to our Past Industry Attendees

Brianna Barcus Vice President of Clear Talent Group. In 1998, she joined Kazarian/Spencer & Associates as an assistant agent and was promoted to Assistant Director of the Dance Department in 2000. Equipped with several years’ experience and a life-long passion for the fine arts, Brianna created the Theatrical Department at Clear Talent Group in 2003.

Carolyne Barry Casting Director, Actor, Founder of Carolyne Barry Creative Ent. and Co-Author of “The Actor’s Guide to Getting The Job.” She has cast more than 600 television spots and has appeared in over 400 national television commercials.

Laura Bowman Laura Bowman is the head of the commercial department at Diverse Talent Group. Diverse Talent Group is rated one of the top 10 agencies in Los Angeles. They are actively looking for new talent.

Jeffery Brooks has worked in the entertainment industry for over thirty years.  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.

Jack Burditt Emmy Award winning producer and screenwriter has worked on many successful television shows such as Frasier, and Watching Ellie. Currently, co-executive producer of 30 Rock.

Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd After having cast music videos for Fall Out Boy, Blink 182, Outkast, Madonna, Dwight Yoakum, Metallica, Diddy, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Black Eyed Peas, Casting Director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd has set her sights on Feature Films. And today, she is NOTORIOUS, bringing such talent as Jamal Woolard as Notorious B.I.G., Angela Basset, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie to the Big Screen in the Fox Searchlight film “NOTORIOUS”.  But if you ask Twinkie, she’ll tell you it ALL casting. Whether populating commercials, music videos, TV series or feature films, Twinkie is all about finding the right fit to every role.

Miata Edoga Actress, President and Founder of Abundance Bound, Inc. Abundance Bound is an organization that provides financial education for actors, giving them the knowledge and skills necessary to develop financial stability and independence, without sacrificing their artistic goals.

Jaime Ferrar Owner and talent agent of the Jaime Ferrar Agency.

Michelle Gertz Casting Director. She has cast for such movies as Mr. &Mrs. Smith, Honey, Big Fat Liar, American Pie 1& 2, Donnie Darko, Boys Life, The Holiday, The Bourne Identity, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Not Another Teen Movie, Legally Blonde, Josie and the Pussycats, Bring It On and Spanish Fly.

Bonnie Gillespie Casting director of SAG indie films, author of “Self-Management for Actors” and two other books for actors, weekly casting columnist for Showfax.com, named “Top Film CD” by Back Stage West and currently the co-host of “The Reel Deal,” a new web series for The Hollywood Reporter.

Brandy Gold Agent, Talentworks.  Brandy Gold has been a life-long figurein the entertainment industry.  Spearheading the commercial and youth departments at Talentworks, Brandy is now working in the adult department, helping to bridge the gap for her clients into more mature opportunities.

Basil Hoffman Actor and author of “Acting and How to Be Good At It.” He currently provides private acting classes in Los Angeles and New York.  He is a frequent guest speaker for prestigious academic and professional institutions.  He has appeared in several television shows such as The West Wing, The Practice, Seinfeld and Murder She Wrote.

Glen Hughes Manager, Gem Entertainment Group.  First working as an Agent with the Geddes Agency now working as Manager for Gem Entertainment Group.

Joshua Johnson Talent Agent – The Paradise Group / Commercial Department.

Gregg A. Klein – Head of Theatrical Department – AKA Talent Agency

Hugh Leon Agent, Coast to Coast.  Hugh Leon is head of the commercial and celebrity sports departments at Coast to Coast Talent Group.

Melinda Lerner Founder of Blair Management, a professional talent management company. In over a fifteen year career Melinda has been an actor, commercial agent and now a successful manager.

Matthew Lessall Matthew Lessall is a freelance Casting Director. His body of work includes the award winning independent feature films, “Rocket Science” and “Mean Creek.” Nominated for three ARTIOS awards, his work from shorts to feature-length film has been in competition at several prestigious film festivals worldwide, including: Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Tribeca, SXSW & The L.A. Film Festival. Matthew recently completed casting “After.Life” starring Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci, Justin Long & Josh Charles, “Labor Pains” starring Lindsay Lohan and “Polish Bar” starring Judd Hirsch, Vincent Piazza and Meat Loaf.

John Levey Emmy and C.S.A Artios Award winning casting director for John Wells Production and Warner Brothers Television. He has cast such television shows as Southland, ER, The West Wing, Third Watch, Citizen Baines, The Court and Presidio Med.

Casey Logan from Maxine’s Talent Agency

Marshall McCabe Acting Coach, Producer and Director.

Michael Monks Actor, Director and Acting coach (Ivana Chubbuck Studios).He has appeared in television shows such as Cold Case, LAX, Third Watch,Malcolm in the Middle, Boston Public, Without a Trace, Arli$$, Friends, Profiler and NYPD Blue

William Pennell William Pennell is an agent for the high esteemed Abrams Artist Agency

Brian Reise Acting Coach, Producer and Director.

Marni Rosenzweig Agent, Abrams Artist.  Marni has been a force in theentertainment industry.

Tim Weissman, agent at The House of Representatives

Kevin E West Actor, co-author of “The Actor’s Guide to Getting The Job” and Founder and President of The Actor’s Network. He has appeared in television shows such as LOST, Desperate Housewives, Alias, Judging Amy, Resurrection Blvd., NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Angel, Melrose Place, Matlock and General Hospital.

Bonnie Zane Casting Director. She has cast for such television show as Making It Legal, According to Jim, Freddie, In Justice, Rodney, Hawaii, George Lopez, Off Centre, The Job, The Chris Isaak Show, Sports Night, and NewsRadio.