FESTIVAL OPENS FOR "REEL ACTORS"

TalentPool Film Festival Highlights Actors Work and Gets it in Front of the Industry

TalentPool International (www.talentpool-la.com), a global entertainment culture and social network, presents the first annual “Reel Actors” Film Festival, a unique opportunity for actors to showcase their skills, and casting directors, agents and managers to discover new talent. To enter, actors must download an entry package at www.reelactorsfilmfestival.com and submit a DVD copy of their reels by mail, now through October 6, 2006. Beginning October 10th, a panel of industry judges will be deliberating on the winners for each category.

Award categories include Best in Show, Best of Class (best male/female non-union comedy reel, best male/female non-union dramatic reel, best male/female union comedy reel, best male/female union dramatic reel), Best Celebrity Cameo Appearance Award, and the Audience Award, which will be voted on by the online audience between October 9th and 20th. The Gala Awards ceremony and screening will be held on October 26th, 2006 in Hollywood, California.

In addition to the priceless industry exposure the festival will provide, prizes include an Apple iPod Video (30GB), headshot photo sessions, private personal fitness training, headshot and resume duplication packages, show business career consultations, and a TalentPool International membership. Finalists’ headshots and resumes will also be featured in the festival program and their reels will be screened both online and at the awards ceremony. Winners will be included in festival publicity and will have their photos displayed on the festival website as well.

The judging panel includes Talent Manager Charlton Blackburne of A Management, Commercial Talent Agent Janet Tscha of Origin Talent, Casting Director Kelli Lerner of Kelli Lerner Casting and Casting Director Bonnie Gillespie of Cricket Feet, Inc.

"The biggest challenge for most actors is exposing their work to the entertainment industry people who can hire them. Having a strong reel is the fastest, easiest way to expose your talent to the largest possible audience," said Festival founder and Entertainment Industry Coach Dawn Andrews. "With the Reel Actors festival they have the unique opportunity to make that happen.”

In addition to the film festival, TalentPool offers private career coaching, networking parties and events, show “business” classes, Industry Q&A’s and an awards season gala.