ShowBiz Shorts Showcases Actors with New Media Strategy

Actress Rachel Miner, of Showtime’s New Series "Californication," Hosts Gala Launch Party, Sept. 13

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By casting actors in webisodes and producing 3-6 minute film shorts designed for mobile content, as well as for showcasing their work on popular videos sites, ShowBiz Shorts leads the way in assisting actors to capitalize on the changing Hollywood landscape to launch their careers, it was announced today by Catherine Gray, creator and co-founder, with Bill Beckett, of ShowBiz Shorts. The three component parts of the firm are Actor Shorts, Corp Shorts and Legacy Flicks.

The company uses traditional and digital media platforms including the Internet, Television, Festivals, and theatrical screenings to distribute their clients’ film shorts. ShowBiz Shorts is designed to launch actors’ careers, as well as assist corporate clientele to develop and distribute web video campaigns to boost their online exposure.

Actor Shorts Launch Party on Thursday, September 13 Will Feature Event Highlights Posted on YouTube

Actor Shorts will be spotlighted at the Sept. 13 launch party, hosted by Rachel Miner of the acclaimed, new Showtime series, "Californication." Actor Shorts is an actor-friendly enterprise providing customized packages to suit individual needs and budgets utilizing contemporary, high profile multi-media platforms to help launch careers. In addition to food, beverages and music by DJ SelFish, the party will feature Rachel announcing the winner of a random drawing, from submitted headshots, for an Actor Short which will air on the Actor Shorts TV Show and is valued at $5000.00 including production and airtime. Videographers and photographers will be on hand to capture the activity on the red carpet, which will be featured on YouTube and other popular video sites next day.

“We are the only Hollywood production company offering a full array of targeted services necessary to launch or jumpstart the actor’s career, all at one location. We create affordable quality film shorts and then distribute them on the Internet, TV, Screenings, Festivals, in conjunction with developing beautifully designed DVDs/Headshots which are sent out to Hollywood industry executives. Through ShowBiz Shorts, launching a performing career has just gotten easier,” said Gray.

The film shorts (3 to 6 minutes in length) are customized to fit an actor’s needs and budget, and can optimally be seen by the Hollywood creative community through the following company provided services:

Provides actors a choice of high quality, creative and professional comedic and dramatic film scripts to showcase their skills
Uploads their videos to popular videos sites such as YouTube and Ifilm.
Airs their short in the Actor Shorts TV Show on local LA television with 5 million HH
Screens their films at local theatre screenings
Promotes their film on DVD compilation shorts
Sends their DVD and Headshots to over 100 agents, managers and casting directors
Submits them to film festivals
Develops their web site and/or MySpace Page
“Actor Shorts provides a safe house for actors new to the area and for those trying to get noticed in a city that is competitive and tough,” said co-founder Bill Beckett. “It is an opportunity for any actor or performer to showcase their skills and talents on camera in full force with maximum exposure throughout the industry and literally the world. Our company headline is: 'Launch Your Career Here!,' and we believe the best way to become successful is to help others become successful,” added Beckett.

Here’s a snapshot look at the other departments of ShowBiz Shorts in addition to the Actor Shorts

Corp Shorts. Designed to assist new entrepreneurs gain exposure for their businesses through Web and television initiatives provided by ShowBiz Shorts
Create, produce and upload tailor-made webisodes
Placement of corp shorts and commercials online, TV and VOD
Increase sales by driving new business to the company’s web site
Legacy Flicks. Focusing on successful people who have fascinating life stories and who want to capture their legacy on film, each Flick will be a mini-documentary of their life, career and adventures to archive forever
"Actor Shorts is our gateway to exposure and a great opportunity for us newcomers to learn the process - there is nothing else out there like it," said client writer/actor Danny Hamm.

About the Co-Founders

Catherine Gray has produced and directed many award-winning film productions including "I Can't Marry You," narrated by Betty DeGeneres, mother of talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, which aired on PBS, film comedy "Million Dollar Salad," several television series including "Way Off Broadway" and "Hello South Florida," as well as numerous television commercials. Catherine also worked on the award-winning film "Laughing Matters More," which won many film festival awards, and co-produced other film productions such as Comedienne Kate Clinton's 25th Anniversary Concert, and Laughing Matters -The Men, starring famous comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who writes for Bette Midler and Whoopi Goldberg. These programs are airing on Viacom's LOGO Network. Most recently she produced "Millionaires True Stories."

Bill Beckett has had an extraordinary background as an entrepreneur, having co-founded a successful chain of 60 restaurants called Pick-Up Stix, which was later purchased by TGI Fridays. The company was the recipient of the esteemed Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Orange County California. Bill is a dynamic businessman who sees a great opportunity to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses with short content on the Internet, as well as helping Actors launch their careers. He recently merged his production company, VIBE Productions, with Catherine Gray's renowned FYI Productions to form Showbiz Shorts LLC in West Hollywood, CA.

www.showbizshorts.com