In Person: TV HOSTING WEEKEND CONNECTION with Leila Sbitani, TV Host/Media Coach and Risa Tanania, Casting Director / Producer, The House That Casting Built PLUS Showcase to our HUGE PANEL!
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10am ET / 7am PT
This event is in the past.
TWO DAY SPECIAL EVENT! Saturday, May 20 - 10am - 4pm & Sunday, May 21 - 10am - 5pm
Location: Pearl Studios, 519 8th Avenue, 12th Floor, Studio A | New York, NY 10036
Showcase to our HUGE Panel of TV Host/Broadcast Talent Agents and Casting Directors!
Do You Want to be a TV Host, Broadcaster, or On-Air Expert? Do You Have an Idea for a Great New Show or Segment?
The TV Host / TV Expert Connection Weekend is the best way to learn today's current trends in broadcast and digital hosting, on camera technique, and connect with the movers and shakers in the Hosting & Broadcasting World.
This exclusive on-camera workshop offers a unique experience for aspiring TV Hosts, Digital Influencers and TV experts to network with others, perfect their craft in a positive, supportive environment and be coached TV Host and Media Coach Leila Sbitani. Joined by TV Host Casting Director - Risa Tanania on day two of the training event.
Some of Risa's favorite shows to cast have been Dating Around on Netflix, Coming Out on Snapchat, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for ABC and the Origin of Everything on PBS. Her office specializes in hosts, brand ambassadors, contestants and all around authenticity in the landscape we call TV.
You'll have TWO full days to polish your hosting skills, discover your brand, learn how to work with audition scripts, co-host banter, and write show copy. You also learn how to improve your audition skills to book TV hosting jobs and/or establish yourself as a on-air expert. You'll come up with your own show or segment concept and we'll help you prepare to bring it to life on Sunday in front of some of NY's top Hosting Agents, Casting Directors and talent executives.
Top Host and Media Coach Leila Sbitani and Casting Director Risa Tanania will mentor you with their extensive knowledge and unique coaching styles. They will focus on the essentials of hosting, connecting with your audience, discovering what sets you apart from the competition, and finding your dynamic presence in front of the camera.
This exclusive on-camera workshop offers a unique experience to network, pitch yourself, and perfect your craft in a positive and supportive environment.
The weekend will culminate with a showcase to a panel of SIX incredible Television Broadcast Talent Agents and TV Casting Directors.The showcase will begin with your ON CAMERA show or segment pitch in front of the panel, followed by their feedback. After everyone has showcased their work, there will be a Q & A where you'll have YOUR chance to ask specific questions all about the TV hosting/broadcast industry.
Scheduled guests include:
- David Herman, Brand Producer NBCLX / NBC Universal Media - FIRST TIME GUEST!
- Ronnie Krensel, Award-winning Showrunner, Director and VP of Development - FIRST TIME GUEST!
- Traci Wilkes Smith, Agent/SVP Broadcasters, CSE
- Risa Tanania, Casting Director, The House That Casting Built
Advice and feedback will be brilliant and will immediately affect your audition results.
Please note that this in person two day event will be at:
Pearl Studios NYC
519 8th Avenue, 12th Floor, Studio A
New York, NY 10018
WHAT TO PREPARE:
Please follow the procedures listed below:
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Please update your headshot and fill out the MY INFO section of your AC account upon registration.
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The room will be open 30 minutes before the event is scheduled to start. Please arrive at least 10 MINUTES before your event begins as your host will give important information about the event at this time.
Additional Information:
Our online office hours are 9am-6pm Monday-Friday
If you have an emergency for a class you are participating in outside of these hours, please email help@actorsconnection.com and your host will be able to respond.
**No recording of any kind is permitted by participants during class.**
**Actors Connection classes and programming are for ADULTS (18+). Unless it is disclosed above, with permission, some teens (14+) are allowed to take adult programming. To inquire about getting permission, please send an email to: info@actorsconnection.com**
**Please keep in mind that all programs at Actors Connection are for educational and professional development purposes. Participating in any class or event is not a promise of employment.**
Leila Sbitani
Leila Sbitani is a TV Host/Media Coach who has hosted a wide variety of TV Shows that have taken her all over the world and enabled her to work with numerous celebrities, including (most recently), Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Mark Wahlberg, and Jamie Foxx. Leila has hosted on Entertainment Tonight, E!, Style, WE, Metro TV, Oxgen, Nick@Nite, TV Land and many more. She also has extensive experience as an actress in film, theater, commercials, voice-overs and industrials. Leila has been working as a media coach and teacher for over 15 years, teaching master classes at Colleges, Universities, High schools, and workshops in New York City. She also works with several production companies, networks, PR firms and independently takes on clients for private coaching. Leila has coached talent that have appeared on various networks including The Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, VHI, BET, HGTV, NBC, CBS, FX, and Universal Kids. Check out Leila's website for more info: leilasbitani.com
Check out Leila's Hosting Demo:
Testimonials:
"Leila goes beyond the nuts and bolts to instill in her students and clients the secrets of an on-air presence. They say that can't be taught, but amazingly, this woman can teach it."
"Leila taught me how being on camera, like many other things in life, is a learned skill. A skill that is best nurtured by someone who gets it. She gets it. Leila's easy laid back approach helped build my confidence without me feeling flustered or intimidated. This is one of the best things I did to jumpstart my career!"
-Tyler Wisler, Interior Designer / On-Air Expert
"Leila does a really great job at finding what makes each person a unique host, it's not just a one size fits all class. She takes the time to understand you, what you have to offer and helps you showcase it!"
