Posts Tagged ‘Donna Deseta’

Acclaimed New York casting director Donna DeSeta will be teaching an intensive one-day workshop about what actors need to know to succeed in film, television, and theater.  Sponsored by Boston Casting, the one-day workshop will be offered on Saturday, January 30th, and Sunday, January 31st, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston, MA.

The class is being taught by Donna DeSeta, who is one of the most successful and respected casting directors for film, television, theater, commercials and music videos.  She recently cast the shot-in-Boston feature Knight and Day, and in the past has worked with such names as Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, Wes Anderson, and the Coen brothers.

“I want to give the actors as much knowledge and ammunition as possible to go forward in a very difficult business,” DeSeta says.  In addition to breaking down what it is she looks for in actors, DeSeta will discuss how she casts her productions and describe her personal experiences in the business.  Students are to bring their head shots and resumes, and to come with a scene or monologue prepared, as DeSeta will provide a detailed and individualized critique of each participant.

For more information please visit the Media Performance Institute here.

Catering to the growing demand for Hollywood savvy professionals, Boston Casting is helping to educate the Beantown public with a plethora of classes geared towards skill-building for the cinematic set. These opportunities enable both the newcomer and moderately seasoned professional to enhance and build upon skill sets that can aid in maintaining a successful career in front of the camera in Hollywood East.

Workshops span a variety of age groups from children through adults. 6 week classes that start January 13th include topics such as “Acting for Commercials” and “Acting for Films”. Other more targeted classes include “Scene Study”, “Nail that Audition” (for adults), and “Voice Over”. A “Master Class” with Donna Deseta, New York casting director for the Tom Cruise film Knight and Day will be taught as workshops on January 30th and 31st.

Seminars are typically one evening breezers that cover a wider scope in an overview format. “Breaking into the Business”, taught by Julie Arvedon, a casting director and the director of marketing for Boston Casting, covers tips and techniques for children, teens, and adults on the difficult task of self-promotion as a New England actor. “Intermediate/Advanced Acting” and “Advanced Acting for Commercials” will be starting later in February, and will further techniques developed in the beginner classes.

Kids classes and workshops include acting and “Improv for Film and TV” and are meant primarily for children that fall into the 5-11 year old age group. Similar classes are offered at the teen level, for ages 12-18.

Head shot clinics are offered as well for all age groups, and includes a professional makeup artist for the length of a 1 hour session that will allow for 2 wardrobe changes. All participants will receive a disk of 100 digital shots taken during the sitting, at a cost of $399 per person. All other seminars, workshops, and classes, range in price from $99 to $299.

For more information on course offerings, or to register, visit their website.