www.alliemenzimer.com headshot by Tracy Birdsell
"Allie Menzimer's website is a great example: A Clean , and simple design, and for the visitor informative and easy to maneuver."
Michael Kramer
Sage Parker
Four years ago in my ongoing research to better teach this class, I realized that more and more Production Companies were beginning to utilize the web for casting purposes. Initially these companies were primarily for Commercial Casting as it enabled both the Directors and Advertising Agencies on the opposite coasts to issue final approval over casting and cast in a more timely manner. This was not only more convenient for Commercial Casting Directors to get their choices seen and approved but has ultimately become more cost efficient for the Film & Television Production casting companies, looking to narrow their choices of actors to be flown to either "test" for roles, or be cast directly from the digital auditions uploaded to locations for Directors final approval. Some Theaters are also now beginning to take advantage of this technology for auditioning actors who find they have either travel or work conflicts. We will see more and more following suit . To my way of thinking this was a perfect opportunity for the actors themselves to begin to take control. If Casting Companies and Agencies now had their Websites, Why not actors? I began to "shop" this idea with agents ,managers and castings offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Every one I talked to was in agreement that many "Actor" websites found on line at that time were more appropriate to promoting a career for models rather than actors. They looked extremely unprofessional and said nothing about either the actor in the website or their craft. I began doing research to find out what would really look best .What balance could be made between the creative and the business side. What worked . What didn't. What was afforable. Just recently when Agent Tim Angle , President of Don Buchwald Agency and Artist's Manager Joanie Burstien, spent the afternoon as guests of this class , they were asked: "How important are actor's websites now?", ..their answer :"Very" , especially for those actors with no representation. I have always believed that Actors , are a business unto themselves. If you embrace that & if you have both the talent and the confidence to back it up, only then will your ability to make a living doing what you love really take hold. SO......to that end I no longer just "suggest " that my students have their websites before they leave the university , it is now "required" for my class.
On Thursday February 19th Guest Michael Kramer of AmeraVant Web Design came to give the class the finer points of not just design, but the intricate details of web based marketing. It was an incredibly informative 3 hours and and we found not nearly enough time to absorb everything we wanted to know. Every single question led to yet another bigger question.
Michael has owned and operated several companies since 1980. His expertise in Technology started in 1993. He is the founder and owner of AmeraVant a full Service Web Design , development, maintenance, & hosting Company. We Thank Michael for Very generously donating his time!
Talent only works ,if Talent works hard.
sage
