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Monday, November 2, 2009
The popular Oxygen Network weight-loss show, is coming back for a second season in 2010.

On the show, overweight contestants are paired with professional dancers and compete to dance off the most weight.  Contestants in the first season shed over 500 pounds on the dance floor!

To find out details about Dance Your Ass Off Season 2 Casting go to:

www.gotcast.com/casting-calls/Dance-Your-Ass-Off/55206



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

BecomeAHost.com, The Premiere Academy for Television Hosting, grew out of Marki Costello’s personal training with Sanford Meisner in learning the basics of his Meisner Technique, as well as her extensive experience as a Host/Reality Casting Director; she has cast such shows as: TV Guide’s The 411, the first season of The Bachelor, The Daily Habit (Fuel), plus TBS’s Dinner and a Movie; she also manages such talent as Michele Merkin, Debbie Matenopoulos, Jason Kennedy, Rossi Morreale, and Todd Newton, and has had her own experiences working in front of the camera. Marki’s hosting technique has been studied bymany,including Whitney Cummings (MTV), Diana Magpapian (Hollyscoop), DSquared (Bravo), and Jeannie Mai (Style Network and Extra), to name a few. Sheis currently writing a book, HOSTING FOR DUMMIES, and has a reality show in the works. You can catch her on The Real Housewives of Orange County giving Gretchen Rossi, the tips to being a great host, in November. Her most recent accomplishment: she has opened up a full studio with cameras, a green screen, and two full edit bays. This is the one stop shop for all your hosting needs!

In the next month, we will be having several events/classes that will touch down on abroad-base of hosting: The Hosting Weekend Boot Camp: Los Angeles is celebrating their 12th year, its geared up for November 14&15. Taught by Marki Costello, the Boot Camp starts on Saturday at 10am and goes until 5pm, and continues onto Sunday. During the weekend, you will practice reading ALL types of host copy, learn the basic techniques of television hosting, find your brand, materials to support your brand, as well as working with the teleprompter and getting in front of the camera.

The One Day Hosting Bootcamp: New York is going to be on November 7th. This intense one day will go from 10am-6pm,and everyone will work on reading ALL types of host copy, learn the basics of television hosting techniques, as well as go over branding and its importance in your career.

Robin Radin Entertainment Reporting: her list of credits include of E! News, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider. Do you want to be an entertainment reporter, but don’t have a degree in Journalism? Well,after this weekend you will know how to write, read, and create entertainment news stories, packages, and put together your reel to get an entertainment news job!

Showcase for Hosts: For years, actors have done it. Now it's time to cross it over to hosting. On October 29th, we will be picking 20 hosts by audition only; you will showcase your talent in front of 20industry professionals in the host world to be a part of this showcase which is slated for November 12th from 7-10pm. You must have a reel -that is the ONLY prerequisite.

Jacqui Pittman “How to Create a Show”: Jacqui Pittman, executive producer and creator of NEXT on MTV, Girlfriends pilot for VH1, and Extreme Makeover ABC – learn how to create and sell YOUR show. This class is geared up for January 2010.

October and November Host News:Marki taught 2 free classes and Debbie Matenopoulos taught red carpet tips to Tuesday’s ongoing classes in October. Hailey Lozitsky from UTA attended Industry night in October as well.

November is gearing up to be even more awesome!Besides our ongoing classes, boot camp, November New York one day intensive, and Barry Nugent from GSN and Karen Wang Lavelle from KLA coming for Industry Night, the First Hosting Showcase, Billy Kemp from Fremantle teaching the Monday On Going Beginner classes, Rossi Morreale teaching the Tuesday On Going classes along with JBoogie and Andrew Krasny, and Marki reigning in her Thursday day advanced class...

Stay tuned for a MIXER on December 3rd (Thursday) from 6pm-8pm at our studio, all are welcome to attend! There will be drinks and catered food! Come, grab a bite, and mix it up with your peers (aka: your potential co-host). Please let us know if you're going to make it!

For details about the showcase, classes, mixer, etc., contact Kim at the office 310.207.7333 or email hostingclass@gmail.com

As always, BecomeAHost.com is dedicated to the world of hosting, and we strive for it to be a community that helps you hosts of think of ways to keep yourself fresh and current.

Love your work,
BecomeAHost.com

***for a full list of alumni, other classes, and host news please check out becomeahost.com on a daily basis***

Thanks!



