Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Stanley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jonathan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to Los Angeles from Detroit in February of 2014. The film incentive in MI was no longer, and I knew to pursue my acting career, LA was where I needed to be. Upon arrival, I was receiving auditions from my Michigan agent for projects filming on the East Coast. The process is what we now call “Self-Tapes” you use a camera, phone, iPad, etc. to tape your audition and then you send the file back to your agent. After about ten of these self-tapes, I scratched my own itch and opened Hot Shots Self-Taping.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The popularity of self-tape auditions in 2014 was not like today. That said, it was a very slow start for me, and it took time for me to get my name out there. I don’t have a background in business, so the first two years were a baptism by fire.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hot Shots Self Taping – what should we know?
We specialize in self-tape for actors, both celebrities and newcomers. We also shoot custom demo reels and short films, for actors that need material to promote themselves, or that want to create custom scenes to help their brand overall. As a company what I am most proud of is the quality of our products as a whole. Are self-tapes are the best around. I have a background in filmmaking. So I take extra measures to make sure that each self-tape is cinematic, and that the sound, lighting, etc. are of the highest quality. I have to add to that our customer service is second to none. We are in a beautiful, safe location in the heart of Studio City. We provide Voss water and various candies to all of our clients. I feel that auditioning should be a fun and joyful experience, not the one-off, laconic meet and greets of so many in-room auditions.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My girlfriend and business partner Yasmeen Salamey has played a major role in expanding Hot Shots. When business was slow and I was amassing tons of debt just to stay afloat, Yaz stood by me and helped grow the business into the success it is today.
Pricing:
- $50 for per 30min experience.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12206 Ventura Blvd. #203
Studio City, CA. 91604 - Website: www.hotshotsselftaping.com
- Phone: 818-640-2221
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @hotshots_selftaping
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-shots-self-taping-studio-city
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