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2022 Success Stories
Film
WILHELMINA MAC BAN, JORDAN BOGAN, ANALIZ LARA-LOPEZ, PHOEBE KLEINLEIN, and ZEKE FELICIANO were cast and shot a short film called The Internship with the IFP Phoenix Student Filmmakers. It screened at Harkins Scottsdale 101 on August 3.
MELISSA TAYLOR booked a web series called The Year that Was, and a feature film called So Called Leaders, and a 48 hour film challenge short called The Roaring Twenties!
CARL LIGHTBODY booked a recurring role in a web series shooting in Phoenix.
FARGO ARIZONA booked a role in "The Last Aztec Warrior."
MELISSA ANDERSON booked a supporting role in the short "Stiffed."
MELISSA TAYLOR booked a role in an ASU short film.
DAYNA DONOVAN booked a lead role in a short film.
AMANDA MELBY booked a lead role in a SAG short from her self-tape done at Verve.
CAROLE REAVEY booked a role in a ASU Capstone film.
ANALIZ LARA-LOPEZ just completed a short film noir.
CARIN COUNIHAN was cast in an ASU Capstone film.
BRUCE KLEFSTAD booked a supporting role in a feature "National Anthem" shooting in New Mexico (audition taped at Verve.)
ELLIE McMILLAN and BEBE KATSENES are in "Day by Day," an ASU short film.
ETHAN DREW booked the lead role of Noah in the feature "Camp Hideout" starring Corbin Bleu and Christopher Lloyd.
HANNAH ALLEN just wrapped a short film, "Cemetary Games" in LA.
CATALINA QUALANTONE's short film "The Woods" premiered. "Funny Thing About Love" is now available on demand (see above.)
ETHAN DREW plays the lead role of Mikey in the feature film, "Scare Us," starring Tom Sandoval; it is now available on Amazon Prime Video.
BRUCE KLEFSTAD booked a supporting role in a feature shooting in New Mexico (audition taped at Verve.)
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SHELLY BOUCHER
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SHELLY BOUCHER
Who/what are your early influences? Such a hard but great question! I loved doing theatre and took a lot of dance growing up. I had a dance teacher that really made me feel like I could achieve anything. Acting wise, I have a lot of respect for the different techniques and favorite actors include Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett.
Classes taken at Verve? SO MANY! Commercials, Shakespeare, Teleprompter, all the flavors of VO, Scene Study (favorite) and private coaching!
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?Besides techniques (hello seven steps—I see you!), allowing yourself the freedom to explore a role and to even fail at something to get better. That and to really do the prep work, being prepared makes all the difference. Overall, I feel like everyone at Verve is part of the great community that lifts each other up and celebrates successes while growing together. I really value the friendships I’ve made there.
What do you do besides act? I feel really lucky to work behind the camera as a producer/production manager. I primarily work on commercial projects but enjoy longer form as well. I also teach kids about filmmaking. They’re natural creators and make super fun edited videos!
Favorite role/project? Working on Raising Buchanan and having a fun role in the film is at the top of my list. Playing a fun character role in the play Eric & Elliot at Childsplay is also a favorite!
Dream role/project? I don’t think I have a specific dream role, I love to act and perform. Honestly, I really want to grow and continue to get better so the dream is anything that allows that to happen.
What have you been doing creatively? I just started a podcast! It’s called lifehacks with shelly boucher! I’d love it if you gave it a listen or if you have any great hacks, let me know—come be a guest!
Favorite Quarantine entertainment? I really enjoy spending time with my kids and we played a lot of games when we were ‘stuck’ together.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over? I’m going to Disneyland! Not really, but it’s on the list. I am really interested in working on creative projects with other artists. I’d like to direct something.
Your links:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifehacks-with-shelly-boucher/id942568785
Instagram: @ imshell, https://www.instagram.com/imshell
READ MORE: https://vervestudio.net/success-stories
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: BOBBY McMILLION
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: BOBBY McMILLION
Who/what are your early influences? Steve Lichtenstein (Actor), and John Paul Paquette (Actor). It is personal conversations that I have had with theses veteran actors that really gave me the inspiration, and courage to further pursue voice acting.