-Callie Bundy Fitness Model / On-Air Personality
"Leila has taught me how to connect with my audience on camera. Even after public speaking for more than two decades, I sure had a lot to learn about being in front of the camera. Leila helps you rediscover your most authentic self and to be more engaging, entertaining, and worthy of your audience's attention. She's awesome and I highly recommend you connect with her in any way possible."
-Bill Carmody, "The Marketing Whisperer" CEO of Trepoint
Mark Turner
Now at Gersh, Mark was most recently at A3 Artists Agency.
Upon graduation from Connecticut College in 1993, he started working as an assistant to the head of the commercial dept at a major talent agency, in NY. After 2.5 years, he was promoted to agent; and started up the Host/Broadcast Division. Over the last 2 decades, the department, now titled, the Alternative & Digital Division, has morphed into a one stop shop for all things under the non fiction umbrella. Mark has represented top on air hosts, experts, personalities, producers, and digital influencers, in all aspects of unscripted TV and digital. He's worked with, and placed talent, and sold shows, with every major production company, cable channel, broadcast network, syndicator, and digital platform, across the country.
In 2024, he joined The Gersh Agency where he is a Senior VP in charge of Alternative Television.
Risa Tanania
Risa Tanania is the owner and co-founder of The House that Casting Built (est. 2011) – a successful, boutique casting company that focuses on diversity, inclusivity and representation for large scale, unscripted television on platforms like HBO, Bravo, AMC and TBS.
Some of her favorite shows to cast have been Dating Around on Netflix, Coming Out on Snapchat, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire for ABC and the Origin of Everything on PBS. The House specializes in hosts, brand ambassadors, contestants and all around authenticity in the landscape we call TV.
Seth Mayeri
Seth serves as both a talent agent and the head of Napoli’s New York City office. He has been representing talent in sports, TV news and entertainment for 28 years.
Seth began his career in 1993 at Athletes and Artists, a prominent boutique management firm that represented high-profile broadcasters and professional athletes. He remained an agent with the company as it grew to become Marquee Group and eventually SFX. Seth left SFX in 2005 and soon after he founded Evolution Media Talent with several business partners.
Seth focuses on representing talent in network, cable, regional and local TV markets, as well as hosts, correspondents, and analysts for established and emerging digital outlets. He has launched the careers of numerous prominent television personalities.
Seth resides in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Traci Wilkes Smith
Traci Wilkes Smith is a Senior Vice President in the Talent Representation group at CSE in New York. At CSE, Traci has built a dynamic talent practice rich with experience and recognition.
Traci has extensive relationships in the media industry. Her keen eye has helped her identify, represent, mentor hundreds of brilliant content creators, storytellers, and senior level media executives. Traci negotiates talent employment contracts,production deals and manages literary and film processes. Prior to working at CSE, Traci worked as a broadcast attorney/agent at WTA in New York.
Traci is a 2020 CUP Fellow, member of The National Association of Black Journalists, Troop Leader for Girl Scouts of New Jersey, has served on non-profit boards including the Association of Black Women Attorneys and the National Blood Clot Alliance where she raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of blood clots. A frequent speaker, Traci was a recent panelist for Diverse Representation on “How To Survive As A Black Women In The Entertainment Industry.”
Born in New York, Traci is a graduate of Rutgers College and Rutgers University School of Law, Newark. She is a member of the New York and New Jersey state bars.
Ronnie Krensel
Ronnie Krensel is an award-winning Showrunner, Director and VP of Development. He makes documentaries, comedies and commercials about politics, science, inspiring people and amusing things.
After collecting degrees in biology and film at Uinverstity of Pennsylvania, Ronnie put his science and film knowledge to work, making coffee on film sets in New York and Los Angeles.
He left that grind to become Editor and Director and later Showrunner on an ESPN comedy series and a syndicated pranks show, discovering in the process that a juvenile sense of humor can also pay the bills.
Since then Ronnie helmed comedy, adventure and science shows for TruTV, Discovery, Youtube Red, BBC, ABC, A&E, History, TLC, Animal Planet, Travel, Food HGTV and PBS.
His documentary about inner-city education - "A Matter of Degrees" - won an Emmy Award and Silver Medals at Toronto and Columbus. Since 2016 Ronnie has won 2 Cine Golden Eagles, an Indiefest, 2 Cindy Awards, A Webby Award, along with nominations for Emmy, Streamy and Promax Awards.
His shows have been called “compelling” (NY Times), “effervescent” (Wall Street Journal) and “smart and insightful” (Washington Post).
As a Development Executive Ronnie has created projects for ABC, Food, TLC, ESPN, Discovery, Animal Planet, A&E, Cooking, Bravo UK, CH4 UK and CH5 UK.
Since 2010 he has directed 60+ commercials for brands like Land Rover, Home Depot, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Bank of America. His most recent project is a music video and series of spots with Bill Murray.
Ronnie enjoys talking to strangers from around the world, training dogs and children and pretending to speak French.
David Herman
David Herman is an award-winning Writer/Producer/Editor/
David Herman started his career as an Producer at Grey Advertising. After spending several years taking commercials from storyboard to final broadcast video, he made the jump to long form producing a Saturday morning kids’ show with NFL Films, blending animation segments with live action segments featuring NFL personalities.
From there, David headed over to Nickelodeon to write, produce and direct on-air promos and marketing content. During the course of his 30 year career he has produced and directed hundreds of shoots, worked with countless A-list celebrities, worked across all platforms and styles of production, and produced award winning work for Nickelodeon, Nick@Nite, TV Land, and CNN.
Meets
| Saturday, May 20, 2023 | 10:00 am |
| Sunday, May 21, 2023 | 10:00 am |
The following disclaimer is provided specifically at the request of and in accordance with SAG/AFTRA: Seminars or classes are for educational purposes only and will not secure or provide opportunity for employment in the field or representation by an agent or casting director.
