Over 300 submissions, 40 self-tapes, and 25 in-person auditions… this is CALLBACKS!! 🎥 Can’t wait for Season 1 of our series. Stay tuned for when we announce the Final 6 actors who will compete for the lead role in our competition AND a cash prize!
Check out our brand new YT channel for when we drop each new episode of Callbacks Competition 📺👀
/@callbackscompetition ?si=0o574UUO9jSe1HBU
- photos by the lovely Celeste Ignacio
Our brand new acting competition all started with Rob Borrego — the Creator, Executive Producer, and Head Judge of @callbacks_competition 🎥 While living in Austin, Rob observed the barriers that aspiring actors and actresses faced in getting exposure in the industry as well as the challenges of marketing a new film or show by producers and directors. It was then that Rob decided to create Callbacks and began by teaching himself screenwriting and went on to become an international multi-award winning feature length screenwriter. Now, Rob is ready to pursue his new passion in helping aspiring writers, actors, directors and producers get exposure and follow their dreams with Callbacks!
EPISODE 1 DROPS TOMORROW. Subscribe to our YT channel if you haven’t yet (link in bio of the Callbacks page). This entire journey has been a labor of love and we can’t say what it means to have the opportunity to spotlight local writers, actors, filmmakers, and independent studios in Austin! Huge thanks to our Creator/EP for trusting us to bring his vision to life and giving a platform for undiscovered talent to shine ✨🎬
Callbacks —
Creator & EP - @fightersfan559
Directed & Produced by @sheilava
Photos by @shutterbugisland
CASTING MULTIPLE PAID ROLES — SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS BELOW (please read breakdowns and all info before submitting)
Send us an email with the subject line:
YOUR NAME + CHARACTER NAME
Include the following in your email:
- headshots
- a recent/candid photo (selfies are ok)
- resume, reels, IMDb, and/or links to previous work
Send to:
[email protected]
——————————————————
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT:
SATURDAY, MAY 2nd, 11:59 PM
*NOTE:
This is a non-union, independent production filming in the Greater Austin Area.
Talent will receive meals, IDMb credit, and a paid daily rate (potentially negotiable based on experience).
ALL TALENT MUST BE BASED IN AUSTIN — this is an Austin-based acting competition and production. No lodging, transportation, or travel compensation will provided.
All actors will appear in one or more episodes of Season 3 of our Youtube TV show competition consisting of 3 rounds of a recorded audition process (actors will be paid for each day they are selected to appear on the show). The winner of Callbacks Season 3 will receive a cash prize in addition to booking the paid lead role in our upcoming short “READY TO PARTY”.
Talent must be available for our in-person pre-screening callback round on Thursday, May 14 from 10:30-4:00pm to be considered. Selected talent will then ask to be fully available for the following production dates: May 22, 23, 24, 29, 30. Please do not submit if you do not have full availability on those dates!
Got cheese? 🧀 Carl’s story is one you can probably relate to. An aspiring artist just wants to create for a living, but must also face the real world. He gets some advice, gets a job interview, and gets a glimpse at what life will be like if he decides not to pursue his dreams. What starts out as a sweet and goofy moment of growth and responsibility quickly spirals into a nonsensical fever dream filled with the horrors of adulthood and wayyyy too much cheese.
We’ve all been in Carl’s shoes at one point and that is why it is so fun (and necessary) to bring stories like these to life 🍕
Be the first to watch when our film drops this Friday 4/17 @ 11:30am CT (link in comments)
And if you haven’t yet seen/heard/smelled/soaked in all of the buzz about our new film and how we found our lead actor through Callbacks Competition then WHAT ARE YOU DOING 🚨
Check out our new YouTube page and be the first to watch when our short film drops!
THE INTERVIEW — a CALLBACKS original
EP - Rob Borrego
Directed & Produced by Sheilava
Written by @ryanreznick
Director of Photography - @tttaliaferro
STARRING:
CARL - Andrew Ozuna
KEGMIRE - Erik Anderson
MOM / ELLEN - Melissa Brooks
SHEILA - Sheilava
(Crew tags in comments 🎬)
#actor #film #indie
@crewstoriesig / @statesman / @kutx / @kut_austin / @wifttexas / @wift_austin / @austinfilm / @texasfilmmakers
PRESENTING THE WINNER OF SEASON 1 — ANDREW OZUNA 🎉 🎥 Words can’t describe how thrilled we all were for Andrew, his perseverance throughout this season, and the immense talent he displayed each and every round. We had a blast having him on the show but had even more fun a week later when we filmed THE INTERVIEW, a hilarious short comedy in which he played the lead role of Carl. Our official trailer for our film drops tomorrow — follow Callbacks Competition to be the first to catch a glimpse!
