New Orleans, LA, October, 09, 2009 -- New Orleans Actors Resource Center (NOARC) proudly announces the inaugural Actors Expo on December 5, 2009 from 9 AM - 5 PM at the Jazz & Heritage Center. Co-Sponsored by Sync Up: The Jazz & Heritage Talent Exchange, an economic development program of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, NOARC’s Actors Expo will provide actors the exciting opportunity to learn about career development from knowledgeable film industry professionals. The event will include in-depth panel discussions and Q and A’s with Talent Agents, Casting Directors and other respected film industry decision-makers, as well as an exhibit area featuring Louisiana businesses and organizations that provide actors with tools for their career.

Among the special guests that are slated to participate in NOARC's Actors Expo are CSA and Award-winning Casting Directors, well-established Talent Agencies, and writers from a highly anticipated Television series. Notables include Times Picayune reporter Lolis Elie, writer from the upcoming HBO series "Treme," Talent Agent Gail del Corral from del Corral Model and Talent, Casting Director Brent Cabellero of Caballero Casting, and Talent Agent Rebecca Hale, PhD, of Hale Talent. In addition, a representative from Actors Access, one of the most widely used online casting sites, will also take center stage and provide actors with useful information about online casting tools.

“The purpose of NOARC’s Actors Expo is to help raise the bar for actors by providing them with reliable information,” said NOARC Executive Director Shanda Quintal. “We can all afford to step up our game, no matter how talented we are. Louisiana is one of the toughest markets for film actors because competition is so fierce. There are only a handful of roles to be cast amongst so many talented actors and yet there is no place in the world that can claim to have as many lively ‘characters’ as Louisiana. Our love of life, our culture, and our customs make us intriguing to filmmakers. And film production companies are incented to hire talented local actors, but more importantly, they want to hire the best actors. By learning from the experts what is expected of a professional actor, on the business end of acting as well as the craft, actors at Actors Expo will undoubtedly position themselves as amongst the best Louisiana has to offer.”

Los Angeles and New York, and even smaller markets like Atlanta, Austin and Chicago, already have systems in place that assist actors in advancing their careers. In these markets, information is readily available to any actor who wants to learn more about either breaking into the business or furthering their career. NOARC’s Actors Expo will be the first organized effort in the state of Louisiana that will bring talent agents, casting directors, writers, producers, and others film industry professional together to help educate actors in the business of acting.

In addition, there will be an exhibit area where businesses and organizations can showcase the tools actors need to develop or further their career. Headshot photographers, acting coaches, demo reel producers and others will be on hand to answer questions and provide helpful information.

“Actors in Louisiana are gifted,” says Casting Director Brent Caballero of Caballero Casting, one of the Casting Director panelists. “Not only are they very insightful, but they have a different perspective on the world, which helps them create characters unlike actors in other markets. In addition, they are just really good people and a whole lot of fun!”

This year in July, the Louisiana legislature voted to increase the tax credits to 30%, with no sunsets, making Louisiana a top destination for film production. According to the Louisiana Economic Development Office of Film and Television, in 2008 over 80 major film and television projects were shot in Louisiana; an increase of almost 40% over 2007. With more and more projects slated for shooting in Louisiana, NOARC’s Actors Expo will provide actors with critical information and tools needed to be ready when opportunity comes knocking.

The Jazz & Heritage Center is located at 1225 N. Rampart St. To find out more about Actors Expo and the New Orleans Actors Resource Center, contact Shanda Quintal atshanda@neworleansactors.org.

NOARC’s Actors Expo is co-sponsored by Sync Up: The Jazz & Heritage Talent Exchange, an economic development program of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, and uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest for year-round programming in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events

About New Orleans Actors Resource Center

New Orleans Actors Resource Center (NOARC) is a non-profit, membership-based organization comprised of four programs: The Actors Co-Op, which meets on Sundays at The Backyard Ballroom located at 3519 St. Claude, in the new Bywayter Arts District; The Workshop Series; and two other programs in development - an Actors Library and Acting Classes

NOARC is dedicated to the advancement, exposure, and education of actors in the New Orleans Metropolitan area, enhancing the good of the community through the dramatic arts.

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