TalentPlus

Today is opening day for the feature film Carolina Caroline!

We're excited to see TalentPlus actor Chad Crenshaw on the big screen as part of this feature film starring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner & Jon Gries.

Projects like Carolina Caroline are a reminder that opportunities continue to grow throughout the Midwest. Productions filming in the region create valuable audition and booking opportunities for our actors, and we're grateful to help connect talent like Chad with those opportunities.

Congratulations to Chad and the cast and crew involved in bringing this project to life. We can't wait to see the film in theaters.

Carolina, Caroline directed by Adam Rehmeier is in theaters nationwide now.

Have you seen Carolina Caroline yet? Let us know what you think!

Fresh headshots, current materials, and staying active in the industry.

Meet TalentPlus actress Claire Coffey! Her updated headshots by talented photographer Elizabeth Wiseman are now featured on her TalentPlus webpage along with her personality slate and resume.

Since joining TalentPlus, Claire has been active with commercial and print opportunities while continuing to pursue her passion for theater throughout the St. Louis area. Building experience across multiple areas of the industry helps talent stay prepared when new opportunities arise.

We're excited to watch Claire continue to grow and look forward to seeing what projects come next.

Take a look at Claire's updated profile on the TalentPlus website and help us congratulate her on her latest updates! https://www.talentpl.us/talent/Claire-Coffey

🎬 MYTH vs REALITY

❌ MYTH: You need to live in Los Angeles to work as an actor.

✅ REALITY: Many actors, models, and voice talent are building careers right here in the Midwest.

Over the years, we've seen talented individuals move back to the St. Louis area from larger markets to raise families, be closer to home, and continue pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry.

The industry has changed significantly, especially since the pandemic. Self-taped auditions have become a standard part of the casting process, allowing talent to audition from home instead of traveling to an in-person casting office. While this means more people can be considered for a role, it also means talent have greater access to opportunities than ever before.

That doesn't mean everyone who submits will book a project. Competition remains strong. But being located outside of Los Angeles no longer prevents talent from being considered for many commercial, film, television, industrial, print, and voice-over opportunities.

As production continues to grow throughout Missouri, Illinois, and other Midwest markets, being prepared with current photos, updated profiles, and strong self-taping skills is more important than ever.

The opportunities may not always be in your backyard—but they may be closer than you think.

📋 Agent's Desk

Talent may think the first thing a client looks at is their resume. In reality, many clients form their initial impression long before they ever scroll down to your credits.

Whether it's a commercial, print campaign, healthcare project, lifestyle shoot, film, or television opportunity, clients are often reviewing dozens—or even hundreds—of submissions in a short amount of time.

This week, we're sharing three things clients often notice first when reviewing talent profiles:

✔️ Current photos that accurately represent you today

✔️ Accurate sizes and measurements

✔️ A complete profile with the information they need to make a decision

Taking a few minutes to review and update your materials can make a significant difference when opportunities arise.

Check out this week's Agent's Desk article @ TalentPlus: https://www.talentpl.us/resources/agents-desk-three-things-clients-notice-first

May kept our talent moving.

From commercial and industrial projects to film work, modeling opportunities, and behind-the-scenes artistry, TalentPlus talent stayed busy throughout the month across multiple markets and productions.

Kathy Ferrara returned to the nail tech chair for a fun shoot. Claire Coffey booked two separate opportunities with different clients. Angela Giancola worked on several projects throughout the month, while Jacob Chang & Keith Van Gels continued to be familiar faces requested by clients.

Behind the camera, Lucie Ramsey contributed her talents on a short film production, and Priscilla Case worked multiple dates for different clients, including a special hair and makeup opportunity for 's James Gunn!

Several of our talent hit the road as well. Meagan Flynn, Adam Wilson, Jahaila V., Jennifer Seward, and Kurt Yue traveled to various regions for their bookings, representing the professionalism and flexibility that today's productions often require.

We are thankful for every opportunity our actors, models, voice talent, and production artists receive, and we appreciate the clients, casting professionals, photographers, filmmakers, and creative teams who continue to trust our roster.

Here's to a busy summer ahead.

Some of you may recognize a familiar face while scrolling through Netflix.

TalentPlus actor Michael Ashcraft can be seen in Dead Man's Wire, now streaming on Netflix. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the film brings a remarkable true story to the screen, and we're glad Michael had the opportunity to be part of the project.

