Happy Holidays & Thank You!

First, a big thank you to our talent, clients and friends for making 2014 such a wonderful year at Cast Images.

Secondly, we're thrilled to be able to have finished up our annual 5% of earnings donations benefitting Freedom from Hunger, the Sacramento SPCA, BadRap, and the Crocker Art Museum, also because of you.

And, finally, all of us at Cast Images wish you a wonderful holiday and a Very Happy New Year.

See you on Jan 5th!

Haley Sutton | Alice + Olivia

Pretty new shot of Haley Sutton for Alice + Olivia.

Haley Sutton | Fashion Milan

Excited to have placed Haley Sutton with Fashion Model Management in Milan.

Camille Delany by Billy Winters

Holiday beauty of Camille Delany by Billy Winters. Makeup by Christian Alvarez.

Be Scouted! | Cast Images Model Search & Sac Fashion Week Audition

Do you want to be a fashion model?
Would you like a chance to meet Cast Images Model Agent Amber Collins?
Would you like to audition for Sacramento Fashion Week?

Here's your chance!

Cast Images Model Search & Sac Fashion Week Casting

When: Sat Jan 10, 2015          11 am - 2 pm
            Sun Jan 11, 2015         12 pm - 2 pm

Where: The Find
             817 16th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Who: Women 16-25, 5'8" to 5'11"
           Men 16-30, 5'11" to 6'2"

This will be a big audition, so please do be prepared by reading all of the tips below. This is your chance to make a professional first impression, so be sure to take time to show yourself at your best by following all the instructions. No experience necessary!

Wear:
Fitted clothes (skinny jeans, tank, V or scoop neck T)
Shoes that you can walk in. Women need pumps or thin heeled shoes. No platforms or chunky heels. Be sure they are comfortable!

          

 

Do:

• Be on time
• Be kind to everyone
• Be patient
• Be confident
• Be neatly and fashionably groomed, with light, natural (but polished) makeup. Hair can be up or down, but be sure we can see your face. Keep hair natural, but neat and groomed. Bring a hair band to pull it back if asked.

Bring:

Your portfolio, if you have one

Comp card, if you have one

Two clear, simple digital images of yourself: one headshot, one full length in fitted clothes. Take the photos with a plain background in natural light and print them out to bring to the casting. For more tips on taking digitals, please visit this page and scroll down to "photo tips."

Photos and comp cards need to have the following information printed on them:

• Height
• Bra size
• Waist measurement (& inseam for Men)
• Hip measurement (largest part of your hips)
• Dress size (Women); Jacket & shirt size (Men)
• Shoe size
• Hair color
• Eye color
• Contact information (agent name and phone number or your phone and email)

Makeup bag for touchups

Something to keep you entertained while you are waiting

What to expect:

There will be waiting, so be light hearted about it!

You'll be asked for your book and comp card

You'll be asked to walk

You may have a photo or video taken of you

Be prepared to answer any questions about yourself

What happens after the event?

If Cast Images is interested in meeting with you for an agency audition, we'll reach out and set up a time for you (and your parents if you are under 18) to come to the office.

If you are chosen to walk for Sac Fashion Week, they will be in touch with your next steps.

What if I cannot make it to the model search or do not fit the guidelines above?

You can always submit to Cast Images via our online submission page. We also have an open call for fashion models every Thursday (except holidays).

We can't wait to meet you!

Please do share this event on social media...we want to see lots of new faces!

#castimagesmodelsearch   #sacfw    #bescouted

Olga & Lexy by Zoe Lonergan

Olga Jidkov and Lexy Brozdounoff by Zoe Lonergan.

Simple Tips for Choosing Your Audition Monologue

On-Camera Agent | Jessica Mitchell

Every working actor knows (or should know!) the importance of having a great monologue under your belt. Having a tried and true, appropriate to your type, knock-their-socks-off monologue is one of the best tools in any actor’s arsenal.

That being said, it is the mark of a smart actor to have several options of monologues that fit your audition setting. After seeing many, many new talent auditions here at Cast Images, I’ve realized we may need to shed a bit of light on the appropriate types of monologues for an agent audition in the Northern California market.

Here are a couple of items to check off when selecting a monologue for an agent audition:

- 2-3 minutes long

- clear storyline (look for a beginning, middle, and end)

- PLEASE be completely off-book…pick something you know you can memorize and are comfortable performing even when you’re nervous.

Here are some quick and easy things to AVOID when choosing your monologue:

- Classical text (Shakespeare, Old English, period pieces, etc.)

- Accents

- Graphic themes/language

- Experimental, non-linear pieces

And now, please pay attention, because this is advice I hope every talent submitting to Cast Images takes note of…intensely dramatic monologues are very rarely the best fit in this setting.

Now you may be wondering – what if a dramatic monologue is my very best piece? That’s great – we love to see that skill set. However, it is very easy to overdo dramatic pieces in such an intimate setting - a bout of overwrought shouting in your monologue is more awkward than it is impactful. My best advice is to tread lightly when choosing that type of material…and to imagine how you will deliver your monologue when you are performing a mere three feet away from your audience.