Monday, October 19, 2009




Is your career moving slower than you’d like? Wanna meet an Academy Award nominated Executive Producer, an award winning TV host and an actor from "General Hospital"? This could be your chance to be on TV or in the Movies! Space is limited. Go to www.JoinTheWorkshop.com to find out how!

This weekend has changed people’s lives, from helping others make it in TV and Film to being the Shining Star on stage. Let’s unlock your potential.

**Producers are always casting major projects and looking for great new talent! Meet one of the biggest! This could lead to your big break! Don’t miss out go to www.JoinTheWorkshop.com





Saturday, October 17, 2009
Reels, Reads and Refine Your Skills as a Host!

This is the perfect follow-up class to the Intro to Hosting - especially if you've already been hosting.

Hear it from the Pros! Meet Andrew Strauser, TLC Director of Talent Development and Casting, Annie Roberts, E! Entertainment Television's Director of Talent Development and Casting, and Hosting Coach, Maureen Browne.

We'll cover things like
. How to create a reel with impact - the Do's and Dont's when making your reel. If you have a reel, bring it. We'll review it and give you helpful suggestions.
. Not booking auditions? Are you connecting with the copy? How can you stand apart from the competition and find your voice?
. Do you have the right hosting headshot? It definitely makes a difference! We'll give you feedback.
. Save time and money by preventing costly mistakes.

DATE: Saturday, October 24th (10:30am - 2:00pm)
FEE: $200
LOCATION: West Los Angeles

To register - please email hollywoodhosting@yahoo.com to reserve your seat, or for further questions. A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your sea.



Friday, October 16, 2009
BACK STAGE is proud to announce its 17th annual ...

ACTORFEST LA 2009

The country's most significant conference dedicated to bringing the acting community together with the industry's most influential:
  • Casting Directors
  • Agents
  • Managers
  • Producers
  • Directors

Saturday, November 14, 2009
9am – 5pm
California Market Center
110 E. Ninth Street (Downtown)
Los Angeles, CA 90079

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR GOTCAST MEMBERS!!
BASIC REGISTRATION IS FREE! Use the special Promotional Code PROMO15 when you register, and get 15% OFF on classes, workshops and casting director panel discussions!

GO TO www.actorfest.com TO REGISTER

ACTORFEST is a one-day event that provides an opportunity for actors from across the country to learn from experts and gain essential career planning advise in film, TV, theatre and other performing arts disciplines. This year, BACK STAGE is teaming up with NBC, Telemundo, and Disney Auditions to offer the largest range of open casting calls in the history of ACTORFEST. There will also be opportunities to meet casting directors from Universal and General Hospital and drop off a head shot.

Some of the fantastic line-up of participants include:
G. Charles Wright, Barylski/Wright Casting, The Middle, State of Romance, That 70's Show
Francene Selkirk, Shooting From the Hip, Commercial casting director for 15 years
Brad Gilmore, Brad Gilmore Casting, The Gauntlet, Posessions, The Truth About Angels
April Webster, April Webster & Assoc., Star Trek (09), Lost, Criminal Minds, Alias
John Levey, John Levey Casting, Southland, ER, West Wing
Heidi Levitt, Heidi Levitt Casting, Lakeview Terrace, The Rock, JFK, Natural Born Killers
Victoria Burrows, Burrows/Boland Casting, The Lovely Bones, King Kong, Cast Away
Scot Boland, Burrows/Boland Casting, The Adventures of Tintin, Death Race, The Polar Express
Chris Game, Chris Game Casting, Commercial casting director for 14 years
Matthew Lessall, Matthew Lessall Casting, Beneath the Blue, Labor Pains, Rocket Science
Russell Boast, Pagano/Manwiller Casting, A Little Help, Spoken Work, The Whole Truth
Matthew Barry, Barry/Green-Keyes Casting, My Sister's Keeper, Alpha Dog, Rush Hour, The Notebook
Fern Champion, Fern Champion Casting, The Mask, Mortal Combat, Police Academy, Pet Cemetary
Mark Teschner, Mark Teschner Casting, General Hospital, GH: Night Shift, Port Charles
Kendra Patterson, La Padura/Hart Casting, Assoc. CD for Heroes
Jami Rudofsky, Jami Rudofsky Casting, Gilmore Girls, Beautiful People, 10-8
Robin Lippin, Meshel/Lippin Casting, Life UneXpected, Sex, Love & Secrets, Lizzy McGuire

Just a few of the over 20 Workshops available:
* Unsolved Casting Mysteries: Demystifying the Audition Process
* Behind the Scenes: Feature Film Casting
* Focus Session with Casting Director G. Charles Wright
* Represented: Talking Shop
* Tuning In: TV Casting

Check out the complete schedule of workshops at:
www.actorfest.com/LAworkshops




Friday, October 2, 2009






Monday, September 28, 2009
TEACHER: MAUREEN BROWNE
BEGINNING: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH (4 WEDNESDAYS from 7PM – 10PM)*
LOCATION: WEST LOS ANGELES
FEE: $300.00

If you’ve taken the Hollywood Hosting “101” Intro to Hosting class, this is the perfect follow-up class to refine your skills.

