Today’s cast spotlight is on Tania Verafield, who will be playing the role of Marta. Tania has an extensive background in film and television, making her a great asset for our webseries:

Tania Verafield is a Los Angeles native, who relocated to NYC in 2011.  Her film & television credits include: I AM NOT A HIPSTER (Sundance 2012), NEW YEAR’S EVE, THE FIRST TIME (Cannes 2009), SHORT TERM 12 (Best Short Sundance 2009), JULIA, HARSH TIMES, 24, GHOST WHISPERER & STANDOFF. Recent New York stage credits include LOBBY HERO (November 2012), FAIRY TALE, THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED & BENEATH THE VEIL (Lincoln Center) and in Los Angeles, the world premiere of TREEFALL. She is excited to be working with FBC Films.

If you want to learn more about Tania, check out her website: www.taniaverafield.com

Next up on our cast list is Jasmine Carmichael, who will be playing the role of Malaika in The Battle Below. She is a wonderful actress who will definitely up the ante on our webseries.

Jasmine Carmichael (Malaika) received her B.F.A in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her television credits include Unforgettable (CBS) and NYC 22 (CBS). She also recently made her Off Broadway debut as part of the original cast of King’s River, a new play which ran at the Medicine Show Theatre. In addition, Jasmine has recorded several radio commercials and appears in promotional ads for the new FOX show, The Following.

Next up on FBC’s cast list for The Battle Below is Carl Ka-Ho Li, who will be playing the role of Cooper. Carl is a real jack-of-all-trades, we are lucky to have him!

Carl Ka-Ho Li was born in Hong Kong and raised in Connecticut.  Ever since childhood, he has been passionate in his pursuit of the arts.  For high school, he attended the Academy of the Arts as a dance major. Later, Carl earned a BFA in Acting at the University of Connecticut, where he trained in Suzuki Technique under Eric Hill. He continued to hone his techniques in the Eric Morris System at the Bova Actor’s Workshop (in NYC), and today Carl continues to explore new modes of self-expression in the arts.  He has lived in NYC for about 7 years, during which he has worked on various film, television, stage, and dance productions. Carl has also been involved with the (non-profit) Asian American Film Lab since 2006, and lead as the president from 2010-2012.

Carl is also currently in a webseries called ‘Math Warriors;’ check out the Facebook page here.

Today, FBC would like to introduce Jamahl Garrison-Lowe in the role of ‘Rock and Coal.’ I will avoid the easy (albeit tempting) pun of Jamahl ‘rocking’, etc. He is, however, a serious actor with serious talent:

Jamahl Garrison-Lowe started his journey with humbling beginnings and Virginia roots. Tricked into an audition by a high school drama teacher, in his hometown of Charlottesville, he first stepped on stage as The Prince Of Morocco in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. He soon became a constant fixture at Charlottesville’s Community Theater: Live Arts. He began a studious progression that led him to New York City and the prestigious conservatory: The American Academy Of Dramatic Arts, a bedrock of theater training since 1884. Under the experienced faculty, his intrinsic love of theatre and the respect for the craft of behaving truthfully, honestly, and spontaneously under imaginary circumstances cemented. Jamahl resides in New York City where he has appeared on numerous New York stages, from Lincoln Center to The Public Theater. He continues working in theater and film developing his form and art.

If you wish to learn more about Jamahl, check out his website here.

I had the privilege to work directly with Liz as she cast our upcoming project, The Battle Below. A veteran casting director and indie film producer, Liz graciously shared her story and her thoughts on the creative and the business sides of this industry:

How did you come to casting?  What are your favorite types of projects or roles to cast?

I came to casting as a progression of my background as a manager, bi-coastal talent agent & stage director, those skill sets plus good instincts led to this being a good fit for me. In the late 90’s I was working for the former Non-Traditional Casting Project now known as The Alliance for Inclusion for the Arts. This non-for profit advocacy organization assisted producers & casting directors to diversify their casts. Pretty soon I was requested to cast independently. I was ready to start a business and my family (I was pregnant at the time with my almost 14 year old) so I took the plunge and started Casting Solutions.

You bill yourself as “an avid supporter of diversity in casting”. How have you seen diversity casting trend/ improve/ change over your years in the business?

I’ve seen the diversity casting trend/ improve and change in the years I’ve been in business.  It has definitely grown as a reflection of today’s “politically correct” culture. Having Obama in office catalyzed more projects seeking diversity. Early on I was one of the few to point out the relevance of inclusiveness in the casting arena. I was and still am pointing out that this not only means actors of color but also of mixed abilities (why not hire an actor who actually is a wheel chair user). The positive change in recent years is less resistance from clients as they are embracing the trends.

You run your own business. How do you balance the creative demands of the entertainment industry (a seemingly subjective, unpredictable industry) with the strategic/ analytical demands of entrepreneurship (making a profit, managing your time)?

I balance the creative demands of the entertainment industry by being very clear about what resonates for me. As an independent, I knew I had to respect the system yet operate outside of it.  I  choose projects based on what I call the 5 P’s: 1) The Project, meaning the script, to me the writing is everything, 2) The People, are the people involved those I’d like to work with, 3) The Production Value,  I never judge a project by it’s budget, 4) The Part, what role will I have, am I casting and/or producing? 5) The Pay, sometimes a low budget  project pays high end dividends such as success and exposure in the festival circuit.

