A New York Heartbeat

Todd Julian owes his burgeoning career to a shoulder injury -- and his mother. While recovering from an injury the summer before he was due to enter college on a sports scholarship, his mother sent his picture to a top New York modeling agency in hopes that she could help her good-looking son get some work. Within hours Todd heard back from them. Only 18 at the time, he traveled from his hometown of Ozark, Missouri to New York where reowned photographer Bruce Weber helped launch his modeling career. Finding an unexpected comfort level in front of the lens, Todd decided to pursue acting. He spent the next two years studying acting before earning roles in popular television series including CSI: NY, Brothers & Sisters, iCarly and Private Practice. He currently appears in a recurring role in the ABC Family series Twisted.

As a kid growing up outside of Pittsburgh, Rane Jameson enlisted neighborhood friends to help him recreate memorable scenes he loved in the movies. So it wasn’t a surprise to his family or friends that upon graduation from the Pennsylvania State University film program, Rane packed up his car and drove to Los Angeles. In open-call auditions, he was cast almost immediately in The Young and the Restless, which proved to be an excellent training ground. “They worked at lightning speed,” says Rane. “We often didn’t even do run-throughs but would go right to shooting a scene in one or two takes. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.” Rane’s big break came when he was cast in CBS’ popular spin-off CSI: NY. Rane sums up his love for acting, citing “the excitement that comes with not knowing what’s going to happen next. The unknown is in front of you. It’s like being a kid again and pretending just like we did way back when.”

While still in his teens, Barret Hackney won his first role in Kevin Smith’s Dogma starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Although an acting career seemed natural for the Pittsburgh native, Barret decided to pursue a formal education in his chosen craft. He studied drama and acting at the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts and went on to attend the Stella Adler Studio and Stonestreet Screen Acting Workshop. Barret’s range in a variety of genres, from comedy to drama and suspense, soon earned him roles in George A. Romero Presents: Deadtime Stories and Smart People starring Dennis Quaid and Sarah Jessica Parker. His memorable turn as “Munch” opposite Kristin Stewart in the 2009 hit film Adventureland earned him many new fans.

Amadeo Fusca (‘Ty’) is an actor/comedian, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He most recently won the Friars Club's 2013 "So You Think You Can Roast?" contest, and roasted comic icon Jack Black as part of the Friars Club annual luncheon. His wide range of dramatic and comedic work includes a co-starring role in the CBS Show As the World Turns as well as a leading role in the feature film Deference (2012 Silver Ace Award Winner, Las Vegas Film Festival). Other recent roles include ‘Matthew’ in the short film The Gate Agent (official selection, 2013 Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival) and two guest-starring roles on Discovery ID’s I Married a Mobster. He currently studies improvisation at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and can be seen performing in various comedy clubs and improv troupes in New York City. You can see more of Amadeo at www.amadeofusca.com.