ACTORS REFRESH
Professionals in the field offer their advice for your success
April 20, 2024
ADVICE, SUPPORT & MOTIVATION
assemble a submission package that shares your authentic self
Set Yourself Up for Success
HOW TO SECURE AN AGENT
One Day Workshop
This one day event joins actors and agents for candid, informal discussion and industry feedback. Atlanta talent agents spend a day with artists of various stages in their careers to answer questions about the state of Atlanta film, representation, and all things in between.
Live Individual Feedback
Share your materials with guest agents and get individualized feedback and advice before you submit for representation. During the afternoon sessions, you'll break into smaller groups and review participant materials with 2 of the 3 agents to have multiple perspectives. You are able to submit your current materials and receive individualized support and advice during small breakout sessions. A free space to ask, grow, and learn about yourself and the industry.
Roundtable Discussion
In our closing remarks, you'll be able to ask your questions and gain clarity on the market and the agent-talent relationship.
* Participation in this workshop does not suggest or guarantee representation from any talent agent. This workshop is for informational purposes only.
MORNING PANEL
- How to know when you are ready for an agent
- When do you need to change agents
- What do you have to do to be ready
- Finding agency with an agent
- Introducing yourself to an agent and referrals
- Ask an agent before you get in the room
- What are you doing wrong or right
- What's not in your control
- How to stand out and be you
- Learn first-hand how to get in with an agent
- Roadblocks to securing an agent and what to look out for
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
- Tailored advice and live feedback on your materials
- Next steps in developing your submission package
- Individualized review of your current materials. You'll be able to submit your current materials and will receive advice from two of the three agents during small breakout sessions in the afternoon.
- See how you present to agents, what you think you are presenting, and how to align both
- Learn about the different types of agents and what each are looking for (commercial, theatrical, etc)
- How to market yourself
- Understand the process of securing an agent
- Ask questions of Atlanta talent agents
- Discuss how divisions and presentation works for agencies
- Safe place to grow with professionals in the community
Schedule
April 20
SCHEDULE
Morning Panel | Agent Representation: How and When to Find the Right Fit?
A candid and open dialogue between talent agents and participants where agents offer insight on what they look for in new talent, answer your questions, and discuss the dos-and-don'ts of preparing for, seeking and obtaining representation. Moderated by casting director and Georgia State faculty member Bajo Sonubi.
Lunch
Lunch is included with the cost of your registration
Agency Conversations - Session 1
Agency Representatives review participant materials and have conversations about what works, what they're looking for and how to stand out and be you. In small groups, participants meet with their first guest agent to review submitted materials. Agents will review each participants materials and offer insight on next steps for their journey.
Agency Conversations - Session 2
Agency Representatives review participant materials and have conversations about what works, what they're looking for and how to stand out and be you. In small groups, participants meet with their second guest agent to review submitted materials. Agents will review each participants materials and offer insight on next steps for their journey.
Wrap Up Session
Closing remarks and discussion between agents and participants
End of Workshop
* Participation in this workshop does not suggest or guarantee representation from any talent agent. This workshop is for informational purposes only.
Agencies
April 20
AGENCIES
Avery Agency
The Avery Agency is a full-service, licensed and bonded SAG/AFTRA franchised agency that has been in business for almost two decades (formerly Avery Sisters Entertainment). Our boutique Southeast agency has earned its stripes early on by fostering long-lasting partnerships with major casting directors in the Southeast, making us one of the top talent agencies in Atlanta. We also have great relationships with many LA and New York agencies, where our wonderful talent is submitted and booked daily.
People Store
Launched in September of 1983, People Store has been at the forefront of the entertainment industry – opening the boundaries between Atlanta, New York and LA. Based in the heart of Atlanta, People Store represents a large and proudly diverse roster of the most seasoned talent for film & television, commercial, industrial, print & voiceover opportunities.
Together our team advocates for the investment and development of storytellers from all backgrounds to elevate Atlanta’s contribution to the evolving film industry. As a company, People Store seeks to maintain its legacy of excellence by operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness while prioritizing relationships with our clients.
Atlanta Models & Talent
BIOGRAPHIES
Gerra Avery
The Avery Agency is a full-service, licensed and bonded SAG/AFTRA franchised agency that has been in business for almost two decades (formerly Avery Sisters Entertainment). Her boutique Southeast agency has earned its stripes early on by fostering long-lasting partnerships with major casting directors in the Southeast, making TAA one of the top talent agencies in Atlanta. She also has great relationships with many LA and New York agencies, where her wonderful talent is submitted and booked daily.