As an entrepreneur being relevant in the market place, knowing how to capitalize on your skills and time management are critical. I wrote a book about auditioning “Ace Your Acting Audition”, I teach workshops, am a faculty member & consultant all drawn from skill sets developed by experience and longevity.

As someone who started a business in 1998 while pregnant and adopting an infant in 2004, time management is instinctive and critical to success, I never put anything off and treat every client as if they’re my only one.

What do you know now about making a successful living in entertainment that you wished you knew when you started?

A lot of things, as I’ve been working in entertainment since  my early 20’s. The main thing would be that success is built on failure and mistakes are not the end of the world, it’s how to learn and grow if handled honestly and gracefully. Also to not be intimated by others, we are all vulnerable human beings, some are just better at wearing their poker face.

What are you working on now, in the next year that we should know about?

I just finished casting the web series “The Battle Below” for FBC Films! (Caroline’s note: Thanks for the shout-out, LizJ) I’m working with a production company in Italy casting a horror feature called “Alter-Ego” as a producer with I Ain’t Playin Films, we have a few features in various stages of development and I’m working on the second edition of Ace Your Acting Audition, which will available in paper back and Kindle.

LIZ ORTIZ-MACKES is the Owner of Casting Solutions and I Ain’t Playin’ Films. She is a casting director and indie film producer credited on projects which have screened at hundreds of US and International film festivals including: Sundance, Toronto, Palm Springs, HBO Latino, Urban World, Slam Dance, Berlin, Hamptons, South Africa, Costa Rica, Martha’s Vineyard, Hamptons, Famous Monsters of Film Land to name a few, and have aired on HBO, Showtime and Cinemax. Liz is the author of the highly acclaimed book “Ace Your Acting Audition,” published by S.O.M.E. productions and is currently on the faculty of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Film Academy, the Performing Option and conducts ongoing workshops for the Screen Actors Guild Foundation.

We are soooooo close to announcing our cast.  Very, very exciting.  So many webisodes I see have really cool ideas and good production quality but the performances are B level.  Why is that?  Coming from an acting/theater background I know that we are all screwed if the cast isn’t up to snuff.  They are the one’s people are watching!  The coolest idea in the world with the best effects dies screaming if the performances make me want to look away.  FBC will not go down like that- our cast will be strong and into it.  Announcing soon….

Melinda McLaughlin is the Chief Marketing Officer of Tremor Video, a B2B digital video technology company. Prior to joining Tremor, Melinda held executive positions in sales, marketing and research at A&E Networks. Melinda started her career in media planning.

Step Up Women’s Network hosted a Power Breakfast featuring Melinda McLaughlin, who shared her career story and answered audience questions. Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Career (and life) unfolds in chapters

Melinda broke down her career journey into three chapters – 1) in advertising as a media planner; 2) in big corporate as an executive at A&E; and 3) in late-stage start-up at Tremor. She highlighted the diversity of what she learned from all roles – agency AND in-house points of view on media; navigating a big corporate matrix AND an entrepreneurial environment. She pointed out how her life stages – marriage, raising a family – weaved into the different career chapters. In fact, her decision to move from A&E to Tremor was in part due to her kids being older and therefore she being able to tackle a new, demanding role.

• Don’t be afraid to be afraid

Melinda indicated that one of her signs to move on is when her role doesn’t scare her anymore. She sees fear not as something to be avoided at all costs but as a healthy sign of growth and challenge. Melinda often moved into stretch roles, for example, heading Research & Insights at A&E Networks, even when she hadn’t worked specifically in that area prior to joining A&E.

• Pay attention to serendipity

Melinda initially intended to major in computer science, when her roommate’s major in media caught her interest. She met her husband, whom she credits as her biggest supporter and mentor, during her advertising career. She got her latest role at Tremor as a result of an informal networking conversation. In other words, her career and life was launched and nurtured not from an overarching plan but by paying attention and responding to opportunities along the way.

Melinda is one example of a flourishing, diverse career in media. How can you use the idea of career chapters to navigate towards your end goals? What would make you afraid and stretch out of your comfort zone? Can you take advantage of serendipity and unexpected opportunities?

PS. FBC Films was born out of a passion to bring more diversity into science fiction and horror, two genres that Bruce and I love. Step Up Women’s Network is also an organization with a mission of diversity – creating mentorship and professional opportunities for girls and young women. As a national organization, there are many opportunities to get involved and benefit yourself with great events (such as the Melinda McLaughlin Power Breakfast!) and benefit others.

Hired Liz Ortiz-Mackes to cast Fight Con.  I was trying to do it myself, between actors I have known over the years and NYU students I have taught: who knows, I might end up with the same people (they are all really good) but bringing on another professional will, I think, take the project to the next level.  Besides, Liz’s film company is I Ain’t Playin’ films and she cast Zombie Honeymoon– she is perfect for us! Check out her IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1709910/.  I’m excited about putting the script and our manifesto in front of agents and managers as Liz goes forth to sell our project.  Also, my friend from my misspent college days at Carnegie-Mellon has signed on to Production Design: David M. Henderson, currently Head of the Drama program at Hofstra.  Who knew watching the Young Ones late at night in Pittsburgh would amount to Networking?