Talent Unlimited

Back in the Swing

2008-07-23T13:31:00.004-05:00

Christy Dreiling is back in the swing of things. She just shot new photos with a top photographer in Florida and has a beautiful new comp card. Christy has been on a hiatus since starting her successful Arbonne business, but now she's ready to start booking again! Call Talent Unlimited to book Christy for your next print or broadcast project!

Union Update

2008-07-23T10:28:00.009-05:00

AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and Producers have recently agreed on the terms and conditions of a new collective bargaining agreement. The agreement has been ratified by AFTRA members. The changes will be added to the 2007-2010 Network Television Broadcast Code. For more information on AFTRA click HERE.

SAG (Screen Actors Guild) is still working diligently to ratify their new rates. For more information on SAG click HERE.

Talent Unlimited is the only AFTRA and SAG franchised agency in Kansas City. Please call us for all of your Union talent needs.

KC Fringe

2008-07-22T15:56:00.005-05:00

The KC Fringe Festival is this week.
Monday, July 21st thru Sunday, July 27th

Enjoy various entertainment from Dance, Film, Improv, Music to Theatre performances while supporting many of your fellow Talent Unlimited performers.

Do you Fringe? For more information visit http://www.kcfringe.org/.

Wanna Bet

2008-07-21T11:49:00.005-05:00

Kaitlyn Conner will appear on ABC's new Game Show "Wanna Bet"

On July 28, 2008, Kaitlyn Conner will appear on the television series, “Wanna Bet”, which will air on ABC’s Channel 9 at 8:00 p.m. This new show will highlight Kailtyn’s skating ability.

Kaitlyn has been skating since the age of four at Watson’s Rolladium in Blue Springs, Missouri. She holds many skating titles, however, the one that she is best know for is doing the splits on skates under a limbo bar that has been lowered to seven to eight inches from the ground! Kailtyn is also Missouri’s current Limbo Skating Record Holder.

“Wanna Bet” will be Kailtyn’s second national television appearance. In June 2006, she appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on a segment titled “Don’t Try This At Home.” Kaitlyn has a website set up for her fans at http://www.kaitlynconner.com/

View the "Wanna Bet" TV commercial on YouTube... click HERE.

Film Update

2008-07-21T10:59:00.002-05:00

"All Roads Lead Home" will be released in theaters September 26th, exclusively at AMC. The initial release will be 3 cities which include, Kansas City area (All AMC Theaters), Phoenix, AZ (All AMC Theaters), Minneapolis, MN (Eden Prairie, Harbor Lakes, The Mall of America). If the movie is successful in these markets we will expand the film to other cities.

The advertising campaign will start in August with billboards around the cities, followed by a TV/Radio/Newspaper campaign in September. However nothing is more powerful than word of mouth, we appreciate your help in spreading the word.

www.allroadsleadhomethemovie.com

Scooby Doo

2008-07-15T16:30:00.003-05:00

Grant George will be the voice of Scooby Doo in the 2009 Hallmark Cards Scooby Doo Christmas Ornament. Watch for the ornament in Hallmark Stores next year!

New Theatre

2008-07-10T13:44:00.005-05:00

The New Theatre Restaurant presents...
Talent Unlimited actors in the show are...

Ben Britton

Dodie Brown

Jon Daugharthy

Jim Korinke

Click HERE for more information.

The King

2008-07-07T11:37:00.005-05:00

Roshan Paiva will be playing The King in Gladstone Theatre in the Park's presentation of The King and I. Click HERE for more info.

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-02T11:26:00.002-05:00

The staff of Talent Unlimited would like to wish you a fun and safe 4th of July! Have a wonderful holiday!

Setting Up a Home Voice Studio

2008-07-01T10:46:00.009-05:00

Greetings Voice Over Professionals,

Many of you have been considering a home studio for voice over auditions. I would highly recommend it! With the convenience of a home studio, you can audition on your own time and send MP3 recordings via your home computer... not to mention how much you'll save on pricey gasoline!

I took a poll of several Talent Unlimited voice talent and found out what they are using. Here's some helpful tools to get you on the road to recording from home.

~ Select a relatively quiet place in your home to set-up your computer and microphone. This doesn't have to be a completely sound proof studio. This studio is for audition purposes only. Just make sure it's a place free of kids screaming and blenders blending!

~ You'll need a home computer. A PC or Mac will be fine. You'll just want to have decent chip speed and plenty of RAM and storage space. If you are running Windows XP, chances are you're in good shape. You'll also want to check with the system requirements for the recording software you plan to use.

~ Start surfing the net for a microphone. Amazon.com has a large selection. Here are a few recommendations in a wide variety of price ranges...

Shure SM57 or SM58
AKG 1000
KSM27
Rode NT1000
Rode NT1A
Sennheiser 416
The Groove Tube

For audition purposes, I don't think it's necessary to have an expensive mixer. I also spoke to Jim over at Sky Recording and he agrees. Jim says, "Buy an affordable microphone and make friends with the guys at Radio Shack." They can sell you a mini plug or adapter that will allow you to plug the mic directly into your computer.

