MEET THE CREW!
THE PROS BEHIND OUR LOS ANGELES
HEADSHOT STUDIO, SELF-TAPE STUDIO, AND WHEREHOUSE
OUR STAFF:
PAM KOPPEL
Owner, Crew-Coordinator
Pam's got a heart of gold and a passion for helping actors, having been one herself! She has been performing in Theater since she was a kid and went on to get her degree in acting at UC San Diego. In the last 8 years, she's become fully immersed into the world of TV/FILM as she helped her daughter break into the industry. Needless to say, Pam gets it! She's very familiar with the ups and downs that come with this career and knows first hand how worth it it becomes when you book those roles!
​
With a professional background in management and a passion for actors, Pam is committed to making sure Closeup Crew is a space that actors can rely on to put their best selves forward. From that first moment you reach out to us through your full experience in our Studio, Pam is here to make sure you always feel supported and are having fun!
Isaac Jay
Studio Manager
Isaac Jay has been acting and storytelling since he was a wee lad. Trained in Theater Arts at The University of Southern California and with a Classical Conservatory education at BADA in London, Isaac has since gone on to build himself a solid career in the industry working on several Feature Films as well as Award winning Shows such as Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry, among others. As an actor, Isaac has an inside understanding of the needs, wants, highs, and lows of this career. Isaac gets you!
​
We want you to make CloseUp Crew your new creative home and community, so from the moment you walk through the door, Isaac is there to make you feel welcome, relaxed, supported, and ready to have a blast. Whatever you need, Isaac's been there too, so let's make it happen! He can't wait to play with you.
​
OUR COACHES:
ANDREW ONOCHIE
In-House Acting Coach
Andrew Onochie's got a heck of a talent for storytelling both on and off camera. He’s been acting since the ripe age of 5 and has since built an inspiring career in this industry. As a performer, Andrew has worked with award-winning filmmakers, been part of the hit CBS series “Seal Team”, and has even been nominated for awards as Best Actor. As a filmmaker, he has produced multiple feature films, one of which made it to #1 in the Nigerian Box Office. And as an acting coach, he has worked with talents such as Dayo Okeniyi (Hunger Games, Greek Freak) and Maria Sten (Swamp Thing, Straight Outta Compton).
If you’re looking for an audition coach that has real-life, multi-faceted industry experience and a strong passion for helping actors find the magic in their scenes, Andrew is it! He uses a unique approach derived from Meisner technique — focusing on living in the moment, breaking down the scene, diving deep into the character, and ultimately letting it all go for a more freeing performance!
You can check out Andrew's IMDB here.
Gilbert Glenn Brown
In-House Acting Coach
Gilbert Glenn Brown is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and is a working actor/director/writer in film, television, theatre, commercials, video games and VO and has been for years. He has trained in Meisner, which provides some of the foundation for his approach. He brings his vast experience and eye for detail to coach you towards you presenting your best work, in a supportive and honest environment. “Your instincts are your best guide in the process, I’m here to remind you of that. My job is to see what you bring to the table, bring your best to the front and put the second-guessing out the door, thus finding that magic that makes your work uniquely you.”
​
You can check out Gilbert's IMDB here.
Isaac Jay
In-House Acting and Voice Over Coach
Isaac Jay has been acting and storytelling since he was a wee lad. Trained in Theater Arts at The University of Southern California and with a Classical Conservatory education at BADA in London, Isaac has since gone on to build himself a solid career in the industry working on several Feature Films as well as Award winning Shows such as Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry, among others. As a coach, Isaac has worked with actors such as Claudia Doumit (The Boys) and Alyssa Jirrels (Fatal Attraction).
If you’re looking for a coach who has a passion for everything story and can help any actor find the play and heart in their scene, Isaac is for you! He focuses on discovering the deep inner life of the character using a unique combination of Uta Hagen, Meisner, and text analysis. Then, after doing some full body shakes and letting all the work go, simply living and having fun in the moment. Let’s play!
​
You can check out Isaac’s IMDB here.
