Dawn: Hello Jeff Thank you for waiting, It took me an Extra Week to get from LA to West Palm Beach, First How are you doing I missed you on the Yacht for www.businessbythesea.com it was awesome Hope to see you next time, I know you were Busy with your Movie.

Jeff: I am sorry we were not able to see each other while you were in town, but I do look forward to the next time. Thank you for understanding..

Dawn: I remember you telling me that you Started out as an Actor, , Can you tell us some of the movies & shows you were on and How You first went into Showbiz

Jeff: I have always been interested in the arts and being on stage. I missed getting class clown in High School by 3 votes. I started my studying at the famed "Second City" in Chicago and did live stage to learn my craft. I began my professional acting career on the Soap Operas "Capitol" (now off the air), and "Days Of Our Lives" (for 2 years). These jobs came from hard work and being persistant with the casting people.

Dawn: Jeff You are one of the Best Of the Best in Casting and Tell me How You started in this Business,

Jeff: Thank you very much for your very kind words. I really enjoy what I do and that is so important! I started out as an actor, but gave it 10 years professionally to try and make it as a working actor, but then for the most part gave acting up and went inot casting. Don't get me wrong, I worked as an actor, but just not enough so I went to work for a casting director by the name of Sally Perle who cast such movies as "West Side Story", "King Kong", and "American Me".

Dawn: When did you know you wanted to be in Casting and How did you get your First Offer to go into this career

Jeff: While working as a casting associate for Sally Perle, I learned the in's and out's of casting and in 1992 along with a partner, I opened up Rainbow Casting with $140.00 and a two line telephone.

Dawn: How is the movie You Produced, can you tell us a Little about it

Jeff: Thank you for asking about the film I produced. "Holy Hollywood The Movie" is my first try at producing a feature film. We are expecting to go to Cannes with it this year. I am very excited about it. The film stars legendary Mickey Rooney, Tony Tarantino (Quentin's Father), Sal Pacino (Al's Father), Camille Keaton (Buster'sdaughter), and a whole slew of up and coming actors. Check us out on the web www.holyhollywood.com

Dawn: I want to thank you myself, you Had me in Jackie Brown, Iam the Blond in the first part of the movie in the airport with an orange Dress, looking like Iam going to Key west, What a Fun shoot.

Jeff: Jackie Brown was a lot of fun for both the cast and crew. It was such a pleasure to work with Denero, and Samuel L. Jackson. I do remember you in your beautiful "orange"dress and how nice you looked.

Dawn: Can you tell us Some of the Actors you have worked with and Producers with Rainbow Casting

Jeff: Some of the more popular Actors that I have had the pleasure of working with include: Audrey Hepburn, Tom Hanks, Candice Bergman, John Travolta, Sandra Bullock, Jackie Gleason, George Burns, and Julia Roberts to name a few. Some of the Producers & directors include: Quentin Tarantino ("Pulp Fiction"), Lawrence Bender ("Jackie Brown" &"The Mexican"), Steven Speilberg ("Jurasic Park"), & Robert Zemeckis ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit") among many others.

Dawn: Can you tell me what you look for in talent to Join with Rainbow and What ages, And What they need to know for Signing Up with you and what to have with them when they sign up What days.

Jeff: All anyone needs to sign up with Rainbow is to be in the LA area. We take on all ages, shapes, sizes, and color. We register new talent Monday thru Thursday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. We have an information line which is (818) 377-4475...we also are planning on going nation wide with in the next six months and people can check us out then on the web at: RainbowCastingAmerica - that site will be launched with in six months.

Dawn: What about people that just want to do extra work and Do not have a resume or pictures.

Jeff: If you don't have a resume and just want to do a day here or a day there of extra work _ NO PROBLEM....anyone is welcome as long as they are professional about it and if booked on a set...they show up and even show up to work at least fifteen minutes early.

Dawn: Do You take Union & Non Union,

Jeff: Dawn, we take on Screen Actors Guild (SAG), American Federation Of Television & Radio Artist (Aftra), and everyone else who would be Non-union. So you do not need to be in a union to work. The pay of course is different.

Dawn : I have really enjoyed the Connections, and I have seen talent get Upgraded to a speaking Parts can you tell talent Why it is important, to first go on a set to see,if they want to be Actor. As You will really will know if you like it, and what it is like to give you the edge on Movies and TV, It opens your eyes.

Jeff: My advise to people starting out in the business is to do Extra work. It is one of the only jobs in the business that you can do with out being in a union. Some people think this is what they want to do and get out on a set and find out that they were wrong. It is not for everyone. You have to be a go getter, and being on the set will open you eyes to how the business works. I would tell you to get on a set as an extra and watch all the positions at work. It may turn out that you don't want to be an actor, but you might rather be doing wardrobe, hair & make up, or even finding out that you would be a good producer. The best way to get into SAG is to do Extra work.

Dawn: Now Many people ask me What Stars today started out as an Extra, can you give us information on who you know and what they are doing now

Jeff: There are many stars that started out as extras including, but not limited to Lucille Ball, Julia Roberts, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, and Woopie Goldberg. We have some people that have gone on to do starring roles in TV or Movies, but to become a household name you need to keep hitting the pavement for years.

Dawn: I have a Big question What are your thoughts on Extra work on a resume in Hollywood, as I have Interviewed Casting in other Parts of the United States, saying Other places Yes LA & New York say No what are your thought on this

Jeff: If you have nothing else on your resume and Extra work is all you have done besides Theater, then go ahead and put in down. Otherwise if you have had professional acting roles....the only Extra work on the resume should be if you were featured with a popular actor or the Director actually gave you direction. Most Casting directors can tell if what you put on your resume is false or not.