More about Andrew:
Born in San Antonio and raised in Austin, Andrew’s journey into the arts began at Lake Travis High School and ultimately led him to getting accepted into the AMDA College of the Performing Arts in both New York and Los Angeles. Though he originally started out in choir and theater, it was in 2019 when his best friend convinced him to audition for the musical Footloose that he truly discovered his passion for performance. Following high school, he attended Austin Community College before moving on to AMDA to further refine his craft and take on any projects that came his way, including getting to be a part of “In The Heights” during Summer Stock Austin in 2022. While his roots are in the stage, Andrew developed a deep focus on film and television, leading him to specialize in on-camera acting—a path that has now left him “booked and blessed” with the Callbacks Competition Season 1 winner title. Andrew ultimately attributes his passion and spark towards success to his best friend Brady, who maintained life-altering injuries from a car accident but still inspires everyone around him. Were it not for Brady’s encouragement, Andrew’s love for the arts and career in acting would not be the same. #bradystrong
CONGRATS TO ONE OF THE TOP 2 ACTORS IN SEASON 1 OF OUR COMPETITION — @cole_mchugh_ 🎉 🎥 Cole showed an incredible amount of determination and dedication to every single step of the Callbacks audition process. From the self-tape round to the Final 2, Cole gave more and more to his auditions each and every round! If you haven’t yet seen his acting skills before, you can catch them in Episodes 1-4 of our series (link in bio). We had a wonderful experience watching Cole adapt and grow throughout this season — he truly possesses a work ethic and a genuine spirit that can’t be bought!
A bit about Cole Mchugh:
Born and raised in ATX, Cole has been working in the film industry for the past 5 years wearing an assortment of hats including that of a producer, licensed drone operator, an assortment of crew positions and as an Actor (his main favorites being Acting/Producing). He also balances many hobbies from guitar playing, reading, video games, going to the gym, and spending time outdoors.
A note from Cole:
“One of the hardest parts of pursuing your goals/dreams is getting the ball rolling. Once you do, the opportunities follow. Take advantage of those opportunities because they will open more and more doors. And if you love what you’re doing, then take it serious.”
Callbacks Competition —
Creator & EP - @fightersfan559
Directed & Produced by @sheilava
📸 @shutterbugisland
Another of our Top 4 Actors from Season 1 of @callbacks_competition — @revwicks 🦸♂️🎥 Revel is, without a doubt, one of the most positive actors any of us have ever worked with. It was a joy to witness him radiate with such enthusiasm on stage and throughout the Callbacks audition process! Catch him in his element on Episodes 1, 2, & 4 of our series (link in bio). 🎬
Revel Wicks is a passionate and dedicated actor committed to pursuing his craft full-time, with a strong focus on growth and improvement every day. He brings intensity, charisma, and positivity to every role he takes on, always striving to connect deeply with his characters. Revel’s dream role is The Flash, a hero who represents speed, heart, humor, and resilience. Inspired by the iconic heroes of DC and Marvel Comics, he continues to train daily in pursuit of his acting goals while also working toward his Personal Training Certificate at Del Mar College.
A note from Revel about acting:
“I discovered my passion for acting at a young age, inspired by my love for superheroes and storytelling. At just 6 years old, I began creating Nerf war films on my iPod with my older brother and close friends. What started as simple fun quickly became something more. I found myself constantly driven to create, always asking to film the next project. From that point on, I felt a calling from God to pursue acting.
I began studying Theater Arts in 7th grade while also excelling in sports, particularly tennis, becoming a back-to-back 5A District Champion. I was honored as an MVP and later earned recognition as a Coastal Bend Tennis Hall of Fame finalist. After one of my theater performances, a group of audience members approached me and described me as “an extremely talented exotic gem,” saying they believed they were witnessing a future acting superstar.
Moments like that are what make me continue to push myself, achieving my ultimate goal of becoming the next Flash, a globally recognized actor known all around the world, and a positive influence who connects with people of all ages.”
Callbacks Competition —
Creator & EP - @fightersfan559
Directed & Produced by @sheilava
📸 @shutterbugisland
