Dear Toni,

I am an actress (and proud member of both SAF and AFTRA), a jazz vocalist, and have been living and working Los Angeles since 1991. I will be honest and tell you that I have been very fortunate in finding representation for both voice over and commercials, although I am currently seeking new representation, in order to get into film (as is any actor’s fantasy).  I have had the great fortune of moving to Rome, Italy at the age of three and attending French Lycee due to my father’s accepting a job with Dino De Laurentis and Carlo Ponti-my father is screenwriter Stephen Geller (“Slaughterhouse five,” “The Valachi Papers”).  My passion for languages, literature and music poured into a jazz career, which began in roman jazz clubs, singing jazz standards next to Tiber.  Jazz was in my family: my grandfather is trumpet player Harry Geller who played with Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw and who later did arrangements for the Tennessee Ford Show.
After Rome, I continued to sing with a big band, act and study at Dartmouth College and in Los Angeles have had the honor to perform and record with jazz pianist Mike Melvoin, composer Mike Stoller of (Lieber& Stoller), bandleader Less Brown Jr’s Band of Renown, arranger/guitarist Skip Heller, the late great Lalo Guerrero.  I am currently forming an all –girl jazz band, inspired by my favorite film “ Some Like it Hot”

My question to you is:  how do I get my singing demo to soundtrack producers?  How do these doors open?  And how do I build a career as jazz vocalist/singer on TV/Film?
Thank you for all your help and, above all honesty, Toni.

Polly Gellar

Dear Polly,

Maybe you should put together a sampler of your music styles and with a picture and resume, take these materials to the smaller production houses and music studios, as a way to introduce you and your music.  A lot of television and movie productions are outsourcing their music needs to these smaller venues. You might even bring the samplers into the larger places like Warner Brothers.  I also think you should volunteer to work musically with some of the USC and UCLA student filmmakers, because they are the new directors coming out of Hollywood.  I hope this information helps. You have certainly shown that you know what you are doing.  Let me know when you are playing live around town and I will put the information in the column, so we can all come and listen to you and show you our support.

Thank you for taking the time to write.
Toni Attell

Toni Attell is a hypnotherapist and acting coach. For people interested in her acting classes please call (818) 787-8685. For hypnotherapy go to www.hypnosis4you.net