As part of The Academy’s ongoing commitment to career development, notable alumni, outside working actors, and various industry experts are invited to visit our campuses with the purpose of sharing their professional insight in an intimate group setting. The Industry Insight Series often provides candid advice and invaluable opportunities to ask questions and truly connect with our guest speakers.
The Summer 2019 series featured a wide range of topics, including tips for meaningful social media and branding, valuable advice from casting directors and talent representatives and the experience of Academy alumni as working actors. Each panel discussion was followed by an engaging Q&A with the audience of students and alumni.
June 11 - Becoming A Working Actor I
Featured panelists were Academy alumni Robert Gossett (The Closer, Major Crimes) and Chelsey Crisp (Fresh Off The Boat), who discussed their experiences as working actors with faculty moderator Tim Landfield.
(L-R) Alumni Robert Gossett and Chelsey Crisp with faculty moderator Tim Landfield
June 25 - Casting Insights for Film, Television & Theatre
A diverse group of casting professionals shared their perspectives on the audition process and how actors can prepare for success. The featured panelists were Leigh Jonte (Insecure, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Coco Kleppinger (Shazam!, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark), Academy alumna Marin Hope (Homeland, The Blacklist), and Aari Reich (The Alienest, I Am The Night).
The featured panel of talent representatives were able to speak to their experiences working with youth and developing talent in the areas of film, television and commercials. The panelists were Haydn Jones, youth commercial agent with Abrams Artists Agency, Pamela Fisher, Vice-President of youth theatrical talent at Abrams Artists Agency and Kanica Suy, manager with Insight Entertainment.
(L-R) Haydn Jones, Pamela Fisher, Kanica Suy
July 23 - Social Media & Branding for Actors
Focusing on strategies for actors to maximize their online presence and create a strong personal brand, the featured panelist was Jodie Bentley, an actor and career coach. She has helped many actors and artists to achieve their goals and implement successful strategies for social media.
(L-R) Joe Garcia, Jodie Bentley
August 6 - Becoming A Working Actor II
Panelists Catherine Dyer (The Blind Side, Stranger Things) and Adam Meir (Ray Donovan, Fauda), both Academy alumni, discussed their unique career paths as peformers with faculty moderator Joe Garcia.