Dawn: This is another Important Question And I can not tell you how many times I have talent or Parents ask me this, Some People Think if they take a Trip From another State to Hollywood and stay a few day, they will be famous, And They want It over night, can you share the reality of this Business as So many pageant And talent moms, Just do not get it (I say Iam not a drive though and order famous, It may happen or it may not, My saying is Still enjoy the ride) Jeff  what are your thoughts on this.

Jeff:  NO ONE becomes an overnight sensation... it takes a lot of hard work, persistance, contacts, and money. Once you have put your time in or "payed your dues" then the best job ever could happen "over night", but that over night usually takes years. There are hundreds of your type out there and if you expect to come to LA and make with in a week or two....your living in a fantasy world. Perhaps you could do something wacky such as I did in 1984 and live on a billboard over looking Sunset Strip in Hollywood....I made the news that night, but by no means did I become famous.

Dawn: OK the Big Question, I will have many Pageant Directors reading this, and will ask me If you would like to Judge a National Pageant or Talent event, Well since we are talking about it, I have One right now I want to see if you might Like to Judge or be in the go see room in Oct for the World Championships, It is on Pax TV this Month, you can go to www.performersconnection.com I scout for this Company, another event I Produce, Hawaiian Tropic Model / Talent Search for Kids & Teens in Florida would you ever Like me to Fly you here For Judging You will get the calls if you say Yes. for Judging around the US, Most will fly you in and VIP you with Hotel and Food, and Some Pay and some say It is a Getaway from LA and can give you a full page In the Program book with your business.

Jeff: I would love to be flown in around the country to Judge and especially anything you are involved with. Of course I would have to hear about it early on to schedule. I love Getaways and working with beautiful people and giving advise.

Dawn: Do you have a Website or email you can give out, or can they call you to Book you to Judge or They can call me and I will call you

Jeff: My email address is Xtragood@aol.com or feel free to call me

Dawn:Can you give talent Advice from the Heart from Jeff Olan as you have seen Actors make it in this Business, to keep going and not give up Is there a story you can share with my readers.

Jeff:  I think the best way to make it as an actor is to "act" on your gut feeling and get out there and do it. Nothing is easy in life, but if you don't try something that you want to do, you may regret it in the future for not trying. My best advise to all of you who are thinking about acting is to make a goal for yourself and make sure to stick with it. You should always have something to fall back on for work so don't give up your day job. While pursueing your acting career, take an acting class, work another job, read acting books, read trade magazines, go see movies and plays, read scripts if you can get em, and don't be affraid to ask questions to those in the business you come accross. Do Extra work if your union or not it is a great sourse of learning and you can make a few dollars, watch other professionals at work, and meet some wonderful people. Once again, Extra work is a great way to aquire your SAG card. When I was trying to make it as an actor, I felt I wanted to do more in the industry if I ever had the chance so I went to several casting companies and finally landed a job at Sally Perle's. She taught me a lot and would let me take time off for acting jobs. You need a flexible job. So many other actors around me had had enough and were packing up and going home after a year or two. I kept going strong and tried to get on every set possible. This is what I wanted and I wanted it badly. As the years past, I worked as a DJ on a radio station, acted in film and television, worked as a casting associate, made lots of contacts from sets, and just got by. After my 10 year goal, I gave up acting to open a casting company. Since opening Rainbow Casting, I have put thousands of talented people on sets to work, I have been offered to act in over six movies, I have created a story, and Produced my first feature film which I had three lines in and they ended up on the cutting room floor. "That's Show Biz"!!!

Dawn: I had interviewed Pauly Shore, and He had said He is Still taking acting, can you tell us Why this is So important to Keep Training at any Stage of This Business.

Jeff: This is a tough business and if you want to try and make it....learn whatever you can to educate yourself in the area you choose to embark on. There are thousands upon  thousands of people that want to make it in show business, but very few who really know the craft and have a set agenda. Don't think you are the best thing since sliced bred...be realistic and set realistic goals.. Don't ever let anyone tell you that it is impossible....The next star could be you!

Dawn: Talent will ask if you know of any Good photographers in Hollywood CA, can you give your Thoughts on this as I know one name is Rich Hogan 323 467-2638 He said to say HI (I have 5 Agents from His last Picture he took of me, 3 in FL one in New Orleans One in LA)

Jeff: Please send my best to Rich. Rich Hogan is very good, but when it comes to referring people to Photographers I think it is best if they shopped around and then ask questions. There are a lot of photographers, but only a handful of good ones. Shop around and look at the Photographers books....if they don't have books - go to the next....check out the equipment to make sure it is not a disposable camera only....if you know what I mean.....

Dawn: I want to thank you for you time as I know in Casting And with your new Movie your working on it takes all you time, and It is my Pleasure to talk to you again and I look forward to working with you on My Winning Edge Model/ Talent search for the World Championships, to give Talent the right Direction, I give you the Winning Edge Seal of Aproval and Wish you much Success in Your Business,

This is Dawn Reese with Dawn Till Dusk Interviews. Reporting for Truth Magazine(James Browns) and Other Talent Magazines another Winning Casting Director Jeff Olan. Dawn Reese has a video series to help talent find the right connection in show biz. go to www.winedge.ohgolly.com Seeyou in Hollywood :)

If you want to send me your Talent Demo, Send to Dawn Reese P.O. Box 33722  Palm Beach Gardens Florida 33420 And for Pageant gals check out www.MrsFlorida.com  

.