CAZT

It’s been a while since I have written about my classmates from university who had moved out to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Last week I touched base with both and am very excited to report how they’ve been doing.  Shawn was actually in the CAZT to audition for BUCKSVILLE - a feature film being shot up north. It was great to see him, it was only one of the few auditions that he’s been going out on - by design. He’s still focusing on getting totally comfortable out here and focusing on learning in class and with some acting groups. The project he was auditioning for was pretty good though so I’m happy to see he’s getting some good opportunities. He had updated his resume so he made sure to upload it for free on to his profile page on CAZT so that the producers who were based in Oregon would have access to it while viewing his audition.That has been one of the bigger notes we’ve been getting. Some of the producers and casting directors think CAZT uploads the head shots for actors and ask why only some are up. We at CAZT are going to try and do a better job of informing the actor that they can upload their head shots for free - this is linked to your actual  auditions that the producers of the projects watch.

Now to our other CAZT actor, Tara. Tara has been killing it. She got some headshots done, got herself a manager and then began going out on auditions. She didn’t sit idly by the phone though - she pursued her auditions on her own as well. In the past month she has done a Coca-Cola commercial and a Nike commercial. She also has a billboard going up on Sunset (as part of the Coca-Cola campaign). She’s hardly satisfied though, she continues to try to better herself. She just recently got another set of headshots and also has begun taking acting classes with a great coach out in Santa Monica.

Recently, two of our favorites, John Coppola and Michael Sonntag, cast some PSA commercials at CAZT. CAZT loves the message getting across so we wanted to showcase it.   

Click here to check it out: Declare yourself.

Let us know what you thought of it… 

Hey everyone, People that have been coming into the space and auditioning as well as those that discover CAZT at casting offices around the city often ask us who uses CAZT.Going along with the the belief that each audition can be used as an ‘on-camera class’ we haven’t published such a list. But we can see the reasons why actors might be curious so I thought I would post some of the casting directors that have utilized CAZT.In no particular order: Robyn Owen: Ironclad, Public Enemies, ‘SCRUBS’ (TV)Heather Nunn: Kid Cannabis, Middle of NowhereLamese Williams: Breach, Weight, Akeelah and the Bee, ‘LIFE ON MARS’ (TV)James Tarzia: Perfect Target, The Quest, Hard TargetLinda Pano: Shanghai Kiss, Jeepers Creepers, John Grisham’s The RainmakerRosemary Welden: Undisputed, The Legend of the MummyRobi Reed: Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Antwone Fisher, ‘EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS’ (TV)Pamela Staton: All About Us, My Girlfriend’s BackCathy Henderson Martin: The Pursuit of Happiness, Ticker, ‘THAT’S MY BUSH’ (TV)Yumi Takada: Letters from Iwo Jima, Ninja The list grows each day. I’m  proud to announce CAZT did it’s first network television casting this past week. We love getting the feedback, if you think we can be doing anything better, please let us know! Have a great weekend.  

Tim Street - creator of the famous FRENCH MAID TV recently asked CAZT CEO Moses Kagan to give a brief tour of the space. The video blog was featured on  Tim’s website. Also, check out the latest issue of LA ACTOR for a feature on CAZT (page 13).

August was a recordbreaking month at cazt. We saw a lot of actors. We had a lot of projects and we were able to convey the purpose of CAZT to everyone. Actors have come into the office and knocked on our doors every day telling us how great it is to have a facility like ours. It goes beyond giving actors the ability to see themselves in their actual auditions and getting real feedback from casting directors. CAZT has set itself a part as a place where actors know what to expect, they can go feeling comfortable and it allows them the best scenario to prepare for their audition.

Hey everyone. It has been a crazy couple of weeks at CAZT central. We have had over 25 projects come through our doors since we first opened. Last week alone we had over 1000 auditions. The feedback has been tremendous - actors are really responding to the concept of being able to view their own auditions but also get the feedback from the casting directors.The first month has really shown us that the system works - and that actors desperately want to see themselves on camera in order to improve. CAZT appreciates all feedback, we certainly take into account any suggestions from both actors and casting directors too. We are constantly improving - some of the first actors that came in during our first week have already commented on how much the space has improved. We are devoted to making sure we have the best casting facility in Hollywood - and also the most actor-friendly. Actors - many of you take part in acting classes that focus on auditions or on camera technique. Give us some feedback on the instructors whom you have had good experiences with or have heard good things about. CAZT is going to begin incorporating our software into other avenues so that actors can track their improvement in every way.  ONE IMPORTANT REMINDER: Actors - though we pride ourselves on having one of the best facilities in town we also want you to be keenly aware that we work at many other locations. CAZT is utilized by many casting directors in their own offices and at other casting facilities around town. We always have our sign-in sheets so you will be able to know which audition we are at. Remember - print that email neatly so we can contact you.  Take care, Conor 

