Cumberland actress makes Hollywood film debut,  2/12/2019​

https://www.times-news.com/news/cumberland-actress-makes-hollywood-film-debut/article_ea7f9e26-292f-5242-8219-71fd07857db6.htmlwww.times-news.com/news/cumberland-actress-makes-hollywood-film-debut/article_ea7f9e26-292f-5242-8219-71fd07857db6.html

Cara Shaffer, IMDB page

https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm10399666/about

Representation for Cara Shaffer

COMMERCIAL AGENT
Jenny Stricklin
Jenny Stricklin Talent Agency
https://www.jstalentagency.com/
1438 Gower Street
Box 87
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-468-3430


MANAGER 
Robert Blume
Step Forward Entertainment 
https://stepforwardentertainment.com/
New York
1776 Broadway, Suite 1410
New York, NY 10019
(212)-354-5124

Los Angeles
25000 Avenue Stanford, Suite 255
Valencia, CA 91355
(646) 522-5870​

PUBLICIST
RAY FELDMANN
FC STRATEGIES
http://FCStrategies.com
(410) 507-7714

Waking venus on Amazon Prime until 10/1/19 with NINETEEN 5 star reviews!!!! Official selection of the all Voices film festival! 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0I5OMCGGNJ5MY5ZYX4GMZ8ZRRM/ref=atv_dp_share_mv

INDUSTRY QUOTES!


 “You are so funny I don't have any adjustments or suggestions for you at all! You are awesome! Not only am I going to tell my cd friends about you but I want to create a show just for YOU."

"You. Are. Brilliant."

"You are FREAKING HILARIOUS!!!!"

"You have this lovely strong yet vulnerable quality about you!"

"You have a Lovely Katherine O'Hara Quality About you!"
 
"You Work reminds me so much of laurie metcalf!"

"You are so FUnny! LIKE S0000000 FUNNY!!!"

"excellent job!"  "you were wonderful"

"Brilliant Work!"
 
You are SO funny!! So funny. I don't have any adjustment for you."
  
"Exactly what I was looking for!"

"You are a young Meryl Streep! BrillianT!"

Picture

Behind the scenes Pictures of Waking Venus!!!!

WAKING VENUS IN 3 FILM FESTIVALS in 2019!!!!

Waking Venus DEMO reel
caras_full_demo_reel.mp4
File Size: 229803 kb
File Type: mp4
Download File

Flute Demo Reel
cara_flute_video.mp4
File Size: 10901 kb
File Type: mp4
Download File

Commercial Voiceover Demo Reel
commercial_demo.mp3
File Size: 2917 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

Narrative Voiceover Demo Reel
narrative_demo.mp3
File Size: 2222 kb
File Type: mp3
Download File

Acting Resume
mavrick_resume.pdf
File Size: 152 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Hollywood Independent Reel Film Festival, February 2019
All Voices FIlm Festival on Amazon Prime with NINETEEN 5 star reviews, June 2019
Long Island Film Festival, July 2019

Teddy's Take on Waking Venus, Teddy's Takes for June 09, 2019 by Ted Durgin
www.teddystakes.com

It's rare that Teddy's Takes reviews a short film. Short films are those near-mythic little flicks, each generally under a half-hour in length, that most of the general public doesn't even hear about until Academy Award time when they get their own special category. In general, but not always, they are films made by budding directors looking to showcase what they can do in the hopes of one day convincing Hollywood or -- at least someone with bucks -- to finance a feature-length film of theirs that will get distribution. They play mostly at film festivals and on various digital outlets.

oK, full disclosure. This isn't so much a review as it is an endorsement. "Waking Venus" is a new short film (under 18 minutes) that had its premiere at the Hollywood Film Festival back in February, will next be screened at the Long Island International Film Expo on July 14, and premiered this past week on Amazon Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/Waking-Venus/B07RX31C2Q

So, why is it getting coverage in Teddy's Takes? Two of the main creative forces behind it are friends and former classmates of mine at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)! "Waking Venus" is written and directed by James Brown Orleans and it stars Cara Shaffer in the title role. Cara also gets story, casting, and producer credit here. It's an intense piece of indie cinema that I am privileged to applaud here -- further proof that UMBC should never be thought of as U Made a Bad Choice (that and we kicked the University of Virginia's ass in the NCAA Tournament last year).

aking a short film and getting it into legitimate film festival competition is almost as hard as a No. 16 seed beating a No. 1 seed in the annual basketball tourney. An untold number of filmed works don't get nearly as far as James and Cara's "Waking Venus" have.

The film centers on a recently recovered anorexic (a brave Shaffer), who is on the verge of learning to forgive herself and expel that terrible eating disorder voice (creepily personified by Stephanie Patent) that's been in her head ever since she was a teen. The film is a look into Venus' mind at a critical crossroads, with the tension being: "Will she finally move forward empowered into the light of the future or, once again, allow herself to be pulled back a victim into the darkness of her past?"

