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introducing
“what’s next!:
A Special THREE-part Event!”

ZBS INVITES ALL CLIENTS AND GUESTS OF RSA Entertainment, Abstract Talent Agency AND Casting Professional, Brent Hagata TO ATTEND
“what’s Next!: A Special THREE-part event!“ including:

• An exclusive Panel Discussion moderated by Zak Barnett between Gina Nuccio from RSA Entertainment, Jan Rosenthal from Abstract Talent Agency and  Brent Hagata, Casting Professional focused on visioning for “What’s Next!” in the industry.

• A ZBS Sample Class taught by ZBS owner and Master Teacher, Zak Barnett.

• An In-Studio reception for those in attendance with light snacks and refreshments to mingle and hang out!

ZBS Panel Event: “WHAT’s NEXT!”

The panel will be an enlightening conversation moderated by Zak Barnett between Gina Nuccio from RSA Entertainment, Jan Rosenthal from Abstract Talent Agency and  Brent Hagata, Casting Professional.

This event is part of ZBS’s “What’s Next!” Series— a dynamic response to the roller coaster of challenges the industry has faced, from the upheavals of a pandemic and Industry strikes to AI. In this series, we’re not just asking “What’s Next?”; we are creating a think tank around the answer. This discussion will offer a fresh approach to navigating and evolving in our fast-paced industry.


ZBS SAMPLE CLASS
Here at ZBS, our signature approach has proven to help actors personally expand and elevate their training by guiding actors to find their inner confidence and unique charisma to make their work stand out from the rest. You will have an opportunity to learn more about our Acting for the Whole Self Approach by studio owner and founder Zak Barnett and watch how he transforms the work you see. As of 2024, ZBS has had over 250 series regulars and we’re still just getting started!

Also, a very special Enrollment offer will be announced in this class! You don’t want to miss out!


DETAILS:

When: Thursday, May 8th
Panel & Sample Class Timings:
5:00 – 8:00 PM PT
Where: Hybrid (In-Person at ZBS Studios or Online via Zoom)
Address: 332 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA. 90036
Following the event: An in-studio reception will be held from 8:00 to 9:00 PM PT to mingle and enjoy light snacks!

Notes:

  • Please be prepared to stay for the entirety of the event.
  • No late admissions will be allowed to enter.
  • Space is limited so we ask that you take your confirmation to heart and confirm only if you plan on attending.
  • If you confirm and there’s an emergency, please email brian@zakbarnett.com as soon as possible so we can let the ZBS staff and your rep know that you won’t be attending. Thank you and we’re excited to welcome you to “What’s Next!”.
FILL out the form below to register!

Meet the Panelists:
Screenshot 2024-05-02 at 6.27.13 pm
Zak Barnett
Creator and Director

Zak is widely regarded in the industry for cultivating a generation of breakout stars. His clients, past and present, range from Broadway to Hollywood to Bollywood, from critically acclaimed up-and-comers to breakout stars and icons.

Currently, Zak has over 250 students working as series regulars on major television shows, as well as hundreds of others working as guest stars, co-stars, and major roles in both studio and independent films. Among his students and clients, past and present, are numerous NAACP, SAG, People’s Choice, Golden Globe, and Emmy winners. He also consults for directors, productions, and networks, to ensure both individual actors and entire casts rise to the occasion of their best performance possible.

Gina Nuccio
Gina Nuccio
Founder/CEO of RSA Entertainment

Since 1988, Gina has been associated with the entertainment industry in a variety of roles, including sound designing and mixing, theatre producing, directing, and casting, before becoming a recognizable force as Founder & CEO of RSA Entertainment.

After receiving a double B.A. in Film Scoring and Composition from Berklee School of Music in Boston, she immediately began her professional career in the Film and TV industry. She has worked in post-production on films including award-winning talent such as Shirley McClain, Minnie Driver, Kiefer Sutherland, James Spade and Ed Harris to name a few. She has also worked as a sound designer and mixer on many promos for notable TV shows such as The Ellen Show, Entertainment Weekly, South Park and many more. In music editing, Gina has worked on animated episodics, such as Power Rangers and Transformers.

