February Newsletter
Inside casting for reality TV, the perfect book for a rom-com lover, and how to help LA.
Dear Sips & Motion Pics Community - first of all I’d like to take a moment to send my condolences to Los Angeles. My heart is with you. It is devastating to watch what has happened the last few weeks. While Sips is a New York based community, I know we have many members and loved ones that call LA home and I hope everyone is safe.
We are a small community but an engaged one. I asked our members if you had any causes you wanted to spotlight and compiled the below list. If you would like to donate or get involved, please check out the links below:
FEBRUARY HAPPY HOUR
Join us for our February Happy Hour networking event on Wednesday, February 12, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at The Mayfly and meet other professionals in entertainment, creative, and media fields. RSVP with the link above and spread the word - we look forward to seeing friends and new faces!
Wednesday, February 12 | 7:00pm
The Mayfly | 269 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
BOOK CLUB
I'll Have What She's Having: How Nora Ephron's Three Iconic Films Saved the Romantic Comedy by Erin Carlson
I’ll Have What She’s Having chronicles the life of one of the world’s greatest filmmakers, Nora Ephron, and the influence of her films, specifically “When Harry Met Sally”, “Sleepless in Seattle”, and “You’ve Got Mail.” Carlson shares behind the scenes stories of the making of these films and discusses the impact they have on future filmmakers and on generations of fans. These films are some of my all time favorites and it was a delight to learn more about them. With Valentine’s Day around the corner it is a great time to read the book and settle in for a Nora Ephron marathon!
Buy Local | Buy Used | Borrow from the Library
CHECK IT OUT
“Of You”
Support co-creator JT Tsou with her one act play, "Of You" making its Off-Broadway debut in the Chain Theater Winter One-Act Festival this February. Please see show and ticket details below:
Written/Directed: JT Tsou (@jalexandra_t) Produced: Katie North (@kt.north)
Starring/Cast: Amy Losi (@amy.losi), Victoria Centonze (@victoriacentonze), and Caelinn Ní Bhroin (@caelinn__)
Performance Dates: Program #11 2/12 @ 8:30PM, 2/16 @2PM, 2/23 @ 8PM
Location: Chain Theater 312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floor, Between 8th and 9th Avenue, New York City, NY 10018-6436
Synopsis: “Of You” is a one-act play exploring three generations of women navigating relationships, secrets, and personal struggles. Revelations ignite tension-filled exchanges as clashing values, generational differences, and unresolved grievances surface. Amid witty banter and heartfelt moments, buried fears and vulnerabilities emerge, sparking reflections on love, responsibility, and family dynamics. With humor and heart, the play examines intergenerational conflict and societal pressures, celebrating resilience and the messy love that holds families together.
BUY TICKETS HERE | Discount Code 20% Off: YOU25 (code is case sensitive)
New York Public Library Exhibit “Rhythm Is My Business: Women Who Shaped Jazz”
Learn about the first racially-integrated all-female band in the US and more for this year's Black History Month! In conjunction with the Music and Recorded Sound Division's exhibition Rhythm Is My Business: Women Who Shaped Jazz (running through June 13), the Reserve Film and Video Collection will host an evening of film and discussion delving into the history of female jazz musicians. Join the NYPL for a screening of the documentary films International Sweethearts of Rhythm, which tells the story of the first racially-integrated all-female band in the United States, and Tiny and Ruby: Hell Divin' Women, which profiles jazz trumpeter Tiny Davis and her partner, drummer-pianist Ruby Lucas.
The screening is followed by a conversation with filmmaker Greta Schiller and author Linda Dahl (Stormy Weather: The Music and Lives of a Century of Jazz Women).
Thursday, February 6 | 5:30 - 7pm ET
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts - Bruno Walter Auditorium
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Everything You Need to Know about Reality TV Casting
Written by Mckenzie Kupres
Hey there! My name is McKenzie Kupres. I am a Senior Casting Associate Producer who’s worked in unscripted television for the last 5+ years. My passion for casting was born out of my desire to help people tell their stories. I’ve always seen the good, the funny, and the entertaining in those around me. There is nothing I love more than a juicy conversation and it’s job to make people feel comfortable and let the most entertaining version of themselves shine through.
My Past Projects:
$100,000 Pyramid, Inmate to Roommate, Is It Cake?, Chopped, Chopped Sweets, Chopped 420, Beat Bobby Flay, Inkmaster, Crime Scene Kitchen, Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge, BBQ Brawl, Guy's Chance of a Lifetime, Kitchen Nightmares, Money Hungry, Chocolate Meltdown: Hershey's After Dark, Naked Singularity
What I do:
I am a Senior Casting Associate. I work in unscripted television finding people to put on TV. I started out in an office but like many, moved to work from home during the pandemic. I spend my days hunting on social media, online articles, & accolade lists for the perfect person to put on a show. I then reach out to them to gauge their interest and see if they would make a good fit. If they do, I then set up a recorded zoom interview where I produce an interview that shows off the most interesting and TV worthy version of them. That video is then cut down and sent off to production if our whole team agrees they are the right fit!
