ABC Film & Video, LLC/Media at Large Productions

ABC Film & Video at Actorfest

It's that time of year again! We enjoyed having the opportunity to meet many of you at Actorfest last year, so we're returning for 2006. Stop by our table this Saturday, October 14, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan (46th St. & Broadway). Say hello and meet our staff. We're there to answer your questions about what we do, and why we do it better. Check out a sample of our classes on the video monitor. Talk to the teachers, meet our casting department, take home a 'goodie' bag, and discover why we think ABC Film & Video offers you the best options to further (or jump start) your performing career!

--Michael Mariano

ABC Studio Support

I am fielding many calls these days from beginning people/actors asking about upcoming auditions here at ABC Film Video and how they can become involved. The calls and the enthusiasm are great, but most callers are untrained and unskilled, are unaware of the business and the process of auditions and casting, and don't even know what "Backstage" is.  Some had gotten scammed from one of the many claiming to be "agents" or "agencies"  playing on and profiting from people's dreams and inexperience. I have been trying to spend a little time explaining these things on the phone, but obviously a phone call is not going to be much of a help, especially on a busy day here. One guy said he once took a four week course, so felt he should be cast in our next film. ABC Film Video is a source of help for serious beginners who want to understand this industry better, to get some good foundation actor training in our ongoing classes, and a place to possibly get some beginning experience in professional acting.  We have solid teachers and working professionals to answer questions and give the experience that is so necessary in this competitive industry. Take an acting class, a singing class, an audition class, the acting as a business seminar, and get started on the right path to working in this industry with proper training and current information. We do not do things in an unprofessional way, and neither should you. Contact us, set up an appointment, check us out, sign up for a class. Talk to you soon, Kevin Kennison

INTENTION: A Franco American Art Collective

ABC Film & Video and ruka productions  are proud to host the premiere of "INTENTION", an exhibit featuring the work of artists Valerie Barnes, Javotte Boutillier, Bob Martin, Cybel Martin, Christian Villalba, and Elisabeth Voirin.

Please join us on Thursday September 14th, 2006 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm @ ABC Film & Video, LLC, located at:

303 Fifth Avenue
10th Floor Suite 1007
New York, NY 10016

R.S.V.P. to rsvp@rukaproductions.com

For more information, visit:

ruka productions 
ABC Film&Video

*The exhibit will be open for general viewing Friday, September 15th, 2006 through Wednesday September 20, 2006, Monday through Friday, 12pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

Free Audit for "Acting Truthfully" with Michael Mariano

Don't forget, if you are an actor interested in taking ABC's Acting Truthfully class, we want to meet you! And we don't want you to have to make a committment until you've had a chance to see what goes on. Some acting classes (and schools for that matter) ask you to pay up front - without even being able to check out a class! At ABC Film & Video, we want you to know what you're getting for your money. And we're so confident you'll like what you see, that we offer a no-risk, free audit/interview before you sign up. See how our class provides an insightful, encouraging, and practical technique that will give you a strong foundation to build on and take with you - wherever you go, and whatever you do. To set up an interview/free audit, call Katherine at (212) 686-3490.

-- Michael Mariano

Another fabulous group of singer-actors is studying at ABC's Acting for Singers "Song Interpretation Class" this August.  It's a joy to teach people who really want the information and are willing to go the distance to express themselves fully!  To Ashley, Krista, Jayson, Stephanie and Eva - thank you for your wonderful, committed work ... it's a privilege to watch you grow.

Debra Wiley

There Are No Small Parts...

At the beginning of your career you'll probably find yourself getting roles that seem of little consequence to the story line. You'll be tempted to "phone it in," especially if it's background work in film or tv. Truth be told -- you can most likely get away with it. There are usually many background players, and the director is often focusing on the lead characters, using the background performers for general movement in the - you guessed it - background!

Why should this matter to you? Because you're missing a wonderful opportunity to hone your skills in a professional environment, and in front of others. Write a history for your character, give them a name, occupation, a reason to be where they are, determine where they are going and why they have to get there. Will the director notice all your hard work? Again, truth be told -- probably not. But you know what? It doesn't matter. Because while many other background performers just wasted their time going through the motions, you were ACTING! And when you DO finally get that opportunity to be a real part of the story line, you won't be just starting out - you'll have all this experience to draw from!

-- Michael Mariano

Actorfest 2006

ABC Film & Video, LLC will be participating in this year's Actorfest on October 12, 2006, at the Marriott Marquis (www.ActorfestNY.com).  This is a great opportunity for new actors to find out about training and services in NYC, as well as a terrific networking day for actors at all levels.  It is an all-day event with seminars and workshops as well as free giveaways and plenty of meet-and-greet opportunities.  Please let us know if you plan to be there and do stop by our table to say hello.  We'll be accepting headshots for our casting files, showing clips from various projects and reels, and talking to actors about our classes, services and our studio.  We'll also be giving away prizes and fun stuff!

Hope to see you there,
Kat

Master Classes in Europe

ABC's acting teachers Debra Wiley and Michael Mariano will be teaching master classes in Denmark  within the month. We are also very pleased about being able to offer our European students an exchange program at our New York studio. We look forward to expanding these master classes in different countries in Europe, and to bringing ABC Film & Video's wonderful classes and services to our international actors at a special rate! In this current workshop, a fine group of international professional actors have assembled from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France and Israel and are ready to expand their creative potential.  See you soon!

Debra Wiley and Michael Mariano

Building a Home

I look forward to being part of a talented, dedicated and experienced team to build a home for performers to hone their skills in classes, get expert coaching for auditions, gain experience in film, TV, video and theatre projects, and get industry questions answered truthfully with current information from working professionals. ABC FilmVideo has the potential to be a home for serious performers who embrace the artistic process. We want our artistic group to grow, and want to surround ourselves with quality artists of all levels and backgrounds. We will all flouish in an environment of collaboration, challenge and inspiration if we are willing to be open to this mission. Join us for our free monthly seminars and our upcoming play reading series. I will be holding auditions for upcoming ABC film projects soon, so be on the look out for those dates. If you are a student at ABC, you will get an audition slot for any project you are appropriate for. Get to know us, we look forward to getting to know new artists. If you are interested in joining my Acting as a Business seminar, or are in need of private career consultation or coaching, please get in touch with Kat. I look forward to the coming year!

All the best to you,
Kevin Kennison
Casting Director, Master Teacher, Career Coach
ABC FilmVideo
ActorAdvice.com

Song Interpretation Class

We had such a great response to our recent Song Interpretation class that we are starting a new one on August 18th.  This "acting for singers" class really took some talented voices and started them on their way to becoming singing actors.  I'm looking forward to continuing to work with these gifted people and to welcoming our new performers!  See you all soon!

Debra Wiley (ABC's Resident Voice Teacher and Head of Acting)