StarCast Auditions

SPOTLIGHT ON BEST PERFORMERS: HANNAH CESNIK

STARCAST: How long have you been acting, and what inspired you to become an actor?

HANNAH: Wow, I guess I’ve been doing it since elementary school… I think I seriously started considering acting as my career in seventh grade though. That was when I really wanted to audition for Disney in the summer. Unfortunately that never happened. But what inspired me? Well something just sort of clicked. It’s always felt right. When you’re so passionate about something that you’re willing to do extra work and have an abnormal school career because of it, I’d say it’s worth going after. After watching classic movies from the golden age of cinema, I really connected with something I hadn’t before, and thought, “god, that could be me up there making history- inspiring people, changing peoples lives, letting them escape their own for a little while. “ 

I’d have to say that lately my biggest inspiration (motivation really) right now is Jennifer Lawrence. She is incredible, and she made it to Hollywood on shear talent and drive, without any previous connections. Plus she’s an amazing person despite her over-night fame. She has the career I would love in 6 years.  

STARCAST: How did you prepare for your StarCast scene? What informed your performance?

HANNAH: To be honest, I didn’t bother to completely memorize my scene before I did it. I read it through a few times, then I just started recording. I did a couple rough recordings on my computer, checked them, and made some corrections. My friend really helped this time as she was the one who watched my video and gave me the, apparently win-worthy, tips haha. After that I did a character analysis and ended up writing a whole page about the scene, what I was currently thinking in “the moment before” and general character information as that character. Then I recorded, and voila. 

STARCAST: What kind of acting gigs have you had thus far, if any?

HANNAH: I’ve done a lot of theater things over the years, mainly with school. Leads, ensemble, dancing roles, you name it.  I’d love to do some TV/film/commercial acting soon though!

STARCAST: We know you’ve fantasized about an awards acceptance speech. How does the opening line go?

HANNAH: ”I’d like to thank the Academy. Who knew this little gold man could weigh so much!” Too bold? Maybe a little. I never said it was my first acceptance speech… Not that I would mind of course ;)

STARCAST: Have you had any notable successes or setbacks you think other actors could learn from?

HANNAH: I think every audition process is its own success and setback. Some times you get nothing, but you learn from it and do better.

My current setback, though not not quite acting, would have to be finishing school after sophomore year (of highschool), with tons of AP credits, but that is definitely worth it. It’s an extreme amount of work, but college is important for any career, and having two or three years before that to do acting will just be a wonderful career success, no matter what happens. So I encourage younger actors to do whatever they have to do to be able to jump start their careers, but without sacrificing school for it. There’s always a way to do both, you just have to be willing to put in the effort.

STARCAST: Have you had any acting training, and can you speak a little bit to the importance of drama programs or acting classes?

HANNAH: I strongly believe in first impressions and initial instincts of an actor. That being said, I have taken a few acting courses at school, and am going to be taking the Margie Haber summer teen intensive in LA this summer (very excited!). Acting classes/training provide you with a better understanding of what professionals do and look for, you can learn about the business, and learn the tools for the craft that is acting, and therefore, indispensable. 

STARCAST: What are your favorite actors’ services and resources?

HANNAH: StarCast of course! :) Cast It talent also occasionally has some amazing open calls to look out for.  

STARCAST: What’s your dream role, and do you have a favorite actor or actress?

HANNAH: My dream role would probably have to be a strong, independent, dramatic female lead. I’d love to be in a period movie, such as My Week With Marilyn, or even something as far back as The Other Boleyn Girl. I’m a history buff, so anything period would be great. But I have to admit, I would love to play a Jason Bourne,  or Mission impossible type CIA agent role. Better yet, I hope the movie for Heist Society gets made. I’d love to play Kat the cat burglar in that. Good heist movies are my ultimate guilty pleasure ;)
My favorite actors as of right now are Jennifer Lawrence, Drew Barrymore, Michelle Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Kate Winslet. They all bring a certain emotional depth, reality, and sophistication to their performances that I admire. I’d love to work with any of them someday. The ones that are alive that is :)  

STARCAST: What are your short term acting goals?

HANNAH: To get cast in something film related, and get noticed by an agent!

STARCAST: The biz can be tough. What motivates you to keep at it?

HANNAH: My love for the craft itself is really the biggest part of my motivation. Some pride is probably in there as well, from all the people saying it’s nearly impossible, I feel the need to show them that you really can go after your dreams and make it.  As well as knowing that I have an alternative money making solution for a job after college to fall back on if anything happens. 

STARCAST: Do you have any special or funny skills we should know about?

