The day-long event featured workshops, seminars, and panels on starting and advancing an acting career. Back Stage has presented annual Actorfest events in New York City and Los Angeles, the two meccas of the acting community, for two decades. This year the brand is branching out to more markets. A similar event was held in Philadelphia on May 5. In addition to a full program of panels and seminars, there was an exhibition hall with services on display ranging from acting classes, photography, and information about joining SAG-AFTRA. Participants could also get a free make-overs and massages from Spa Renaissance.
One of the most popular workshops of the day was conducted by casting director Kim Williams, who has worked on many of Tyler Perry's films including "Madea's Big Happy Family," "Why Did I Get Married," and "Why Did I Get Married Too?" Williams offered many valuable bits of practical advice for performers including taking classes in improvisation. She explained that in many of her casting sessions actors prepare for a particular role, but when they are asked to try a different one, they usually come up short. "Take an improv class, so you'll be ready for anything," she said. She also jokingly said not to bring weapons to an audition and never to use them on a casting director. She elaborated that actors have brought knives to her casting sessions when the scene called for one. "You don't need to be that literal," she laughed.
Another popular topic was the vitality of the Detroit acting market. During a panel on representation, agent Olga Denysenko of Productions Plus-The Talent Shop was asked if it was necessary to move to L.A. or NYC to become a working actor. "We work on commercials, both local and national, we're keeping our actors busy that way, along with voice-overs which is huge in this town," she explained. "We need good actors here. You're going to be a big fish in a small pond. If you are a good actor, you will be working in this town." Agent Tony DiMambro of iGroup stressed the importance of treating your acting career like a business. "That means showing up on time and treating an interview with an agent like a job interview," he said, "You should be dressed as if you were going on a job interview."
Other well-attended seminars included question-and-answer sessions with casting directors Janet Pound, Kathy Mooney, Dan Velez, Carrie Ray, and Dayna Polehanki and workshops conducted by the Michigan Actors Studio and a session on headshots from photographer Mary DuPrie. Robere Lett of Affiliated Group Models covered the world of modeling and Lisa Cole of Productions Plus-The Talent Shop discussed opportunities for spokesmodels at trade shows, a large market in the Detroit area.
Open call auditions were held for two roles in the western feature "The Unbroken" and for "Category 6," an action picture about a tornado being shot locally. There were also general calls held by Dream Big Casting, iGroup, and Charlie's Talent Agency.
