CAP REGION NY

AVERY STEMPEL ON THINGS MYCOLOGICAL AND SUPPORTING UNBRIDLED CREATIVITY

July 27, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

I first encountered Avery about 10 years ago at a poetry reading event produced by a mutual friend, Maria Diotte of Bliss Arts at the old Fulton Street Gallery in Troy. He was hard to forget, a dynamic performance artist with a heart of gold. Impressively, he has found a way to combine all things art and community at his indoor urban vertical mushroom farm, mycological education center, and community gathering space. This includes live music, poetry events and creative making workshops to yoga, artisan dining and political activism, and that’s just scratching the surface. I would say unequivocally that he is one of the most renaissance creatives I have ever met.

Avery Stemple – *Owner / Operator* of Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, company and position. How big is your company? Can you also tell us a little about your background?

My name is Avery Stempel, I am the owner operator of Collar City Mushrooms, an indoor urban vertical mushroom farm, mycological education center, and community gathering space in Troy, NY. Our operation occupies 3,500 square feet on .33 of an acre in a structure that was originally built as a Brewery. We employ a mix of 10 part-time and full-time team members as well as run an internship program for folks interested in getting their hands into the mycelium as part of an educational experience. I grew up on a family sawmill in the Helderberg Mountains and was constantly immersed in the natural world. The secret lives of fungi have always fascinated me. I graduated from Siena College with a degree in philosophy and received two master’s degrees in education from Sage Graduate School. During my professional life I oscillated between performing arts and teaching. I’ve worked at Capital Repertory Theater, The Egg, and EMPAC at RPI. I’ve also hit the spotlight myself as a poet, musician, and actor.

Sam Armour – *Lead Mushroom Travel Coordinator* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

All Books Mycological for Sale at Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Corey Aldrich

What is the mission of Collar City Mushroom? What type of clients do you serve? Partnerships and retail partners?

When CCM opened, it was important for me to combine all my passions under one roof. The three pillars of our mission are to educate, enrich, and entertain. We provide opportunities for people to eat nutritious whole foods, learn about the mushroom growing process, and enjoy creativity in all its various forms. Our gourmet mushrooms are used in many restaurants in the area and available direct to consumers through Albany’s Honest Weight Food Co-Op, Saratoga’s Healthy Living Market, the New Lebanon Farmers Market, and right from our farm store at 333 2nd Ave in Lansinburgh. We also produce a variety of value-added products and co-creations we’ve curated with other small businesses. We’ve partnered with Indian Ladder Farms to make both a cider and a beer including mushrooms, Primo-Botanica to create a non-psychedelic mushroom and cacao drink, and Kru Coffee for a canned ready to consume lion’s mane infused cold brew coffee. We are a “yes-and” company. We want our community to be able to share their products and ideas for experiences.

Collar City Mushrooms Collaborative Product with Primo Botanica | Photo: Provided

Collar City Mushrooms Collaborative Products with Kru Coffee and Indian Ladder Farms | Photos: Provided

You incorporate a lot of creativity and collaboration into the fabric of CCM. Can you share a bit about the creative side of what you have going on in the programming?

We have hosted poetry performances, makers markets, meditation sessions, yoga classes, knitting workshops, mycelium building activities, and a myriad of art centric events. Local creators such as Jade Warrick, Armando Soto, John Zoccoli, Lindsay Kirk, and Jonn Pau l have graced our walls, and musicians such as Sean Rowe, Jeanine Ouderkirk, Stokker, Nick Bisanz, the Deadbeats Duo, Kenyatta Emmanuel, and Malicious Offense have entertained our guests. Growing incredibly beautiful mushrooms is an art. Converting them into mind-bendingly delicious foods is an art. Crafting mushroom sculptures is an art. Life is art. We continually surround ourselves with creativity in process and welcome others to do the same!

Nicholas Waunsch – *Mycelial Maestro* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

Outdoor Dining Event at Collar City Mushrooms in Troy, NY | Photo: Provided

I see your constantly connecting, touring and talking with legislators, what goals are you trying to accomplish on the political front?