Jim also reminds talent, "Speak at a consistent level. If you tend to get really loud and then really soft... you may want to think about a compressor"... but that's a different blog post.

~ Next is the software. Your computer may already have an easy software system on it. If you're using a Mac... you can record in Garage Band. If not, download a program called Audacity for FREE. Voice experts are also recording in Cool Edit, Adobe Audition (new version of Cool Edit), GoldWave and Sound Forge.

~ You'll want to have speakers and/or headphones so you can hear what you've recorded.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

Thanks,
Tracey
tracey@talentunlimited.com

Special thanks to Jim Schrader, Trish Basanyi, Joe Cali, Art Hadley, Melanie Haynes, Grant George, Jessica Gee-George and Drew Stevens for their help and advice.

Click It or Ticket

2008-06-27T14:39:00.002-05:00

Parker Johnson for the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.

Click HERE to view the commercial.

KC Weddings

2008-06-26T10:20:00.002-05:00

Jenna Gilliland for KC Weddings Magazine...

Free Will

2008-06-16T10:28:00.005-05:00

The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is proud to present Othello.

June 17 - July 6
8 pm
Southmoreland Park, Kansas City
http://www.kcshakes.org/

Talent Unlimited performers include:

Jan Rogge as Emilia

John Wilson as Cassio

Martin English as Montano, Senator and is also the Fight Director

Peter Fopeano as Graiano, Senator

The Shakespeare Festival is a summer tradition in Kansas City and is quite fun! Hope you can see the show! Visit http://www.kcshakes.org/ for more information.

Indulge

2008-06-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

Katherine Stinson for Indulge Magazine...

Summer Interns

2008-06-05T10:15:00.008-05:00

Talent Unlimited Welcomes Summer Interns

Jill Paterini will be working on Monday and Wednesday this summer. She is a Junior at La Salle. Jill is a marketing major.

Felicia DiPede will be working on Tuesday and Thursday this summer. She is a Junior at KU. Felicia is a communications marketing and leadership major.

Both Jill and Felicia are also represented as talent with Talent Unlimited. They will be assisting the bookers this summer and will have the opportunity to learn the other side of the business.

We look forward to a fun and prosperous summer!

AMC Theatres

2008-06-04T10:32:00.001-05:00

Alicia McGarry...
Gina Matthews...

KC's Brew

2008-06-02T11:21:00.003-05:00

Bryn Willhite for Boulevard Brewing Company. Doesn't she make a beautiful mermaid?!!

Natalie's back!

2008-05-30T15:27:00.006-05:00

Talent Unlimited is thrilled to announce that Natalie Roman is back in Kansas City! She has spent the last 2 years working as a model and executive for the Jenny Han clothing line in L.A. Natalie is glad to be back and can't wait to start working in KC again. Here are a few of her latest tears...

Vote for Peter Fopeano!

2008-05-27T15:31:00.004-05:00

Peter Fopeano has been nominated for Kansas City Magazine's "Best Actor of Live Theatre". We want him to win.... so we all need to vote!!

Vote for: Peter Fopeano

Click HERE to vote for Peter Fopeano.
You'll have to vote in several categories before you get to "Best Actor of Live Theatre".

Voting ends Thursday, 5/29... so vote NOW!

Congrats, Peter Fopeano! We want you to win!!

Matchmaker Mary... Update

2008-05-23T11:00:00.014-05:00

The Tom Whitus film MATCHMAKER MARY is wrapping on Saturday. Sixteen lucky Talent Unlimited actors have had speaking roles. The celebrities in the film include Dee Walace (best known as the Mom in the film E.T.) and Jeff Fehey (from the TV show Lost).

On Set: Katherine McNamara, Tom Whitus and Dee Walace.

Rehearsing a scene with Jeff Fehey...

Talent Unlimited actors in the film include:

Katherine McNamara - "Mary"

Kevin Brief - "Bill"

Jilanne Klaus - "Cynthia"

Jon Daugharthy - "Eric"

Cynthia Hyer - "Ellen"

Tina Groumoutis - "Jessica"

Jeff Scanlon - "Friend"

Dean Vivian - "Stephen"

Delno Ebie - "Mr. Valasquez"

Susan Garrett - "Mrs. Valasquez"

Jacob Hays - "Jason"

Jennifer Aguilar - "Violet"

Doug Hartmann - "Guy in Restaurant"

Joe Backer - "Guy in Restaurant"

Sharon Snowden - "Karla "

Allison Ciafullo - "Ms. Casey"

Matchmaker Mary Newpaper Write-up

2008-05-23T10:38:00.003-05:00

This article was in The Lee's Summit Journal today....

Movie shoots in Lee’s Summit
By Miranda Wycoff
The Lee's Summit Journal Staff, http://www.lsjournal.com/

Actress Dee Wallace sits in the living room set as her character calls her sister. An actress sits in a chair off to the side conversing with her. Wallace hangs up the phone says: “Phase two is complete,” then pauses.

