FULL STREAM AHEAD: Protecting Your Young Performer's Emotional Health

SAG Foundation Actors Center
5757 Wilshire Blvd-Mezzanine Level
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(Parking Validation Available)

This event is also available LIVE ONLINE at www.sagfoundation.org/liferaft/livestream  During the event, you can email questions to the moderator at LifeRaft@sagfoundation.org or tweet to #LRLS.  NO RSVP REQUIRED FOR ONLINE GUESTS.

Are you the parent of a young performer?  Ever wonder how your child is taking the ups and downs of the business?  Is the “get seen” at all costs mentality or rejection affecting their emotional life?  How are they taking the inevitable volatility of an acting career and is there anything you can do to help your child maintain a healthy balance in life?  Join this panel of seasoned industry professionals as they provide insight specific to protecting the emotional health of your young performer.

PANELISTS:

Sean Astin:  (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and Rudy) In 1981, at age 9, Sean starred with his mother in the after-school special Please Don't Hit Me, Mom. The Goonies followed, and since then, he has had a steady stream of roles.  He's also become involved behind the camera, directing and co-producing the short film Kangaroo Court, which was nominated in the best short film category at the The 67th Annual Academy Awards in 1995.

Deborah Dion:  Deborah is one of the industry¹s leading casting directors.  She specializes in child searches for features and has cast many unknowns in major roles.  Some of her casting credits include The Cider House Rules, Peter Pan, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Home Alone 3, and Lady in the Water.

Cindy Osbrink of Osbrink Talent Agency:  Cindy is long recognized for her celebrity youth division with over a decade of experience.  The Osbrink Talent Agency is a prestigious full-service agency.

RJ Mitte:  (Hanna Montana and Breaking Bad) In 2006 RJ Mitte moved to Hollywood, California with his family to support his sister, actress Lacianne Carriere's foray into print and commercial work. After a lot of hard work and training RJ booked as a regular student on Hanna Montana.  Building on that success, RJ currently plays the notable role of Walt White Jr., a series regular, and character with Cerebral Palsy on AMC Network's Breaking Bad.

Addison Witt of Witt Management:  Addison Witt is a personal talent manager, actor, and acting coach. His company, WEM, Inc., represents actors in film, television and theater. All actors are selected on ability, type and potential to work consistently in entertainment.

The list of TV and film credits for clients of WEM, Inc. and Studio include Stick It, Postmortem Bliss, Norbit, The Legend of John Henry directed by Forest Whitaker, the recent Alpha Dog and Dreamgirls. Other projects are Pixel Perfect, Odd Girl Out, Sideways, Confession, "Poncho Villa" , Extra Ordinary Barry, 'Til Death, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, Phil of the Future, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Lost at Home, The War at Home, Nip/Tuck, Drake & Josh, Veronica Mars, Judging Amy, Scrubs, Angel, Malcolm in the Middle, Clubhouse, The Big House, MADtv, American Family and The District.

Heather Vanian of The Actors Fund of America’s Looking Ahead Program:  Looking Ahead supports young performers ages 9 through 18, living in Southern California, in developing the values, skills and confidence they need to lead a successful and balanced life in and out of the entertainment industry.

MODERATOR:  Anthony De Santis

Anthony DeSantis got his S.A.G. card working on Nash Bridges in San Francisco.  After moving to Los Angeles he began working steadily in commercials and has over 50 to his credit.  He has worked off Broadway in New York and on many popular TV shows such as Will & Grace, ER, Arrested Development, King of Queens, CSI, Without a Trace, and 24.  As moderator for the SAG Foundation's Conversations series, his guests include, Diahann Carroll, David Duchovny, James Avery, Sir Ian McShane, Blair Underwood, and others.