CHICAGO OPEN CASTING CALL – FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012
Location: Embassy Suites – Chicago Lakefront
511 North Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

A great source of information on a past casting call experience comes from the good folks at Lollacup, who recently appeared on Shark Tank and made one of my favorite deals of the season with several Sharks. The founders, Mark and Hanna, attended an open casting call in Los Angeles and the link above conveys their experience. They were in line at 7am and were able to pitch around 2pm.

Since I’m a native Chicagoan and have some experience navigating to early morning meetings downtown, here are a few basic logistical tips that you may find helpful:

1. Get in line way early. Shark Tank is more popular than ever before, so the Lollacup founders’ experience probably won’t be yours. Think “early” and then go earlier.
2. Fill out your application early and bring it with you. Click here to download the application to open casting calls. Make sure to bring it in a folder or binder so it doesn’t get blown away by a wind gust, or carried away by pigeons sent by Kevin O’Leary.
3. Book a room downtown. Since the casting call is at the Embassy Suites, we’ve heard that many entrepreneurs are booking rooms on Thursday and/or Friday night. Not a bad idea to eliminate any travel the morning of the event just so car trouble doesn’t keep you from getting a good place in line. Also, a word to the wise — don’t let your check-out time screw up your opportunity to pitch!
4. Find a parking garage with an “early bird” rate. Parking in downtown Chicago is a pain in the neck and the costs of just a few hours in a garage can be over $30. However, many parking venues offer deals to drivers that park in the early morning hours. Performing a quick Chicago parking garage search, we found a lot within a block of the Embassy Suites that offers $12 parking if you’re in between 5am-9am and out by 7pm.
5. Bring a chair. You may be in line all day, there’s no reason to make your feet hate you. Make friends with line-mates and I’m sure you can work something out to have your stuff watched while you pitch to the casting team.
6. Be weather-aware. Right now the forecast on Friday in Chicago is a perfect 76 degrees and breezy (10-20 mph gusts). However, Chicago weather can turn on a dime. Make sure to check the forecast again Thursday night! Sometimes the wind can really whip around the buildings near the Embassy Suites, as it’s right near Lake Michigan. Especially if you line up in the wee hours, I’d recommend bringing a warm jacket.

If you have any questions about the open casting call, please ask. We’re here to help! Best of luck to you all, hope to see you in the tank soon.

Attention to all entrepreneurs and Shark Tank fans that are clamoring to appear on the show — details of the two open casting calls have just been announced! Details are below:

CHICAGO OPEN CASTING CALL – FRIDAY MAY 11, 2012
Location: Embassy Suites – Chicago Lakefront
511 North Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

LOS ANGELES OPEN CASTING CALL – THURSDAY MAY 24, 2012
Location: Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn
4222 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
Time: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Best advice would be to make your travel plans early! Last season over 10,000 applications to appear on the show were received, and the competition for Season 4 is going to be stiff. Over the next several weeks we will be rolling out a variety of content especially dedicated to those who are applying (or planning to apply) to be on Shark Tank.

As always if you have questions about casting or the show, please add a comment or reach us via e-mail or follow @SharkTankABC on Twitter. Best of luck to you all.

Find Out How to Apply at ABC.com or Attend Open Casting Calls in Los Angeles
On Friday, June 17 or in Dallas on Saturday, June 25

The producers of the ABC reality series “Shark Tank” are on a nationwide search to discover the next successful – and possibly wealthy – entrepreneurs, inventors, businesspersons, dreamers, promoters, creators and innovators. In each episode, budding entrepreneurs are given the unprecedented chance to make their business dreams come true.

Whether you just have an idea, are a start up or already operating successfully and looking to expand, if you feel you have a lucrative business/idea and could use financial backing, then “Shark Tank” is just the show for you. Casting is looking for aspiring entrepreneurs who can pitch their breakthrough business concepts, products, properties and services to moguls in hopes of landing investment funds. If selected, five self-made, brilliant but tough investors (the Sharks) could be willing to part with their own hard-earned cash to give you the funding you need to jumpstart your idea. But the Sharks aren’t just out to invest; they too have a goal — to own a piece of the venture.