In addition to growing a myriad of culinary and medicinal mushrooms, we are also advocating for legal access to psilocybin containing mushrooms. We founded the New York Psilocybin Action Committee and adopted leadership of New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives. We have met with dozens of NY lawmakers at our farm and in the Capitol as we strategize ways to end the criminalization of people attempting to heal using natural psychedelics. The wave of evidence pouring from hundreds of research projects around the world shows the efficacy of psilocybin to relieve stress, process trauma, ease anxiety, and even break the cycle of addiction. We are working towards a future where psilocybin containing mushrooms will be a legal option for people’s healing journeys and well care routines. We are also advocating for greater understanding of urban vertical farming in city communities. With growing interest in local-vore diets and shorter supply chains, more projects such as ours are opening across the country. The need to streamline approval processes and applications for support will be critical for the future’s food supply production.

Current Photo Exhibition by MYCO-Fox through 09.30.2023

Any exciting pieces of programming you would like to share with our audience?

Currently we have a show up by photographer MYCO-Fox that will be up through September 30th.

Coming up in August we have two Death Metal shows, one on August 5th and one on August 26th, a Poetry Open Mic on August 13th, and on Saturday, August 19th Chef Haseim Townsend from Organa Juice Bar will be curating a dinner as part of our monthly dinner program. A bit further down the road we have a dinner event at SPAC as part of their culinary arts program called “A Mushroom Experience.” This November 4th event will be a multiple course meal featuring mushroom music, mushroom photography, and mushroom sculptures! Follow our social media for all the latest updates.

Avery Stemple – *Primary Pleurotus* at Collar City Mushrooms | Photo: Corey Aldrich

TIFFANY SORICELLI HAS A MISSION : #NOMORESTARVINGARTISTS

July 26, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

Tiffany reached out to me last year to meet up and talk about ACE! Like many folks I connect with these days she wanted to know more about the mission and how she could pitch in and help. A lifelong singer and seasoned NFP navigator, (Also a 2022 40 Under 40 Alum) Tiffany is now directing her career on helping other artists gain financial literacy…something they don’t teach you in music school. And boy is she doing it well, current clients include the likes of the METROPOLITAN OPERA and CHAMBER MUSIC AMERICA.

Please state your name, company and position. Also, can you also tell us a little about your background?

Tiffany Soricelli, Principal & CEO of Virtuoso Asset Management, LLC and President/ CEO of Virtuoso Advising for Artists. I have a Bachelors and Masters of Music from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. I’ve been a singer all my life and started performing professionally at the age of 8. I’ve worked in every facet of the performing arts – artist, administrator, manager, board member, fundraiser, etc. I came to financial advising after 10 years of fundraising and development experience in the nonprofit sector. I believed that everyone deserved to have a robust financial plan; not just the philanthropists and foundations we were working with so I decided to shift my career in a different direction and become a financial advisor.

Over the last few years my work has garnered recognition at both the local and national level. In 2022 I was recognized by the Albany Business Review as one of their “40 under 40” honorees and just last month, Investopedia named me one of their Top 100 Financial Advisors of 2023 and one of the Leading Women Advisors of 2023 recognizing me for my efforts in furthering financial literacy in our community.

Can you share with us a little about what your mission and goals are with your company?

I became a financial advisor to help others achieve their personal, professional, and financial goals. Early on in my financial career I realized that financial literacy and business acumen were NOT topics I studied with my music degrees. So, I started out by teaching some core financial concepts in small group settings, locally presenting a few small ‘lunch and learns‘ and working with other small business owners. Then I expanded to Opera America and served as a resource to their community. My work spread from there and in 2018 Virtuoso Advising for Artists was formalized.

The mission of Virtuoso Advising for Artists was to provide education and income opportunities for fellow artists. What started as a “passion project” and a side hustle quickly grew. Over the last year we served over 26 different organizations including The Metropolitan Opera, New World Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Chamber Music America, the Recording Academy, Houston Grand Opera and more – reaching hundreds of performers through our individual coaching and seminars.

Through all this, I kept my “day job” as a financial advisor. I worked for larger companies until 2021 when I branched out on my own and founded Virtuoso Asset Management LLC (VAM). I believe we’re the first RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) in the country exclusively dedicated to serving artists and supporters of the arts through financial planning and asset management services. My goal in starting my own investment firm was to have the freedom of working with the artists and individuals I felt called to support but also to create a greater impact in our community by starting our 1% For the Arts initiative. As individuals, yes, we need to save money and invest for the future, but what if we invested with a firm that gives back and creates an impact in the areas that matter most to us? Both Virtuoso companies donate 1% of their gross revenue to an arts 501c3 that’s nominated and selected by our “VAM Fam“- the clients and stakeholders we serve. This allows us to “do well while doing good” which is at the heart of both of our companies.