It is also super important to cater to your type…your monologue (as well as your imagery, resume, and all other materials) should always accentuate the most cast-able version of you! If you’re a kindly older grandfather type, a super edgy monologue from an HBO show is not going to be your best bet. 

I know you actors are already worrying about typecasting as you read this – but I can guarantee that playing to your type is the basis of doing well in this commercial driven market. Talent who can pinpoint their most appropriate and commercial friendly type are those who book frequently…so your initial monologue with us is the first test of that personal know-how.

Basically (for all of you who just skimmed to the bottom), I want you to pick a piece that will showcase the very best of your skill and potential as an actor. I truly hope that every talent who steps into our office will knock my socks off with their audition – and hopefully these tiny bits of advice will help you succeed in that endeavor!

What Does a Mother Agent Do?

Mother Agenting and developing models is so much more than signing a contract. It takes time, focus, dialog, planning and many, many digitals to ready models for international careers.

It's an ongoing process, and one that we love.

Julia Burton by Linda Hanses

Julia Burton by Linda Hanses.

Haley Sutton | Driscoll New York

Beautiful Haley Sutton for Driscoll New York.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we prepare to leave for the Thanksgiving holiday with our families, we want to thank our wonderful talent, parents and clients for making Cast Images all that it is.

 Our hearts are grateful.

Olga & Camille | Fave Magazine

Camille Delany & Olga Jidkov shine in a new editorial for FAVE Magazine.

Photos | Billy Winters.

Simon by Mandy Draper

We do believe we represent the world's cutest kids...

 Simon's new pics by Mandy Draper.

Caitlin Holleran | Nike

Caitlin Holleran with fresh holiday style for Nike.

Jessie Shortley | Our Wedding Magazine Cover

How cute is Jessie Shortley on the cover of the new Our Wedding?

Sacramento Film Works - The Talent Agent (Free tickets!)

Cast Images owner Chandra Bourne will be the industry expert on the next episode of "Sacramento Film Works - The Talent Agent."

 If you'd like to be part of the studio audience, this Saturday evening 11.15.14, you can sign up HERE.

It's a great chance to learn more about the industry and to support filmmaking in Sacramento.

 We'd love to see you there!

Sacramento Film Works airs the first Saturday of every month at 6:00 p.m. on Cable Channel 17 and Uverse Channel 99.

Serena Lee | Visa Industrial

Serena Lee is stunning in this SAG industrial for Visa.

Amanda Blythe Bauer by VIctoria Bradley

We love fresh materials! Amanda Blythe Bauer by Victoria Bradley.

Bella Bagatelos | AAA Industrial

We love Bella Bagatelos as the sassy teenager in this AAA industrial!

Haley Sutton | Carolina Herrera

Haley Sutton walks for Carolina Herrera.

DeYoung Museum Show presented by Saks 5th Avenue, San Francisco.

Commercial actors should never forget that there is no time for imagination in commercials | Laurie Records

Yes, Yes & Yes! Great insight from our friends at Casting Networks.

Commercial Actors Should Never…

by Casting Director, Laurie Records

The theatrical world differs in many ways from the commercial world.  Things move at a slower pace.  There seems to be a willingness to venture outside desired specs, if any were even specified.  Subtlety in wardrobe is respected; encouraged, even.  Thinking outside the box may just be… cool.  In commercials, the shoot is tomorrow (or yesterday) or sometime incredibly soon.  There’s no room for creativity with the specs.  When a role is for an Asian female, mid thirties… you can’t go East Indian on a whim.  If casting a chef, you are at a disadvantage when there’s no chef coat to wear.  In commercials, the person walking in the room should be precisely what the director/client is looking for, in that moment.

Commercial actors should never forget that there is no time for imagination in commercials.

I know at times I sound like a broken record… look like your headshots! Wardrobe is important! Blah, blah, blah.  I believe that you, the actor, are much more likely to take these strong suggestions seriously, if you know why it’s so important.  Today I’ll give you a few more reasons to add to the list.  There are MANY.

Look like your headshot.  Are you the type of person who likes to change up your look?  Do you go from blonde to strawberry blonde to brunette on a whim?  Do you go from short hair to longer hair at any given time?  Have you decided to grow a beard for kicks?  When the casting director doesn’t know this, it’s a problem.  You really should have a headshot reflecting how you will walk in the room.  Worst case, a simple note saying FULL BEARD, SHOULDER LENGTH HAIR, and CREW CUT… works.  But walking into the room saying that you are willing to shave or dye your hair doesn’t really.  The director, the agency, and the client want to see the perfect person for their commercial, NOW.  They don’t want to imagine.  They don’t even want to take the additional step to peruse your profile to see additional shots of you with no beard or with a different color hair.  Most likely they will question the casting director’s discretion for calling in the wrong type. The commercial world is in the here and now.  Stop thinking that it’s just as good to say that you are willing to conform to the ideal (in your slate), as it is to be their ideal already.  It’s not.  Logically, this makes sense.  There is no time (nor will, frankly) for imagination in commercials.

