Keli Squires Taylor

Actors! Know your "type"! Les Brandt New Photo's!

2011-11-11T17:12:00.001-08:00

Hey there.. All of you out here in blogga land!
It's been a while since I've posted.
Lot's of projects in the works!
Stay tuned!

This post is about a very talented actor - Les Brandt
and the recent photo shoot we just created.

Les wanted new theatrical pics.
Suffice it to say.. Les really thought this through.
What would be the best way for
Les to market Les.
So Le$ is more!
What types of roles
are right for his physical look.
So we jumped into creating
the best pics of Les. After editing I picked a bunch
of shots that I liked and.. Ya know.. The more I flipped
through the pics.. I thought.. Geeze! I can see a lot of
characters here.
Rock star, western, artist, musician,criminal, blue collar,
pimp, Ho, addict,
sexy blue collar love interest.
Sexy blue collar nice guy.
Sexy blue collar douche bag.

To name just a few off the top of my head!

As an actor.. Know who you are.

There are classes about just that.

If you are an actor and you are having
a tough time figuring out how to market
yourself.. Contact me via email..
keli@kelisquirestaylor.biz
I will give you feedback for your type/categories.

Here are some of my favorite shots from shoot.

Be Bold!
:D
-Keli Squires Taylor

Fave black and white.


Fave!

one of my faves.

Fave.

EMPOWERMENT: Casting Director MARIKO BALLENTINE

2011-07-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

July 8th & July 22nd - Empowerment Seminar
with Casting Director "Mariko Ballentine".
Here's the deal.
$20 money back guarantee.
Worth the time!
You walk away feeling like you have more
information. More empowerment. More control
over your career. ( You do, you know!)
Here is the link to her blog for more info.
Sign up for her newsletter. Really helpful!

http://www.marikoballentine.com/Mariko_Ballentine_Casting/Class_Schedule_and_Payment.html

NEW NEW Publicity Pics of Thesy Surface! May 2011

2011-05-16T00:53:00.000-07:00

Keli Squires Taylor here. :)

My client Thesy Surface has shot pictures with me over a

half dozen times. In the beginning our pic sessions were for

headshots. The last couple sessions have been for publicity.

See earlier post here (also shows her hilarious and hideous looking
character "Margaret Mcpoyle" from "Always Sunny In Philadelpha".

Thesy knows best that now.. In this new age of social media,

when an actor meets with a hollywood industry heavy weight

the first thing they do is google YOU!

Hopefully you've googled them too!

This..Is a prime opportunity to market yourself!

Here are some new shots from our last shoot.

Think edgy,indie lolita, product placement.
Those were the words going through my head anyway.
Lol...

( Look for running theme of "The Oakwoods", we shot at
the infamous Oakwood apartments. Thus.. I call it my Oakwood series.)
Lol.

I love this shot of Thesy with phone in her hand.
We were walking back from a location and she looked
so.. effortless. Just looked cool.

Keli Squires Taylor

http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz

Commercial Acting VS Theatrical. Is there a difference?

2011-05-15T16:17:00.000-07:00

Keli Squires Taylor here! :)
Below a great blog written by Mariko Ballentine.
Mariko has years of experience in casting and
here she writes about the difference in "styles"
between "commercial" acting and "theatrical".
Very little difference between the two.
Check it and then check out Mariko's web site
and class schedule. http://www.marikoballentine.com/

Hello friends, agents, managers and actors et al...

The other day an actress said to me, "I always do great at theatrical auditions, but not great at commercial auditions".
This isn't the first time I have heard this from an actor. Years ago I was auditioning a very recognizable actor, who had done tons of television. I think this may have been his first "commercial" audition, and he looked very uncomfortable. There was no one else in the audition room so I walked up to him with his head shot and resume in hand. I said, "This is an amazing resume... auditioning for commercials is very similar to auditioning for television". He looked surprised. I said, "The main difference is theme and timing." I auditioned him for years after that, and he did just fine for himself and his agent.
COMMERCIAL VS THEATRICAL

How Different Are They?