Hey guys,  Today I’m writing from CAZT and am quite excited to say we have 5 projects going on. We expect over 300 actors to come into the facility today. Casting directors are calling us left and right excited by the way we are revolutionizing the casting process. CAZT is also excited by an upcoming article in LA Actor. LA Actor is a magazine about the LA ACTOR, for Actors and industry execs. They had heard about us and the innovative approach we have taken to casting - with regards to actors. We spoke with them a bit and they wanted to write an article on the site, they had never heard of a actors being allowed to see their own audition videos, with casting director feedback! The issue went to press today and we look forward to sharing it with actors in the office in addition to the exposure it will give CAZT in the Los Angeles community.   I also wanted to announce that the incredible success of the site has allowed CAZT to significantly upgrade video quality. It will be about a 3-4 week process and should be completed by early September, so look forward to that.  Have a great weekend.  Conor 

Hey guys, More and more actors are coming through our doors every day. It’s amazing how many new projects are utilizing CAZT for their auditions each week. More and more casting directors are using the system to give actors direct feedback following their audition.It’s time to revisit an old idea, CAZT was created with the belief that auditioning is part of the acting craft and is something that can be improved on with practice and training. We want to make sure to reach out to acting coaches that share this belief and teach auditioning techniques in addition to on camera classes.Actors please send in your recommendations for acting coaches. Acting coaches, please feel free to contact me (conor@cazt.com) to discuss potentially using our space for your future classes.  We look forward to hearing from all of you! Conor 

The first week at our new casting facility was a wild success. We had four features casting in addition to three shorts and a music video. We saw over 500 actors come through our doors and the best part is casting directors are more inspired than ever to give feedback via the CAZT message system.Some actors have already come through our doors multiple times and everyone agrees, CAZT is really changing the way the casting process is done.The audition experience is now one that actors know they will learn something from. The experience is no longer dependent on getting the role (though that’d still be great!) but now allows every audition to serve as a learning tool.Space in our new facility is booking up rapidly. Casting Directors are invited to call me at 323-527-5748 in order to book space. Actors, we look forward to having you in the office! Have a great weekend, Conor 

Hey everyone. I’m very excited to tell you about CAZT.com’s brand new casting facility in West Hollywood.We recently finished completion of our new casting facility. I wantedto offer everyone the use of it.Our office is on Formosa Ave right across the street from ‘The Lot’and adjacent to Formosa Cafe.We have five casting units, each is 12×12. Each room comes with acamera, tripod, desk, chairs, sign-in sheets, internet ports and free Wifi.After your audition we immediately upload yourvideos so you and your team can access the auditions online.There is a shopping center right on the corner of La Brea/Santa Monica.thatI think is an hour parking for free (great for actors) and 12 dollarsfor the day for the casting directors etc.I have included my contact information below and I would love to tellyou more about the set up.You can check out our website at pro.cazt.comThanks,Conor conor@cazt.comoffice - 866-925-CAZT (2298) ext. 707  

Whenever I speak about CAZT I am often referring to it as a social network for actors. It allows actors to showcase themselves and also to communicate with one another about their craft. Last week I began CAZT on Facebook and already have been broadening CAZTs network of actors on there. It’s great to interact with interesting people both in and out of LA. The feedback has been great but so have the actors responses to the blog and the idea of ranking photographers/teachers/casting directors etc.One actor, Chris Beaty, recently got in touch. He also has a blog in addition to a website he maintains. It is a interesting concept - another proactor site. http://actorpal.com/ The concept is that every actor in LA needs a confidant - someone they can go to for advice. CAZT hopes to become a central resource for all things actor but there is nothing that can replicate the one on one tutelage of another actor. Great idea Chris. I look forward to interacting with you more as both CAZT and actorpal.com develop.