My job is genuinely about making people comfortable enough to come out of their shells. Or in the case of game shows, training them to play a game so well they win a ton of money. If someone wants to be on an unscripted show, their actual personality has to shine through. It's not a part they are playing. There are little to no lines being fed. This person has to be interesting, engaging and entertaining all on their own (with a little help from me). I love having creative conversations about building a casting and bringing some added joy to any team I work on. I joke that I am the personality hire that is actually good at their job.
Scripted vs. Unscripted:
How does unscripted television differ from scripted shows you ask? Well the answer is right in front of you. With unscripted television anything can happen! We are not hiring actors to play a part. We aren't looking for people who can memorize lines and create a memorable role people will love from years to come. We are typically asking someone to be themselves on national television. We are asking for them to showcase their skills & their personality. In the audition process we are typically zooming people to get to know them. It's daunting for an everyday person to be reached out to by a stranger saying "Hey, do you want to be on this crazy show you may or may not have heard of?" They have to go through a rigorous process and often be guided through or convinced they are good enough to participate! One thing I have learned is that when you give people the chance, and make them comfortable they will surprise you. People love to talk about themselves... and they should! They are the stars of their own lives. Watching someone light up when they finally feel confident and eager to tell their story is the best part of the job.
One thing to note, in unscripted casting the roles differ slightly. There are Assistants/PAs, Casting Associate Producers, Casting Producers and Casting Directors. The producer title is added because a large part of the job is producing casting interviews - we’re finding and sometimes helping to create our participants' storylines.
How did I get here?
I’m lucky that the journey to my current role was fairly linear with just a few bumps and turns. I attended Wagner College on Staten Island, NY where I received a BS in Arts Administration with a concentration in Theatre, Music and Fine Arts. I entered college hoping to pursue theatrical casting. I interned at Clear Talent Group, Lyric Theatre & The Telsey Office (then Telsey + Co). Each of these taught me a great deal about what goes on behind the scenes when casting/putting on a Broadway production. During my internship at Telsey I spent a lot of time with the TV & Film department and really enjoyed it! Still, I was convinced theatrical casting was for me.
Post graduation I started off as an agent's assistant and guess what? I hated every single minute of it! I lasted about three months before I said so long. I knew before taking the job I wanted to work in casting, so I decided to go full time at the bar where I was working weekends (shout out White Horse Tavern) until I could get a job I truly wanted. Eight months later I took an assistant job with Barbara McNamara Casting doing background, commercial & film casting. I was there for another eight months until the industry slowed down, I went bak to working at a bar before being hired by JS Casting where I would spend the next four and a half years.
I went into my interview at JS Casting thinking I was going into scripted. When I learned that they worked primarily in food/unscripted television I was a bit daunted but kept an open mind. I love to cook so I could relate to the shows, and everyone was incredibly kind. During my time at JS Casting I learned what makes a good interviewer, how to manage a team, how to give notes to editors & what makes a good casting tape, and most importantly I learned I'm damn good at unscripted casting. Keeping an open mind let me fall in love with a type of casting I didn't even know existed.
Where am I now?
Today, in the aftermath of the much needed strikes, I’m navigating contract casting work. This year has been incredibly daunting but I am proud to have maneuvered through it. Unscripted work unfortunately dried up in the last year. The company I worked for lost almost all of its work & full time employees. After leaving JS Casting I learned most Casting Directors work on contract. As one show ends we are searching for our next. 2024 certainly brought its challenges but now I have multiple companies to work with there is always a side gig (who doesn't need a side gig am I right?). I just finished casting The $100,000 Pyramid and am about to begin on a new dating show!
I’ve been a member of the Casting Society of America for the past two and a half years. Being a part of this community has made me many wonderful connections and fueled my passion for the industry! Meeting like minded individuals at their mixers, or Sips and Motion Pics mixers has truly motivated me to do better! My hope is this next year to move from a Casting Associate Producer role to a Casting Producer. This will give me more creative agency & allow for my input farther along in the process.
Likes & Dislikes
There is very little I dislike about my job. The only thing really is working on contract. I hope one day in the near future I’ll be able to secure a more permanent position. I love my job. I love talking to new people every day. I love getting to learn about the area of expertise in the show I’m working on. I know what makes a great tattoo, what determines the perfect bite, I’m a master at playing The $100,000 Pyramid, I know how to make hyper-realistic cakes & chocolate sculptures and I know what kind of person makes the best television. I’m so proud of my career and all the wonderful friends & colleagues I’ve met along the way. I cannot wait to see where my next step takes me!
Find Me Here: Instagram @mckupres & @kuprescasting | IMDb
If' you would like to be featured in the Community Spotlight or highlight your work or promote an upcoming project - please reach out to via email or Instagram