I have frequently heard people say that commercial acting IS very different from theatrical, but I don't necessarily agree...the basic core is still about being believable. In a theatrical audition you are probably given some sides that indicate the relationship between the characters. In commercials, it's a bit more left up to interpretation (at least in your initial audition). If only the actors were privy to some of the directors treatments for these commercials, they would never have to leave the relationships up to their imagination! I have read treatments where they delve deeply into the background of each character, what they like, where they work, who is in their family, what their favorite color is and so on....and as a casting director I have often chuckled at the intricacies. But either the director or someone at the agency has definitely put a lot of thought into this, and all of that information may or may not help you as the actor deliver your best audition, but it does exist.

Theatrical and commercial acting both have a story to tell... while theatrically the story might be about how a young girl and her little brother go on a search for the blue bird of happiness...commercially the story might be about how a young man has to tell his older brother that he has bad breath. We have to believe both stories in order for them to work. So the "themes" are obviously a bit different. The most important difference is the timing. Commercials are mini stories told in less than 30 seconds, while theatricals take much more time. But, I would like to make a very important point here: even though the final commercial has to be achieved in 30 seconds or less, I often see more actors err on the side of "rushing" their commercial auditions. Actors are often in such a hurry to get out of the audition room that they don't allow us to take in their vibe or essence. However, on the callback, should you be given the direction to "pick it up", you should be able to deliver the line without a Mac truck driving through the pauses.
STYLES
Just Like...

More and more the trend for commercials is to imitate film and television. So the stories are often more "humanized", a father and son sharing a hot cup of coffee on a cold winters day, "The best part of waking up...". Or about the security of knowing that your insurance agent will be there for you in a disaster, "Like a good neighbor...". Styles are often borrowed from television, "The Office", "Modern Family", "The Middle". Commercials get their prototypes from film and television, they want a "Tina Fey type" or a "Jesse Eisenberg type". Sometimes commercials get their styles from other commercials. If I'm not mistaken, the "shaky camera" was originally done (at least in commercials) by director Leslie Dektor, in a Maxwell House Coffee spot, then subsequently moved into television, starting with NYPD Blue.

The trap that many actors get into is believing that when they are doing commercials that they are "selling" the product. Sometimes that may be true, for example in "Call to action" spots. And it's also true that once you book the spot you might be directed to punch up the sell a bit more than you originally did in the auditions. That's because they want a real human being, not an "actor" when they are casting, but when they are shooting, they sometimes want to highlight the product a touch more.

So my recommendation for actors who enjoy their theatricals more than their commercial auditions: think of your commercial auditions just like they were a theatrical. Be real, honest, sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, have a relationship with the other actors, or the camera (who's your best friend?) and give yourself the permission to be YOU!

In addition to my Saturday Intensives and Wednesday Night Workshops, I now offer a Friday Night Actor Empowerment Seminar for only $25. My intention is to shift the actors perceptions about auditioning. Not getting out? Let me motivate you on what to do with that gift of time.

If Money = Love + Time
then it makes sense that
Love + Time will eventually = Money.

Next Empowerment Seminar:
Friday May 13th 7-10pm
$25!

Check Mariko's web site for new upcoming dates!

Thanks for reading!

Mariko Ballentine
www.marikoballentine.com/
Mariko@MarikoBallentine.co

Heart Gallery - Kids Finding Forever Homes!

2010-06-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

The Heart Gallery is an organization I've been working with for the last

five years. The concept is simple.

Professional photographers shoot portraits

of children who are legally up for adoption.

The portraits show much more personality of the child.

Thus the adoption rate has increased 50% since the program started.

You will find children of all ages. From babies on up to teens.

I've met the most beautiful kids and yes many of them have found forever homes.

Web site: http://www.heartgalleryla.org/

Fact : It costs nothing to adopt a child through the county social services.

* In fact you can apply for financial assistance & many people do.

* You are required to take classes ( 36 hours) before you adopt and those can be completed at your own pace. There are evening and saturday classes.

The classes are FREE.

Number to find classes in your area : 1 888 811 1121

This last weekend I shot a portrait of "Denise".

A beautiful 16 year old girl.

She has such a genuine sweetness & openness.

Soon Denise will be an adult & will "age out" of the system.