She proudly remains a boutique agency because it enables her to have close relationships with her Union and Non-Union artists. Her roster is full of seasoned, experienced, talented individuals, so they work regularly. In addition, she helps develop talent so they can compete effectively in the Southeast. Last, she carefully transitions specific actors to be submitted in larger markets while still being submitted in the Southeast.
She opens doors for her artists!
Jennifer Hummel
Jennifer Hummel is an agent with People Store who handles character VO including animation, video games, and podcasts, as well as on-camera projects for film and television. She received a BFA in performing arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design and has spent her seven years at People Store passionately working for her clients to help them achieve their dreams.
Jason Lockhart
Jason Lockhart is a Talent Agent from Los Angeles who relocated to the Southeast market in 2017 as the Head of TV & Film at one of the most prestigious agencies in Atlanta. He is also an accomplished filmmaker, having worked with National Lampoon and sold two feature films as an award-winning Writer/Director, one of which The CW picked up as a Movie of the Week. Having grown up as a child actor, Jason has over 25 years of experience & education in the industry, but after bouncing around several seats in Hollywood, he finds it most rewarding behind the talent agent's desk, helping others pursue their dreams. In 2020, that passion led to him becoming a #1 Best Selling author for his book Ask an Agent: Brutally Answered Questions for Actors of All Stages, and he continually writes for Backstage Magazine as one of their "Expert Contributors."
Mary Emily Deal
Mary Emily Deal Associate Director of the School of Film, Media & Theatre at Georgia State University. She is also an actor with People Store in Atlanta. Her recent TV credits include Monarch, Atlanta, and P-Valley. Recent film credits include Rejuvenation, Wages of Sin, Robbie Ain’t Right No More, and Jeff Comes Home. At Georgia State, Mary Emily performed as Tracy in Sweat and directed You Are Not Alone as part of the Give Back Series in 2023 and She Kills Monsters in 2022.
Mary Emily is also the producer of the Atlanta City Theatre season including BUNMI & BABAJIDE Much Ado in Lagos, 1963, Everybody, See Me, Hear Me (Give Back Series), and the Speaker Series. Mary Emily wears many hats, but her love is teaching and watching artists discover their own capacity.
Bajo Sonubi
Director, Producer, Casting Director, & Educator, Olubajo Sonubi, is a graduate of University of Georgia and Southern Methodist University. When not directing, producing & casting, Bajo throws himself into supporting the arts as a volunteer and supporter of emerging artists and community focused organizations. His past works include directing “Clean Slate & House Warming” (Bronze Lens Selections), “The Earth Will Not Swallow Us” (Diversity in Cannes Select), “The Sounds of Atlanta Project (in collaboration with KY Engineering & GATech). His past casting directing credits include the hit shows “The Vampire Diaries,” “Cobra Kai,” and “Dynasty.”
Anastasia Wilson
Anastasia Wilson, Assistant Professor of Performance for the School of Film, Media & Theatre at Georgia State University. Anastasia is also an actor, and devising artist with an advanced foundation in Physical Theatre. She received her M.F.A. in Physical Theatre from Accademia Dell’ Arte (Italy), and her B.A. in theatre from the University of Maryland. Currently, she is in the process of earning her designation as a Linklater Voice Teacher. In addition to Georgia State University, she has taught extensively Drama Inc. Her recent film credits include Creed III, Stay Safe, and Rejuvenation. She is the lead devising artist for Atlanta City Theatre’s student devised production of See Me, Hear Me(Give Back Series). She thrives in the creative space, supporting and developing burgeoning artists on camera and on stage.
Registration
REGISTRATION RATES
Lunch is included with the cost of your registration.
EARLY BIRD RATES:
Early Bird Rates end March 1, 2024
Early Bird Registration: $60
Current Georgia State Student/Staff/Faculty Early Bird: $30
RATES
Registration after March 1: $75
Current Georgia State Student/Staff/Faculty Registration after March 1: $40
Additional 5% discount for SAG members available at checkout
Registration opens January 26, 2024.
Contact Us
Office/Delivery Address
35 Broad Street, Suite 410
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3984
Atlanta, GA 30302
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Director of Educational Outreach
Amy Reid