Film Chattanooga will host their quarterly meeting for film and television professionals and those aspiring to work in the industry on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown YMCA. The focus of the meeting will be a seminar entitled The Art of Casting. Admission is free for Chattanooga Film Society members and $5 for non-members.
After the script, many consider the casting of a film to be the most important creative decision of the project. Film industry veterans will share their firsthand knowledge on topics such as what to look for when casting for a specific role, how to find actors, and the illusive quality of "cast chemistry."
Panelists will include professional director Don Benjamin of Trillium Pictures, professional actor Kristol Blanks, talent agent Linda Gutherie, and local agent Jana Lind of the Ambiance Models and Talent agency. For first-time and indie directors with limited budgets, this seminar will also provide insights for getting the most out of working with non-professional talent.
Aspiring actors will also learn about the mindset of a filmmaker and get an idea of what a casting director might look for when casting for a specific role. Actors will also learn to better prepare themselves when auditioning at a casting call. Don Raymond, who has over thirty years experience working with actors, and is the Director at Ambiance Models and Talent will serve as moderator for this event.
Film Chattanooga is an initiative of the Chattanooga Film Society, a non-profit organization that supports independent filmmaking locally and promotes professional film and television production across the region. It is currently working on the launch of a major film festival in downtown Chattanooga. For more information on becoming a member or sponsor of CFS, visit www.chattanoogafilmsociety.org.