It is my hope that Denise will find a forever family to love

her & guide her through her life. Something so many of us

take for granted. For Denise to enroll in the Heart Gallery

program shows that in her heart.. She would like to find that

forever family. That shows so much courage that she deserves to have

a family to call her own!

For those of you who have always thought about having children

but not necessarily a baby or a young child , an older child like Denise

would be a wonderful opportunity to make a huge difference in their

life!

NEW Promo Pictures - THESY SURFACE

2010-06-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

New promo Pictures of "Thesy Surface".

Thesy has a recurring role on "Always Sunny In Philadelphia".

Her character is hilarious and ; has one crazy unibrow.

We shot sexy pics of Thesy for promotion - with the concept that

her character on the show is well..Down right homely and the real Thesy

is actually quite lovely!

Check it out!

Emmy Collins - CRAZY Categories/ Beard is REAL!

2010-05-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

NEW pictures of actor "EMMY COLLINS"!

Just shot these pics! We shot several different categories

for his commercial agent.

Biker, rocker, hippy, artsy, jesus, viking/caveman, pirate

and homeless/crazy guy.

It's interesting. His previous agent just used two different shots

smiling and not smiling. Emmy did book work with just two shots.

After all he has a VERY specific "look".

Now with new representation an agent who likes several specific categories.

It seems he would get a lot more auditions/opportunities.

What do you think?

Theatrical Shots of LUCY GRIFFIN

2009-11-10T19:06:00.000-08:00

These are some cool theatrical shots of actress LUCY GRIFFIN.
Theatrical meaning for motion picture/television.
Included some fun artsy fashion shots too.
I love Lucy. Her eyes. Her energy. Magic.

Print shots of AVA LANGE

2009-11-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

This is the GORGEOUS... AVA LANGE.
We shot some fashion/print "looks".
As a result two top print agencies wanted to sign her.
I love these shots because of the energy she brought
to the shoot. I could post 200 shots but here are a few.
I always advise clients who are starting out to watch "Top Model" before we shoot.
I watch it all the time. During the caddy boring stuff with the girls I go & do
other stuff but the photo shoots & feedback at the judging is golden.
Modeling is acting with no words.
Also knowing your angles and how to make the most of what you've got
is key.
I've been shooting more fashion lately & want to work more with designers
doing their flip books. I love it.

The Lovely...The Truly Talented..The Hilarious..Thesy Surface

2009-09-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is the third time I've had the pleasure of photographing the truly

lovely and talented & very funny "Thesy Surface"!

You may NOT recognize Thesy from her role on "Always Sunny In Philidelpha".

One word. Unibrow. Hilarious.

Thesy is an actress I love to work with because she just "gets it" on so many levels.

She understands what it takes to succeed in this biz and she's not afraid to put

herself out there. If I were managing again I would sign her in a NY min.!!

Thats right. I said it. I meant it and I'm here to represent it!

Thesy is also a very talented writer.

She has some great projects in the works!

Also.. check out her funny funny blog: http://www.thesysurface.com/2009/06/its-hard-not-to-make-dirty-joke-when.html

Also check out my web site: http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz

All photos/ styling : http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz

Top 10 Reasons to update your pictures!!

2009-08-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hola!

If you follow me on twitter or facebook then you may have seen

this tweet but a client I shot pictures of a year ago is coming back

to refresh some "looks"/ categories.

This last year he booked 4 national spots for:

Jack n the Box, AllState, Maxwell House and Skittles.

Smart actors refresh their pictures every 6 months to a year!

Thats right!

How many times on twitter have I seen casting directors tweet

this over & over.

Most recently: " I love this actress but why did she come in with a

head shot from 10 years ago ?! "

AND from another casting director,

"Yet another actor who doesn't look anything

like their head shot! What a waste of my time and theirs!".

Please UPDATE your pictures!!

I know moneys tight etc. but it's such a small investment

that will pay you back 10 times $$$$$

As one very wise agent recently said to me while we were chatting

in her office,

" even if an actor has excellent pictures it's still a great thing to update

because casting gets tired of looking at the same thing

over and over again."

