Hollywood Brass Talks

Case Study:

Omar El Dabe is an American born actor with an Egyptian heritage. He was raised in New Jersey and went to an elite theater program. He is versed in classical theater and has done a few commercials. He has pretty good representation but sees that he gets into casting rooms most often to play terrorists or cab drivers. He keeps hearing about diversity and inclusion, but what does that mean? He doesn’t seem to get in for non-ethnic roles, at least, very rarely. Is his name too ethnic? Is casting really that narrow minded that they can’t see past it? He has spoken to his agents, and they don’t seem to have any answers so he is bringing it to Hollywood Brass Talks. Is this something Mark and Stuart K can finally agree on?

Lets get into it.

Case Study:
Lauren L. Lawrence moved to Los Angeles right after graduation from her MidWestern University Drama Program, and began her journey as a hopeful commercial, film, and television actress.

From day one, Lauren was represented by a boutique agency. How did she land them?

Well, she was approached by them at her senior showcase. They promised her the world, and she signed.

After a year of loyalty, Lauren realized she and her agency were not a good match.

After leaving the agency, Lauren became a regular listener of Hollywood Brass Talks.

She knows about evidence of greatness, fame cards, and the dangers of co-stars and showcases.

But she needs a new agent, and doesn’t know any. What good is evidence if no one will watch it? How can she break through with no credits?

Do cold calls really work?

Was she wrong to leave her agent? Was she wrong to come to L.A.?

Is there action, or just Brass Talk?

Let’s get into it.

Case Study:
Catherine Lynn is a conservatory-trained actress who relocated to Los Angeles from North Carolina.

From the moment she arrived in L.A. Catherine began hearing she had to establish a “brand”,

something that was never mentioned in drama school. Catherine struggles with the concept.

Does this mean she must choose comedy over action, both of which she loves?

Is she stuck with the bob hairstyle she chose for ease of care?

Even her name: Catherine Lynn- (she dropped her actual last name: Glick)- feels like a lack of branding, and a betrayal of her heritage.

Catherine laments: “Can’t I just act? And, can someone please make sense of this branding-for-actors thing?”

Can we?

Let’s get into it.

Sylvia is an actress from North Carolina. She went to college and moved on to get her MFA from a prestigious college acting program. After school she moved to New York City and landed a bi-costal agency. She got busy and did a number of plays. She made the transition to commercials, film and television and was able to make her living as an actor. A great job took her to Los Angeles, and she decided to stay. Her momentum came to a bit of a stop in the new city. While her agents in New York were passionate about her, it seems the Los Angeles crew did not see the same magic. The auditions slowed down as did her income. Sylvia took a day job which got in the way of some of her opportunities. Now Sylvia is confused. What did she do wrong? Maybe she should have stayed in New York. How can she fix it? Let get into it.

Case Study, Russell T. Russell
Russell is a very talented actor, born and raised in the Los Angeles area.
To hear Russell tell it, his challenge is that he is a good looking white male, and he has heard repeatedly that “white is out”. Not to mention the fact that his naturally blond hair puts him in a category he has been told by his agents cannot be sold. On auditions, Russell sees fewer and fewer of the ‘usual suspects’ he once competed against. Instead he sees a new crop of “ethnically ambiguous” actors, and he has begun to feel hopeless.

What should Russell do? Dye his hair? Change his name to something ethnically flavored? Should he move to a
role behind the camera until his type comes back into vogue, or should he militantly stand and protest the changes he hears are taking place?