The KIRA Bunch: Meet Doug Traer

Here's the story of a man named Traer...Doug Traer is the groovy teacher behind Teens Commercial Class & Wednesday Workout Commercial Teacher. He loves biking, his family and his cats...yep, he's not exactly a Tiger fan. We have a hunch that you'll love reading more about him...

Name: Doug Traer

Classes: Teens Commercial Class, Wednesday Workouts

Favorite Class Memory: I enjoy meeting great new talent and having the opportunity to help them on their careers.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Making eggnog with my family.

Follow Doug on Twitter & click HERE to learn more about him!

The KIRA Bunch: Meet Joy Mamey

Here's the story of Joy Mamey...Gee, is she good at graphic design, stand up comedy & acting! Sha na na IT'S TIME to learn more about her...

Name: Joy Mamey

Classes Taken This Year: Castable Actor, The Business Of Acting, Pilot Season Prep, A-Z Commercial Intensive

Favorite Class Memory: All the laughter and "a-ha!" moments - I've learned so much about my type and marketability, plus all the specificity on how to market myself and start creating a career. I've loved watching my first takes and then my second takes with the great adjustments given by Judy Kain and Stacy Edwards. They know their stuff, y'all.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Watching the 1980s made-for-tv-movie, "A Muppet Family Christmas!"

Hopes For The New Year: To book jobs like crazy!

Keep on keeping up with Joy by following her on Twitter, Instagram & her website!

The KIRA Bunch: Meet George Ketsios

Here's the story of a man named Ketsios...George Ketsios teaches our Evening A-Z Commercial Class, and he does it to the max! Far out, right?! He also has some pretty groovy things to say about his class, his family, and the holidays. Check it out!

Name: George Ketsios

Class: A-Z Commercial Class

Favorite Class Memory: I love the joy of sharing my knowledge and experience with new actors who are beginning their journey or looking to reinvigorate themselves.  Laughing too, there is lots of laughter in my class.   Once I had a student eat another student's Reese's candy cup, and then I ended up giving the student $1 dollar towards the purchase of a new one.  Guess you had to be there, but it was a funny experience for all.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Opening gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve, writing letters to Santa with my son and leaving presents under the tree.  Family...it's all about family.

Learn more about George HERE & watch him in action below!

The KIRA Bunch: Meet Stacy Edwards

Here's the story of a lovely Stacy who was working with some very lovely actors. All of them had talent like their teacher...both the boys & girls. We're gonna keep on keep on keep on keeping it real about this amazing person....

Name: Stacy Edwards

Class: Applying Technique To Scene Work

Favorite Class Memory: Working with my actors. I admire and am inspired by their willingness to take risks and grow. It's a pleasure to work with each actor. Most recently, the actors were asked to bring in a fond memory to  share with the class. Laughter & tears ensued. It was simply amazing.

Favorite Christmas Traditions: Fudge, decorating the house with my son, fudge, making eggnog, gathering with friends, and did I mention fudge?

Learn more about Stacy on IMDB & Facebook,  and watch her in action below!

The KIRA Bunch: Meet Soledad Campos

Here's the story of a lovely lady who was teaching 2 classes of her own...Soledad Campos is the groovy actress and dialect coach teaching Spanish Commercial Intensive & Wednesday Workouts at Keep It Real Acting Studios! It's much more than a hunch that you're going to love learning more about her...

Name: Soledad Campos

Classes: Spanish Commercial Intensive & Wednesday Workouts

Favorite Class Memory: When I walked into the classroom and two students couldn't wait to tell me that they had booked their first commercial. The hugs were amazing, and the sense of community was so palpable. Every student got up and we did a group hug!

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Getting the family together on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth, dinner and opening presents after midnight!!

Hopes for the New Year: That we continue to stay positive and optimistic about life and our work...that we, as artists, can keep making this a better world. We are in one world and we are in it together. 