TOP TEN reasons to update your pictures:

1)You've changed inside and have gone through significant growth/spiritual changes.

2)You've changed physically somehow.

3)Your whole perspective has changed about life,

your career and the business.

4)The other shots that you paid $50 for just aren't working.

5) The other shots you had your friend, neighbor or cousin take of you

just aren't working .

6) You want to try a fresh new approach. A clean slate.

7) Your wardrobe sucks and you know that you need new fresh hip shots!

8) People say that your pictures don't look like you.

9) People say that you look younger in person then you do in your pictures.

10) The time is NOW to get off the couch and make your dreams into a REALITY!

http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz

Here's to your SUCCESS !

And remember, the power is with in you!

How to break into commercials! Your pal Sal has a GREAT Story!

2009-07-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

Motto of this blog: You have fun, put it out there & good things happen!

Read on.

Established writer, director now a commercial actor - Sal Litvak.

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting headshots of our pal Sal.

His agents ( the wonderful Joan & Kim)over at Pinnacle talent agency referred him.

Sal has a fascinating success story.

Sal & his wife Nina Davidovich who is also his writing partner

wrote the feature film "When Do We Eat?"

A comedy about when a family's Passover gets screwy after the patriarch unknowingly ingests a hit of Ecstasy. (Funny Stuff.)

Tag line: Sex, Drugs and Matzoh Ball Soup

Check it out here. (link below)

Link:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0392908/

Ok. Since then Sal & Nina went on vacation to Whistler, British Columbia

where they enjoyed a day of "ziplining". You fly 300 feet up in the air

over a gorge cut by glacier water. Very FUN!

Our pal Sal captured part of his ride on video & put it up on UTube

to share with friends and family.

Original video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCG0Sm8M0jU

The Advertising Agency who has Canada as one of their accounts

saw Sal's video on UTube and made a commercial spot out of it as part of Canada's

worldwide tourism campaign for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Commercial link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPpJctRI8c4

Pretty dang COOL huh ?!!

I love it!

Very inspiring because YOU can do it too!

Now Sal has made some $$$$ from that commercial.

Took a commercial class, got an agent & of course shot with

me for headshots. :D

Currently Sal and Nina are also writing another feature film.

I shot 10 categories of Sal: blue collar, Doctor, ceo, office, Dad, outdoors, waiter,judge,

russian guy, artsy guy/snob, normal guy, coach,sports fan, golf.

Hmmmmm... That's more then 10. Well anyway :) His agents loved the shots

and they can plug him into many many categories that will give our pal Sal

many many more opportunities!!

So go out there have fun! Be creative & share it with the world.

Amazing things can happen! :D

Check out my web site: http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz

Actors who book Commercials!

2009-06-12T01:39:00.000-07:00

There are different reasons why some actors book a lot

of commercials. Every time I shoot a client I always get a

feel for their energy and personality. It's this intuitive thing

that comes out. I can always tell when an actor is a "booker".

Like the three actors featured here.

Banner attached : Kristy Nolen, Tammi Mac and Fred Maske.
Congratulations to them on ALL of their bookings!

Fred is this magnetic aura kind of a guy.

He draws you in.

Very interesting and cool.

Fred had actually booked four commercials BEFORE

I shot his pictures. Then after I shot his pics he booked FIVE

more commercial spots. Which was his personal goal.

Fred is talented. Funny.

Relaxed. Confident. However he was reading a lot of books

about energy and manifesting your goals. Very interesting.

I definitely recommend this to those of you who "vibe" with this

approach. Whether it's "The Secret" or "The Moses Code" whatever

"speaks" to you. Putting the law of attraction to work for you is a

powerful tool.

Tammi "Mac" has no fear. No inhibitions.

Which is "key"in this business.

I can not say this enough. When I was a talent manager I would

look for this quality in actors for potential clients.

This is very important! As an agent or manager you can do a beautiful

job marketing and selling the client/ actor. Get them great opportunities

in the way of auditions HOWEVER if an actor can't walk through the door

fearless and show the people in the room exactly what they can do & what they're

about then all of the other stuff doesn't matter.

Tammi Mac has this quality.

