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Across the Board (ATB) Talent, founded in 2008 by entertainment professional and entrepreneur Guy Kochlani, is a full-service licensed Talent Agency. ATB represents its talent "across the board:" theatrically, commercially, in print, hosting, voiceovers and dance. The limited client roster and staff of 10 enables ATB to remain committed to the goal of developing high quality talent while providing the personalized atmosphere of a management company.

Across the Board’s talent has been seen on numerous TV shows, films, commercials and theatre productions. Their models and photographers have been a part of major fashion campaigns and have been seen across the pages of domestic and international magazines.

ATB is honored to announce its move up into the big leagues. Using talent from across the board, ATB is currently packaging a major feature film as well as television series. As the client list becomes larger and more high-profile projects are being tackled, founder and CEO Guy Kochlani avows: “No matter how much we expand, our original business model will always remain on point. We provide one-on-one care and service to each client, no matter what.”

ATB represents talent and models in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York, with offices in Los Angeles and New York-Times Square. There are plans to open offices in London, Paris, and Tel Aviv.


For more info, check us out at WWW.ATBTALENT.COM

Monday, June 18, 2012

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE, Vol. I: So, You Have an Audition…


You did it.  You walked through that door into the waiting area, and the moment of truth is almost upon you.  Will the Casting Director like what he or she sees when you perform?  Is this it, THE opportunity, the one you’ve been waiting for all your life?  Is this the first step on the staircase to stardom, or will you receive a cordial smile, a pat on the back, and a “Good job, thanks?”



Handling auditions are often the toughest part of the job, and there’s real craft to nailing them.  It’s almost an art form, and it takes true skill and dedication. 

There’s a famous story about how David Carradine landed the lead role in the 1970s television series Kung Fu.  Carradine was reading for Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk on the run in the American Wild West.  On his way out of the audition, Carradine jumped up and kicked the wall, leaving a dark footprint by the doorpost.  After that point, it didn’t matter how many other actors came in—they found their guy, and that footprint on the wall was a constant reminder of that. 

Now let’s spice things up a bit!  Normally we give you Agency Tips (in multiple volumes!), but today’s different.  Please allow me to give the floor to a woman with experience from the other side of the desk, Arriane Alexander.

Arriane's journey to entertainment came from over a decade performing in the fashion world.  Her contagious star personality has led to consistently sold out performances of her show Big, Blonde & Beautiful at the legendary Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the M Bar in Hollywood, as well as shows at the prestigious Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs and the Colony Theater in Hollywood.  An incomparable presence, Arriane is sexy, powerful and 100% pure entertainment. 

So Arriane, what sort of notes would you give an auditioning actor?

“Be really clear about your type and what you are selling.  We hear lots about ‘type’ in the industry, and being in casting sessions makes it so clear how important it is for actors to understand who they are and what they are selling.  For instance, if you are a very quirky-looking, comedic type and you walk in wearing business attire, a serious headshot and a soliloquy from Hamlet prepared...well, that doesn't make sense to the Casting Director.  As an actor starting out, just present the easiest way for them to cast you.  If you are quirky, GO WITH IT!  Make everything you do quirky, and make that your brand.   Wait till you’re rich and famous to bring out the Shakespeare…unless of course you’re auditioning for Shakespeare.”

Identity is a big part about being an actor.  Know your strengths and weaknesses, your talents and faults.  Hollywood is filled with roles, and as an actor your task is to mold yourself to fit the one you’re reading for.  That’s what being a professional is all about.

“The epitome of professionalism is an actor who comes into the room completely confident, looks the part and is prepared.  Everybody in the room relaxes because you know what to do.   When an actor comes in like that, it is very exciting.  Despite everything, at the end of the day the Casting Director wants you to nail it.  They’re always looking for the next big discovery.  Being prepared sounds so easy, but it is not...so many actors don't have all the moving parts put together in a whole package.”

Thank you, Arriane!  There you have it, guys and dolls, an inside look at how to prepare physically, emotionally and mentally for an audition!

So, you have an audition…what’re you going to do about it?

Lights, camera, action.


Arriane Alexander is proud to debut her new class “How to Present Yourself Like a Pro” at The Actor’s Key on July 11th!  A FREE preview class will be held on June 28th at 8:00PM.  Visit www.actorskey.com for more details.

For more on Arriane Alexander, visit her website: http://www.arrianealexander.com/


Got something to say about this?  Have any questions?  Comment below! 
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By Alex Tafet

3 comments:

  1. Great post. How does one really know what their true type really is? Specially if you feel like you bring a varied amount of different aspects and experiences from your life? And how do you work that information to your advantage in the relationship with your agency.

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  2. Sebastian,

    "Type" is a tricky sort of concept, but at it's core it really boils down to this: what are you at your core? For example, Chris Rock is a comedy actor. He doesn't do drama, he doesn't do action, he does comedy. He gets what sort of actor he is. Other guys like Clooney (started in comedy), Pitt (started in dramedy) or even Cruise (started in action) tend to be far more versatile, but they're also great actors.

    The trick is to find out what you're best at, and expand out from there.

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