CHLOE LANIER
In-House Acting Coach
With over a decade of professional acting work under her belt so far, Emmy award winning actress Chloe Lanier is venturing into directing. Alongside her creative partner, Hayley Erin, she now boasts two top-rated screenplays on the blacklist, ranking their work in the top 1% of the website. In addition, The Reveal, Chloe’s directorial debut short, which she also penned and starred in, took home awards for best comedy short at the New York Movie Awards and the Hollywood Just4Shorts festivals. It was also a finalist for best dark comedy at the Austin Comedy Film Festival. With plans to direct again later this year, Chloe is looking to coach actors to continuously build up that muscle.
With a background in Alexander Technique, Animal Studies and Meisner, Chloe is well-versed in being absolutely present. She also firmly believes in the "whatever works" method. Everyone is wired in their own unique way, and no two actors will work exactly alike. Chloe believes in meeting the actor where they are, connecting them to their breath, and committing fully to the given circumstances in whatever language works best for them. Humans, like the characters we play, are full of contradictions. Chloe's goal is to help every actor find those contradictions and subtitles in the characters they're building in order to breathe life into their work. Also, this should be FUN!
​
You can check out Chloe's IMDB here.
MARGIE MAYS
In-House Musical Audition, Singing, and
Voice Over Coach
Margie Mays is a dynamo in the world of acting, with a flair for captivating storytelling both on the screen, on the stage, and on the mic. Leaping into the spotlight as a contestant on American Idol (Seasons 17 & 18) and with over 15 years of studying voice behind her, Margie is no stranger to self expression and artistry. In her acting repertoire, Margie has enchanted the stages of Hollywood and beyond with her portrayal of iconic characters like Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde the Musical" and Jane in Disney’s "TARZAN,” garnering a few accolades along the way. On the screen, Margie can be seen recurring on the FOX/Hulu sitcom “Call Me Kat,” and her exciting new venture into the world of voice-acting will soon be heard as a series regular in an upcoming animated series on Netflix.
Regardless of the medium, Margie's commitment to her craft and her dedication to honing her own skills knows no bounds. She continues to refine her artistry through ongoing training and mentorship with esteemed studios and coaches (Margie Haber, Lesly Kahn, Shari Shaw, Berg Studios to name a few).
Whether coaching aspiring talents or auditioning for her own roles, Margie’s superpowers lie in her empathetic approach and firsthand industry experience. With Margie by your side, you'll not only master the technical aspects of auditions, but also find liberation in the process, and maybe even some laughter (finding joy is always a must). Together, let's unlock the full potential of your performance and embark on an audition experience that fills your cup, makes you proud, and shatters the glass ceiling on what you thought you could achieve.
​
You can check out Chloe's IMDB here.
SER'DARIUS BLAIN
In-House Acting Coach
Ser'Darius Blain is the epitome of passion and expertise in the realm of acting.
Known for his dynamic performances in both film and television projects, including the iconic role of Anthony "Fridge" Johnson in "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," and Fox’s the Big Leap, Ser'Darius has honed his craft under the brightest lights of Hollywood.
As an acting coach of 10yrs, Ser'Darius is committed to nurturing the next generation of talent, sharing his invaluable insights and techniques to help aspiring actors reach their full potential. With a blend of in-your-face honesty, charisma, dedication, and genuine love for the craft, Ser'Darius inspires his students to unlock their creativity in real time and shine on stage and screen.
​
You can check out Ser'Darius's IMDB here.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHER:
ADAM HENDERSHOTT
Photographer
Adam is one of the best Los Angeles headshot photographers and portrait photographers in the game. This isn’t his first Professional Headshot Studio! He has shot countless celebrities and high profile clients over his career. From headshots to editorials and even commercial shoots, Adam's the guy you can count on to always get "the shot!" You can check out some of his work here. But what makes Adam particularly special when it comes to actor headshots, is the fact that he's an actor himself! So he knows exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes. He understands the actor and knows how to get the"it" shot out of you. With Adam you'll get a super fun and chill headshot experience. He'll make you feel comfortable from the start and will have you laughing by the time you're shooting!
Adam's signature style? Making you look and feel ridiculously good, while still looking exactly like YOU.