I’ll add that in my experience, I’ve seen too many talented, amazing artists leaving the industry due to fear, frustration, and burnout caused by financial inconsistency. My hope is to build a whole generation of empowered, savvy artists who have the knowledge-base and systems needed to master the financial side of their career. The world needs art and beauty and we need to ensure that the creators and artists behind that essential work are living a sustainable lifestyle.

You shared with me about your recent work on recording video tutorials and plans for a subscription service. Can you share a bit about that?

There’s only so much I can cover in one 90 minute workshop or seminar, so I created The Virtuoso Academy as an online learning place where artists could go deeper into the topics that most resonated with them. It’s a series of different modules that can be watched in succession or viewed a la carte with downloadable templates and tools. Essentially, it’s the semester-long class we didn’t get in school with over 20 hours of content and topics geared toward the freelancing creative professional.

Currently, the Academy is closed as we update a few classes with the changing financial rules from the Secure Act 2.0 and last year’s tax law changes, but we will re-open this fall as part of a larger Virtuoso Membership program – essentially, we’re dropping the price and adding more content including LIVE workshops on organizing your business, accounting and tax prep, starting your side hustle, and more. Right now, the materials lean heavily toward freelance performers but we’re already working on diversifying the offerings for arts administrators, studio artists, and more. Essentially, the new iteration is a more engaging online community where artists can learn about and talk about all things money!

As an artist you have a great perspective on the particular financial challenges they face. How has that helped you in the development of your vision?

Everything we do is to try to solve a problem or address a need. Virtuoso Advising for Artists started by wanting to help artists feel more empowered and informed around the financial aspects of their career and I’m constantly asking myself “What more can we do? How can we reach and help more artists? Where’s the need?” In my seminars and coaching, I always ask participants what’s “top of mind” and those questions and concerns become the seed for the new course, or the new topic area we need to develop – to put answers out there and provide clarification where needed.

Anything you would like to share that you have coming up that would be of interest to our community?

I’m excited to share that I’m singing again after a 8-ish year hiatus in which I started my family and built my businesses. I suppose I share this to say that a career in the arts is not always linear! I had the chance to participate in the Mostly Modern Festival this year in Saratoga Springs and be a part of the inaugural year of their Modern Vocal Projects initiative. I’m looking forward to more performances and collaboration in our local area and hopefully a holiday concert or Messiah as the year-end rolls around!

The Museum Association of New York : The Tie That Binds – A Conversation with Erika Sanger

March 23, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

Please state your name, title and what it is you do for the organization.

My name is Erika Sanger and I am the Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York. In this role, I am the leading ambassador and advocate for museums and cultural institutions in New York State. I work with the board and staff to deepen connections with members and constituents; seek new opportunities for programs and funding; maintain, support, and develop relationships with members and stakeholders including museum professionals, industry partners, state and federal funding agencies, private foundations, local, regional, and federal government officials, and leaders of peer institutions and arts organizations. I was honored last year by the American Alliance of Museums with the 2022 Advocacy Leadership Award for my work on behalf of museums in New York and across the nation.

**The Museum Institute** at **Great Camp Sagamore** | Leadership Learning Retreat 2021 | Photo: Provided

Can you share a bit about your background?

I joined the Museum Association of New York in August of 2016 after serving twelve years as the Director of Education at the Albany Institute of History and Art. There, I provided vision for the development of programs for adults, children, schools, and families, focusing on object-based learning and digital initiatives. I led the institute’s “digital renaissance,” most notably with the launch of a new website and creation of interpretative strategies around hand-held digital devices and interactive media.

I gained my work experience and leadership skills through positions held at renowned arts and cultural institutions including the International Center of Photography, the Jewish Museum, the New-York Historical Society, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Asheville Art Museum in Asheville, NC. I also served as Director of Development at Penland School of Crafts in NC, where I was actively engaged in the region’s artist community and participated in the design and implementation of heritage tourism initiatives and campaigns for capital and endowment funds.

I’ve developed program assessments with Harvard University’s Project Zero, the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and with the education department at the University at Albany. Programs produced under my direction have received funding from state and federal agencies, including the Humanities and Arts Councils of the states of New York and North Carolina, the Institute for Museum and Library Services and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities.

I received a BFA from Clark University and an MA from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

MANY Annual Conference | Photo: Provided

Can you tell us what a typical ‘day in the life‘ for you is?

