Bo Kane    actor, writer, kids' acting coach    
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Kids Acting Class

Our thanks to our recent guests Sarah Johnson from Disney, Gregg Binkley from Raising Hope, and commercial casting directors Michael Sanford, John McCarthy, and Justin Radley of ASG Casting.   Tracy Wynne (GCB, Beauty and the Beast) joined us a few weeks ago as did Bob Telford from Video Resource Group (voice-over).  We really appreciate their expertise. 
Gotta treat Mom right this Sunday, so no classes on Mother's Day.  See you May 20th.
And this weeks' congrats to Kaden (Volkswagen) Austin (Burger King) Tess (film) and all the other young actors;  we're proud of you.
FAQ's are below.....

           THE KIDS' CLASS! @ On Your Mark Studios 

Classes are ongoing
for actors ages 6 to 9, and 10 to early teens (give or take a year).  Young actors are guided with patience and  encouragement to act naturally and honestly with cold reading, scene study, and commercial copy.  And they have FUN!  We emphasize how important it is to enjoy the work, and the audition process.  Our students will not only take their acting skills to the next level, but the confidence and presence gained will carry over to school and social activities.   
And ...the parents get to see the progress.  Instead of being shut out of the class (as is the case with auditions --- the young actor goes in & the door closes) in at least 3 of every 4 classes, parents are welcome to sit in an adjoining room and view the class on a tv monitor.

"Whether you become a professional actor ... or a doctor, teacher, businessman, cop or coach ... you will 'perform' in every profession".        Bo Kane

Private coaching:  if your young actor gets an audition and you need help quickly, give us a call and we'll do our best to make time for you.   Our private students regularly book jobs on AntFarm, Criminal Minds, Happy Endings, iCarly and many other shows.  Bo prepares in advance, and gives your actor expert tips and advice.  Details are below.

Casting Director John McCarthy is a frequent guest, offering his expertise and advice.  John has cast many commercials and tv shows, and works often with Mattel, MGA, Fisher Price, Hot Wheels, Bratz, and many many others.  He's one of the true 'good guys' in the business. 
Other casting directors, directors, and working professionals stop in as well (see schedule below)

"I highly recommend Bo Kane's workshop for any young talent looking to have a career in the entertainment business.  From improv and dialog to following direction and getting comfortable in front of the camera, the kids build confidence and learn the proper tools and traits to improve as an actor...while having fun at the same time."
                                  -Jeremy Apody, Head of Children's Dept. - Abrams Artists Agency

    
   Madison, Casting Director John McCarthy                    Langston               Makena

Name-Drop Alert!.....
Our students regularly book jobs in film, television, and commercials
.... Tess did a USAA spot, Austin guested on Happy Endings, Eleina and Logan both were cast by Disney, Will shot a Walmart, Craig starred in a student film, Austin shot a Nissan commercial, Nathan just shot a Criminal Minds, Victoria did a series of spots for Pay per View, Tess did an IBM and several other jobs, Riley just booked a film, Paige was on Young & Restless, Sammy did a Toyota spot, Austin has a Royal Carribean spot and a furniture commercial, Will shot a webisode and was on Brad Garrett's show (so was Lela), Clinton shot a Chef Boyardee and is performing at the Dororthy Chandler, several of our kids shot industrials and commercials for Mattel, Makena shot a music video, Victoria did a film "Tracks".......  also: Cadbury's/Blue Bunny, Target, 'Criminal Minds', Merck, Doritos, Atlantis Hotel, WalMart, Disney, Two And A Half Men, McDonalds, Discovery Kids, Roundtable Pizza, two pilots, a 'Hooked On Phonics' commercial,  CSI: NY, and a few movies the titles of which I can't remember.  
Denise Kane has a "Brown Medical Center" series of commercials and a Humira spot.   The old coach did 90210 and CSI Miami (he gets in to a gunfight with David Caruso .... and loses), the sci-fi film The Vortex,  and is coaching kids with theatrical private lessons.

              Casting Director Michael Sanford with class

Bo Kane has worked in the entertainment business for over 20 years as an actor, writer, and segment producer.  He also directs casting sessions for casting directors such as John McCarthy, Ava Shevitt, Vicki Goggin, Lisa Pantone, Michael Sanford, Francene Selkirk, and many others.
  