Mantra: Love First

Learn more about Soledad's upcoming projects HERE & watch her in action below!

When & Where Does Your Audition Begin?

Doug Traer teaches Teens Commercial Class & Wednesday Workout at KIRA.

As an actor, session director and teacher, I've seen a lot of ways that actors can mess up their auditions. I point those things out to actors as often as I can.

Look, when you go it to audition for a commercial, you face some pretty daunting odds already. So it just doesn't make sense for you to add to those odds.

For instance, a couple of years ago, I reported a story about an actor who tweeted what a drag it was to have to wait to audition for a certain product. Problem was the client was in the room and saw the tweet before the actor came in. So that actor not only shot himself in the foot for that product, ad agency and casting director, his agent dropped him when we told him about it.
A somewhat similar thing happened recently. At callbacks for a fast food spot, for families that include a 15 year old girl, the director passed through the waiting room on his way to the rest room. As he went through, he heard one of the girls bragging about her Instagram account--things that were on it, how many followers and likes, etc. So when he got back to his computer, he looked up her account.
He found a number of sexy photos in very skimpy swimwear--hardly the image you would want for a teen girl in a wholesome family. Once he shared the photos with the clients, the girl was out of the running.
So she shot herself in both feet: the right when she posted the photos to her Instagram account, and the left when she loudly talked about them with the other girls.

In her defense, she was over 18 but playing 15 and there was no way for her to know that he was the director or would overhear her conversation. That being said, we all need to be aware of our exposure on social media.

Actors--think about what you post on social media. Look at it objectively and ask yourself if it can come back and cause you grief in the future.
Also, remember that your audition begins when you get out of your car at the casting facility and ends when you get back in. The time in between is not your own and you should always assume someone is watching or listening.  So be careful about what you say and do in waiting rooms.

Keep It Real Acting Studios offers many opportunities for child actors to learn about making smart choices. Sign your kids up for our Youth Improv Intensive, Teens Commercial Class, Kids Commercial Class or Next Step Commercial Class today!

How To Handle Redirection In A Callback

Woo Hoo!  You have a callback!  

You are super excited. You are dressed ready to go, show up at the right location, on time. All good so far.

You get in the room and the spot has changed!  The set up is totally different and now you have no dialogue.

Just react. 

Most actors have a reaction, albeit brief, but a look of shock and concern comes over their face. Certainly would have been nice to know that 10 minutes ago in the lobby.

My rule of thumb is prepare for the callback to be different and if it is the same as the initial call  FANTASTIC!  But more times than I would like to count SOMETHING is different.

It just means you cannot lock into one way to do the spot and very important to know all lines and everything that is going on before you come in.

Directors are often cryptic in their direction as well.

A good practice for actors is to repeat back the note or direction you heard in a playable action.

For example:  Director say, "Lets do one where you throw it away!"

You can repeat.. "Great so just more conversational?"

Director responds with, "Yes Yes.. lets try that."

Shorthand for director/ session director notes:

Throw it away-  This means don't put too much emphasis on anything, and make the dialogue less important to communicate. You know when you are in the middle of texting and talking to someone. One thing gets most of your attention, probably the text, so your dialogue is understated and isn't emphatic.

or when you are shopping for the perfect apple at the store but telling a story to a friend. The story may become secondary in importance to finding an non-bruised apple.

Play around with it- This is an indication that they are not sure which way to go with the spot and is a  Great opportunity for you to improv and bring your personality to the spot. You can add some brief little ad lib to spice it up. Or take a completely different approach to the copy. This is helpful if you have practiced it several different ways. In a callback I am much more on tactical alert and not as relaxed as at my house. So having a few choices in my hip pocket will come in handy when asked to play around with it!

Make it bigger- Not said as often anymore. But it could be in reference to you going for IT 100%. Really commit to the choice. They are giving you permission so if you only do it slightly bigger it will be a let down for them.  Just GO FOR IT and then they can modulate the next take.

