The Actors Lounge

Erman Baradi is a blossoming filmmaker and screenwriter from Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 2012, he received a Bachelor of Communication & Arts in Cinema-Television at Regent University. His first gig in the entertainment industry was working with No Malice of Grammy-nominated rap duo The Clipse. He would then intern at Jimmy Miller's Mosaic Media Group. In 2016 at just 26, he was featured in The Huffington Post as "a top networker in Hollywood" due to his extensive background in producing film, television, and music panel and Q&A events which has taken place in Los Angeles, New York City, London, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, and Virginia Beach, with more major cities to be announced soon. Erman would produce events under different incarnations such as MixKnowledgy, but would eventually co-found The Film Empire, that, in addition to events, offers a series of film and screenwriting mentorship initiatives featuring notable names in film and television production, writing, and representation. Erman's passions as a storyteller include bridging entertainment and humanitarian efforts, in addition to being a voice for Asian Americans in cinema. In 2018, Erman launched Ermantourage for film, television, and music events and initiatives that spotlight and give back to special causes, such as mental health/suicide prevention endeavors, cancer prevention, and children's art programs, all the while connecting people. Erman is managed by Emagine Content and strives to write, produce, and direct original content.

Maria Tornberg is a former international fashion model and actress. Born and raised in Sweden, she has lived and worked in Paris, Milan, Barcelona and New York. Most well known for her roles in the comedies “Super Troopers” and “Two and a Half Men”, Maria has now become one of the most successful photographers in Los Angeles.

She has been sought out by actors such as Danny Trejo (Sons of Anarchy), Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood), Bex Taylor-Klaus (The Killing), Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan) as well as other celebrities such as Matt Barnes (Memphis Grizzlies) and international author Salman Rushdie.

Beyond her passion for photography, Maria’s industry knowledge and experience as talent give her unique perspective on how actors and models can prepare for shoots, distinguish their own individual brand within a competitive industry and take their careers to the next level.

Taja V. Simpson is a Louisiana native of West African and European decent and her colorful background allows her to constantly bring new characters to life. She fell in love with acting when she was seven years old when she and her cousins would ‘play pretend’. They would watch movies, learn all the lines and then act them out for fun. Her favorite movie at that time was Berry Gordy’s "The Last Dragon” and to this day she can still recite all the lines in the movie. “Who’s The Master? Sho-Nuff!”

Although she loved acting at a young age, there weren’t any programs or schools in Lake Charles, LA that would help cultivate that skill set. She went on to graduate from McNeese State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communication and an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. From there, she was on the path of being a News Reporter/Anchor.

After College, she moved to Houston, TX but there was a still small voice in her that kept saying, ‘you should try acting,’ so she did. She enrolled in acting workshops and ended up winning three awards for her performances. (Best Actress, Best Overall Performance and People’s Choice) Now, she was bit by the acting bug and there was no turning back. She would have never thought that 'playing pretend’ with her family as a young child would also be what she ultimately would do for a living.

Versatility is Taja's greatest accomplishments which is what lead her to guest star in multiple roles on some of the most popular television shows of our time. She received her first breakout role in The Bold & The Beautiful as Adele which she recurred on the show for over two years. Since then some of the shows she has appeared in are; Grey’s Anatomy, NCIA, The Thundermans, NCIS:LA, The Soul Man, KC Undercover, and Lethal Weapon. Taja was widely known for her role as the fun and sassy wife opposite legendary Actor and Director Tyler Perry; in Lionsgate’s  “Tyler Perry’s Boo2! A Madea Halloween,“ and can now be seen weekly as Priscilla Owen in BET's newest drama,

Tyler Perry's "THE OVAL."

Taja is also a film director with over 40 plus productions under her belt from stage plays to music videos and short films. Next up is directing television and her first feature.

She can currently be seen in Christopher Nolan’s “My Online Valentine” on Amazon where she leads this film down the dating woes in this hilarious Romantic Comedy. She can next be seen in the Christmas film, "London Mitchell’s Christmas" slated for December 2019 along with 3 additional films in the pipeline. You can also see her in other films on Netflix and Amazon.

