CGTV has helped many successful actors you see on tv and in the movies find their path to Hollywood much easier than if they had tried it alone. In fact, we have stars in Brad Pitt films, on MTV and more and many of our talent had never acted prior to CGTV. Derrick Su was one of these talented young kids.
CGTV has helped many successful actors you see on tv and in the movies find their path to Hollywood much easier than if they had tried it alone. In fact, we have stars in Brad Pitt films, on MTV and more and many of our talent had never acted prior to CGTV. Derrick Su was one of these talented young kids.
But, don’t take our word for it. Listen to what Mom had to say about Derrick’s experience at CGTV.
CGTV gave Derrick
“I can’t believe what Adrian made happen in less than a week. Every young participant performed very well on the night of Jul. 7th at the ACME theatre. This was an amazing show. What made it really special, was this being the very first time my son Derrick performed on stage. He learned so much from this program. As his mom, I am so proud of him. Thank you again Adrian and your wonderful team. I can see Derrick is growing in acting because you gave him both the skills and confidence required to succeed”. Mom
https://cgtv.la/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13606485_220053661727035_2387225221248442727_n.jpg960960R'Mantehttps://cgtv.la/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CGTV-Logo-300x106.pngR'Mante2016-08-05 09:00:452016-08-05 16:48:17CGTV gave Derrick his 1st break
What is the CGTV experience like? We decided to interview one of our most recent graduates so that you could get her opinion on what it was like from auditions to graduation CGTV experience.
1. Why did you decide to audition? Were you nervous? Did your parents want you to go?
CGTV Graduate
I decided to audition because I have had a passion for acting since I was little. I was nervous because I wanted to do a good job in the audition, but I was also confident because I had to remember the people auditioning me were real people. My parents were the most encouraging people during this process.
2. How did it feel when you got your YES!
When I got my YES! I felt like someone had answered my blessing because I had been trying to break into this business with good intentions and a good heart and I finally found someone such as Adrian who had good intentions and passion.
3. Describe your experience at the program, what you learned, who you worked with
My experience with the program was amazing. I felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing and it felt right. I felt like I was at home, pursuing my dream. I worked with Adrian R’Mante, Geno Segers (Pair of Kings), Matthew Timmons (Woody off Suite Life of Zack and Cody) and also Jonathan Goldstein, the dad from Drake and Josh. I learned a lot in my experience, I learned how to block on stage, how to memorize lines more efficiently, work with someone I had just met, handle advice from different actors and interpret the advice into my own language to use onstage, take direction, and so many other stage and television tips.
CGTV Graduate
4. Describe your experience working with Adrian
Working with Adrian, in my experience, was a mix of emotions. I was star struck of the idea of working with him before I met him and once I met him and experienced who he was as a person, I realized how down to earth, kind, funny and cool he was to be around! I am not naive to the idea that he is a real person, but when you meet someone, and essentially grow up watching that actor on TV and also combining the idea that acting is your passion and now you get to work with that person… All those mixed together was a dream come true.
5. Describe your experience LIVE at the ACME theatre
My experience at the ACME theater was so awesome. I love being on stage and my mother actually looked up the history of the theater and it was cool to be on the same stage as fellow actors and actresses before me. It was busy backstage as always but that was half the fun. I loved how we were all wishing each other luck on stage and how we were still a family backstage even when the stakes were high and emotions were running because we all wanted to be successful.
6. Any callbacks that night? If so, details
I did have one call back, and they actually did not call me back again… So I took matters into my own hands as Adrian suggested and started looking for agents in my area. Based on what I was taught, I actually booked a manager that following month and I have been a paid, working, active actress ever since.
7. Would you recommend CGTV? If yes, why
CGTV Graduate
YES!!!!! If you want to be in this business or you want an experience, or glimpse of what it takes to be involved in this business, I would recommend it. It was an experience I will never forget.
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We LOVE working with kids and young adults! More than working with them, we love to hear their follow up stories on how life is going since they LEFT CGTV’s program. We work with talent agencies all over the country in bringing their biggest and brightest talents to our Hollywood Agents and Managers. Since graduating Erin has been busy, listen to her story below.
CGTV Grad
“I was 7 when I attended a weekend CGTV workshop in Miami, Florida that Adrian R’Mante was kind enough to provide for my agent Karen Greer’s top talent. That summer I attended CGTV’s camp which I can’t say enough about.
Now 12, Adrian has been a constant in my life as my acting mentor/coach. The tools I have learned in the CGTV program have allowed me to book a national tv commercial, projects for Disney, appear on stage in children’s musical theater productions, a role in Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors NBC TV movie, as well as the sequel filming this summer.