I frequently say that this job is like riding a roller coaster! We host an April annual conference, professional development programs are produced across the state all year, the legislative calendar of the state and federal governments dictates our advocacy work, and our virtual programs reached over 1,600 people in 48 US States and 8 other nations in 2022. On any given day I may work on a grant application, have a board committee meeting, advise a member on a project or program, and work with our accountant on the organization’s finances. In 2022, we adopted a new strategic plan, revised our by-laws and personnel policy, and changed the board of directors’ terms to align with the organization’s fiscal year.

**Jamie Jacobs** : **The Rock Foundation** | **Georgette Grier-Key** – *Executive Director and Curator* : **Eastville Community Historical Society** | **Didi Barrett** – *NYS Assembly Member* (D-106) | **Erika Sanger** – *Executive Director* : **Museum Association of NY** | **Chloe Hayward** – *Director of Education* : **Studio Museum in Harlem** Photo: Provided

Museum Association of New York Membership Map

Can you tell us a bit about the mission and focus of MANY? How many members do you have and what types of institutions / organizations are in the group?

The mission of the Museum Association of New York is to help shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. We closed 2022 with 730 members, a 6% increase over 2021 and in the first quarter of 2023, have gained 25 more. The largest number of our members are in the Capital Region and New York City, but we have members located in every region of the state, from every discipline and every budget size from all volunteer organizations to museums with budgets that exceed $10 million. Our website has a great map with each organizational member identified and most people would recognize many of our members.

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom | August 28, 1963 by **Rowland Scherman**
Courtesy of **National Archives and Records Administration**

What is something you are currently working on that your excited about or that you feel we should know about?

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we know that museums are searching for ways to engage their communities with connections to the history of our nation. They are seeking ways to tell multi-vocal stories of our past, to embrace all the people who live in their communities regardless of race, religion, or nation of origin.

The Museum Association of New York is New York’s representative to the Museums on Main Street program of the Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibition Service. In that capacity we are traveling their exhibition Voices and Votes: Democracy in America to twelve New York museums to help them prepare for the semi-quincentennial, aka America 250. This traveling exhibition includes historical and contemporary photographs; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives, and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.

Each museum will display the Smithsonian exhibition and produce a small exhibition drawn from their own collection that relates to their community’s role in the development and advancement of Democracy in America, explores a Voices and Votes theme, or tells the story of how people in their community created positive change for our nation. The local exhibitions may be installed in the museum, or in a community partner space like a library or school, or the Voices and Votes exhibition could be installed in a community partner space and the local exhibition in the museum. The application deadline is approaching and we know selecting the exhibition host sites will be a real challenge!

Additionally, The Museum Study Act passed the New York State legislature unanimously (minus one!) in 2022 with overwhelming support from several state agencies. The Governor’s veto noted that the legislature would need to appropriate funds for it to be signed. Actions to that end are already in motion.

EDITORS NOTE: Erika’s comments on The Museum Study Act

518 Film Network : Connecting the Dots for Regional Film Producers

February 20, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

I originally met some of the members who later would form 518 Film through ACE! events and socially in downtown Troy New York. They registered strongly on my radar as an organizational force to be reckoned with last year when ACE! partnered up to amplify ‘The Monkey Short Film Fundraising Gala‘ in Albany New York. A collection of dedicated career film folks at a variety of levels in the film making ecosystem, 518 Film continues to be a part of a vibrant production feed that is increasingly making waves in the region and far beyond (in addition to throwing some great parties!). I caught up with Co-Founder and Community Engagement Director Michelle Polacinski to hear more about their vision and the big structural and programmatic expansion plans they have for the near future.

Michelle Polacinski, Community Manager and Cofounder at 518 Film Network | Photo: Richard Lovrich

Please state your name, title, company name and what you do.

My name is Michelle Polacinski (she/her). I am the Community Manager and Co-Founder at 518 Film Network. I’m also a freelance director, producer, and production manager. I’m currently co-producing the visual effects for an upcoming Superbowl commercial. I have worked on titles including John Wick 4, A Man Called Otto, Resurrection, The Witcher, Modern Marvels, Shark Tank, and Food Network Star. I graduated from both Binghamton University and FAMU International (Prague, Czechia) with degrees in Cinematography and Producing.

