Cold Reading Workshop
Improve your cold reading skills for Commercials, Television and Film!
with Acting Coach | LA Casting Director Karen Maseng of POGO Casting
All Skill Levels Welcome! (Ages 13 +)
June 16th
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
$40 - (Limited to 10 Students)
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
$40 - (Limited to 10 Students)
Class Summary: One way to land auditions is to become a great cold reader. In my 30 years of professional experience from being an actress, to a Los Angeles Casting Director, to being an acting coach, I rarely find the skill of cold reading mastered.
As many as 80 percent don’t even come close to having good cold-reading skills, much less master-level. These are actors going out on serious auditions! It just doesn’t make sense.
So, how exactly do you master the cold read? The same way anyone masters anything. You learn the necessary technicalities to succeed and then you practice. You do the same thing, again and again and again, not until you get it right but until you can no longer get it wrong! And when you’re done? You do it some more!
This workshop will provide the insight you're looking for so you can become better equipped the next time you are asked to read something cold at an audition.
As many as 80 percent don’t even come close to having good cold-reading skills, much less master-level. These are actors going out on serious auditions! It just doesn’t make sense.
So, how exactly do you master the cold read? The same way anyone masters anything. You learn the necessary technicalities to succeed and then you practice. You do the same thing, again and again and again, not until you get it right but until you can no longer get it wrong! And when you’re done? You do it some more!
This workshop will provide the insight you're looking for so you can become better equipped the next time you are asked to read something cold at an audition.
Karen Maseng began her career as an actress. Los Angeles offers actors access to some of the best teachers in the business, and Karen took full advantage of those opportunities.
Not long after she co-produced and played the role of May in ('Eastern Standard') with the wonderful Bryan Cranston, she met Melissa Martin on the set of a commercial they both starred in. Neither one realized that this was the beginning of a very fruitful collaboration that would last for many wonderful years.
Melissa went on to become one of LA's top casting directors (Martin Casting), while Karen's love of the acting process led her to running camera and directing actors in the casting sessions.
While being a session director and camera person, casting director Karen Maseng had the privilege of collaborating on such projects as Macy Gray's "Sexual Revolution" directed by Dayton/Faris ('Little Miss Sunshine'), the intensely dramatic Montana Meth PSA's directed by Alejandro Inarritu ('Babel'), Michel Gondry's ever inventive commercials and Comedy Central's wonderfully twisted promos to name just a few.
Karen formed her own company, Pogo Casting, as a boutique casting company, catering to discerning clients who demand a casting director that is deeply involved in every aspect of the casting process. Her love of actors and years of coaching talent, have given her a unique perspective directors truly appreciate.
Teaching is her way of giving back. Her classes explore every aspect of the acting process and the human experience, and guide actors as they develop and maintain a healthy perspective in a challenging world.
Disclaimers: Any workshop Karen teaches is a learning experience. It is not a casting session, nor an employment opportunity. If Karen has to cancel a class to fly back to LA for a casting session, we will schedule a make-up class in its place.
Not long after she co-produced and played the role of May in ('Eastern Standard') with the wonderful Bryan Cranston, she met Melissa Martin on the set of a commercial they both starred in. Neither one realized that this was the beginning of a very fruitful collaboration that would last for many wonderful years.
Melissa went on to become one of LA's top casting directors (Martin Casting), while Karen's love of the acting process led her to running camera and directing actors in the casting sessions.
While being a session director and camera person, casting director Karen Maseng had the privilege of collaborating on such projects as Macy Gray's "Sexual Revolution" directed by Dayton/Faris ('Little Miss Sunshine'), the intensely dramatic Montana Meth PSA's directed by Alejandro Inarritu ('Babel'), Michel Gondry's ever inventive commercials and Comedy Central's wonderfully twisted promos to name just a few.
Karen formed her own company, Pogo Casting, as a boutique casting company, catering to discerning clients who demand a casting director that is deeply involved in every aspect of the casting process. Her love of actors and years of coaching talent, have given her a unique perspective directors truly appreciate.
Teaching is her way of giving back. Her classes explore every aspect of the acting process and the human experience, and guide actors as they develop and maintain a healthy perspective in a challenging world.
Disclaimers: Any workshop Karen teaches is a learning experience. It is not a casting session, nor an employment opportunity. If Karen has to cancel a class to fly back to LA for a casting session, we will schedule a make-up class in its place.
I have auditioned name actors who were shocked and exhilarated by the challenge of a commercial audition. In this day and age where more and more improv actors and writers are making films, the smart actor will benefit tremendously from the flexibility that is demanded of them in a commercial audition. Good actors work. Great actors leave an indelible mark on our soul. They are the artist and the painting. They pursue their target leaving no stone unturned, regardless of the picture that might emerge. The results can be beautiful or ugly, uplifting or devastating, but they always leave us with a sense of wonderment and immeasurable gratitude! - Karen Maseng
Testimonials
“Karen has a brilliant understanding of the acting process. She creates a tangible bridge between actor and character. ”
- Martin Donovan, Director
"This is a GREAT class! I took it, applied what I learned, and booked a national commercial, two print sessions, and an industrial within a month! I can say this class helped me bring in lots of $$ fast!"
- Pete Freeland, Actor
“This class landed me a commercial agent and led to booking many many commercials. Highly recommended! Thanks Karen”
- Kayvon Esmaili, Actor
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class and got tons of value out of it. I’ve booked 3 commercials in the two weeks since taking it!”
- Shauna Markey, Actor
“Karen’s class is a must for commercial and film actors alike. She teaches you how to get to where you need to be fast, and that is an invaluable skill. I can’t recommend this class enough!"
- Dea Vise, Casting Director at Casting By Dea Vise
"Karen is a champion for actors in a way that they get and a way that they learn."
- Landall Goolsby, Actor
"I've worked as an actress for many years and I have studied with many wonderful teachers. Karen's techniques helped me build confidence. Her exercises are a revelation. She cuts through, simplifies and helps you get specific, and specifics get you jobs."
- Zilah Mendoza, Actor
- Martin Donovan, Director
"This is a GREAT class! I took it, applied what I learned, and booked a national commercial, two print sessions, and an industrial within a month! I can say this class helped me bring in lots of $$ fast!"
- Pete Freeland, Actor
“This class landed me a commercial agent and led to booking many many commercials. Highly recommended! Thanks Karen”
- Kayvon Esmaili, Actor
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class and got tons of value out of it. I’ve booked 3 commercials in the two weeks since taking it!”
- Shauna Markey, Actor
“Karen’s class is a must for commercial and film actors alike. She teaches you how to get to where you need to be fast, and that is an invaluable skill. I can’t recommend this class enough!"
- Dea Vise, Casting Director at Casting By Dea Vise
"Karen is a champion for actors in a way that they get and a way that they learn."
- Landall Goolsby, Actor
"I've worked as an actress for many years and I have studied with many wonderful teachers. Karen's techniques helped me build confidence. Her exercises are a revelation. She cuts through, simplifies and helps you get specific, and specifics get you jobs."
- Zilah Mendoza, Actor
We offer payment plans. Please contact us for details.
