One of the best classes I’ve ever taken on how to really dig your teeth into the business of acting is run by Hester Schell right here in San Francisco (she’s best known locally for running her own casting network called BACN, a monthly subscription service with gigs all over the Bay Area as well as several workshops at the San Francisco Digital School of Filmmaking).

It goes over basics like picking the best headshot, how to do a demo reel, when are you ready for an agent and so forth It’s great to hear advice (however painful… “Goldie, these aren’t the best headshots you could have taken) from an actual Casting Director!

The headshot that Hester picked for me (she said I’m prettier in real life…)

She asked me to pass it along, so classes start Wednesday and details are below!

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BUSINESS OF ACTING: Managing Your Career ( 4 Weeks )

Four weekly, in-depth Seminars covering strategies for marketing yourself, the technology and trends. You will gain tools to create a business plan for your age-range and casting-type. You’ll discover the hidden markets for performing artists; learn about agents, managers and casting directors: when you need them and how to get them. You’ll learn about Unions and develop long-range marketing goals.

Week 1: Overview

Week 2: Headshots and Resumes

Week 3: Demo-Reels

Week 4: Casting Directors and Agents

Start date: October 8, 2008

End date: October 29, 2008

Class time: Wednesdays, 2:00-5:00pm (4 weeks)

Instructor: Hester Schell

Tuition: $120 for all four Seminars; $40 per Seminar for drop-ins.