PACE IT UP- This is simple, Give it more urgency. It is simple to do if you internally feel like you have to run out and feed your meter, or the dog is outside waiting for you, or your car is running, or class is about to start etc.  IF you give yourself that set of circumstances it will pick up the pace perfectly without rushing through for the sake of rushing.

Anything can happen in a callback, so be ready for anything and everything! Know that having a director or session runner give you a note is not necessarily a criticism of your first choice, but often an excuse to try something different and see how well you take direction. Inevitably you will be asked to do something different, and it is the actors who are able to take direction well while also delivering truthful performances who will book the job!

Judy Kain is an actress and the owner of Keep It Real Acting Studios. She teaches The Business Of Acting, Wednesday Workouts, Advanced Callback and A-Z Commercial Class. Judy is the author of I Booked It.

The Fallbacks Of Callbacks

The Fallbacks of Callbacks

I’ve come to believe that everything worth achieving is beyond one’s capacity—or seems so at first. The thing is to persist, not back off, fight your fight, pay your dues, and carry on. Effort is all; continue and you may get there despite everything!            

—Elia Kazan, director, producer, actor, screenwriter, novelist, acting teacher

 I would love to talk about the much coveted, Callback. 

  In Los Angeles, callbacks are often referred to as allbacks because it seems as if the director hasn’t narrowed down the selection at all—perhaps he even called in some new actors to see if anyone in LA hadn’t already been considered for this particular job.

It can be frustrating, but my sage advice is that you rise above it. Never show even the smallest hint of your frustration. Instead, be grateful. Have gratitude that you were selected to return; now you have a chance for some face time with the director and client. The callback is your opportunity to turn their heads and get picked for the job.

Another term for the callback is the fallback, for it is full of unexpected elements and factors completely beyond your control. The script may have changed; the concept may be completely different from your first audition. They may even have you read for another role you didn’t even know about.

 Don’t panic!

My callback credo is to always show up with the expectation that things will be different. You can jump up and down for the rare times that everything is unchanged from your first call.

Callback preparation is more internal than anything else

Get yourself in that "on top of the world space" The "I got this space"   Be like a tree in the wind that is rooted and strong but bendable and flexible to withstand anything thrown at you.

Prepare for a wait. 

Prepare for people you know or have seen on TV in the waiting room

Prepare for little to no guidance.

Prepare for ANYTHING

In other words have a way to go, know what you have in mind and be willing to drop it on a dime for another way. The best advice I can give you is have several ways to go. Don't be afraid to play around with choices, because they will throw things at you that you didn't expect.

Have a CAN DO attitude.. no excuses. Be willing to go for it 100%

My LAST BIT OF ADVICE IS repeat back what the director says to you.. If he says " try it again and this time as if you have had this happen to you a million times.. You repeat back.  sure you mean do it as if I had this happen over and over again....

Yes! he says.. Now you are collaborating and you have listened to the director and given yourself a second to process the note.

See how this works for you and let me know.. when you BOOK IT!

The Fallbacks Of Callbacks was an excerpt from I BOOKED IT , The Commercial Actors Handbook. The author, Judy Kain, opened Keep It Real Acting Studios in 2012.  She currently teaches The Business Of Acting, Advanced Callback, A-Z Commercial Class and Wednesday Workouts. 

How To Create Networking Opportunities

For the actor... everything is an OPPORTUNITY.

The business has changed over the years tremendously and there is much less personal interaction.

Judy Kain is an actress, teacher and studio owner in Los Angeles, CA.

More and more auditions are on tape so we don't necessarily meet as many people as we once did.  That is unfortunate, but a reality we have to accept. However, there are ways for actors to get seen, make connections and put your best foot forward at every turn.

I was at an IMPROVISATION SHOW the other night and the actors were asked to bring head shots to give to industry attending. Only a handful of actors brought head shots and I left scratching my head. The head shot for the actor is your calling card. It is a business card for the artist. It shows your experience yes.. and of course training, but most importantly HOW TO REACH YOU!!!!