Micah Khan and Michelle Polacinski, Founders at 518 Film Network | Photo: Patrick J. Harris

How long has 518 FILM been in existence? Can you explain the structure of your business and what the organization’s aims and goals are?

518 Film Network was co-founded by local writer/film director Micah Khan and myself in 2019 after a handful of frustrating conversations about not being able to find local crew for our own productions. We wanted to meet more people in the area and we knew that they existed, so we started a database of 10 people we both knew, asking each of them to share anyone they knew and, like filmmaking itself, we grew by word of mouth and referrals. Since, we have hosted numerous creative networking events and as a collective were the catalyst for multiple local filmmakers to come together and make films. We have an active private online community with a job board and various subgroups such as ‘mastermind’ and ‘actors anonymous.’ We grew from 10 people to nearly 200 in the past 2-3 years. Our most active members, including but not limited to, Patrick Regan, Lakota Ruby-Eck, Spencer Sherry, and Victoria Diana have helped take 518 Film Network to the next level by spreading the word, co-hosting events, and bringing folks together.

Micah Khan, Co-Founder at 518 Film Network | Photo: Provided

Currently, we operate as a corporation under my film production company, Strangest Sea Films, but we plan to become a non-profit corporation within the year. We are in the process of asking for help in learning how to form a 501(c)3 that matches our goals.

As a group, we aim to connect local filmmakers to help them grow and create projects together, while bringing jobs from incoming film productions into the hands of local people. When productions hire locally, it benefits the local economy and also helps productions save money by not needing to pay for hotel rooms. We are currently in the process of expanding to provide education in the form of online courses and in-person workshops as well as partnering with local colleges to teach filmmaking courses. We plan to someday both receive and give grants to our local filmmakers so we can make more local films!

On Set for Filming The Rickety Man (Directed by Cameron Gallagher) | Photo: Ann Kielbasa

How are you different from other film organizations regionally?

We focus on building intimate connection between our members through collaboration and wildly creative networking events. It’s difficult to invite someone on something so intimate as a set, where anything can and will go wrong at any given moment, after talking with another filmmaker for 15 minutes and handed a business card. Our industry just doesn’t work that way. This is why we do things a bit differently.

We not only want local filmmakers to know each other, but also to help each other grow in a genuine way. We celebrate our local filmmakers by amplifying their projects, hosting regular screenings, and never shying away from sharing fundraising efforts. This is full-blown support with no strings attached. We benefit as a community by lifting each other up, period.

On Set of the Monkey Short Film (Directed by Spencer Sherry) | Photo: Provided

Can you talk about some specific projects that you are especially proud of being involved with?

It’s really hard to come up with an answer to this question. Every film our members make feels like a community film. My personal favorites are collaborations between members that wouldn’t have happened without them meeting through us or films that give others opportunity to grow and learn in a new role. It’s always exciting to see friendships blossom and turn into working relationships.

In regards to how I am directly involved, I’m vfx producing two corporate (non-local) commercials right now, one of which is a Superbowl commercial which is definitely a milestone for me. I am also producing Writer/Director/Comedian Victoria Diana‘s upcoming short film, ‘Second Coming.’ Second Coming is a raunchy twist on a Christmas film that is also one of the best scripts I have ever read. I cried laughing reading it and I can’t wait to bring it to life. We are hoping for a release close to the 2023 holiday season.

Michelle Directing a Scene | Photo: Provided

Anything coming up that we should know about or that your group is excited about?

There are truly too many amazing upcoming films right now. I hate not mentioning every incredible local film we have coming up, but there is no way I’d be able to fit all of them! Here are a few:

Writer/Director Joe Gietl recently worked with Producer Cameron S Mitchell to create the pilot for ‘The Fledgling Series‘, which is especially cool because not only was it shot in our region, but it stars ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s‘ Juliet Landau as well as an incredible local actress, Anastasia Veronica Lee. Lee was such a joy to have on set and it’s really exciting that she is so close that we can bring her on other independent projects in the future.

Micah Khan recently directed his first big budget feature film, ‘Zombie Wedding‘, with Weekly World News and a handful of big names.

I’m also excited about Ember Autumn Skye‘s recent short, ‘You’re So Shy,’ a human rights-centered film, which stars her own sister, Sage, and was an incredible collaboration with local Director of Photography Lakota Ruby-Eck.

‘Insurance’, by Writer / Director Steve Rock, is currently in production, a collaboration between his production company Abomination Films and Lakota Ruby-Eck’s production company, Tomb Pictures.

