Adrienne Stern

About 1.5 months ago I met 4 agents from Abrams Agency: Legit, Commercial, Voice Over and Print. It all seemed to go well with each one of them. Danielle and Joe, however, seemed to have a better connection with me. Danielle being the legit agent and Joe being the print agent (big score I reckon) Joe gave me his card and told me to email him more headshots and pictures of myself because he sees potential and versatility. Danielle and I however had a great chat. She was asking me what I want for myself, what I see myself acting in and I was so honest and upfront with her that I saw the spark of interest. In return that made ME more excited and passionate because it re-confirmed what I really want to do. However, then Danielle asked me the toxic question "Who is the business world knows you". Well, hello! This is a catch 22 because you can't meet anyone that legitimate without an agent and you can't get an agent without knowing someone. Said this before? Well, that's because IT'S TRUE. This question was a curve ball for me and I started to stammer and then I tried to re-collect myself and just start naming the names of the people I have met, but it wasn't that many: Doug Kesten, Ed Batchelor, David Elliott, David Cash, Julie Shoebach....but I knew I had met more, but couldn't remember their names. (This is when something flashed in my head that a buddy of mine did-he made a contact sheet of every person he met and where they are from so when asked this question he just hands the sheet over to the interviewer...genius, but I was kicking myself)

I saw the look of interest begin to dwindle and I tried to keep my smile erect. She nodded and told me to keep on trucking (not exactly in those words but you get the picture) and to keep in touch. Let her know what I'm doing if I am involved in anything.

This is when I decided I needed to meet more casting directors because THEY are the ones who cast the freaking roles!

However, like everything in this city-it costs money to meet people in the industry and I was strapped for cash. So I searched the websites and decided to be very frugal and wise with the people I meet. They must be pertinent to my desires of acting. That's where I found Adrienne Stern. She is a casting director that's pretty well revered and her focus is on independent films. I love the art behind independent films and want to so desperately want to be apart of that world: Sundance, Focus, films in festivals....and Adrienne has casted for those kinds of films.

I met her and I was rather surprised by her relaxed personality. It didn't really feel like a class at all, but rather her just explaining the indie world. I really dug her attitude. I was also impressed with how busy she keeps herself. She had been up since 5:30am to meet up with a director and actor for an upcoming film she is casting for, then did her daily work at a casting director in her office, then came to teach our class afterward and wasn't heading home til 9pm. I also got to see other actors and see them perform. They were good, I'm not going to lie. Pretty darn good. However, Adrienne's face was solemn the entire time so I couldn't tell if she particularly was fond of anyone.

All in all, I am glad for the experience and getting her to see my face and see me act. One step further in networking. I am honestly terrible at networking. I mean, I am friendly and sociable, but not when it's forced. How can one network with acting without it being forced? I.E. paying to see casting directors or agents, paying to send headshots and resumes etc. Every day is a struggle and to anyone who thinks acting is easy has no idea what they are talking about.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827621/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrienne-Stern-Casting/49493369954