Even though you made not be in need of an agent or a manager, you may think... I don't need one right now, Anyone in the business knows other people. The attending guest may have a brother or a mate that is producing a film and needs someone just like you... but there is no way to reach you.

I have literally been in an office and saw a photo of someone on the desk ... and I ( an actress) made a comment on how talented the actress was... and the next week that office called her in for an audition!  Had she not had her photo there.. that OPPORTUNITY would not have happened.

I know that energy is working in your favor when you put your self out there with a headshot, postcard, business card.  You are putting your brand out into the world and something will happen. Certainly more than if your photo was at home sitting in a drawer. 

Keep your resume updated. If you are taking a class now put it on your resume. Keep your credits current and make sure they sound as good as they can. You can always make a mediocre credit sound more impressive by the way you phrase it.  Put names of instructors that are well known or the name of studio instead of teacher if that is more recognizable.

Classes are perfect places to network. Every actor, teacher and studio is FULL of OPPORTUNITIES. Be sure everyone has your info, headshot, or at least your business card ( that has a photo on it) 

For more info on networking opportunities check out the BUSINESS OF ACTING CLASS with Judy Kain.

Why Do Kids Need Improv?

There are so many reasons for humans to take Improv classes that it's almost impossible to narrow them down! 

Lisa Fredrickson is an actress and improviser in Los Angeles.

I've been teaching Improvisation for nearly 30 years and my students have ranged in age from 6 to 94.  They are not only Actors, but Dentists and Sheriffs and Mayors and Teachers. Some people come to class because they want to 'come out of their shell', some want to do comedy as a full time job, some want to get in touch with their 'inner child', some want to stay spry in their retirement years, some just want to laugh on a regular basis. The magical thing about this art form is that ALL of these things can be accomplished at the same time and I get to see it nearly every day!

But, today we are talking about kids. Why Improv? Don't they already know how to play?  They have spry minds and their 'inner children' are actually 'outer children'- so what gives? 

Here's the deal: I have found that the coolest thing for kids is to be reminded that they are endlessly creative, that their ideas matter and that having a positive attitude will lead to a life of great adventure! 

The transition from childhood into adulthood is full of land mines that every parenting blog will tell you about in detail.  A kid who has discovered Improv will be able to navigate many of these areas with a greater confidence in themselves, a courage to make his or her own choices and a stronger ability to engage in social interractions.

A child who is already an Actor can really soar with a little Improv training. Improv experience can help you feel more confident in your choices at an audition, maintain your equilibrium when some little thing goes wrong and just loosen up the whole process of auditioning so the stress level is reduced by a ton. I often hear students share audition stories where Improv skills really saved them. Directors want to see different choices in a short moment - they don't always have time for you to mull over the proper response to a direction. An improvisor can offer up the same line of dialogue in 10 different ways without a worry. That's why casting directors want Improvisors at auditions - they deliver!

A good improvisation class will give a kid a safe place to make big choices, a safe place to fail and practice letting go of self judgement,  and a safe place to find out what his or her secret talents are.  When that kid goes into an audition, he's going into familiar territory and knows what will probably work. He knows how to bring fun into a room - people naturally want to work with him.

Just last week I received this text from the mom of a 10 year old girl:

KIRA Kids having fun playing the improv game Dr. Know It All.

"Thanks for bringing forth an aspect of our daughter we didn't know was there. What a wonderful surprise to see her own it onstage fully."

We make up scenes, make up songs, make up jokes, make friends, make each other laugh and make a lasting positive change in a person's life. Just say "Yes" to an Improv class for your little actor, it's an investment into their adulthood!

About the Author: Lisa Fredrickson has been teaching and performing Improv for over 25 years. She currently teaches the Youth Improv Intensive at Keep It Real Acting Studios. She is a positively charged, working commercial actress who applies improv to most things she does in life!