I am so excited to be going back to LA this summer to attend another CGTV camp. The highlight I have to say, is all of the amazing friends I have made in the program/workshops. Friends that have become like family to me. We support each other in our careers which makes it extra special. Adrian taught us that it’s important to lift each other up and we all continue to do that. Adrian has always been a phone call or text away, making each of us feel important and nurtured.
The experience of working with the CGTV team has boosted my confidence and I have grown so much as a person and actor. I am now considered a triple threat, acting, dancing and singing. The training I have received since age 7 has prepared me to audition and keep reaching for my dreams! Thank you CGTV!”
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CGTV loves when someone has talents in addition to acting. In fact, many of our students and graduates are singers and/or musicians. Hollywood is looking for the triple talent of acting, singing and dance and it is difficult to find someone that has all of these qualities.
If you are an actor whom sings, please, let us know at your auditions and when you attend our program. We can be certain to make sure we highlight that skill in your scene so casting directors and Hollywood agents know all of the skills in your toolbox.
Listen to what Breanna had to say about her CGTV experience!
“My favorite part of CGTV was the improv classes and getting to work with so many people from around the world. It has helped me be more confident in myself and how to choose pieces best suited for me. Working with Adrian was great. He is a great teacher and very patient with his students. It was awesome getting to learn from him. His adrainisms have still stuck with me. Thanks CGTV!”
Another amazing CGTV Review!
CGTV reviews are in, and they are stellar. Schedule your audition in a city near you by registering at https://CGTV.LA/Register
CGTV grad fulfills her dream.We love continuing a relationship with our CGTV grad and grads after they leave our program and hearing about how they are putting their training to use in their careers. This is one mom’s thank you note to CGTV for helping her daughter Kim’s dreams come true.
CGTV Grad
Two years ago we took our daughter to an audition for CGTV. Immediately, she was excited to be part of this amazing journey. That next summer in 2014, we all decided to take off to California and make it a family trip. All of our family and the other families met with Adrian and his staff, he answered all our questions and told us there and then that this was not a Job opportunity, that this was a class for all the actors to perfect their art and that during the show case there would be Casting representatives from various agencies. No guarantee of work or casting was ever promised and that was clear with everyone there. But what we would be given, was an opportunity to shine in front of these select agents and managers.
My daughter was very happy that she attended, not only did she make new friends but she was taught by Adrian himself and the all of his staff (famous Disney actors) on a one on one level. She learned all the techniques that she could put to use and how to perfect them including how to act in a casting call.
Since then my daughter has been focusing on school as she is graduating this year and has been working here in Arizona. She has done some student films, commercial, work as an extra for Federal credit Union Bank with Cardinal ex QB Kurt Warner and and has also done print for PetSmart. She recently got called to work for the Netflix show ‘the Get Down”. She learned so much and has been able to put all that she learned to work for her. Thank you to Adrian R’Mante and his entire staff at CGTV.
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This is just one more scenario where Adrian R’Mante goes above and beyond a contractual relationship with a student to provide support, nurture and coaching in a highly tense situation. You are going to love this families thank you to CGTV, we sure did. CGTV is committed to the success of their actors long after they graduate.
“Hello CGTV Family!
I wanted to share with you how much my son and I have benefited from Adrian R’Mante and CGTV. From the very first day of meeting Adrian R’Mante he has put us at ease: from the audition process, to prep for the week-long program to the wrap up afterwards. Adrian has ALWAYS been a phone call away for my son, Brent, and I. As Brent went through the program, I saw him develop immensely. He learned so much from the acting tips, how to improve his audition techniques and scene development. The Showcase was amazing for Brent. I saw him grow leaps and bounds and this was clearly demonstrated during the evening of the showcase. He received callbacks and will have the opportunity of working with a fantastic manager in LA when he is ready.
When he returned to Canada he received many auditions for national T.V. and film projects. I remember a time when he was so confused about how to bring a character to life and called Adrian. Adrian actually pulled his car to the side of the road and did a Facetime audition prep with Brent.
I have personally seen Adrian in different scenarios and I can honestly say that what you see and what you hear is what you get. He delivers and stands behind his word. He is passionate and will continue to work hard until you or your child reaches the goal!
As a parent, I have full access to Adrian whenever I need it. Adrian provided a parents program while my son, Brent, was in the program taking his workshops and prepping for the showcase event. The 3-day parent event was to help the parents feel at ease (and see some attractions) while their child was given the incredible opportunity to focus on the teaching for the week. Adrian always has time for any questions that parents might have and takes this part of the business very seriously. He knows what he is talking about since he has been in the industry for many years.
