New ABC Family series 'Socio' casting calls in Los Angeles and New York

The "Socio" pilot is executive produced by 8-time Emmy Award nominee Gavin Polone.

AB Media Publishing, LLC

The production company Pariah in association with Prodco are ready to begin shooting a new pilot for ABC Family titled "Socio". The casting directors in Los Angeles and New York are auditioning actors for starring, guest-starring, recurring roles, and day players. Extras will be hired throughout production beginning late October, 2012. The production office for the show is located at the EUE/Screen Gems Studios in New York City. "Socio" is one of five new pilots that are in production for the network. The others are "The Fosters," "Terminales," "Phys Ed," and "Continuing Fred."

"Socio" centers on a charismatic sixteen-year-old alleged sociopath, who recently reconnected with his two female best friends from childhood, and who becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is murdered. Danny Ryder, who murdered his own aunt five years ago, returns to his home town after being released from custody - a controversial homecoming that causes a media firestorm. Admittedly guilty, Danny, nicknamed "Socio" by the hostile high school crowd he will be attending school with, claims that he had a reason for the murder - but what that reason is he has stubbornly refused to divulge.

Starring in "Socio" is Canadian actor Avan Jogia in the role of Danny Ryder, the teen who returns to town after being locked up for five years after killing his aunt; Denise Richards plays Danny's mother Karen, who harbors secrets of her own; Maddie Hasson portrays Jo Masterson, Danny's former best friend; Kimberly Quinn is Jo's mother Tess, who gives Danny the benefit of doubt and is tolerant of him wanting to be friends with Jo again; Kylie Bunbury has been cast as Danny's other former best friend, now a popular girl who wants to rid herself of her harrowing past.

The talented Adam Milch wrote the pilot for "Socio" and will co-executive produce with eight-time Primetime Emmy Award nominee Gavin Polone of the production company Pariah. Prodco will produce along with Pariah's Lauren Pfeiffer. Prodco's president is Don Mink, who is also co-founder of the Disney-ABC Television Group owned subsidiary production company It's a Laugh Productions. That company has produced such Disney Channel shows as "Hannah Montana," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "Jonas," "Jessie," "Shake It Up!", "Austin & Ally," and "Dog with a Blog," among many others. In addition to "Socio", Prodco is also producing the other four ABC Family pilots in pre-production.

Minors and foreign talent must be legally eligible to work in the state of New York and in the United States.

The 2013 New York Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in New York and the United States:

• New York Child Performer Information Sheet
• New York Child Performer Permit Combined Application
• New York Child Performer Trust Accounts Information
• New York Verification of Satisfactory Academic Performance
• New York Child Performer Employer Certificate Combined Application
• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements - State Statues
• USA Immigration Work Permits and Visas
• USA Non-Immigrant Visa Application

In addition to the following New York Actors Resources:

• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• New York Casting Directors List
• New York Extras Casting Directors List
• New York Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• New York Acting Classes List
• New York Headshot Photographers List
• Actors Unions
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous New York Resources
• PDF Users Guides

The 2013 Actors Resource Guide eBooks are available here.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

New York:

Pat McCorkle
575 8th Avenue
18th Floor
New York, NY 10018

Los Angeles:

Jennifer Cram
John Papsidera
5243 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016

Extras Casting

To Be Announced

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

"Socio" Production Office
EUE/Screen Gems Studios
222 E. 44th Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017

Prodco, Inc.
4024 Radford Avenue
Building 6
Studio City, CA 91604

Pariah
9744 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 205
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-2612

ABC Family
3800 W Alameda Ave
Burbank, CA 91505

Producers:

Adam Milch
Gavin Polone
Don Mink
Lauren Pfeiffer

Director:

Jon Amiel

Starring:

Avan Jogia - Danny Ryder
Denise Richards - Karen Ryder
Kimberly Quinn - Tess Masterson
Maddie Hasson - Jo Masterson
Kylie Bunbury - Lacey
Ashton Moio - Rico 

Story:

Danny Ryder (Avan Jogia), who murdered his own aunt five years ago, returns to his home town after being released from custody - a controversial homecoming that causes a media firestorm. Admittedly guilty, Danny, nicknamed "Socio" by the hostile high school crowd he will be attending school with, claims that he had a reason for the murder - but what that reason is he has stubbornly refused to divulge. Ostracized by his peers, Danny finds an unlikely champion in his former best friend Jo (Maddie Hasson), but he's finding it harder to break through to his other former friend, Lacey (Kylie Bunbury), now a popular "cool girl" who is trying to leave her Traumatic past behind. But when another student is found murdered, suspicion falls on Danny, and the question remains - is Danny the serial slayer everyone assumes he is or a maligned victim with a shocking secret?

ABC Family hit series 'Switched at Birth' now casting it's second season

"Switched at Birth" season two is set to premier in early 2012.

