Talent Managers, Talent Agents, and Casting Directors gather at the Universal Sheraton Hotel for the 8th Annual TMA Heller Awards.
Hollywood, CA- More than 300 industry guests and representatives of actors’ careers, consisting of top casting directors, agents, managers, and movers and shakers of the Hollywood entertainment industry, gathered at the Talent Managers Association’s 8th annual Heller Awards. The ceremony was held in the beautiful Starlight Ballroom at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on Tuesday, October 20, 2009.
The two-hour event, hosted by comedian Rob Brackenridge, recognized casting directors from film, commercial, and television casting departments, and agents representing youth and adult actors for theatrical and commercial.
Carol Lynn Sher, 2009 Youth Commercial Agent of the Year winner said during her acceptance speech, “No one tries harder or believes more in talent than their managers…you make us believe…sometimes, your thanks are superstardom and lifelong loyalty. Sometimes it’s heart break and betrayal. And you get back up and do it again.”
Pam Braverman from The House of Representatives Talent Agency and winner of the 2009 TMA Heller Award for Adult Theatrical Agent of the Year, offered this prospective, “I spend a lot of my day making pitches and getting feedback in the form of an offer, so it is nice to be on the receiving end of the feedback in the form of this award, and from the very people who make my job easier … the talent managers!”
"I am overwhelmed by this honor!" declares Erica Silverman. "To be recognized by the people who are so integral to our process is beyond flattering: it is an incredibly giving organization and I was thrilled simply to be nominated by such group, and amongst such a list of other talented associates...Many, many thanks!" Erica Silvervman, from April Webster Casting, was voted this year's 2009 Associate Casting Director of the Year.
Other winners are Cindy Osbrink (Osbrink Talent Agency), 2009 Youth Theatrical Agent of the Year; Angela Strange (Osbrink Talent Agency), 2009 Adult Commercial Agent of the Year; Marisa Ross and Alyson Silverberg (Ross / Silverberg Casting ), 2009 Television Casting Director of the Year; Donald Paul Pemrick and Dean E. Fronk (Pemrick / Fronk Casting), 2009 Film Casting of the Year; and Jeff Gerrard (Jeff Gerrard Casting), 2009 Commercial Casting Director of the Year.
Honored this year for TMA’s 2nd Pat McQueeney Award is the man behind Breakdown Services, Gary Marsh who received a standing ovation before his speech. The Pat McQueeney Award is bestowed upon an individual who has selflessly given support to the profession of talent managers, with the same dedication former television personality and founder of McQueeney Management, Inc., Pat McQueeney, did.
Also recognized at the event is current TMA President, Paul Trusik of Trusik Talent Management, as 2009 TMA Talent Manager of the Year, for excellence and outstanding service to the Talent Managers Association. In his speech he acknowledged mentors and past recipients Steven Nash, Paul Caplan-Bennett, Betty McCormick-Aggas and Lola Love, noting, “I could always turn to a fellow TMA member for support and solid advice. The camaraderie, mentoring and friendships are invaluable to me”
Debuting in 2002, the TMA Heller Awards were named in honor of legendary talent manager, Seymour Heller (1914- 2001), best known for his life-long representation of Liberace and the co-founding of the National Conference of Personal Managers. Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Robert P. Marcucci (The Idolmaker, 1980), Buddy Morra, Ken Kragen, and the late Bernie Brillstein. For photos, video clips and other information, please log on to www.TalentManagers.org