To put your mind at ease, I want you to feel with full confidence that Adrian R’Mante has your child’s future and best interest in mind. He truly is a man of his word and what you see in this amazing instructor is what you will get out of the experience. Wishing you a long and successful career!
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A big part of acting is having confidence in front of the casting directors. Actors also tend to be very hypercritical of themselves and that shows in front of agents and directors. At CGTV we teach our actors skills and practices that instill confidence at the heart of the actor. The confidence leads to comfortability both at auditions and on-camera. Don’t take our word for it. Listen to what Elizabeth Anne Waldridge, CGTV graduate.
CGTV Builds
“Thanks to Adrain R’Mante I have so much confidence. Thanks to Celebrity Experience I have been getting calls from agencies. A producer from Miami wants me to do a movie in Colombia. Thanks to the confidence Adrian gave me, I participated in the local talent contest. CGTV helped me learn so many acting techniques. So thank you so much for all you have done for me!” – Elizabeth Anne Waldridge
There are plenty of actors that come to us that are already getting jobs on their own. So why do they come to us? There are a few reasons that we want to point out.
TRAINING
A true actor knows that training never, ever ends. Each new role requires you to reach into a different part of you to bring that character to life. Sometimes, techniques that worked to help reveal one character just won’t work with a new one. And, as we mature techniques that were not available to us as a child become front and center. Because of all of these reasons, most actors are either still learning or at the point where they are mentoring others.
CONNECTIONS
The second reason working actors come to CGTV is because of Adrian R’Mante to be quite frank. Not only is he a consummate professional actor and director, but he is also a teacher, mentor, and light in many people’s lives. He also packs an iPhone filled with Hollywood talent agencies and casting directors that he puts his students in front of. Everyone knows that Hollywood is a small town and it all comes down to who you know. And chances are, you don’t know anyone. We do. Don’t take our word for it, listen to the parents of a working actor named TJ Norfus.
“The CGTV experience truly encouraged the many faces of TJ. It was an all around awesome experience – we made friends we still see and talk to. The week is not just about the kids receiving invaluable training but the parents also being oriented to the business. For me, the two things that stand out the most:
1) Adrian is as real as they come. He set expectations that made it very clear that a talented child will likely not be an overnight success. Rather, like everything else, you have to work for what you want. That has helped us keep him on a humble path of continually nurturing his craft with practice and patience; and
2) Adrian made himself available for feedback and questions long after the week was over. So, he’s not just taking your money and running.
TJ loves acting more than ever, is regularly working in Miami and his confidence continues to grow. Very thankful for the tools we both received through CGTV to support that.” Natalie Norfus
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We received amazing news from one of the agents that pulls talent from CGTV’s star showcase. One of our very own, Tina Hovhannisyn is now SAG eligible after finding her agent through our showcase and then being cast in a national commercial for Ross. If you don’t know how difficult it is to become SAG eligible, read more below1
“SAG-AFTRA represents around 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at www.SAGAFTRA.org to learn more.”
This is what is listed on their website. What is not listed is how difficult it is to become a member. You cannot just pay your way in. In fact, you will not find a “Join now” button on their website.
There are only 3 ways to qualify for SAG-AFTRA as listed on their website:
Proof of Employment
SAG-AFTRA membership is available to those who work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement, provided that any person qualifying through work as a background actor must have completed three (3) days of work as a background actor under an SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement.
Employment Under an Affiliated Performers’ Union
Performers may join SAG-AFTRA if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers’ union (ACTRA, AEA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.
Potential broadcast members should contact the National Broadcast Department or their Local for information on joining
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We asked one of our amazing students what the best thing that she got out of CGTV and this was her response:
Because of CGTV, I am inspired to pursue my dreams. Prior to CGTV, I believed my goals were unachievable and unrealistic. This is my third year being a part of CGTV and I can proudly say that at just 18 years old, I am moving to Vancouver to attend the Vancouver Film School. Adrian R’Mante has truly helped me discover myself by believing in me and motivating me. The greatest gift of all has been him teaching me that I can accomplish absolutely anything I dedicate myself to. He sees my true passion for performing and I am so grateful for everything he does for each and every one of his students. I love the entire staff at CGTV and you have each changed my life and for this, I am grateful.
My life changed because of CGTV & now “I am moving to Vancouver to attend the Vancouver Film School.”
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CGTV gave Derrick his 1st break