AB Media Publishing, LLC

The ABC Family hit one-hour scripted drama "Switched at Birth" was officially renewed for a second season on August 17, 2012 and the casting director is auditioning actors for recurring, guest starring, and day player speaking roles. In addition to principal actors being cast, extras will be hired throughout the season consisting of at least 20 episodes. The series has become the number one Monday scripted cable television show in females 12-34. The series is set in Kansas City, Missouri, although it is filmed in Los Angeles. The first episode for season two begins shooting on October 22, 2012 at Santa Clarita Studios.

"Switched at Birth" is the story of two teen girls who discover that they were accidentally switched at birth. Bay Kennish grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and two brothers, while Daphne Vasquez, who lost her hearing as a child due to a case of meningitis, grew up with a single mother in a poor neighborhood. When the two families meet, the girls struggle with their identities as Bay relates to the artistic abilities of Daphne's mother, and Daphne is drawn to the athletic skills of Bay's father, as well as the family's friendly demeanor. The Kennishes learn that Daphne and her mom are facing financial woes and propose the Vasquezes move into their guest home. The new living situation forces the girls, along with both families, to understand their differences and embrace their similarities.

The cast includes Teen Choice Award nominee Vanessa Marano returning as Bay Kennish; Teen Choice Award nominee Katie Leclerc as Daphne Vasquez; Teen Choice Award nominee Lucas Grabeel is back as Bay's brother Toby Kennish; Screen Actors Guild Award winner D.W. Moffett plays Bay's father John; People's Choice Award winner Lea Thompson in the role of Bay's mother Kathryn; three-time ALMA Award nominee Constance Marie is back playing Daphne's mother Regina; French-American actor Gilles Marini is now a series regular playing Angelo Sorrento, the biological father of Bay Kennish; and Marlee Matlin portrays Melody Bledsoe, a deaf guidance counselor and a substitute basketball coach at the Carlton School for the Deaf, where Daphne attends.

Creator and executive producer is Lizzy Weiss, who also serves as the series showrunner. Weiss won a 2012 Gracie Award in the category of Outstanding Producer - Entertainment, for her work on "Switched at Birth". The Gracie Awards celebrate and honor programming created for women, by women, and about women. Also executive producing is Paul Stupin, who's other credits include "Dawson's Creek," "In Plain Sight," and ABC Family's "Make It or Break It"; three-time Primetime Emmy nominee Becky Hartman Edwards; and five-time Primetime Emmy nominee John Ziffren. Regular producer is Shawn Wilt.

Minors and foreign talent must be legally eligible to work in the state of California and in the United States.

The 2013 Los Angeles Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Los Angeles and the United States:

• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements
• California Child Actor Permit Application
• California Minors Summary Chart
• Child Actor Coogan Trust Deposit Instructions
• California Division of Labor Standards Offices
• Immigration Work Permit Information
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application

In addition to the following Los Angeles Actors Resources:

• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• Los Angeles Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Extras Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• Los Angeles Acting Classes List
• Acting Classes for Young Actors in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Headshot Photographers List
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous Los Angeles Resources
• Actors Unions
• PDF Users Guides

The 2013 Los Angeles Actors Resource Guide eBook is available here.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Deedee Bradley
11340 Moorpark Street
N. Hollywood, CA 91602

Extras Casting

Los Angeles:

Central Casting
220 South Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502
Registration Information: (818) 562-2755
Do not send photos to Central, you must register in person.

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

"Switched at Birth"
Production Office
Santa Clarita Studios
25135 Anza Drive
Stages 9 and 10
Valencia, CA 91355

ABC Studios
500 S Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91505

Producers: Lizzy Weiss, Paul Stupin, John Ziffren, Shawn Wilt, Becky Hartman Edwards

Directors: Steve Miner

Note: Various directors work different episodes during the season. In television shows composed of individual episodes, the television director's role differs from that of a film director in that he or she may work only on some television episodes as opposed to the director of an entire film production. In episodic television productions, the major creative control resides with a producer of the show. The television producer with creative control is called the showrunner, in this case Lizzy Weiss.

Starring:

Katie Leclerc - Daphne Paloma Vasquez
Vanessa Marano - Bay Madeleine Kennish
Constance Marie - Regina Vasquez
D. W. Moffett - John Kennish
Lea Thompson - Kathryn Kennish
Lucas Grabeel - Toby Kennish
Sean Berdy - Emmett Bledsoe
Marlee Matlin - Melody Bledsoe
Gilles Marini - Angelo Sorrento
Ivonne Coll - Adriana Vasquez

Story:

Switched at Birth centers on two teenage girls who find out they were inadvertently switched as newborns in the hospital. Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) grew up in a wealthy family with two parents (D. W. Moffett and Lea Thompson) and a brother (Lucas Grabeel). Meanwhile, Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc), who contracted meningitis and became deaf at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood. Things come to a dramatic head when the families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls.