Classes taken at Verve? Intro to Voice Over, Voice Over Editing, Advanced Voice Over Workout
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)? Verve is the very first class I took when I decided to seriously pursue Voice Over. I learned a lot from Gene in the Intro class of how to be a professional, and how to seriously approach voice over. I remember being super excited about the feedback I received from Gene from the voice recordings we completed in class. The Voice Over Editing class also helped in a HUGE way. I learned VERY quickly, a voice over artist has to be able to properly operate, and edit your recordings.
What do you do besides act? For my “Day Job”, I am an Insurance Claims Adjuster. I spend a lot of my time investigation insurance claims. I spend a lot of my time talking to people over the phone. This is kinda where my Voice Over interest started. Over the years, I constantly hear people say, “You have a great speaking voice”, or “You sound like a Radio DJ”. I just laughed it off, until an actor mentioned something to me about doing Voice Over work.
Outside of work, I am a huge sports fan. I love watching, and attending sporting events, like basketball, football, and baseball. I also love coaching as well, and spending time with my wife, and daughter.
Favorite role/project? My favorite role I’ve landed to date is for an Animation Pilot that is to be pitched for a TV series. For this project, I was working with voice actors from across the world. It was a blast meeting all of the other actors, and listening to everyone go over their lines when practicing on Zoom meetings.
Dream role/project? I consider myself a nerd, or geek for all of the Super Hero shows, and also Video Games. I would love to be apart of a Major Animation, and/or Video Game VO project.
What have you been doing creatively? When I’m not working, or Auditioning, I am creating my own video content to put out on social media, and Youtube. I look at it as a way to practice my craft, and continue to push the boundaries of my creative limits, while trying to market myself all at the same time.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment? During the Quarantine, we discovered The Masked Singer, and it has become our favorite family show, and is MUST SEE! While we were stuck in the house, going back and watching all of the previous seasons really helped us out, A LOT!
We also made it a point to take day trips on the weekends during the Quarantine to get out of the house. Whether up north, or anywhere to get out of the City, and away from people, and just explore Arizona.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over? First thing we did was eat at a restaurant. Take out never taste the same when you have to reheat your food.
Your links:
Twitter: @Bobby_Voiceover , https://twitter.com/Bobby_Voiceover
Instagram: @b_mcmill40, https://www.instagram.com/b_mcmill40/
Discord: McMillionVO#3331
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmQn65A14xr5dyplR1xdXVA
Aaron Seever
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: AARON SEEVER
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: AARON SEEVER
Who/what are your early influences?
Uta Hagen, Stanislovski, Meisner, Larry Moss, Paul Giamatti, Daniel Day-Lewis, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon
Classes taken at Verve?
Core Technique, Scene Study, Get Personal, Film Acting, Movement, Commercials
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
Making adjustments immediately...taking direction. Being required to do this every week in Scene Study, helped me develop the ability to take direction on set or in rehearsal. Its a muscle that I only developed through years of weekly scene study.
What do you do besides act?
Write, Produce, Direct. I also have a business I run with my brothers.
Favorite role/project?
Stage- Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker
Film- Krit in Finally, You
Dream role/project?
Any project large or small where I could work with A-list actors and or Directors.
What have you been doing creatively?
Writing. The past 4-5 years mostly film although currently starring as Bill Starbuck in The Rainmaker at Hale Theatre in Gilbert.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Mountain Biking and writing.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
Bike through Eastern Europe
Your links:
Instagram: a_arontheexplorer
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TYNECKIA LEWIS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: TYNECKIA LEWIS
Who/what are your early influences?
I remember watching Fame growing up. Debbie Allen scared me and made me feel better. She was/is very inspirational.
Classes taken at Verve?
Film, Commercial, Voice Over, Scene Study, Improv, Movement.
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
How to incorporate improv across the board has been invaluable. And I’ve made some lifelong friends whom I’m thankful are in my life.
What do you do besides act?
I am on an audiobook narration journey...stay tuned. I’m also taking ballroom dance lessons. Here’s a chuckle, my instructor is still trying to stop me from moving my hips.
Favorite role/project?
I played a homeless woman who did not like being disrespected. I got to look a total mess. And I got to do a little killing and drag someone across the floor. Completely opposite of how others see me and we had so much fun filming.
Dream role/project?