Bo just shot an episode of 90210, and a Toyota commercial.  
His other recent acting credits include CSI Miami, Dexter, The Defenders, FlashForward, The Ringer, Men Of A Certain Age, Outlaw, The Unit, Man Of The House, JAG, X-Files .... and if you go way back, he played Dick Clark in What's Love Got To Do With It, was in the original Child's Play, and 30-some episodes of General Hospital
He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
Bo's recent book, "50 Acting Scenes For Teens" is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com   Acting Scenes and Monologues For Kids! is also available on Amazon (see our book tab on the left in green)

                         
Denise Loveday-Kane has over 100 commercials to her credit and many tv and movie roles (2 and 1/2 Men, Contact...).  Denise has a film degree from the University of Texas.   She and Bo have two children.

All classes are on-camera, and we often have guests, including casting directors, directors, and working actors (see below).  
Agents are also welcome to attend on these 'guest' days.  Just contact them at Bo@BoKaneonline.com to set up a time.

The workshops are held on Sunday (no we're not heathens, just working around soccer, dance, baseball and auditions) with two sessions--  11 a.m. and 12:30   

 On Your Mark Studios  13425 Ventura Bl   2nd floor    Sherman Oaks

818.567.4237          Bo@BoKaneonline.com


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How much is the class? 
A four-week session is only $150.

If it's on-camera and taught by two veterans and features a casting director, why is it so cheap?   Because we have kids too, and we know how expensive it can all become.   And hey, we're not cheap; we're the highest quality class that also happens to be inexpensive.  :-)

What if we have to miss a class?  Can we make it up?
   Yes.  We understand that things come up.  You have 6 weeks to make the 4 classes.

If my child needs a scene from class to show an agent, can I get a copy?  Sure, just let us know and we'll get you a disc of the scene.
  (We don't suggest, however, putting class scenes on Breakdown.   Use Actors Slate instead.)

ps.....(Checks or cash are good; haven't gotten around to credit cards yet)

SIDE NOTE:   Remember, if you feel you're being scammed  ("hey, your kid looks like a star, she should take photos and classes right here at the mall!") or waaay over-charged, ask us---shoot us an email.   We've been in this business a long time.
Don't just hand over your grocery money and hope for the best.

                    
                                        Denise Kane, Ruby (on monitor)

New in town?  looking for a place to live?  Try Oakwood apts:   www.oakwood.com/childactors

BACKSTAGE WEST

For Kids, Having Fun Is The Name Of The Game     
August 2008  by Paul Haber

The question that haunts so many commercial actors is a simple one:  What are directors looking for?  Often the answer can be complex, emcompassing any number of variables depending on the director and the needs of the commercial.  When it comes to kids, however, the answer is often simple:  fun.

Actor-director Bo Kane and his wife, actor-producer Denise Loveday-Kane, both 20-year commercial vets who teach an acting workshop for kids in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, concur.  "It's all about having a good time in there," says Kane.  "It should be no pressure - just have fun and listen to the director."  Ultimately though, a kid needs to like auditioning.  "If you don't like to audition, you may never get to the set," Kane predicts, on the grounds that actors typically spend a lot more time auditioning than working.

Kane likens his workshop to batting practice in baseball:  Get up as much or as little as you like during class, being yourself.  He calls his workshop a great place to make mistakes, where you can laugh them off insteading of beating yourself up .  Moreover, he says, his class is not just about auditioning; it's a place where students learn to listen, dollow directions, and eventually become comfortable  speaking in front of a group.

They also learn the nuts and bolts of the audition process, including basic do's and don'ts.  "For kids, there aren't that many rules.  Things like slating - you can cover that quickly", says Kane.  Denise adds, "We teach the kids to walk in the door with confidence and a smile and hit their mark like they're ready to go."  Loveday-Kane recommends that a child tells his or her age when they slate, and if they have a funny haircut "tell them you're willing to cut it."  Kane recalls one great kid ... with a Mohawk.  "With a Mohawk, telling them you're happy to cut it is a nice thing to say on camera ... right away," he says with a laugh.
(c) BackStage West 


Private coaching is available, $75/hr.

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