HANNAH: Well I can do the splits now! Which is sad considering how long I’ve been a dancer… I also have been classically trained in voice, so I sing quite a bit too. I can paint nails like a professional though! That’s a pretty good skill. Just no designs, that makes it too complicated haha.

STARCAST: Do you have any audition tips for your fellow actors out there?

HANNAH: Never underestimate the moment before. Trust your instincts as a person who has gone through similar situations or emotions. Don’t over think things. Always get a second opinion. Play the scene as a real moment in life, not as if you were acting. Find the balance between theater and film. And always be confident in yourself :) 

STARCAST: Do you have a website, YouTube channel or reel you would like us to post? And do you have a Twitter or other social media handle where you would like people to follow you? 

HANNAH:

Sure! Here’s my youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LiveLaughLoveHC?feature=mhee
And my twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HCesnik 

Thanks, Hannah! You can check out Hannah’s StarCast performance at www.starcastauditions.com/best-performances. If you don’t see her video, switch the sort function from “Most Recent” to “All.” 

SPOTLIGHT ON BEST PERFORMERS: ASHLEY BRENNAN

We caught up with infectiously positive best performer Ashley Brennan to discuss her experiences and advice for fellow actors. Read on! 

STARCAST: How long have you been acting, and what inspired you to become an actor?

ASHLEY: I have been acting since I was fifteen years old, so about eight years now. My inspiration for acting came from me loving movies as I grew up. My mom told me at around three she would come home and I would act out the television show or movie I watched earlier that day. I’m pretty positive it was predestined for me. It wasn’t until about the age of twelve when I finally faced that destiny and realized that I could actually be an actress!

STARCAST: How did you prepare for your StarCast scene? What informed your performance?

ASHLEY: First off, memorization! I can’t develop a character if I don’t know what she’s thinking! Once that was done, I dove into what her objective was, why was she saying these things and what had gotten her to this point. Then I started bringing her to life. My voice I felt like was the most important part for her. I wanted her to have that valley-girl way about her. Living in a valley and having so many girls like her around me, I used that for my inspiration. Furthermore, I imagined she was doing an online blog and finally the character came to life!

STARCAST: What kind of acting gigs have you had thus far, if any?

ASHLEY: Not too many up to now. I have done theatre work and did a few short films while at UNLV. I am, however, looking forward to adding more experiences though!  

STARCAST: We know you’ve fantasized about an awards acceptance speech. How does the opening line go?

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ASHLEY: f I ever did win an award I’d probably wouldn’t be able to say anything! I’d be too shocked and I’d probably be crying to be honest. I’d most likely just be able to mutter out a few dozen thank yous until the music kicked me off the stage! 

STARCAST: Have you had any notable successes or setbacks you think other actors could learn from?

ASHLEY: I feel like I am just beginning so I don’t have any earth-shattering successes or setbacks. That could be from not taking enough chances. So to other actors (and myself) I say, take more chances! Let’s create some amazing success and knowledgeable setbacks! 

STARCAST: Have you had any acting training, and can you speak a little bit to the importance of drama programs or acting classes?

ASHLEY: Yes I have. Like I noted before, I went to UNLV and there I studied acting with some pretty amazing professors, who are also accomplished actors themselves. Just spending the last two years with them, my talent was deepened immensely! Classes are an essential part of acting! Like life, we should always try to deepen ourselves with knowledge, so why should our talent be any different?

STARCAST: What are your favorite actors’ services and resources?

ASHLEY: Well StarCast has got to be my number one of course! :) Also, living in Las Vegas and Los Angeles basically being our city sister, IMDB Pro, LACasting and Actor’s Access are all wonderful sites for all of us here on the West Coast.   

STARCAST: What’s your dream role, and do you have a favorite actor or actress?

ASHLEY: Oh man, I don’t think I have a specific dream role in mind. I honestly want to do it all! I love every genre! I do usually tend to gravitate towards really strong, independent female roles, though. Nowadays those roles aren’t hard to find which is, I think is pretty awesome! I can’t say I have an ultimate favorite actor or actress because there are so many astonishingly talented ones out there! I do have to say, however, I really admire Angelina Jolie, Michelle Williams, Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman and Daniel Day-Lewis. They are all pretty phenomenal at what they do. 

 STARCAST: What are your short term acting goals?

ASHLEY: Finding an agent and moving to Los Angeles are next on my to do list! 

 STARCAST: The biz can be tough. What motivates you to keep at it?

ASHLEY: The absolute love for what I do! I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life, nor do I want to. In fact, acting is so much apart of who I am now that I don’t think I can do anything else. Like I said, I’m pretty sure I was predestined to do it. 

 STARCAST: Do you have any special or funny skills we should know about?

