CASTING 101 LAB

Whether you’re making a blockbuster hit or a nano-budget indie flick, all filmmakers know that matching an actor to the script is crucial to the success of a film. Yes, some directors choose to do it themselves, but the experience and expertise of a casting director is invaluable to the pre-production process. Actors and filmmakers alike are able to maximize creativity and success if a casting director puts the two together correctly.

From how to get the best out of your casting director to finding the right talent agent who will book you in Miami, LA and New York, this is an incredibly valuable workshop that will demystify the process from the complementing perspectives of a group of successful professionals: actor Jordi Vilasuso, casting director/manager Manny Arca, and casting directors Ed Arena and George Ortiz.

If you are an actor in South Florida planning to attend, please bring your headshot and your reel, we are creating an actor archive that we would like to share with our members and the casting directors in attendance.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

ACTORS
– how to land a contract with an agent
– how to pick the agent that’s right for you
– you have an audition- now what?

FILMMAKERS
– what to look for in a casting director
– how to build relationships with the right casting agents/directors
– how to plan a successful audition process
– offers, contracts, and the business of casting your film

CASTING DIRECTORS
– what does a casting director do?
– seeking talented actors
– network the right way
– picking apart the script; how to choose the right talent for the story

MEET THE HOSTS

JORDI VILASUSO

Jordi Vilasuso grew up in Miami, Florida and has been acting since he was eleven years old. He began his career doing community theater and working in the television and film industry in South Florida. When he was 18 years old he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career and shortly thereafter moved to New York City for a contract role on the CBS daytime drama “Guiding Light.” After winning an Emmy in 2003, he moved to Los Angeles to further pursue work in film and primetime television. Notably, Jordi has worked in films with some of the finest actors in Hollywood from the likes of Paul Giamatti and Andy Garcia. He has acted in numerous primetime television programs and in 2013 he returned to Daytime television’s most acclaimed drama, ABC’s All My Children, where he starred in the role of Griffin Castillo in the show’s final year of broadcast. Jordi can next be seen in the Hulu series, South Beach, where he will star as the show’s villain, Isaac Santero. Jordi has contributed his talents to emceeing and hosting many events for influential organizations as well, such as MALDEF, which is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. He has been honored as one of Miami Magazine’s Modern Hispanic Gentlemen, a campaign recognizing influential philanthropists and their charities. Most recently, he was bestowed with the Golden Orange for his acting by the Miami Media Film Market. He is grateful for all the support he has received from his hometown of Miami and looks forward to telling more stories that can inspire others to follow their dreams.

MANNY ARCA

Dolphin Entertainment / Dolphin Digital Media / Dolphin Talent Management. Coral Gables, Florida / Los Angles, CA. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, Manuel “Manny” Arca has worked the entire field when it comes to Actors and Models. Manny, started out as an agent in Miami Beach,Florida in the days of the supermodels: working at top tier agency’s for talent of all kinds for Film / Television / Print. Working his way through the entertainment industry, currently; manager and casting director for Dolphin films / Dolphin entertainment and Dolphin Digital Media. Mannyis Vice President of Casting and Talent management. His TV casting credits include hit international shows such as: Miami Sands and Ocean Avenue. Both filmed in Miami. Nickelodeon’s Ned’s declassified and Zoë 101. Dolphin Entertainments Canadian productions include Family channel’s What’s up Wort Hogs. Mannys casting credits also include Dolphin Entertainment’s LifeTime Network movies such as Christmas in Paradise, Stranded, Break in and Hiding, which was an international production filmed in Canada. In the new media front, Dolphin digital media’s shows: Cybergedon, H+ and Aim High were also projects casted by Manny. Happy to announce the soon to be released summer 2015 original series, “South Beach” on Hulu (filmed in Miami and casted in Miami). Dolphin Films is proud to announce its first feature film with Mattel. The upcoming feature film release of Max Steel.