Training & Development: Instructors

Jimmy Zerda

Jimmy Z was born in Houston, and grew up in England and Wales, where he first became interested in acting. As a child actor, he was a member of various theatre companies. While performing in community theatre, he always played the lead kid of the cast. When Jimmy moved back to the States, he also performed leading roles in most of his school productions. While majoring in Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, Jimmy became interested in film after starring in a UT student film. He then competed against 400 actors nationwide to win the title of Overall Teen Actor at the 2000 MB Expo. Upon receiving numerous agency offers at Expo, Jimmy moved to Los Angeles, where he has carved notable career as a working actor.

In the last few years, Jimmy has firmly established himself as a noteworthy player in the competitive world of independent film. Several of his films appear in various festivals. His films have won Best of Show at Troma Dance in Park City (during Sundance), and Honorable Mention for a Comedic Short at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Jimmy started a short film production company, and has produced and performed in several shorts. He also recently executive produced and starred in Kissing Katie Holmes.

Jimmy has studied with notable Los Angeles coaches, such as Stuart Robinson, Kris Kyer, Terry Berland, Jeremiah Comey, Steven Anderson, Lesly Kahn, and Steve Pena. He has trained in commercial acting, on camera technique, cold reading, sitcom acting, improvisation, and television/film scene study. He has showcased in over 30 casting director workshops, and has performed stand up comedy in several Los Angeles comedy clubs and at the famed Improv Olympic.

Recently, Jimmy partnered in a publishing company called Bean Man Press, and will publish his first comic book this year, called The Adventures of Bean Man. Jimmy has also formed a non profit performance arts group and is working on a business plan to open coffee shops/performance spaces in Hollywood and Austin. A member of SAG/AFTRA, Jimmy Z divides his time between Los Angeles and Texas. His objective in training and working with actors is in teaching them how to do their 85% of the work in order to create booking opportunities and success in show business.

Course Topics

Assessment

• Discerning your "Type"
• Evaluating headshots/résumés
• Actors perform monologues

The Basics

• Knowing your Instrument
• Exploring your toolbox
• Articulation exercises
• Emoting exercises

General Technique

• Film vs. Television vs. Commercial Acting
• Cold Reading
• Working with another actor
• Being in the moment

Audition Technique

• Film vs. Television vs. Commercial Auditioning
• Audition Prep. / Staying Flexible
• Working with a Reader
• Working the room

Marketing/Building Credits

• Getting to know your Casting Directors
• Staying in Touch
• Demo Reels
• Student and Indie Films
• On-line Resources

Re-Assessment

• Mock Auditions
• Callbacks
• Producer Session
• Q&A

Moving to LA

• What you should know about the city
  -Weather, traffic, the job market, the people
• Where to get information
  -Acting teachers, casting director directories, maps, photographers
• What to look for in picking a location
  -Accessibility, weather, traffic, safety

How to Prepare Yourself for Your Career

• The importance of training
  -What kind of training is important and how much
  -For auditions, for the job, for yourself
• What you should know about agents
  -What they do, what they don't do, what to expect
• What you should know about auditions
  -What, when, where, sides, researching the CD
• Headshot tips
  -Why is it so important?
  -What your headshot says about you
  -How to take a good headshot, listening to the camera
• Building a résumé
  -What your résumé says about you
  -Structure, essence, what to list, what NOT to list

I Have An Agent and I'm Well Trained, What Now? (Doing Your 75-85% of the Work)

• Strengthening your résumé
  -Student film, indie film, on your own
• Putting together a demo reel
  -What does your reel say about you?
  -Where to go, how much to spend
  -What to include, what NOT to include.
• Marketing/getting your face out there
  -How to market and to whom
• Casting director workshops
  -Where to sign up and with whom, which CDs are for you
• Making/utilizing your contacts
  -What is a "contact?"
  -How do I utilize them?
• Developing your image/taking care of yourself
  -Learning your "type," how to cultivate an image

How to Gain and Maintain Career Momentum

• Motion Creates Emotion
  -Active Training vs. Passive Training
  -Theatre and Improvisation
  -Student Film
• Getting into Independent Film
  -Where to Look
  -Auditioning to Impress
• The Importance of Film Festivals
• How to Keep the Ball Rolling

Getting the Most Out of Your Auditions

• Auditions are Jobs
• Learn by Doing
• Building Confidence and Experience
• Steal, Steal, Steal

What to Do When the Well Runs Dry

• How to Make Your Own Work
• Finding Inspiration
• Other Constructive Creative Outlets