What is a Slate? Why Your Slate is Important?

How do you start your audition? You slate! Slating is your way to introduce yourself to the casting director and directors. It is your chance to show your personality and show them that you are going to be great to work with. Here are instructions on how to slate! 

Standing up straight  

State your…

• Name, first and last.  
• Age (optional for the mature actor)
• Agency, Manager or Freelance 

Make sure you are standing up straight and not moving and don’t forget to talk loud and clear. Make sure you enunciate clearly so everyone can hear your name. Add a “Hi, I’m" or a “Hello, my name is” and then your name. It is okay and recommended to pause slightly in-between your first and last name. If you are on camera make sure you are looking into the camera and not around the room. If not on camera, look at the people running the casting. Be friendly, not like you are reading a line.  This is your introduction, have energy so that there is a light in your eyes. If they don’t like your slate, they probably won’t listen to your audition.  

Before you perform your material, take a breath. This gives you a moment to get into character. Remember not to rush through your slate. The moment is all about you! 

ABOVE ALL ELSE FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY AUDITION! 

Below are examples of good and bad slates!

Alyson Stoner: Taking The Industry By Storm

Alyson Stoner was born to be a star. When she first came to Starbound, she was young and spunky. Her firecracker-like energy translated into her dance routines and acting material. Her talent did not go unnoticed at IMTA. She was sought after by dozens of agents.  

Alyson Stoner took her acting and dancing skills to Los Angeles shortly after competing at IMTA in New York 1999.  She landed her first job acting on a Hallmark commercial. Soon after, she was seen dancing in a JC Penny commercial. Missy Elliott then cast her in the iconic role as the little girl in the pink jumpsuit and pigtails in her ‘Work It’ music video. 

Alyson’s big break came when she landed the role of Sally on Disney’s ‘Mike’s Super Short Show’. Disney loved the young actress and had her guest starring in shows such as ‘Suite Life of Zack and Cody’. Years later, Alyson starred on Disney’s ‘Camp Rock’ alongside Demi Levato and the Jonas Brothers. Alyson has broken into the voice over world as she voices ‘Isabella’ on the show ‘Phineas and Ferb’. 

Not only has Alyson starred on the Disney Channel, she can be seen on the big screen in movies such as ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ alongside Steve Martin. She also stars in the ‘Step Up’ series. 

Between TV movies, TV series, Movies, commercials, and continuous dance classes, the busy superstar has now began her music career! Alyson started releasing covers on her YouTube channel while she was writing and recording her on original music. Alyson released her first single ‘Woman’ this year! She performed this single here in Toledo at the Lexus Rocks the Runway fashion show. 

Currently, Alyson is performing her newest single ‘Dragon’ throughout the country on the ‘Girls Night In’ tour.! 

Alyson’s talent and hard work has lead her to be the 16th most searched star on IMDb and lead her to have a major social media presence. Make sure you keep up with Starbound’s amazing alumni Alyson on social media as she takes the industry by storm!

Starbound's IMTA Success: The Adult Actors

       

Starbound’s group of teenage and adult actors performed exceptionally well at in NYC at IMTA. Each of them arrived to NYC with a determination to prove they were the best and with goals to start a career in the industry. By the end of the week, the group fell in love with the city and were even more excited to move forward with their acting careers. 

Shirley came to us from New Jersey and was a part of the Starbound NYC team. She had been pursuing acting for a few years and was ready to take the next step and find an agent or manager who would represent her in the industry. She auditioned for IMTA and with the help of her acting coach, she was able to impress the judges and receive a scholarship to the New York Film Academy. 

Abby, avid in her high school plays and productions, came to Starbound knowing she wanted to be an actress. Her love for the craft caused her desire for a bigger stage to grow. The combination of her workshops at Starbound and her high school stage experience prepared her for the big stage in NYC!

Kelly came to Starbound with no prior acting experience. Her family knew she light up in front of the camera. After auditioning with Starbound, her natural talents came to light. Kelly was able to increase her confidence in workshops preparing her to take on the stage in NYC.

Asia knew acting was her passion at a young age. This passion took her to Toledo School for the Arts where she honed her acting and dancing crafts. Coming to Starbound was the next step in her acting experience. She worked with Starbound in preparation for NYC.

