Casting and Ultimate Audition Guide

With Casting Director and Screen Acting Academy founder,
Mike Migliara

Saturday, October 5^th
1pm-6pm
Registration fee $20

This workshop’s sole focus is to advance your acting career, as fast as possible, period!

Migliara has created an uncluttered, comprehensive acting system, which includes SAA’s Audition Guideposts – finally! An audition process that is easy, fast, and proven as reliable. Migliara’s acting system uniquely includes business strategies for actors, marketing, and growth – by which he refers to as “audition strategy and career management”. His system has proven effective, with many students exceeding expectations every semester: booking auditions, landing roles, and getting signed by reputable talent agents.

OVERVIEW

Workshop’s Objective:

The purpose of this intensive workshop is to explain and demonstrate the entire scope on what is expected and required from the actor – who is at the center of it all – in this eco-system. it is important for actors to have a healthy grasp on what their jobs are, and how to optimize their audition and booking ratio.

The workshop will be split into two driving mechanisms:

Part One:

The Casting Eco-System

Overview: discuss the traffic flow between The Talent Agent, The Actor, and Production.

Part Two:

The Ultimate Audition Guide, which will include:

• self-tape methods
• live conferencing via Zoom
• Audition management and submission logistics (things like: should I tape for this? Should I ask for an extension? Why are they calling me in, I’m so much older than what they’re looking for!?)

Part One: The Casting Eco-System

• How are films financed? Tax Credits and cast eligibility. This will help actors understand requirements of local status. But also important because actors, specifically known name actors, now have their own production companies. An actor familiar with progressive marketing strategies for productions and creative content is a huge asset and commodity. It is important for every actor at any stage.
• Talent Agent vs Management. Discussing the difference between the two. Furthermore, discussions will reveal how an actor can positively contribute to a harmonious relationship with their agent, instead of  “I’m the boss” mentality.
• Team working Strategies with your support system, mainly your talent agent.
• Who makes the final decisions on their auditions? How many actors are presented?
• Demystify the audition “rules” offered in this space. The do’s and don’ts that over-saturate and clutter this particular “feedback arena”. This includes casting directors and talent agent’s faux pas(‘s)

(Example: rules on eyelines, camera movement, props, wardrobe will be questioned and scrutinized, demonstrating which rules should stick, and which rules are dependently circumstantial)

•  The submission process: discuss key elements and necessities to ensure a healthy and accurate submission: eye catching headshots, polished talent resumes with spring cleaning application, file labeling, video formats, should I send an alternate take, etc.

*Exercise: compare poor resumes and headshots to those that are spectacularly well done)

Part Two: The Ultimate Audition Guide

• Audition Management: discussing logistics in managing and maintaining your audition and booking ratio.
• Growth: from background to speaking roles. Discuss and demonstrate audition technique when considering the role category (this may be omitted, depending on how many BG are there)
• The 10 main Audition Guideposts.

Conclusion: Q and A

Classes will be held in the DARC Loopspace in the Arts Court at 2 Daly St.

Class size limited – only register if you are available both days.
$20(+HST) non-refundable course registration fee

Mike Migliara
Founder, CEO, Artistic Director
Instructor: Ottawa, Calgary
Born and raised in Montreal, Mike Migliara’s journey into the world of Casting began when he dropped out of University in 2000. He was offered a Casting Assistant position at The Montreal Casting House. After more than a decade of servicing among the best Canadian Producers and Directors as a Casting Director, he returned to Concordia University in 2012 whereby he completed his BFA from Concordia University in Theatre and Film Studies. Along the way, he became the most sought-after acting coached. Many actors who are now Canadian household names, became his clients: Tim Rozon, Michael Mando, Cindy Sampson, to name a few. His teaching techniques are revered for their unique blend of academic knowledge in theatre and film, coupled with his insider insights into the casting process, equipping actors with a comprehensive understanding of the skills necessary to secure coveted roles. Migliara has created an uncluttered, comprehensive audition list and system. He has created an acting system that is easy, fast, and proven as reliable.

Migliara’s acting system uniquely includes the POV of business strategies, marketing, and growth – by which he refers to as “audition strategy and career management. His system has proven to be effective. Every semester, many of his students are exceeding; booking auditions, roles, and being repped by reputable talent agents. As a member of the Casting Directors Society of Canada (CDC), Mike has left an indelible mark on both Hollywood and Canadian productions. His portfolio boasts collaborations with esteemed entities such as Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, and Ubisoft, where he has contributed to Casting Leads, Supporting, and Principal roles across various mediums including Feature Films, TV series, Video Games, Commercials & High Profile Music Videos.

Beyond his casting endeavors, Mike is the visionary behind “The Screen Acting Academy (SAA)”, a beacon of innovation in Performing Arts education. Rejecting the notion of gate-keeping, the academy operates on the belief that anyone with the passion and dedication for screen acting can excel and make it – given the right education and training. SAA’s curriculum not only hones acting skills but also imparts invaluable knowledge on navigating the intricacies of the entertainment industry, ensuring students are equipped with effective business strategies for a quick and successful entry in the Film, Television, Voice Over, and Performance capture markets. At The Screen Acting Academy, personalized attention is paramount. Graduates receive one-on-one instruction, networking opportunities, and guidance from industry professionals. The academy serves as a launchpad for aspiring actors, assisting them in securing representation, crafting their brand, and fostering their growth through ongoing mentorship. And finally, Mike is the Vice President and a Development Producer for Knightshoot Media Inc. He develops content, for both scripted and unscripted, that are based on true stories. He pitches to some of the biggest production houses in Canada.

Registration open to Full, Apprentice and AABP in good standing.