TalentPlus

🎬 "How do I get an audition for OFF CAMPUS and other hit shows?"

It's one of the most common questions we receive at TalentPlus.

Whether it's a new streaming series, a popular reboot, or the latest show everyone's talking about, many actors and parents assume TalentPlus receives every casting notice for every production.

The reality is a bit more complicated.

Sometimes a production publicly announces auditions. Other times, casting notices are sent directly to agencies, managers, and casting professionals. In some cases, productions may not begin casting supporting roles, day players, or background performers until weeks after filming has started.

For example, a show may be filming in Vancouver, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, or another production hub. In many cases, productions first hire local background actors and may prioritize local talent for certain day player and supporting roles. Other roles may not be cast until weeks or even months after filming begins.

When submitting talent, casting directors don't just see a name. They review the actor's profile, which may include:

✅ Headshots
✅ Resume
✅ Demo reels
✅ Slate videos
✅ Special skills
✅ Union status
✅ Sizes and appearance information

That's why keeping your Actors Access, Casting Networks, Casting.com, and agency profiles current is so important.

Want to increase your chances of being considered for television projects?

✔ Keep your headshots current
✔ Upload video clips and slates
✔ Maintain an updated resume
✔ Continue training
✔ Respond promptly to auditions and agency requests

The actors who book television roles are often the ones who are prepared before the casting notice arrives.

Read this week's Agent's Desk article to learn more about how television casting works and what you can do to put yourself in the best position when opportunities become available. https://www.talentpl.us/resources/resource

Congratulations Langston Casey!

From hundreds of applicants to the top 8! COCA PreProfessional Division senior, Langston Casey was a finalist at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards®) which featured top artists from across the country. Join us in celebrating his amazing achievement!

✨ Meet The Talent: Jillian Depke ✨

Meet Jillian Depke, a talented young performer whose passion for acting, singing, dancing, and storytelling continues to open exciting doors.

A recent graduate of Nerinx Hall, Jillian will be attending Rider University this fall to pursue her BFA in Musical Theatre. Before heading off to college, she's spending her summer on stage at The Muny, where audiences can catch her in South Pacific and Something Rotten.

You may also recognize Jillian from the feature film Soul on Fire, where she portrays Laura O'Leary. Longtime St. Louis families may remember her from her years performing aboard The Polar Express train ride, where she helped create holiday magic for thousands of guests.

We're excited to have Jillian on the TalentPlus roster and look forward to following her journey as she continues to grow both on stage and on screen.

🎭 Want to learn more? Visit Jillian's TalentPlus profile to view her headshots, resume, voice-over demo, and personality slate! https://www.talentpl.us/talent/jillian-depke

🎬 MYTH vs REALITY

❌ MYTH: If a movie is filming in the Midwest, they bring everyone in from Hollywood.

✅ REALITY: Productions often hire local actors, crew, stand-ins, photo doubles, and background performers. Being local can actually be an advantage because productions save on travel and lodging costs.

Many productions prefer hiring local talent whenever possible because it helps reduce travel and lodging costs. That's why keeping your headshots, resumes, sizes, and casting profiles up to date is so important—you never know when the next opportunity may be looking for someone just like you.

With several film and on-camera projects currently filming or preparing to film throughout Missouri and Illinois, there are more opportunities than many people realize.

✨ The key isn't where you live—it's being ready when the opportunity comes along.

🎬 TalentPlus Talent at Work

From on-camera projects to modeling opportunities, our talent have been staying busy throughout the St. Louis area.

Recently, Tonee Roper, Vanessa Leinani, and Bill Stine spent full days on set for a client, while Angela Giancola, Michael Harris and Katie Koenig were booked for modeling opportunities across the region.

These are just a few of the opportunities our talent have been working on recently. Every booking represents preparation, professionalism, and being ready when opportunity knocks.

We're excited to see our actors and models continuing to work on a variety of projects, and we're looking forward to what the rest of the summer has in store.

Congratulations to all of our talent who continue to represent TalentPlus so well both on set and in front of the camera!

🎭 Meet the Talent: Tavon Gibbs

We're highlighting Tavon Gibbs, one of the talented actors on the TalentPlus roster.

Originally from Detroit and now based in St. Louis, Tavon brings a unique combination of athleticism, professionalism, and dedication to his craft. He spent four years playing professional baseball, an experience that helped shape the discipline and work ethic he brings to every opportunity.

Tavon continues to sharpen his skills through his training with Creative Actors Studio and recently appeared in the latest season of the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias.

When he's not auditioning or working on set, Tavon is putting his MBA to use and is even considering pursuing a PhD in the future.

We're excited to have Tavon as part of the TalentPlus roster and look forward to seeing what opportunities come next.

View Tavon's TalentPlus Profile here: https://www.talentpl.us/talent/Tavon-Gibbs

🎬 MYTH vs REALITY

❌ MYTH: A headshot has to be glamorous to get noticed.

✅ REALITY: Clients want photos that accurately represent how you look today.

A headshot's job is not to create a different version of you. Its purpose is to help clients, casting professionals, photographers, producers, and directors understand who may be arriving on set.

Recently, we were discussing headshots with industry professionals and one observation stood out: heavily retouched photos can sometimes make it more difficult to understand what a talent actually looks like. Perfect skin, excessive filtering, and dramatic editing may look impressive, but authenticity wins.

That doesn't mean your headshot shouldn't be professional. Good lighting, quality photography, appropriate wardrobe, and natural retouching all have their place. The goal is simply for your photos to look like you on your best day—not a completely different person.

Whether you're an actor or model current and accurate photos remain one of the most important tools in your profile.

🎬 AGENT'S DESK: Three Reasons Talent Miss Out on Opportunities

Most talent assume that if they're right for a role, they'll automatically be considered. In reality, many opportunities are lost before an audition is ever requested.

Clients, casting directors, and production teams often review dozens—or even hundreds—of submissions in a short period of time. Small details can make a big difference.

This week's Agent's Desk highlights three common reasons talent may miss out on opportunities:

✔️ Slow responses when availability is requested

✔️ Outdated photos, sizes, or contact information on casting profiles

✔️ Missing requested materials or self-tapes by deadline

It's important to regularly review your profiles on Actors Access, Casting Networks, and Casting.com to ensure your information accurately reflects you today. A profile that is current and complete helps us present you professionally when opportunities arise.

Take a look through this week's article and see if there are any updates you should make to your materials: https://www.talentpl.us/resources/three-reasons-talent-miss-out-on-opportunities

Today is opening day for the feature film Carolina Caroline!

We're excited to see TalentPlus actor Chad Crenshaw on the big screen as part of this feature film starring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner & Jon Gries.

Projects like Carolina Caroline are a reminder that opportunities continue to grow throughout the Midwest. Productions filming in the region create valuable audition and booking opportunities for our actors, and we're grateful to help connect talent like Chad with those opportunities.

Congratulations to Chad and the cast and crew involved in bringing this project to life. We can't wait to see the film in theaters.

Carolina, Caroline directed by Adam Rehmeier is in theaters nationwide now.

Have you seen Carolina Caroline yet? Let us know what you think!