It's always rewarding to see our talent's hard work appear on screen, whether it's film, television, commercial, print, or voice-over work.

Have you watched Dead Man's Wire yet?

🎬 The Midwest entertainment industry is evolving — and the St. Louis region is entering an important new chapter.

With new productions filming locally, expanding film incentives in both Missouri and Illinois, and developments like Hollywood River Studios across the river, more opportunities continue growing for talent throughout the region.

At TalentPlus, we’ve watched the industry change dramatically over the last 49 years — from in-person auditions and printed headshots to self-taped auditions, digital casting profiles, and remote submissions.

One thing hasn’t changed: preparation matters.

We’ve put together a new article discussing:
🎥 Self-tape auditions
🎭 Updated casting profiles
📸 Headshots and reels
📱 Industry changes since COVID
✨ Why professionalism still matters

Whether you’re already pursuing acting and modeling opportunities or just beginning to explore the industry, this article offers insight into how today’s casting world works.

Read the full article at talentpl.us https://www.talentpl.us/resources/recent-production-development-brings-opportunity

🎬 Hollywood is heading to STL this June!

It’s always exciting to see more film production happening in the Midwest, especially when projects highlight the neighborhoods, culture, and local flavor that make St. Louis unique.

Love on the Hill will be filming throughout The Hill and across the river ➡️ (baseball scene) this summer, with local restaurants, homes, and streets serving as backdrops for the romantic comedy centered around food, family, baseball, and reconnecting with home. ⚾🍝🎥

The production is also giving the community a chance to participate! On June 9, fans attending the Gateway Grizzlies game in Sauget can stay after the game for an opportunity to appear as extras in the film during “Be in a Movie Night at the Ballpark.”

Projects like this are another reminder why it’s so important for talent to keep casting profiles, headshots, resumes, and self-tape setups current as more Midwest opportunities continue to grow.

More information is available through the Gateway Grizzlies website. https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/Promotions/Be_in_a_Movie_Night?fbclid=IwY2xjawSEUVlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFSTTFiemR1YjJ6UWJrUE0wc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuucPo1eBtiOIXydgOIv0VVwvEOooCyePRaqGiGzP7O6ZuyMvqLgneOgXJxc_aem_yZwb52ueJyhi81YSVEaNKw

Hollywood is coming to The Hill!

This June, local restaurants, homes, and streets throughout The Hill will serve as filming locations for *Love on the Hill* — a romantic comedy inspired by the food, family, traditions, and community spirit that make our neighborhood so special.

The film follows Dante, a minor league baseball player, and Nina, a food influencer returning to The Hill to care for family — only to rediscover love, connection, and the meaning of home along the way.

And here’s the exciting part: YOU could be in the movie!

On June 9, the Gateway Grizzlies are hosting “Be in a Movie Night at the Ballpark” at Arsenal BG Ballpark in Sauget, where fans can stay after the game for the opportunity to appear as extras in the film.

We can’t wait to see The Hill shine on the big screen and share our traditions, hospitality, and culture with audiences everywhere!

More info available through the Gateway Grizzlies website: https://www.gatewaygrizzlies.com/Promotions/Be_in_a_Movie_Night

Important advice for our talent: Update and maintain Actors Access, Casting dot com and Casting Networks. As conversations around new studio development and production growth continue throughout Missouri and Illinois, it’s a great reminder for talent to make sure casting materials stay current and professional. 🎬

Check out our latest TalentPlus article https://www.talentpl.us/resources/why-keeping-casting-profiles-updated for tips on keeping your profiles updated, organized, and ready for casting opportunities as the Midwest production market continues to grow.

Updated headshots, resumes, demo footage, sizes, and profile information across platforms like Actors Access, Casting Networks, and Casting.com can make a major difference when casting offices are moving quickly.

Opportunities often come fast once productions begin staffing — and preparation matters.

From commercial and print work to television, VO, film, and streaming projects, we are continuing to see the Midwest market evolve and grow. 👏

Looking forward to tomorrow’s Thursday, May 21, St. Louis SAG-AFTRA Social Media Workshop. SAG members check out this opportunity: https://www.sagaftra.org/social-media-actors-workshop-st-louis-mo

See you TOMORROW St. Louis members! 👋 More info: https://www.sagaftra.org/social-media-actors-workshop-st-louis-mo