From somewhere offstage: “And scene,” the director says. The process is done twice more so different camera angles can be filmed. But this isn’t a set in Hollywood, or even in New York City — the scene was filmed at 605 S.W. Benjamin Street in Lee’s Summit — a house just behind the Hy-Vee store on Tuesday.

Wallace, best known for her role as “Mary” in the 1982 film “E.T.: The Extra Terrestial” and since starring in several movies and as guest roles in television shows, plays “Aunt Karen,” in the Kansas City-based movie, “Matchmaker Mary.” “Matchmaker,” written, directed and produced by Tom Whitus, currently of Kentucky, is a family film that centered on “love and puppies.”

“Our plan was to make a film about how animals, specifically dogs, interact and make our lives better,” Whitus said.

“Matchmaker” begins at the local animal shelter Wayside Waifs. Mary Carver, played by Katherine McNamara of Lee’s Summit, is a 12-year-old sixth-grade student from suburban Kansas City. Her father promises her a puppy after achieving straight “A’s” on her report card.

At Wayside Waifs, Mary meets a young woman, and the two happen upon a pen of Labrador puppies — Lexie, Tillie and Bailey. The woman adopts one and Mary returns the next day to adopt the another one of the three — after convincing her mother, of course.

The next day Mary meets a young man about the same age as the woman from the previous day. She convinces him to adopt the third puppy, then enters into a scheme to bring the two together through the puppy siblings. But Mary doesn’t stop there. Her parents are on the outs so with the help of the puppies, the puppies’ new owners, her Aunt Karen and Aunt Karen’s new love interest — the owner of Wayside Waifs, Mary looks to play matchmaker one last time.

“I’m really excited,” Wallace said about the film. “It’s nice to do a sweet family film after doing all those suspense and horror movies.”

And Wallace, a seasoned veteran in the film business, was quite impressed with the local rookie who is the film’s star.

“I am so impressed with Katherine,” Wallace said. “As an actress and as a person.” “Jeff Fahey (of ‘Lost’ and another star in ‘Matchmaker Mary’) and I are going to see if we can help get her started in L.A.”

For McNamera her first starring role in a film has been surreal. “It’s been wonderful,” she said. “Just an amazing experience.” The 12-year-old got her start in show business as a dancer in a show, she said. “I ended up loving theater and it just went from there,” McNamara said. Although she said she was surprised to land the lead of “Matchmaker Mary,” she hasn’t been too intimidated. “It’s just been a wonderful learning experience,” she said. “I’m very, very excited and, on my down time, I’ve been observing all the different jobs so I know what’s going on. “I just feel like a sponge on the set soaking up everything.” The filming for “Matchmaker Mary” has been done all over the Kansas City metro-area, including Independence, Blue Springs and downtown Kansas City. And after the crew finished filming the scenes at the Lee’s Summit residence on Tuesday, which serves as “Aunt Karen’s” home, the cast and crew traveled up to Riverside, Mo., to film a few scenes there.

Whitus said he would be done filming on Saturday and throughout the summer they will be working to get the film ready for its Kansas City premiere in September. He said his goal is to get the film on television — as a family movie, and later available on DVD. “(The film) is not really about me or about anything else,” Whitus said. “I just want people to watch the film and hopefully it will help Wayside Waifs make some more money or get those animals adopted.” McNamara added that she hopes the film garners support for the animal shelter, as well. “The whole movie is about Wayside Waifs, this wonderful organization that fosters animals that are otherwise left on the streets. They are good people and hopefully the movie is seen by a lot of people and they want to continue or start their support of the organization.”

Cowboys and Cowgirls

2008-05-21T14:59:00.004-05:00

Talent Unlimited models kick-up their boots and play Cowboy or Cowgirl for Shepler's Western Wear. www.sheplers.com

Salena Corkill...
Skye Gosewisch...

Brett Thorne...
Holly Starr...
Kevin Kavanaugh...

Hallmark Cards

2008-05-20T09:55:00.004-05:00

Our Talent have so much fun working for Hallmark Cards. Check out a few of the latest bookings...

Jamie Smith and Amaya Yanes...
Jon Daugharthy....
Jared Orr...

More from Set...

2008-05-15T14:33:00.005-05:00

The Tom Whitus film MATCHMAKER MARY continues shooting at various locations around Kansas City. Katherine McNamara landed the lead role of "Mary".
Here's Katherine with Kevin Brief and an adorable puppy....
Jacob Hays and Katherine McNamara...
Katherine and Cynthia Hyer....
and Jon Daugharthy....

Matchmaker Mary

2008-05-09T10:26:00.004-05:00

Talent Unlimited was turned into a movie set yesterday! The offices were a buzz with cast and crew shooting the Tom Whitus film, Matchmaker Mary.

Actresses Tina Groumoutis and Jilanne Klaus....
Actors Doug Hartmann and Joe Backer...
Tina Groumoutis before walking into a scene....
L-R: Jilanne Klaus, Tina Groumoutis, Director Tom Whitus, Owner of Talent Unlimited Jean Liebau and Jon Daugharthy....