The Mandalorian jetted to the top of my project list from episode 1.
What have you been doing creatively?
A lot of writing: plays, shorts and features. One of my plays is final. Had some great editing rounds and virtual table reads. Wrote/directed/edited/produced my first micro-budget short, Thanksgiving Dinner. I have several scripts in various stages. And I have a mentor, Michael Castelaz (connected with by Vera Herbert) who’s provided a lot of insight and direction. And let me know that I wasn’t completely crazy and off my rocker.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Coloring. Finally got some colored pencils and I have no idea what took me so long to discover this greatness.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
How do I choose? There are so many people to see & hug, so many restaurants/bars to sit for hours, so many stores to walk around aimlessly. I’ll be able to go to the movies again. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally a four-movie day for me. At this point the first thing I might do is break down and cry.
Your links:
www.twitter.com/TYNECKIA_LEWIS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LYDIA MARTINEZ
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: LYDIA MARTINEZ
Who/what are your early influences?
To meet famous people and to have the experience to be on set with them is why I wanted to start acting.
Classes taken at Verve?
*Audition Techniques Film & TV *Cold Read Techniques *Voice Over Character *Transformative Action Verbs *Best Audition Monologue *Creating a World on Green Screen *Voice Over Commercials *Voice Over Workouts* Improv Commercials Workshop *Hosting, Film & T.V. Camp* Sitcom, Comedy, Single & Multi Cam Workshop *Improv Animation Workshop
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
How to be confident and comfortable on camera and in audtions. Remembering to improv and use the correct eyelines while auditioning live or for selftaping. How to muti task & break down scrips for memorization. Most importantly I learned how to be a good student, while in class, there is so much to learn from these amazing coaches.
What do you do besides act?
Play my Xbox one with my brothers, make tik toks, play with my dog Diva, spent time with family and friends. Go swimming whenever I can.
Favorite role/project?
Mia in Fort Night, it was my 1st horror film. My favorite movies are horror movies by the way. I loved the experience of filming it and playing scared.
Dream role/project?
To be a lead in a feature film or TV show.
What have you been doing creatively?
Lately I've been interested in fashion. I had my parents buy me a scrap book & I have been drawing and designing clothes, for fun mostly, but one day in the future I hope to have my own fashion line.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
Watching tik toks, spending time with family, playing video games, and dressing up my dog Diva.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
Go on a family vacation and have sleep overs with all my friends.
Links to keep up with you:
lydia-martinez.com
https://www.instagram.com/lydia_martinez_actress/
http://imdb.me/Lydia-Martinez-Actress
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SAYLOR BILLINGS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SAYLOR BILLINGS
Who/what are your early influences?
My Mom, Carol Burnett, and Gilda Radner.
Classes taken at Verve?
Several and Private with Amanda whom I undoubtedly tortured!
Best thing you learned at Verve (classes, technique, community)?
I learned to contain my focus/energy, which is what the technique taught me. Just like athletes not only train for their positions but condition their bodies, actors must do the same. You train for a specific role but you must first have to condition your senses, brain, body for acting.
What do you do besides act?
Audition. (Which I think is a completely different skill set.) Write, Stand-up comedy, Sports: Swimming, Biking, Fencing, Weight lifting.
Favorite role/project?
I've really enjoyed creating Joan {in The Arc of Joan podcast, now available]. I think with a bit more focus she could be a great character.
Dream role/project?
I would like to recreate 'the great Paducah swim meet debacle of 1978' and work steadily as a 'character' actor.
What have you been doing creatively?
I wrote, acted and produced an audio-sitcom: The Arc of Joan.
Created a new character, Katie Sidehustle, a ne'er do well influencer. Working on my herb garden. Oh and I built a Japanese inspired courtyard for the side of the house.
Favorite Quarantine entertainment?
D'Artagnan Chaos DeCoconuts. Our kitten we got in early Feb. 2020. Pure joy.
First thing you’ll do once Covid restrictions are over?
My mom had her 'last big hurrah travel' planned for Australia and New Zealand, so I'll be her sherpa for that and then more travel probably.
Links to keep up with you:
https://billibatt1.podbean.com
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9296210/
https://www.facebook.com/Billibatt.Productions.The.Arc.of.Joan