The ZBS What’s Next! series is crafted especially for ZBS Members as a dynamic response to the roller coaster of challenges the industry has faced – From the upheavals of a pandemic, and Industry strikes to AI. We are not just asking What’s Next as a question, our vision is to create a think tank around the answer. This series is your ticket to innovation, offering a fresh approach to navigating and evolving in our fast-paced industry.
Through engaging community events, hands-on classes, and a forward-thinking curriculum, we’re asking our students to put themselves in the driver’s seat of determining “What’s Next!”. The series aims to present ZBS Members with an opportunity to be a vital contributor to what’s next in the Industry – a culture that’s visioning and creating the future.
Elements Of What’s Next!
Visioning The Future: ZBS Industry Series
This series features ZBS Faculty in dialogue with Industry Leaders – Actors, Writers, Directors, Casting Directors, and Executives as they discuss the studio’s three tenets (Activism, Spirituality, and Entertainment) as they relate to the industry they want to create.
Stories To Tell: ZBS Conversation Among Colleagues
Curated to find meaning and resilience in an ever-evolving industry, this series features Agents and Managers who have worked together for years in a forward-thinking discussion about where the industry has been, where it’s headed, and how we all can be a part of its future.
Personal Development: ZBS Art Of The Breakout
This course is a practical guide to what makes you unique. Through seminars, interviews with breakout actors, meditations, and daily practices it synergistically aligns you to fortify your passion, resilience, and star quality.
Spotlight on Innovation: ZBS Cinema Night
An evening of landmark films & innovative performances! A retrospective on standout portrayals in cinema. A chance to spark conversation between fellow artists and stay inspired as we call the spirit of innovation into the room!
Incubator: Performance Nights
Open mic performances focussed on Innovation. ZBS Members bring their varied skills and talents into the fold as we collectively explore monthly themes related to the studio’s themes of activism, Spirituality, and Entertainment. An opportunity to put your ideas and your art to work!
The What’s Next! Calendar
Previous Events from the What’s Next! Series:
Oct 28
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event – Oct 28
feat. Terrece Lynn, Ernest L. Dancy, and Cindi Wakefield (The Wayne Agency) with Casting Director Howard Meltzer & Harriet Greenspan. [7:00 to 8:00 pm PT]
Oct 9
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Alicia Beekman (DDO Agency) with Casting Director Steven Tylor O’Connor. [6:30 to 7:30 pm PT]
Oct 2, 3
Hollywood Bridge Program – Texas Event
Sep 11
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Casting Director Jamie Ember and Lauren Herrel. [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
Sep 12
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Philip Marcus (Clear Talent Agency) with Casting Director Ron Pennywell. [7:00 to 8:00 pm PT]
Aug 15
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
featuring Ted Maier (Avalon Artists Group) & Katrina Herlong (PureTalent Management) with Steven Tylor O’Connor of Aufiero/Horn Casting. [7:00 to 8:00 pm PT]
Aug 14
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Sara Moncada (The Dragonfly Agency) & Brenda Fisher (Untamed Artists) with Casting Director Skyler Zurn [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
July 23
Walk of Fame Foundation: Speed-Networking
June 27
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Rebecca Ek (Exclusive Artists), Christina Scott (CA Talent), Casting Assoc. Anna Rocío Mendoza (Carla Hool Casting) [7:30 to 8:30 pm PT]
June 26
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Chaim Magnum (Lemon Lime Agency), Desiree Middlebrook (Venture Ent. Partners) [7:30 to 8:30 pm PT]
May 22
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Matt Jackson & Matt Fletcher w/ Asst. Kelleigh Levesque (Arise Artists), Stephanie Massman (The Parmeter Group), CD Coco Kleppinger [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
May 9
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Nic de Armendi (The Park Agency), Michaela Mahoney (KEY Talent Mgmt.), Alexa Pereira (Greenstein/Daniel Casting) [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
May 8
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Jan Rosenthal (Abstract Talent), Gina Nuccio (RSA Ent.), Brent Hagata (Casting Associate) [7:00 to 8:00 pm PT]
April 11
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Terrece Lynn, Shawn West, & Sean Devlin (The Wayne Agency), Christi Holliday & CD Rachel Rose Oginsky (Casting Directors) [7:00 to 8:00 pm PT]
April 10
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
feat. Terrece Lynn, Cindi Wakefield & Tracey E. Anbiya (The Wayne Agency), Paul Ruddy & Mark Teschner (Casting Directors) [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
March 28
What’s Next
feat. Jaime Love & Danny Bjelajac (LoveTalent), Kathleen Deters (KD Talent), Casting Assoc. Starsi Howell (Rapaport/Baldasare Casting)
March 27
Walk of Fame Foundation: Speed-Dating
feat. Sheila Finegan, Jeff Smith, and Wendy Lungaro
FEB 27
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Cindy Schoonover (Eris Talent Agency), Jennifer Yeager (Citizen Skull Productions & Management), & Sarah Grace Johnson (Casting Director) moderated by Zak Barnett. [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
FEB 21
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Brittany Stone & Simone Schafler, of Stone Talent Agency, moderated by Zak Barnett. [5:00 to 6:00 pm PT]
DEC 12
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Taylor Trumbo (Founder), & Haley Nelson (Youth Agent) at Evolve Artists Agency. Moderated by Zak Barnett. [5:00 – 6:00 pm PT]
DEC 8
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Julia Irzyk, Founder & Head Agent at The Library Agency, moderated by Zak Barnett. [3:00 to 4:00 pm PT]
OCT 24
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Liz Fuller (Citizen Skull Productions), & Luli Batista (Sovereign Talent Group) moderated by Zak Barnett. [3:30 to 6:15 PM PT]
OCT 10
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Hadyn Jones & Jason Hilton, Talent Agents at Luxe Talent Agency, moderated by Zak Barnett. Time: 6:30 to 7:30 PM PT
SEPT 22
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Jackie Reid, Founder & Talent Manager – Lil Angels Unlimited, moderated by Zak Barnett. Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM PT
SEPT 8
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Sueanne Edan, Talent Agent at Tangerine Talent, moderated by Zak Barnett. Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM PT
AUG 18
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Theo Caesar, Head of Agency at 90210 Talent, moderated by Zak Barnett. Time: 4:30 to 5:30 PM PT
JULY 14
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Ted Maier, of Avalon Artists Group, & Aaron Sacks of MGMT Artists. Moderated by Zak Barnett. [2:45 – 3:30 PM PT]
JUNE 23
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event (Session 2!)
With Brent Paxton, of Kreativ Media Partners, & Raynard Pearson, of Work! Talent. Moderated by Zak Barnett. [2:00 – 2:45 PM PT]
JUNE 16
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Philip Marcus, of Clear Talent Group, & Karla Huff, of Dream Talent Management. Moderated by Zak Barnett. [2:45-3:30 PM PT]
MAY 19
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Brent Paxton, Kreativ Media Partners Raynard Pearson, Work! Talent. Moderated by Zak Barnett. [3:45 – 4:30 PM]
MAY 7
Stories To Tell – ZBS Panel Event
With Alicia Beekman, DDO Artists Agency, & Chelsea Streano, Brave Artists Management. Moderated by Zak Barnett.
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