Wardrobe.  At times it seems that some commercial actors fight wardrobe instructions.  I’m not sure why.  You don’t want to be the actor whose feedback is about their wardrobe instead of their performance.  There have been plenty of occasions that I hear about the poor wardrobe decision the actor made and they don’t get a callback.  Of course this makes me crazy because I want to say, “they are a terrific actor!  They are perfect for this role! Just call them back and I’ll make sure they come in appropriate wardrobe.” But I rarely get the chance.  It’s crazy but it happens all the time.  Do everything you can to be in the perfect wardrobe.  Don’t give the decision makers an immediate reason to nix you… because it was inconvenient to follow the wardrobe instructions.  I’d even take it a step further and suggest you invest in a few really good wardrobe options for the roles you get called in for all the time.  If you are an upscale looker, you must have a few upscale options.  If you are a service industry type, make sure you have some well fitting, flattering khakis and a polo.  BUY the wardrobe you need.  You are investing in your business.  And don’t get lazy and decide to wear the same outfit from the last audition you just came from.  Plenty of successful actors have perfected the art of changing in their backseat.  Surely you can too.  When you aren’t in the right wardrobe, you aren’t right for the role.  There is no time for imagination in commercials.

Both wardrobe and changes in look (no matter how temporary)… can change your type.  A very handsome upper middle class man can become a rugged, blue-collar guy with the addition of a beard.  Even though *I* know you can go back to handsome clean-shaven guy in 10-15 minutes, my clients don’t.  I know what you look like clean-shaven, because you came in last month… because all of your headshots show you clean-shaven.  But all my clients see is an inappropriate actor for the role… and I wouldn’t have called you in had I known.  I know that the actor being put on tape for a role must be perfect for the role in that moment.  And you should, too.

Of course there are exceptions.  Surely you have heard stories (or experienced it yourself) of someone being asked to dye their hair for a role, get a haircut or shave their beard.  It happens.  But do you want to count on an exception being made for you to book a commercial?  Trust me.  You don’t.  Just be the perfect choice from the get-go.

Laurie Records, Casting Director

Sydney & Abby by Zoe Lonergan

Sydney & Abby by Zoe Lonergan.

Cuteness overload.

Caitlin Holleran by Matteo Cherubino

Caitlin Holleran by Matteo Cherubino. Milan.

Troy Tinnirello | Tommy Hilfiger Kids

Troy Tinnirello's the cool kid for Tommy Hilfiger.

Thank You Parents!

Many of our talent at Cast Images are young people, and we are very aware of how much work and dedication from their parents it takes to facilitate this business. Today, we're giving a big shout out to all the moms and dads behind the scenes, making their kids' dreams come true.

Here are three of our supermodel mamas, supporting their girls at the Party For Change fashion show. Dana Behnam (Mandana's mom), Kristen Slaughter (Sydney Claire's mom), and Christina Vizenor (Peyton's mom).

Thank you to ALL of our wonderful Cast Images parents. We love you, and all that you do for your kids.

Photo | Brenda Bisharat Photography.

Cast Images Models | Party for Change Show PIctures

Cast Images models Mandana Taheri, Julia Burton, Olga Jidkov, Peyton Vizenor and Sydney Claire Slaughter walk for Party for Change 2014.

 Photos | Brenda Bisharat Photography.

Alex Robertson | Monopoly Millionaire's Club Commercial

We're thrilled to have booked Alex Robertson on this SAG national commercial - Monopoly hat and all!

Haley Sutton | Alice + Olivia

Fun with Haley Sutton for Alice + Olivia.

Aine McMullen by Sarah Brickey

Beautiful Aine McMullen.

Photos | Sarah Brickey. Stylist | Kaitlyn Vitug.

Caitlin Holleran | D - la Repubblica Magazine

Caitlin Holleran in a new editorial for D - la Repubblica Magazine.

Backstage | Party For Change

Backstage at the Party for Change fashion show befitting St. John's Shelter with Cast Images models Peyton Vizenor, Mandana Taheri, Olga Jidkov, Julia Burton and Sydney Claire Slaughter.

Photos | Lauri Levenfeld.

Mara Croesy | Medicinals Tea

We're loving this shot of Mara Croesy for Medicinals Tea...you can see it today on the New York Times website, and nationally in yoga and health magazines.

Simon & Brady | Pottery Barn Kids

Cast kids Simon Agundes and Brady Hudlow for Pottery Barn Kids.

Simon Agundes | Microsoft Industrial

Masterminding a toddler construction site? Just a day in the life for Simon Agundes in this adorable Microsoft Industrial...

Welcome Mylen Le!

We are thrilled to welcome Mylen Le to Cast Images.

Haley Sutton | Etienne Deroeux

A glimpse of Haley Sutton in the SS15 Etienne Deroeux Lookbook.

Caitlin Holleran | D - la Repubblica

Caitlin Holleran's new editorial from D - la Repubblica Magazine.