Vince’s love for film and acting lead him to Toledo School for the Arts. After attending TSA, Vince found a talent for music as well. The combination of music and acting sent Vince throughout the country as he went on tour and acting gigs. Vince was able to encourage everyone in workshops and better his fellow actors while bettering himself. His natural instinct and passion showed as he competed at IMTA in NYC.

Lande had a craving for the entertainment industry that lead her to star in short films throughout the area. With aspirations to start a career in the industry, Lande auditioned for Starbound. Her talent and versatility were enhanced as she spent time in workshops. She was able to take NYC by storm once she hit the stage!

        Jay’s outgoing personality and natural acting instincts brought him to Starbound. Honing his craft was no issue as he performed in workshops. In workshops, Jay was able to pick the perfect piece for his personality allowing him to shine on stage in NYC!

Anna’s spunk and sass showed when she auditioned for Starbound. After performing in workshops, she was able to show her versatility as she took on dramatic roles as well. Her talent showed at each audition she had in NYC.

Awards

Lande

Cold Read – 4^th Place

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Monologue – 4^th Place

Singing – 4^th Place

TV Real People – 4^th Place

Shirley

Monologue – 4^th Place

Abby

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Monologue – 4^th Place

Vince

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Jay

Monologue – 4^th Place

Anna 

Female Young Adult Actor of the Year – Honorable Mention

Monologue – 4^th Place

Screen Test – 4^th Place

Kelly

Monologue – 4^th Place

Tips From An Industry Mom

Brianna Lanzen

After her daughter Brianna competed in IMTA NYC 2014, she signed with an agency and manager in NYC and LA!  Brianna and her mom Jennifer spent pilot season in LA shortly after. Jennifer quickly learned the ropes of the industry from a parent’s viewpoint. 

Here are Jennifer’s top 4 tips to all the new industry parents.

1. Celebrate everything!  From finishing an audition tape correctly, to getting an actual audition, to receiving a call back...even if you don't get it...every step is important.  I have heard a million times already, "It's a game of chess, not checkers."  It takes awhile to make connections and learn.  Celebrate those steps along the way!

2. Don't wait for your agent and manager to do all the work.  Sure, they are working hard but nobody will look for every small opportunity for your child like you do. Check out local film schools for short films, call local production companies for local commercial work and do extra work!  Even though the extra work shouldn't go on a professional resume, it is great experience and there is so much terminology used on set that your child can start getting used to in a safe group environment.

3. Get your child in improv classes....they seem to help in literally every situation.

4. Leave early for auditions.  There is nothing worse than your child blowing an audition because they were stressed  about being late.  Leave early, stop at a smoothie shop across the street, take a deep breath and have fun with the audition!

Hopefully, these tips aid in the success of you and your child as you enter the entertainment industry! 

Tanner Buchanan to Co-Star with Kiefer Sutherland

Starbound Talent is excited to update you on our star, Tanner Buchanan! Tanner has been working hard this year. In 2016, he already has been in multiple television shows. Tanner can be seen in the TV Series ‘Game Shakers’ on Nickelodeon, ‘The Fosters’ on ABC Family, and the film ‘The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards’. Currently, Tanner is filming the series ‘Designated Survivor’ with co-star, Kiefer Sutherland!  

        ‘Designated Survivor’ is a drama thriller telling the story of “A low-level Cabinet member is appointed President after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.” Tanner plays the character Leo Kirkman in the upcoming series. 

The first time Tanner came to Starbound, he performed a tap dance routine that included a back flip! Starbound Talent took Tanner to IMTA when he was 9 years old. After IMTA, Tanner’s career took off. He has been working in the industry for the last eight years. Keep your eye out for Tanner in ‘Designated Survivor” airing this fall! 

Below is a clip of Tanner from the TV Series "Girl Meets World"

Sheldon Abney: Our New Success Story

Congratulations to Sheldon Abney for signing with a management team in NYC! Sheldon took our acting and modeling classes here at SB Talent to prepare for IMTA LA 2016! At IMTA, he auditioned for agents and managers and was scouted by his new management team. Sheldon not only signed, but he recently had his first big audition for an upcoming Disney production! Break a leg Sheldon!

Check out his demo reel!