In 2010, Gina established RSA as an umbrella organization that manages talent in all aspects of entertainment. Through the years, RSA has become a recognizable and respectful name to casting and throughout the television and film industry. Gina has built relationships with industry leaders in casting, including network casting VP’s. She’s proud to share that RSA clients can be seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Nickelodeon, and Disney, as well as in major feature films, and national commercials. The company also represents a number of other entertainment creatives in both the literary and production worlds.

Jan Rosenthal
Jan Rosenthal
Co-Founder of Abstract Talent Agency

JAN ROSENTHAL was born and raised in Los Angeles and received her Bachelor’s degree from UCLA. Upon graduation, she went to work for Bozell, one of the largest international advertising agencies in the world. Rising to the ranks of Vice President, Executive Producer, she produced over 1,000 television and radio commercials, garnering 6 coveted industry awards. After 10 years with the agency, Jan left to start Rosenthal and Associates, a smaller boutique agency that provided marketing and production for a variety of clients from Central to Southern California. Following some time off to raise her family, Jan returned to entertainment to produce the Off-Broadway National Tour of the critically acclaimed, “A Stoop on Orchard Street” and the CLO regional productions of “A Chorus Line” and “The Wizard of Oz.” She also produced live concerts throughout the US for multi-award winning composer/songwriter, Steve Dorff. In 2011, Jan and her good friend, Terry Mandel, wife of actor/comedian, Howie Mandel, co-founded Abstract Talent, Inc. The agency represents children to adults and has booked talent on almost every major network and streaming production, in several feature films, and innumerous regional and national commercials. They also aid in the coordination of social media and influencer branding.

Jan has taught courses and been a guest speaker at many universities including, UCLA, Pace, NYU, Penn State and more. She has also been on industry panels for various acting workshops and WGA presentations.

Jan was married for 32 years and has 2 amazing children. Her daughter graduated from Penn State in 2013 (BFA/MT) and received her MFA in Directing from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her son earned his BFA degree from NYU, Tisch and received an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Digital Marketing from the University of Illinois.

Brent Hagata
Brent Hagata
Casting Professional
Brent has been in casting since 2012. He studied film at UC Santa Barbara and moved to Los Angeles after that. After a several-year stint in representation, he made the switch into casting. Since getting his first job as an assistant, he has worked in both dramas and comedies such as MAJOR CRIMES, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, BOSCH, HELLRAISER and 9-1-1: LONE STAR. Recently, in addition to television work, he has been branching out to cast student films, independent shorts and scripted podcasts (DUNGEON MASTERS and MBIRWI for QCode). In his free time, he enjoys movie nights with friends and then discussing those movies for days afterward!
madelainepetsch_riverdale_testimonial
Madelaine Petsch
Riverdale, The Strangers part 1 and 2
Actor

I’ve worked with him for four years. He’s passionate about what he does, and it makes us passionate.  We’re a family. ZBS is a community…a second home

daniellemacdonald_testimonial_actingcoach
DANIELLE MACDONALD
Dumplin', Birdbox, The Tourist
Actor

Whenever I get a script I always ask myself, WWZD—What would Zak Do?

Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
High School Musical, Julie and the Phantoms, Descendants
Emmy and DGA Winning Director and Choreographer

During the camera tests and throughout rehearsals and filming on my Netflix series, “Julie and the Phantoms”, Zak’s work with our young actors provided them with the tools that enabled them to accomplish outstanding work.  If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was a magician

Barnet Bain
Barnet Bain
What Dreams May Come, and Best Selling Author of "The Book of Being and Doing"
Oscar and Emmy Nominated Filmmaker

Zak speaks the language of the soul and is able to stir his actors on the deepest levels of artistic and personal transformation.

Sara Isacson
Sara Isaacson
Chicago Med and Fire, Law and Order: The Menendez Murders, The Mentalist
Casting Director

His connection to his students is unlike anything I’ve seen…the work is incredibly brave

JD
Jonathan Daviss
Outer Banks, Do Revenge
Actor

Zak Barnett taught me to love my craft.  Before I came to the studio I loved acting and I knew it was all I wanted to do, but I didn’t know why.  I found myself in a place where I was giving good auditions, but I wasn’t feeling fulfilled.  Going through his classes allowed me to find my own wants and meld them into one.  I learned to love the art of acting and find joy in making something special, something only I could create.

Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
Broadway Legend,
Tony & Emmy Winner

He’s made a lot of impact and a lot of change… I cannot recommend him enough!