‘The Monkey‘ a Stephen King short written / directed by Spencer Sherry and shot by local Emmy award winning Director of Photography Jim Powers, should be out soon. That is still in post-production. Spencer is also producing ‘Anomaly‘, a magic film written/directed by Ryan Jenkins.

Also Dirty Sweater Productions (owned by amazing married filmmaker couple Charity Buckbee and Kyle Kleege) is working on editing their first feature film, ‘Earworm.’

AND Casting : Lining Up Extras for Commercial and Film Based Projects

February 20, 2023 By Corey Aldrich

A hard working and industrious professional who seemingly makes extras appear out of thin air, Annie’s company AND Casting is the go to for background casting for feature films and commercials in the Upstate New York region. I first met her when I was producing regional fashion shows in Saratoga with one of my side projects Electric City Couture. Her ability to materialize the correct number of models on site was borderline magical…all while keeping a smile on her face and a laser focus on maintaining order. (120 runway slots for our last large show) Recently, Annie got me up to speed on her latest projects and the continued growth and opportunity she is seeing for a broad variety of folks in the regional television and film industry.

Annie Delano Behind the Scenes at Electric City Couture | Photo: Richard Lovrich

Please state your name, title, company name and what you do. What’s a typical day look like for you.

My name is Annie Delano, Owner of AND Casting. I am a Casting Director for background extras and smaller (single line) parts for feature films and lots of commercials! There is no typical day, but most days consist of answering hundreds of emails, talking to and connecting with people from all walks of life, and managing many moving parts, often times on multiple projects. There are some days on sets, but usually I’m at my desk answering emails.

On Set with AND Casting | Photo: Provided

How long have you been doing this and how did you get into this profession?

AND Casting has been existence since 2018, but I have been a freelancer in the production world for over 10 years, casting and producing commercials. I have always been a freelancer and did not set out to work on films. My motto, “Never say no to an opportunity (with-in reason!)”, combine with the all important need for work, lead to background casting for a film. As it turns out, I was pretty good at the tremendously tedious job of background casting. The first film lead to 20 more films and the creation of AND Casting.

Annie Delano Suited Up on a Commercial Shoot | Photo: Provided

Can you talk a little bit about the business? What types of projects are you casting? Is there a lot of work? What type of companies or productions do you work with?

There are really two worlds when you work as a Casting Director. The feature film world and commercial world, while both types of production, are entirely different animals. I learned this very quickly on my first film. I don’t know many people working in both areas and it’s challenging at times. You really have to be a super connector who stays engaged with people both on the production side and talent side. I’m constantly thinking about who I know for specific roles as they come up. This job requires extreme organization and attention to every small detail.

As a freelancer, the workload ebbs and flows. Sometimes a week or two goes by and the phone doesn’t ring, but then in one week you get 4 major jobs. I am grateful to cast talent for both the commercial and the film world, because together they create plenty of work to keep the company going. Projects come from production companies, ad agencies and film producers/film production companies. They are very diverse, which is great – I could be casting high school students for classroom scenes one day, and casino commercials the next. Anything that needs casting, I’ve got it covered. I’d get bored if I always cast the same type of jobs!

On Set for a Shoot with AND Casting | Photo: Provided

Tell us about the folks your casting. I have seen some of your ‘CALL’ posts…they can be all over the board and very specific.

This is my favorite part of the job, the people! I think a lot of people have “be in a movie” on their bucket list or vision board and with background casting, I’m able to make a lot of dreams come true. When I get an email from someone about their positive experience being on set as an extra, it makes the long hours and hard work worth it. Every single person qualifies to be a background extra. The whole point is to make things as realistic as possible and that takes all kinds of real, regular people. No special training is required, you just need to be able to follow directions and have a solid 12 hours free to be on set. You may not get a role right away, there are different looks/parameters for specific scenes, but in general, no one should be discouraged from wanting to be an extra. On the flip side, commercials are more competitive and depending on the role, require acting ability, which comes through practice, training and experience. Reading directions is key. When you see a post, read the description carefully and follow all the directions if you want to submit for a role!

Behind the Scenes : On Set with AND Casting | Photo: Provided

Anything coming up we should know about or that your especially excited about?

Life in general is exciting, there’s never a dull moment. I’m working on some very fun projects that can’t be discussed. This is hard for me because I like to talk, so I have to stop talking (or writing) while I’m ahead 🙂