KC Film Camp: Get a Custom Demo Reel That Actually Shows What You Can Do… Really!
A professionally written, directed, filmed, and edited acting demo reel weekend designed to give you polished footage for casting submissions, Actors Access, Casting Networks, etc., agency websites, and social media.
Only 15 actors accepted. Early bird discount: Save $100 before May 15.
Custom-Written Scenes
Scripts written specifically for you and your strengths.
Professional Coaching
Rehearsal, blocking, and guidance from a casting director/acting coach.
Pro Film Production
Shot with professional lighting, audio, and a Netflix-approved broadcast camera.
Finished Edited Footage
Polished scenes with sound design and effects, delivered by link.
KC Film Camp
June 12–14, 2026 | Kansas City
KC Film Camp is a weekend-long, actor demo intensive created to help Kansas City talent walk away with professionally written, directed, filmed, and edited scenes for your REEL.
Hosted by Heather Laird & Wright/Laird Casting and under the direction of veteran filmmaker and photographer Jeffrey Nicholson of Synergy Pictures, this weekend combines professional casting insight, custom scene writing, on-camera coaching, directing, and film production experience into one focused weekend.
NOTHING of this scope has been offered in KC before!
The KC Actor Demo weekend is legit! The team writes scripts customized to what you want. The whole experience gives you the complete film set experience. Perfect for those who want to start a film reel but don't know where to start. They do everything for you! Write, shoot, and edit! You just have to show up!
— M. WeberJeff Nicholson
Synergy Pictures / The Shot Photography
Jeff Nicholson is a photographer, filmmaker, writer, and director with decades of experience in commercial photography and video production. After growing up around film sets and production through his father’s commercial photography and filmmaking career, Jeff went on to produce and direct award-winning industrial films, commercials, music videos, and short films.
His work has included projects for brands such as Hallmark, Stetson, Lee Jeans, and MTV, and his photography has been published in ELLE, USA Today, Muscle & Fitness, Maxim, Shape, Good Housekeeping, and O, The Oprah Magazine.
For KC Film Camp, Jeff brings professional directing, production, cinematography, and storytelling experience to help actors create polished, performance-driven demo scenes.
Heather Laird
Owner of Wright/Laird Casting
Heather Laird is the principal owner and casting director of Wright/Laird Casting, Kansas City’s leading casting company since 1993. With 33 years of experience, she has worked on over 75 film and television projects and more than 1,000 commercial and print campaigns.
Her most recent narrative casting credits include TED LASSO (Season 4, Ep. 1), HOLIDAY TOUCHDOWN (Hallmark), RISE AND SHINE, and the vertical film HOMELESS GENIUS. National ad clients include Amazon, QT, Gillette, State Farm, Snickers, Subway, Pioneer, The Chiefs, and The Royals, Heather also produced, wrote, & directed the award winning series NEXT!
For KC Film Camp, Heather brings casting expertise, actor coaching, and industry insight to help performers create stronger demo reel scenes.
I’m so glad I decided to do the weekend demo intensive! I’ve only been using the scenes a few weeks and the response rate is much higher than it ever has been. One director even commented, "great reel”. I feel like I finally have something that will help me to stand out!
— R. Worley
Stop Waiting for the Perfect Role to Give You Usable Footage
Building a reel through independent films can take months — sometimes years. You wait to be cast, hope the production finishes, hope the footage is usable, and then still have to pay to get it edited.
KC Demo Weekend gives you a faster, more focused path: custom scenes designed around you, professional direction, on-set experience, and finished footage you can actually use.
See the Quality for Yourself
Watch sample clips shot in studio and on location.
Drama Demo Scene
Comedy Demo Scene
How KC Film Camp Works
1. Reserve Your Spot
KC Film Camp is limited to the first 15 actors. After enrolling, you’ll receive the next steps and intake information.
2. Complete Your Actor Survey
You’ll answer a short video survey on your phone so the team can get to know your personality, energy, experience, and goals.
3. Receive Custom-Written Scenes
Your scenes are written specifically for you. Depending on your goals, they may include drama, comedy, thriller, police procedural, faith-based scenes, or a combination.
4. Scene Partners Are Cast Before Camp
Scene partners are cast the week before KC Film Camp based on availability, fit, and scene type. In many cases, actors may also be used as co-starring scene partners.
5. Attend the Meet and Greet + Rehearsal
Meet your scene partners and crew for the weekend. Take this time to rehearse your scenes and receive feedback from the directors.
6. Film Your Scenes
Actors will film during scheduled blocks throughout the weekend. Not everyone is needed for the entire weekend, and call times will depend on each actor’s scenes, availability, and whether background extras are needed.
7. Receive Your Reels
After editing, actors will receive a link to their finished scenes, which can be used on their agency, personal and acting profiles.
I’m so thrilled with my scenes, they turned out beautifully and my agent loved them! They are so easy to work with and made the experience an absolute blast. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
—Aaron R.Choose Your KC Film Camp Package
Basic Package
Early Bird: $495
Regularly $595
Includes 2 reels:
1 starring scene
1 co-starring scene
Actor Reel Package
Early Bird: $795
Regularly $895
Includes 4 reels:
2 starring scenes
2 co-starring scenes
Full Reel Builder Package
Early Bird: $995
Regularly $1,095
Includes 6 reels:
3 starring scenes
3 co-starring scenes
Save $100 when you book by May 15 and pay in full at checkout.
Or, pay $195 to reserve your camp spot, and pay the remaining balance during the camp experience. *
* Possible extended term payment plan may be available after initial enrollment.
F.A.Q’s
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Yes. Scene partners are cast the week before KC Film Camp based on actor availability, scene type, and what each script requires.
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Possibly. Depending on availability and casting needs, actors may be used as co-starring scene partners in another actor’s scene. When that happens, the co-starring scene may become an additional usable clip at no extra cost.
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Rehearsals may happen Thursday evening during a meet-and-greet or on Friday, with filming scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
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Not necessarily. Actors will be scheduled in blocks based on their scenes, availability, and production needs. Some blocks may need extras or scene partners, while others may not.
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to participate in the Actor Demo Intensive! Special care and attention was given to each actor and the results far exceeded my expectations. It was such a beautiful experience. The quality and creativity with their hands-on approach helped me propel towards the goals I have as an actor.
— Florence M.