ASHLEY: I can moonwalk! I think it’s a pretty awesome skill if I do say so myself! I do some singing here and there, mostly in the car, but I am looking into voice lessons. Hopefully, then I could start singing with the windows down!

STARCAST: Do you have any audition tips for your fellow actors out there?

ASHLEY: I call these the three bes. Be early, be prepared, and most importantly, be confident! And also, have fun! Isn’t that why we do this after all? 

STARCAST: Do you have a website, YouTube channel or reel you would like us to post? And do you have a Twitter or other social media handle where you would like people to follow you?

ASHLEY: I don’t have any acting site…yet! However, you can follow me on twitter @Asherpants! Don’t be shy, say hi! :)

Thanks, ASHLEY! You can view her StarCast performance at www.starcastauditions.com/best-performances. If her video doesn’t appear, shift the sort function from “Most Recent” to “All.”

FOLLOW-UP WITH REECE FRITH, 3X BEST PERFORMER

Reece Frith has broken a StarCast record by becoming a 3-TIME best performer. We followed up with him to get his advice for you guys and talk about his plans for the future.

STARCAST: You’ve been a best performer before, but submitted again. What do you enjoy about the StarCast experience?

REECE: Mainly it’s the exposure. I love and appreciate how these videos help you get exposed to not just people within this company. but other people in the industry as a whole. I think it’s hard to find something today that exposes new talent to the right people who matter, and StarCast does just that.

STARCAST: As a THREE time best performer (WOW!), do you have any advice or secrets you’d like to share with those who submit to our site?

REECE: Hmm…well, for one never give up. Everyone judges and interprets things differently so just because you don’t get where you want to be in one shot, dont throw in the towel. Theres really no excuse for quitting after one or two attempts. Secondly, i guess i wouldn’t really call it a “secret”, but my thing is, I don’t spend that much time stressing and over-thinking about whatever I’m doing. I just sort of familiarize myself with the material, then do it however it comes natural to me. For my last submission, I literally found the script, memorized it and performed it all in an hour, and I think that works best for me. If I spend days and days critiquing myself, It becomes dull and repetitive and the output is not how i want it. I would say go with your instinct and always feel comfortable. If you don’t feel comfortable, chances are somethings not right.

STARCAST: You’ve been contacted by a LA talent manager and decided to stick to a local agent in Louisiana. Any plans in the future to make the move to LA? After college?

REECE: Definitely. LA has always been in my plans since I first decided to do this. If I decide to do something, I want to go all the way with it, and that applies to my career. I want to strive to be the best that I can be and there’s no place else to do it than LA. The Louisiana market is booming and it’s awesome for where it’s at. But everyone knows L.A. is where stars are made.

STARCAST: How hard is it to balance college with acting pursuits, and what do you do to make sure both pursuits are getting their due attention?

It sort of comes in waves. One moment I’ll be totally flooded and focused on school, then another time school will be totally calm and I’ll have 3 auditions to film in a day, and sometimes they both explode. I think it’s all about priority and time management. I try to conquer both, and most of the time I do. At the end of the day, you have to remember your ultimate goal.

STARCAST: Other than StarCast, how do you use the Internet or technology to further your acting career? 

REECE: I’m registered on websites like castittalent.com and actorsaccess.com, and I also have profiles on background casting sites around Louisiana. I also think social networking groups and connections through Facebook and Twitter have been a big help. A huge help.

STARCAST: Do you have any advice for actors who suffer from nerves before auditions? 

REECE: Just do it. Just hold your breath and dive in, really. The more time you spend thinking about your nerves, the more nervous you’ll get, so just take the plunge. I dont think about myself during auditions, I think of my character and story. It helps me escape and if I’m not focusing on myself, I’m not focusing on nerves. 

But in all honesty, I don’t get nervous for much anymore. Sometimes nerves can be a good or bad thing.

STARCAST: Are there any classic mistakes or assumptions you think new actors make that you’ve learned from or learned to avoid?

REECE:  I’ve learned to never “act”. I know that sounds weird but coming from a strictly theater-filled background, I did everything with a theatrical flair, and I think new actors often feel so strongly to impress and give a great performance, that they end up being over-dramatic. That’s probably been my biggest obstacle during this whole transition. 

STARCAST: Do you have a YouTube channel, Twitter or other social media handle where you would like people to follow you?

REECE:  Yes! I have a YouTube channel ( reecefrith ), and feel free to follow me on Twitter! @reecefrith. It’s a great way to keep in touch ;)

Thanks, REECE! You can check out Reece’s latest StarCast performance at www.starcastauditions.com/best-performances. Industry, if you’re interested in Reece, you can request contact with him there, as well.