Speakers: Caren Bream, Christinna Chauncy, Rev. Joel Pelsue
Moderator:  Shun Lee Fong

Caren Bream
Production Coordinator, Board member of The Greenhouse Arts & Media, Inc.

Caren Bream is the Production Coordinator and a member of the Board of Directors for The Greenhouse Arts & Media, Inc. She grew up in South Central Pennsylvania and attended school in upstate New York, including several months at the New York School of Urban Ministry in New York City. Among her many travels, she studied film production in Sydney, Australia. Her wide range of interests has connected her love for serving people in the inner city, theological studies, and helping to create film and other media productions. After returning to Pennsylvania to serve in an administrative position for a few years, she finally realized that it was time to pursue her nine-year dream by moving to Hollywood. Caren was also an associate producer with the entertainment production company RB Davies, Inc., in North Hollywood. Caren loves to enable others to put their dreams into motion and to encourage and challenge people to use their creative abilities to transform culture in Hollywood and around the world. Caren has served in ministry in various capacities for ten years and currently also works for the Hollywood Prayer Network, facilitating prayer for creative artists around the world.

Christinna Chauncy
Acting teacher, private coach, casting professional, actor

Christinna Chauncey moved to L.A. in 1995 from Orlando, Florida where she got her start in television doing guest roles on the TV shows "In the Heat of the Night," "SeaQuest DSV," and Disney's "Emerald Cove." After arriving in L.A. Christinna enrolled in the Larry Moss Studio where she studied extensively under the guidance of acclaimed acting teacher Larry Moss, who first gained widespread public recognition for coaching Helen Hunt and Hilary Swank in their Academy Award-winning performances in "As Good As It Gets," and "Boys Don't Cry," and "Million Dollar Baby," respectively.

In 1999, seeking to learn more about the secrets of the casting process, Christinna went to work for casting director Greg Orson on the Will Smith-produced WB pilot "Loose Cannon." Two years later she went back to work for Orson as his associate on the WB hit "Reba," and the Kevin Williamson-produced ("Scream," "Dawson's Creek") 1-hr drama "Glory Days." She continued to cast full-time with Orson through the 2001-2002 episodic and pilot seasons for the pilots "In My Opinion," "Trash," "WB Twins Project," and "So Downtown."

Christinna's firsthand knowledge of the casting process combined with her experience as a working actor provides actors with an essential edge. "Working in casting forever changed my understanding of the audition process," she says. "My passion is to empower actors with this same valuable perspective so they may avoid critical mistakes and have the tools necessary to command a process that can otherwise be disempowering." The "8-Week Intensive On-Camera Audition Workshop" was designed exclusively for this purpose and the results are increased freedom and empowerment in the room. Following the success of the workshop and demand of her students to create an on-going format, Christinna offers an advanced workout class as well. As far as her own work onscreen, Christinna continues to practice what she preaches. Recent guest star credits include "NCIS," "Shark," "Raines," and "CSI" to name a few.

To contact:
(818) 720-3052
www.oncameraclasses.com

 

Rev. Joel Pelsue
Founder and President of Arts & Entertainment Ministries

Joel Pelsue started playing in orchestra pits when he was 14, trained first on Clarinet and Oboe; in college, he studied improvisational jazz on both Tenor and Soprano Sax. His first CD, "Windsome Thirst" played on radio stations across the country and is currently in its second printing.

Joel has a B.A in Philosophy from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, and his M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Campus. He's been ordained in the P.C.A. (Presbyterian Church in America) for over 8 years, and has been ministering to artists for over 15 years. Joel has taught, lectured and preached all over the country for colleges, arts ministries, churches and seminaries.

Joel believes God has always been a redeemer of individuals and entire cultures. His passion to reunite the church and the arts has led him to teach his series, "Christianity, Culture & Creativity" in New York, Florida and Los Angeles at churches and arts ministries (such as Intermission NY).

Audiences continue to be surprised how well Joel brings clarity to the challenges of integrating their Christian walk with their artistic passions. Joel is inspiring churches to rediscover the Biblical values of beauty, creativity and cultural engagement. Joel has been a pastor in New York and in Los Angeles where he currently lives with his wife and two children. Two years ago Joel launched Arts & Entertainment Ministries (AEM) with his wife Michelle. AEM is a ministry dedicated to educating the church and the artist, mentoring young artists in their faith and craft and providing resources for the artist and the church to change the world through cultural renewal.

 

Moderator:  Shun Lee Fong
Shun Lee is an actor, writer, the CEO and creative principal of Genuine Productions, LLC, and the Creative Director of The Greenhouse, a nonprofit organization for artists in the arts & entertainment industry. He graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University with a Bachelor's degree in journalism & mass communications. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa, he practiced law for five years at the firm of Lamson, Dugan & Murray, LLP, in Omaha, Nebraska, focusing on civil litigation, corporate transactions, intellectual property, and entertainment & media law. He also taught Mass Media Law for three years at Creighton University. In 2003, he left his law practice and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, writing, and other creative opportunities full-time. He has been an actor in a number of film, stage, commercial, and print productions, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He has spent a significant amount of time on stage and in the recording studio as a songwriter and musician, playing several instruments, and is an often-requested speaker. He has written a number of screenplays, articles, essays, and other works. He also consults and strategizes with various groups involved in the entertainment industry to help them maximize their impact.