Your business idea should be top-notch and something the Sharks will really want to sink their teeth into. It might even spark a bidding war between them. Who knows? You could be the fortunate entrepreneur who gets the Sharks to reveal their true level of interest and to bid up the price of your investment!

For application information, visit: www.abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/casting.

You can also apply by attending one of our Open Calls. This is your opportunity to meet face to face with the Shark Tank casting teams. Come prepared to wow and dazzle us with your product/business/idea and your completed application which you can download at abc.com/shows/shark-tank. Be advised: security may check your bag and you are responsible for your own parking. We do not validate.

LOS ANGELES OPEN CALL: FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH
BEVERLY GARLAND’S HOLIDAY INN
4222 Vineland Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91602
1:00pm to 8:00pm

DALLAS OPEN CALL: SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH
WFAA – VICTORY PARK
3030 Olive St.
Dallas, TX 75201
11:00am to 6:00pm

There is an open casting call today at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, from noon until 8PM. If you have a business that needs funding in order to take it to the next level, then the Sharks are looking for you.

If you are not able to make it today you can still contract the producers at SharkTankCasting@yahoo.com.

If you have any questions feel free to call 310-244-3745. Good luck and remember to tell them InTheSharkTank.com sent you.

The producers of Shark Tank are looking for entrepreneurs who need the Sharks help to make their business dreams come true.
For several weeks, producers have been asking entrepreneurs to send in their applications for Shark Tank, by emailing SharkTankCasting@yahoo.com but now the producers want to see you in person. The first open casting call has been announced for September 17th at the Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in North Hollywood. The casting call will take place from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
If you are in the area this is a great opportunity to wow the producers with your business or product.

Last season the Producers held casting calls in Chicago, New York, Orlando and LA, there is no word yet if this will be the only casting call this season or not.
If you have any questions feel free to call 310-244-3745. Good luck and remember to tell them InTheSharkTank.com sent you.

For a full and updated list click here.

Make sure you bring the completed audition consent and release form.
For more information click here.
Good luck and I hope to have more news about the second season of Shark Tank, when it comes available.

Open Casting Call:

ORLANDO
Thursday, June 11th
Sheraton Hotel Orlando Downtown
60 S. Ivanhoe Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32804
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

NEW YORK
Saturday, June 13th
Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge
333 Adams St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

CHICAGO
Satuday, June 13th
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown/Lakefront
511 N. Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

As I said last time, arrive early, make sure you fill out this application (tell them you found out about it from InTheSharkTank.com) and be prepared to answer these questions.

Follow us on twitter at Twitter.com/SharkTankABC

Please be prepared to speak about the following in your casting interview:

1. What’s your name and your business?
2. How much money do you need from investors and why?  Be specific.  How will it be used?
3. What percentage of your company/idea/product are you willing to give up (e.g., 10%, 40%)?
4. What do you do for a living and where are you from?
5. When did you start inventing or become an aspiring entrepreneur?  What influenced this decision?
6. Please describe your product/invention/business idea.
7. Make your pitch!
Examples of interesting information:
• What is it?  Is it patented?
• How or why does it work? (Do a demonstration if you can.)
• What’s the market for this and why?
• How did you come up with the idea?
• Why is your idea the next best thing?
8. How much have you invested in your business? What would happen if you can’t get your business off the ground?
9. What does your business mean to you?
10. What is your ultimate goal for your business?
11. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
12. What do your family and/or friends think of your business?

Make sure you tell them that you learned about the casting call from InTheSharkTank.com or Tweet us at twitter.com/SharkTankABC

Good luck

Edit: if you still want to apply send your application to SharkTankCasting@yahoo.com
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