"Business of Acting" Workshop With Krista Gano

Posted on October 29, 2013

When: Saturday’s October 25th – December 6th (No class on November 29th)
How Long: 6 Weeks
Time: 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m
Tuition: $275

Email Benjy Dobrin at info@benjydobrin.com if you have any questions or to register for the workshop.

"Krista takes this big, scary dragon called, "Career Management", and tames it, shows you how to put it to work for you, have fun with it even. She helps you to see, for better or worse, what people in the industry see the moment you walk into the casting room. She challenges you to stop fighting that "first impression" and instead make it your calling card, build your reputation on it. Nothing has made me feel more in charge of my artistic career, or more keenly aware of my ideal casting, than sitting still long enough for Krista's guidance to sink in."- Miles Wartes

Let's face it, it's show "business" and as actors we need to learn to promote ourselves and sometimes even protect ourselves from the people hiring. Actors are 50% performers, 50% entrepreneurs. Being a savvy business person will take you a long way in your acting career, especially if you're looking to pursue your craft full time.

Being a savvy performer will require that you learn new entrepreneurial skill sets to guide you through your acting business. These are skill sets that you've probably never been taught before but are extremely important in pursuing an acting career.

Do you know how to promote yourself? What is your brand? Do you know how to read a contract? What roles do you take and what roles do you turn down?

These are some of the skills the multi talented Krista Gano will teach in our 6 week "Business of Acting" class. Krista's class will take you through a step by step process, transporting you into the show business entrepreneurial mindset leaving you with more clarity on your career path and what steps to take to get there. Each week will build on the next and by the end of the 6 weeks, you will leave with a big picture, clear, concise, tangible, business model to help drive you further to success. With this new mindset, you will be a savvy actor with renewed clarity, booking more jobs with the peace of mind that you are in control of your career.

"I recommend that everyone take Business of Acting with Krista. If you want to understand your marketing as an actor, you NEED this class! Krista will make sure you understand your casting type and headshot look. I am so happy I took this class! Krista has helped me personally with my goals and giving me that extra push to complete them within the class duration. I am confident that anyone who takes this class will benefit from it greatly!!"- David Oakeley

1. Why should an actor take this class and who is it for?

This class is geared towards any actor or artist who is looking to shift their career to the next level. Whether an actor is new or seasoned, fine-tuning or defining business goals into concrete plans of action is crucial to taking the next step towards success. If you are ready to take that step, you are ready for this class.

2. What are some of the subjects you will cover throughout the class?

Getting Started - Will be setting expectations for the class, getting to know one another and beginning to look at where students are now and where we would like to go next. We will discuss goals and begin to look at branding. - There will be homework.

Marketing & Branding - Will cover marketing and further clarify each student's branding and how any new insight can translate to marketing. They will also begin to sit in the producer's seat to begin to see how decisions are made from the other side of the audition table, giving them a stronger sense of how they can better capitalize on every audition. There will be homework.

Vision and Goals - Controlling, Guiding and Leading your Business - Will cover a variety of topics, such as how to prepare for the ups and downs of the business, how to know if you should accept or decline a role and how to read your contract, begin the process of making a simple business plan and personal mission statement. There will be homework.

Presenting your Business to your Community - This class will allow students to share the work they have been doing with the rest of the class. They will be able to share their business/marketing plans or mission statements and also continue to share in what they have been up to, what their goal statements are, and what action they will take to get there. Their community (in addition to Krista) will have the opportunity to offer supportive feedback and ideas on how goals can be attained.

3. What will the actors leave with at the end of the 6 week series?

Participants will leave with a clear idea of their branding and marketing strategies, a business plan/mission and concrete steps to achieve their goals. We are planning the class to be on the smaller size, by design. We want each participant to feel like they are getting a fair amount of personalized attention and guidance. Additional private or small group coaching will be available.

"The Business of Acting class was amazing! Krista is such a phenomenal person and resource! Her wealth of knowledge about the industry and her generous willingess to share and encourage blew me away. I learned so much!- Kim McWilliams

About The Instructor Krista Gano:

Krista Gano has enjoyed an eclectic and thriving career in the entertainment industry for the past 18 years. By the tender age of 22, she had already acted in and produced the NM filmed, independent feature, Chicks, Man. Soon after, she moved to Los Angeles and spent five years as an assistant to Dustin Hoffman.

Krista then shifted her focus to theatre, working at the award-winning Geffen Playhouse with Tony Award-winning producer Stephen Eich. During that time, Krista worked with a “who’s who” of theatrical luminaries. Among them were Marcel Marceau, David Hyde Pierce, the legendary Uta Hagen, Holland Taylor, Christopher Lloyd, Elizabeth Moss and Tony Award winners Neil Simon, Gregory Jbarra & John Laroquette. She also oversaw the Geffen’s Inaugural Gala hosted by Annette Bening, Jason Alexander and Bruce Vilanch.

In 2002, Krista left the Geffen and became the Executive Director of the world famous Groundlings Theatre. During her four years at the helm, she worked with alumni Will Ferrell, Cheryl Hines, Chris Kattan, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, Wendi McClendon Covey and Michaela Watkins not to mention Oscar winners Jim Rash and Nat Faxon, Emmy winner Melissa McCarthy and comedic superstar Kristen Wiig among others.

After leaving the Groundlings in 2006, Krista co-founded Innovative Improv Solutions, where she’s paired her natural abilities of improvisational training with her business background. Clients include 20th Century Fox, Fox Networks Group, Blue Sky Animation, ESPN, Sony Electronics, Sony Networks Entertainment Group, The Recording Academy (The Grammy’s), UCLA and RevGen Partners. Krista also serves on the faculty for Kaiser Permanente’s Clinician/Patient Communication Program and is a certified journaling instructor.

Krista resides in Colorado with her musician husband and 2 young sons. Her history of insider access and her breadth of industry knowledge and experience gives her a true understanding of what it takes to tackle the business while still honoring the vibrant work of an artist.