Learn to MASTER HOST COPY. It’s all in your read! Refine your read so you can audition for different networks. Make copy your own, improve your interviewing skills, get helpful auditioning tips, spend an evening with the teleprompter and more.

We keep class sizes small so you will receive personal instruction and practical feedback.

A $200 non-refundable deposit is required in order to hold your seat. To sign up, or for further questions, please email hollywoodhosting@yahoo.com.

Hope to see you there!

*Class will be held on October 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.



Tuesday, September 15, 2009
HOLLYWOOD HOSTING
THE INTRO TO HOSTING CLASS!
TEACHERS: MAUREEN BROWNE & ANNIE ROBERTS
FEE: $200
DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH WITH NEW EXTENDED HOURS - 10AM - 3PM
LOCATION: WEST L.A.


SPECIAL GUEST - GOTCAST CEO & FORMER HEAD OF ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING AT ABRAMS AGENCY - ALEC SHANKMAN

We've extended the time on this class!

We'll cover:  Hosting headshots and resumes, the do's and don'ts about what you need to know about breaking into Hosting, get VALUABLE insiders' info and advice; sharpen your auditioning skills, learn what your demo reel should look like and how to make a reel without "real" footage, how to improve your read and receive on-the-spot feedback, agency representation,  how to find hosting jobs, find what your "brand" is.  Avoid commonly made mistakes in the business!

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required in order to hold your seat. To sign up, or for further questions, please email hollywoodhosting@yahoo.com.





Thursday, September 10, 2009
Dear GotCast Community,

I have just joined GotCast.com as the new CEO and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.

For the past six years, I have held the position of Head of the Alternative Programming Department (a.k.a. Reality TV and New Media) at Abrams Artists Agency, which is one of the top 10 talent agencies in Hollywood. Over the years, while working alongside my mentor - the legendary Harry Abrams - I represented a wide variety of incredibly talented TV personalities and producers who have been responsible for many of America’s favorite shows. I also helped to service the casting needs of the many networks, cable outlets, studios, and production companies in Hollywood.

GotCast’s founder, Wil Schroter, made me aware of the site at the very beginning and I have grown increasingly impressed and excited about the site and its potential ever since. GotCast is now powering castings for nearly every media group in Hollywood and making it possible for people all around the country to get jobs on TV without having to make the pre-emptive move to Los Angeles or New York. What began as an innovative idea to expand Hollywood’s talent base has exploded into a site that is revolutionizing the entertainment industry.

The time for GotCast is now. I look forward to working with you growing the community together. If you have any suggestions on how to enhance and/or grow the community, please feel free to shoot me a note.

Sincerely,
Alec Shankman
gotcast.com/ashankman




Tuesday, September 8, 2009
HOLLYWOOD HOSTING – 4 WEEK COPY COURSE
NOW ON MONDAY NIGHTS!! (The Wednesday night course is already closed.)
TEACHER: MAUREEN BROWNE
BEGINNING: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH (4 MONDAYS from 7PM – 10PM)*
LOCATION: WEST LOS ANGELES
FEE: $300.00

SPECIAL GUEST: ANNIE ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF CASTING AND DEVELOPMENT, E! ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (on 10/5)

If you’ve taken the Hollywood Hosting “101” Intro to Hosting class, this is the perfect follow-up class to refine your skills.

Learn to MASTER HOST COPY. It’s all in your read! Refine your read so you can audition for different networks. Make copy your own, improve your interviewing skills, get helpful auditioning tips, spend an evening with the teleprompter and more.

Annie Roberts, Director of Casting and Development of E! Entertainment Television, will be joining us one evening to work on your read with you.

We keep class sizes small so you will receive personal instruction and practical feedback. Hope to see you there!

A $200 non-refundable deposit is required in order to hold your seat. To sign up, or for further questions, please email hollywoodhosting@yahoo.com.

*Class will be held on September 14th, 21st, 28th and October 5th.



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