Kristy is hysterical. She has an improv, sketch comedy background

which is also great for booking commercials.

Some commercial auditions will have you reading "copy" and some

will be just improv.

Three shots I posted here is of a character she had an idea for sketch comedy.

It was supposed to be a bride who got stood up

& then got caught in the rain.

I'm always open to this kind of thing.

Again it is what makes my job so interesting!

So Kristy asks me..."Do you think that's funny or just sad..?"

I laughed & replied well..Let's shoot it & find out.

Because you never know what

kind of energy a person is going to bring in.

She made it work.

I was cracking up the entire time.

It's energy.

Why I call this blog Acting energy.

No two people are ever the same.

Every one brings a different E N E R G Y.

That.. Is fascinating to me.

BTW

You can catch Tammi Mac on 102.3 KJLH evenings 7-12.

Tammi Mac in the Backseat!

More posts to come.
I'm just warming up!

Gil Darnell & Darren Scott

2009-06-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Pictured here the ever entertaining "Gil Darnell".

I shot a lot of different categories on Gil.
Including zeesexy Billy Idol rock n' roll dude.
See my web site for more pics: http://www.kelisquirestaylor.biz
Also featured here is the make-up artist that worked on Gil's shoot
who is none other then the amazing and very funny actor "Darren Scott".

See picture of Gil and Darren in their rapper outfits.
Lol.. Why Gil had so many rapper outfits is a mystery but..lol and Darren just throws on
one of his jackets, tarts himself up and BAM! Jumps in there!

We would tease Gil and tell him that I was going to put

that pic up on my engagement section on my web site. (He..hehe..)
Why not?!
Gil just booked and shot two national Ketle One spots including print campaign.

He's on a big billboard on sunset blvd. LOVE that! Love to hear when clients book!!
-Keli Squires Taylor

Great samples of commercial categories for actors.

2009-06-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

These are some fave shots of "Meena Serendib".
I LOVED shooting the "traditional" category of Meena.

I was so excited because I KNEW we were going to get some beautiful shots.

The business woman was my second favorite to shoot.

We shot about six categories on Meena. Her agent works this way

which is very smart. Everything is now on line. Agents submit electronically

all day long. If casting needs a business woman, office worker, young mom

or a traditional look ( examples featured here), then that's what her agent will

submit. Pictures have a "range" in facial expressions, wardrobe, hair styles, backgrounds and energy. These pictures "pop" in their own unique way.

The make-up artist "Kokeeta Douglas"- one of my favorite people
to work with did a fantastic job!

Satish Dholakia www.innercosmos.com

2009-06-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

This picture is of my dear friend - Satish Dholakia.
Good morning Satish!
:D
Satish is an incredible energy healer!
Amazing at what he does!
Satish can help you with: Energy/chakra healing, ACTING career (removing blocks etc.),
depression, sadness and anxiety, relationship healing, stress management,
physical pain and of course meditation.
Satish also teaches these weekend classes.
I did a 7 day class with him one year and it was pretty
darn insightful.

A private session with Satish runs two hours and his session fee is
affordable!
I love Satish. Beautiful energy.
Go to web site and for more info.
http://www.innercosmos.com

An actor who understands how to be professional!

2009-06-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

Picture of Les Brandt is considered in the commercial market as

"blue collar" category.

See current post 11-11 of new theatrical pics.

Les Brandt was Awesome to work with!!

Les is a true professional in every way.

He just "gets" what this biz is about.

For every meeting he was ten mins. early.

I always run on time to the min. but I didn't

mind Les showing up early.

Again, during the shoot Les could take any direction

and give me his rendition of it.

And.. Another key element. Les is likable.

Pleasant to work with. He understands that time is money

and he would just flow with everything. From one category

to the next. You seem him relax into the next frame.

Les is an entrepreneur. Which is very smart.

Has his own cool clothing line - "Brandtskins."

My prediction. We are going to see a lot more

of Mr. Les Brandt.

Les just booked and shot a huge national spot
for monster.com directed by award winning Daniel Kleinman and Director of Photography by John Mathieson (Gladiator).
Here is blog spot with info, clips & news about Les.
http://www.LesBrandt.BlogSpot.com