MINI DEMO CAMP
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August 8 • $350
Built with your safety in mind.
Mini Camp is an affordable and fast way to add a monologue to your demo reel. Born out of the pandemic and back by popular demand, our writing team will write a monologue tailored to your exact needs and preferences.
Looking to add more than one piece to your reel? No problem! Book several slots for a package deal.
WAITING FOR FOOTAGE SUCKS. PERIOD.
Getting footage that doesn't show your range sucks. Subpar footage sucks. Not having enough footage for a reel sucks. Badgering filmmakers for footage that may or may not be any good sucks. We're here to help.
The Forge provides a service that actors desperately need. Show casting the types of roles you want to play. Be taken more seriously for roles because they can see your talent. Fill in the gaps your current reel might have.
Finally, get footage as fast and as professionally as you've been hoping for.
WHAT WE DO
Prep through post, we handle everything
WRITING
When you enroll, you'll be prompted to fill out a short survey about the types of roles that your reel may be missing.
We'll write you a monologue, specifically tailored to your needs. For any additional pieces, please contact us.
PRODUCTION
You will have a rehearsal with Eve the Wednesday prior to your Monday shoot.
Your scenes will be shot with the same quality, care, and equipment as a full-length, professional project. However, there will not be set dressing or props. We will be taking extra precautions by utilizing preventative action in order to reduce any risk of exposure. Learn more about our safety protocols below.
POST
Our editors will cut and edit your monologue to showcase your skills and talent.
We'll then send you a 1080p file for you to upload, cut into an existing reel, and share however you want. All footage will be delivered to students within 3 weeks of filming.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“I just wanted to say thank you all for doing such a great job on making this work for us! Despite the things we collectively share together with this new era in our lives you’ve still managed to make the best out of a tough situation and help us achieve our goals. So from my heart to yours please accept my gratitude! Without you this reel would have never happened!“ - Lauren Armour
“Thank you so much!!! I am so happy with the final product. Thank you for your direction and collaboration. I look forward to hopefully working with you more in the future.” - Shea Petersen
DETAILS
Your monologue will be sent to you the week before the demo reel intensive. (No, you can't have it earlier - we don't want you over-preparing.) We will also email a recommendation for wardrobe and answer some frequently asked questions.
REHEARSAL
The Wednesday prior to your shoot is a rehearsal day. You will work with Eve, the producer, in order to focus your technique and increase your understanding of the text. On this day, you will also discuss wardrobe, hair and makeup.
PRODUCTION
We will take every precaution we can to prioritize your safety during your shoot day. You will be working directly with Sarah to shape your performance. While we will be providing a hair and makeup artist, it is required that you come to set with a makeup base, in order to guarantee that you have a complete look on-camera.
DELIVERABLES
Within three weeks from production wrap, you will be delivered 1080p files of your monologues.
OUR TEAM
Award winning filmmakers, committed to your craft.
SARAH CAYCE, CSA
OWNER + DIRECTOR
Sarah Cayce is the owner and founder of The Forge. Yes, she's the casting director of Compass Casting, but did you know she's an award-winning filmmaker many times over? She's also an Emmy-nominated producer and professional screenwriter.
Sarah tackles demo camp from a director's perspective when she's working with writers and talent and then puts her casting hat back on in the edit. She knows that these demo reels will be seen for a short amount of time so have to grab other casting directors fast. Sarah is committed to making your demo reel the best possible tool she can.
KENDAL MILLER
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Kendal Miller is an accomplished cinematographer, producer, and Emmy-nominated director.
With experience in shooting high-end commercials to gritty docu-series Kendal’s eye for incredible shots is exceptional. Kendal is story focused and will always take the shot that tells the story over the one that just looks cool.
He's one of Sarah's favorite people to shoot with, which is why they often co-direct and work on each others projects. He was the DP on Sarah's award winning short KILLING IRMA and the film often has its' cinematography mentioned and complimented.
CHRIS OWSIANY
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Chris Owsiany is a Chicago-native skateboarder with a degree in Cinema Arts & Science with a concentration in Post Production from Columbia College. He has more than ten years of experience as a freelance Cinematographer, ranging from commercials to documentaries to narrative work.
Chris is a great addition to any team. He brings enthusiasm and an open mind to set. After multiple projects together, Chris and Sarah collaborate extremely well and easily. Their shorthand makes the day keep moving along and puts the crew and cast at ease.
DIMESTORE FILMS
EDITORS
When these award winning filmmakers aren't directing and editing their own films like ORIGIN OF WIT AND HUMOR or HYPOXIA, you can find them editing here at The Forge.
These two have incredible timing and technical know-how to deliver incredible reels that focus on you.
Christian and Hunter editing their hearts out each day to hit our Tuesday premiere deadline!
MORE INFO
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100% refund is available within 72 hours of enrollment, as long as enrollment is completed 6 weeks before camp.
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50% refund is available if cancellation is made prior to 30 days before the start of camp.
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25% refund is available if cancellation is made 21 days before the start of camp.
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There is no refund available within 20 days of the start of camp.
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Our payment plan makes it easy to enroll. If you would like to work out a payment plan to suit your needs, please contact us at hello@theforgechi so we can reserve you a spot and create a plan ASAP.
COVID-19 SAFETY
Your safety is our priority.
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On your shoot day, you will interact with the hair and makeup artist, and will shoot with the DP, Sarah, and Eve.
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Vaccination, including a first booster, is required.
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The set will be fully cleaned and disinfected between actors.
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All talent and crew will have their temperature taken, and will be required to sign a disclosure confirming that they have had no symptoms or exposure in the preceding 14 days.
DEMOS WITH US > WAITING FOR FOOTAGE
Your time is money. How are you going to spend it?
AUDITION & WAIT
The free* option is auditioning for projects to get enough footage to make a reel. It looks like this:
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Spend hours submitting for projects that may or may not be good.
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Commute to an audition, hopefully at a safe location.
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Audition for a role you may or may not be right for.
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Get cast - yay!
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Commute to set, shoot for 12 hours, get a cold lunch.
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Wait for a long time (sometimes years) to get footage and cross your fingers it looks good.
* free - If you put an hourly rate on how much time this will take, you're still losing money.
SHOOT ON YOUR OWN
It's expensive to do a demo on your own and not split the cost with other actors.
It costs $6,185.00 per day of production.
That's an affordable production day by most producer's view, but that's a ton of money for most people. Splitting the cost amongst other actors will make it affordable and gives us other talent for you to act with.
SHOOT WITH US
You walk away with a beautifully shot and edited monologue within 3 weeks of filming.
You come in, you film, you get your footage in three weeks. The end.