In her new book,"Cracking The Acting Code: A Practical Step By Step Guide To Becoming A Professional Actor", Taja shares her unique story and expertise from moving from a small town in Louisiana, making it on the big screen in Hollywood, and becoming one of the most trusted names in the entertainment business.

Taja’s hobbies include: writing, watching and studying films, learning new words and cooking. Her personal interests involve, spending time with her two dogs, working out, boxing, traveling and always being open to learn new things.

In order to succeed in the entertainment industry its important to be multi-talented both on and off screen. From behind the scenes to being in front and center, Actor, Author, Director and Keynote Speaker Taja V. Simpson has proven just that.

Passionate, Purpose Driven, Accomplished and  Enterprising, Chasity Saunders is a notable american actress, plus-size  supermodel and TV host with a professional career boasting hundreds of  credits, editorials and major fashion campaigns with clients like Ashley  Stewart, Target and Beyoncé. Chasity has graced the TV screen and the  pages of major publications such as Essence, Glamour and Ebony Magazine.  Her budding acting career includes being cast in Award Winning  web-series and films such as ISSA RAE Presents: "Get Your Life", Pan  African Film Festival and BlackStar Film Festival official selections, "The Divorce Counselor" and Summer hit  #FRIEND-ZONED. She was named 1 of Ebony Magazines top 5 black plus size  models to know and profiled as 1 of Hello Beautiful’s Top 30 under 30.  She is currently signed with STATE Management for modeling  representation globally and managed by LINK Entertainment. In addition  to maintaining a full time acting & modeling career after moving to  Los Angeles from New York City where she got her start, this  Multitalented Artist is also a freelance TV Host and Entertainment  Correspondent who co-owns new media company @AvenuePink She is the host  and Executive Producer for YouTube talk show @officialviphappyhour Chasity is also a fashion expert and was recently tapped to appear on BET's The Westbrooks  coaching aspiring models; and as the host of "The Art Of Fabulous" a  style and beauty TV Show that aired on VIACOM's BET and Centric  Television Networks. In addition she's hosted 100's of red carpets and  interviewed some of today's biggest stars such as Kevin  Hart, Nicki Minaj, Tyler Perry, Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson just to  name a few. As a writer she's penned cover stories for major  publications most recently Interviewing Chadwick Boseman, Anthony  Anderson & Tracee Ellis Ross for the cover of Ebony Magazine.  Networks and Media Companies such as FOX TV, Allied Moxy and The Cashmere Agency often tap @chasitysaunders for  her wide reach as a social media influencer! Chasity is often sought  after for brand launches, and pop culture events for film, fashion &  beauty that help curate the culture; as she is known for keeping her  finger on the pulse of what is new, now and next! A Triple Threat with  her eyes on empowering other powerful multidimensional millennials to  take their lives and their careers to the next tier; she’s currently doing the same with her  own career by taking her acting to the next level; Saunders was most  recently cast and made her TV debut on the highly anticipated Second  Season of #TalesOnBET which aired April, 2019! With a true love and  passion for fashion she found time last year to launch her first fashion  line "Ronnie Leigh" @_ShopRonnieLeigh a unisex fashion brand paying  homage to her late father with a fashion show aboard the gorgeous,  private Sir Winston Yacht of Long Beach, CA. championing all people to  believe in "The Freedom of Fashion for everyBODY" and beauty beyond size  leaving us all highly anticipating what’s next for this rising star.

Gi’onna Kamille was born and raised in the city of brotherly love,  Philadelphia, PA. She caught the acting bug at the age of five and  began working in print modeling until she was eight. She went on to  study theatre and dance at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and  Performing Arts (CAPA) and the Freedom Theatre! Some of her work  includes programs such as Blindspot (NBC), Orange is the New Black  (Netflix), Good Girls (NBC) & more! During her down time Gi’onna  loves to commit her time to an organization her mother founded called  P.O.W.W.O.W ( Passing On Womanly Words Of Wisdom) where she mentors and  advises other girls and young women who struggle with abuse,  self-esteem, mental illnesses and more!