ABC Family casting actors and extras for new ballet series 'Bunheads'

"Bunheads" premiers Monday, June 11, 2012 at 9:00pm ET/PT on ABC Family

AB Media Publishing, LLC

Update (August 17, 2012): "Bunheads" has given a back-order pick-up for 8 additional episodes for season 1.

ABC Family is now in production on a new ballet drama series called "Bunheads", and the casting directors are auditioning actors for co-starring, guest starring, and day player roles. Extas and stand-ins are also being cast throughout the season. The show centers on a Las Vegas showgirl who impulsively marries a man named Hubble Flower and moves to his sleepy coastal town of Paradise, California after he passes away. She inherits his house, his mother Fanny Flowers along with her dance studio and students.

Headlining the series is the extremely beautiful and talented Tony Award winning actress, singer, and dancer Sutton Foster in the role of Michelle. There was a national talent search that took place, as the producers sought a variety of teen girls with strong Ballet experience. They wanted girls who are 18 and above who can play 14 - 17 years of age, or girls under 18 who are emancipated. They found dancer Bailey Buntain in New York City; Yuri Grigoriev School of Ballet trained Jenny-Lyn Marais in Los Angeles; Emma Dumont dances at Los Angeles Ballet Academy; Julia Goldani-Telles also in New York City; and newcomer Kaitlyn Jenkins from Orange County High School of the Arts in Santa Ana, California. Kelly Bishop ("Gilmore Girls") plays Fanny Flowers.

Primetime Emmy nominated Amy Sherman-Palladino directed the pilot episode from a screenplay that she wrote herself. About "Bunheads", Sherman-Palladino said, "I spent 20 years of my life with my hair in a bun. I was supposed to be a dancer. My mother was a dancer. Her greatest heartbreak was when I got on Roseanne. So, while writing this will never equal playing "Rumpelteazer" in a bus and truck tour of Cats, it does let me tip my hat to a really special time in my life." The project was originally picked up as a cast-contingent pilot last fall with writer Lamar Damon. Sherman-Palladino is executive producing "Bunheads". Sherman-Palladino is best known as creator, executive producer, head writer, and director of the popular WB Television Network series "Gilmore Girls". Her husband, Daniel Palladino, is also writing and directing episodes of "Bunheads".

Minors and foreign talent must be legally eligible to work in the state of California and in the United States.

The 2013 Los Angeles Actors Resource Guide eBook includes the following information and documents for adults, minors, and foreign talent who would like to work as an actor or extra on film and television productions in Los Angeles and the United States:

• USA Child Actor Work Permit Requirements
• California Child Actor Permit Application
• California Minors Summary Chart
• Child Actor Coogan Trust Deposit Instructions
• California Division of Labor Standards Offices
• Immigration Work Permit Information
• Non-Immigrant Visa Application

In addition to the following Los Angeles Actors Resources:

• Audition Tips
• How To Make an Audition Video
• Los Angeles Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Extras Casting Directors List
• Los Angeles Talent Agents List
• General Talent Agent Information
• Los Angeles Acting Classes List
• Acting Classes for Young Actors in Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Headshot Photographers List
• Sample Actors Resume
• Sample Beginning Actors Resume
• Sample Cover Letters
• Entertainment Industry Terminology
• Miscellaneous Los Angeles Resources
• Actors Unions
• PDF Users Guides

The 2013 Los Angeles Actors Resource Guide eBook is available here.

Principal Actor Casting

See the post titled Headshot and Resume Information regarding how to submit for acting roles.

Submit photos and resumes by mail only.
No phone calls or personal drop-offs.

Los Angeles:

Jeanie Bacharach
1438 N. Gower Street
Building 5
Suite 108
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Extras Casting

Los Angeles:

Toni Avalos
Central Casting
220 S. Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502
Registration Info: (818) 562-2755
Do not send photos to Central Casting, you must register in person.

Production Companies:

Do NOT send photos and resumes to the production companies, as they will most likely end up being thrown away. They do not cast the films, rather they hire casting directors who sort through the thousands of submissions.

ABC Family
3800 W. Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505

Producers: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Karey Burke, Charlie Stratton, Norman Buckley, Anna Mastro

Directors: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Kenny Ortega

Starring:

Sutton Foster - Michelle Simms
Kelly Bishop - Fanny Flowers
Kaitlyn Jenkins - Bettina Jordan
Emma Dumont - Melanie Segal
Gregg Henry - Rico
Bailey Buntain
Jenny-Lyn Marais
Julia Goldani-Telles

Story:

"Bunheads" centers on Michelle (Sutton Foster) who was accepted into the American Ballet Theatre at 17 with a full scholarship, eventually did some Broadway, but ended up a Las Vegas showgirl looking at a dead end with both her career and her life. She impulsively marries a man, and after he dies shortly thereafter, moves to his sleepy coastal town and takes an uneasy role at her "new" mother-in-law Fanny’s dance school.