Multi-hyphenate Caryn Ward Ross is an actress, producer, and writer born  and based in Los Angeles.  Her television acting credits include guest  starring and recurring roles on such hit shows as BET’s “The Game",  HBO’s “ Entourage”, “Jane The Virgin,” and “Lucifer” on FOX. Caryn is a  series regular on Bounce TV’s “Grown Folks” from creator Bentley Kyke  Evans, and recurred on TruTV’s  comedy series "Fameless" from executive  producer David Spades.  Caryn was nominated for Best Actress in a comedy  series by the Indie Spirit Awards.

Judy has been a professional actress for 40 years, showcasing her skills &

talents in over 350 commercials & in over 80 roles for film and television.

Some of her more well-known credits include a recurring role on the Emmy-

winning show Mad Men, as Olive Healey ( Peggy’s Secretary) which won

her a SAG Award. Her other favorite recurring credits include Odd Couple

with Matthew Perry, Hand of God with Ron Pearlman, Married with

Children, For Your Love, Grosse Pointe, and Manhattan, AZ with Chad

Everett. She has done numerous guest appearances on the hit shows

Modern Family, The Middle, Bones, Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, Scrubs,

Desperate Housewives, ER, Seinfeld, The District, The West Wing,

NYPD Blue, Friends, and The Drew Carey Show just to name a few.

She's appeared in 2 acclaimed Super Bowl Ads in 2013, Oreo Whisper

Fight ad and Deon Sanders' NFL promo. Her extensive background in

commercials has lead to several career highlights such as being

remembered as the Judge in CLAIROL HERBAL ESSENCE with Dr. Ruth,

a role in which Saturday Night Live did a hilarious spoof of her. Her

teaching career has also lead to immense success, being voted

BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE ON-CAMERA COMMERCIAL

TEACHER IN LA in 2010 and 2011. 2012 Her other acting classes have

won BACKSTAGE WEST'S FAVORITE IN LA as well, and continue to

produce amazing results for her students.

Judy first co-founded the acting training company, Talent To Go, which

lead to the empowerment of countless actors' careers. In 2009 and 2010,

TTG won the BEST CASTING DIRECTOR WORKSHOP IN LA. Judy

opened Keep It Real Acting in 2012, which now continues her teaching

legacy and offers an vast amount of classes for all students of all ages and

skill levels. She is continually grateful to have helped transform so many

actors' careers.

She resides in LA and is the proud mother of one son, Frankie Manes

At the impressionable age of eight, Jazmen set his sights on one of the  most coveted and rewarding jobs in the universe - becoming a Power  Ranger. However, once he discovered the skittle-colored crew of  intergalactic crime fighters were nothing more than a half-baked idea  from an acid-tripping Japanese comic book artist, Jazmen thought, "I  could do that too," and switched his focus to writing.

Influenced by his mother's life as a foster child, as well as his  experiences mentoring Undocumented Refugee Minors, Jazmen's stories  often center around outsiders looking for a place to belong.

Duane  Finley is born and raised in Inglewood, California. He began his acting  career as “young Slim” in the classic film “The Wood” while attending  Inglewood High School. He received an academic scholarship to Utah State  University shortly after completing the project. His next role came in  the theatrical stage performance of “ The Boys Next Door” as “Lucious P.  Smith”. He then hit the stage again bringing to life the character,  “Mr. Robinson” in “To Kill A Mocking Bird”. After college, Duane  returned to California to join the family business as the Co-Owner of My  Mailbox, Inc. The business has currently been in his family for 20  years. His late father, Charles Finley, purchased the bustling business  in 1999 and later passed leaving the business to Duane and his brother.  My Mailbox is currently operating in the Baldwin Hills area. They offer  business services to the community, such as, private mailboxes, Notary  Services, Tax preparation and Live Scan Fingerprinting just to name a  few.

GEORGE PIERRE, CSA – CASTING DIRECTOR