Briefly, her story echoes off of another patient's, Janet (Kayla Barr), who seems to have it more together and is even making plans once she is discharged from the eating disorder clinic -- plans that include her and Venus getting a place together and being each other's support system. Janet's fate is one of the film's more quietly powerful revelations.

If you haven't surmised by now, "Waking Venus" ain't exactly a fun flick to watch. But it's not intended to be. As with any good short film, the narrative is lean and plunges you right into the drama in its first seconds. If you do give it a look, you'll definitely dodge more than a F bombs, and Cara's character gets pretty bloodied (in her mind's eye). It's pretty unflinching material. But, for sure, worth a look-see.

I am almost ashamed to say one of my first reactions afterwards was one of the most common reactions my novel, "The Totally Gnarly, Way Bogus Murder of Muffy McGregor" received when it was published in 2016. I had a lot of people write and tell me they enjoyed the heck out of reading the book. But several of those who knew me best inevitably would preface their kind words with the phrase (or some variation of it): "Huh? It's actually a REAL novel!"

So, yeah, after watching "Waking Venus" and peripherally following the film's progress in the months leading up to it's film festival and Amazon Prime debuts, my reaction was, "Huh? James and Cara actually made a REAL film!" Well, bravo for them. My only criticism was James didn't appear in the film himself, as he was one of UMBC's best student-actors back in the day and he has played Banzai in "The Lion King" on Broadway for the past 16 years.

https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=r_PrJZgBwck  

The man should be more famous and just needs the right vehicle to showcase his talents. Hmmmm, maybe if I got in on some of this short film action...


NINETEEN 5 star reviews for waking venus on Amazon Prime!!!!!!


eviepoo
5.0 out of 5 stars      Moving film with strong acting and direction
June 7, 2019

Strong acting, insightful direction, and realistic dialogue are just a few of the great things about “Waking Venus.” It’s not always easy to watch (Venus’ pain practically jumps off the screen) but the payoff for squirming in my seat was witnessing great performances by the entire cast. The film is playing at a bunch of 2019 film festivals (Hollywood, Long Island, etc.) and it’s easy to see why: actress Cara Shaffer (Venus) leaves it all on the field. Her performance is full of raw emotion that never devolves into melodrama. I can’t wait to see what she and writer/director James Brown-Orleans do next.


S. Holst
5.0 out of 5 stars      Waking Venus is a short film worth viewing
June 9, 2019

I am always pleased by the work presented on Amazon's short films and "Waking Venus" is no exception. I was especially impressed by the actor who portrayed the transgender therapist. The voice, the affectations, the compassion, the connectedness to the character were all exceptional. Bravo to Kyle Mitchell for a job well done! Hope to see you in more films - short as well as mainstream.

M. Webster
5.0 out of 5 stars      Brilliant
June 7, 2019

While social commentary movies tend to be difficult to watch, this one was different. A tough subject but I was glued to the screen. The ladies did a marvelous job bringing it to life and I felt like I was a fly on the wall witnessing their struggles as opposed to just watching a movie. The stand out performance, just by a bit - they were all amazing - was Cara Shaffer. Her mannerisms, her speaking, and the way she actually became the role was acting genus.Well done all the ladies in this short.

Mado
5.0 out of 5 stars      Powerful Ensemble Piece
June 17, 2019

This unique short film features a powerful ensemble dealing with a disturbing subject. In just 18 minutes, the cast delivers joy, fear, anger, and finally hope for healing.


Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars      Waking Venus is a powerful must see short story!
June 18, 2019

A powerful film with complex characters. This film was obviously well thought out and the acting clearly comes from the heart of each character. Cara Shaffer’s performance stands out as the best but the entire crew does a wonderful job with a tough subject. Well written and well acted this film is a must see for a new perspective into a difficult subject!


Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars      Fantastic performances in a compelling story
July 24, 2019

Cara Shaffer is superb in Waking Venus. I didn't quite know what to expect going into this short film, but I was incredibly pleased with the story and execution, as well as all of the performances.


Gerard DiNome
5.0 out of 5 stars      Wonderful film
July 1, 2019

This is a poignant film about a subject that needs greater attention. I especially enjoyed watching the strong performance of Cara Shaefer who nailed her character.


JR
5.0 out of 5 stars      Revelation!
June 12, 2019

Packs big emotions. Stirred many thoughts; made me rethink what was going on in people's lives that made them behave so intensely. Woke me up.


Avi
5.0 out of 5 stars      Very impressive
June 11, 2019

Very Impressive. It’s not a wonder the film is being featured at numerous well-renound film festivals. Kudos to James Brown-Orleans on this powerful piece.


Jess56399
5.0 out of 5 stars      Powerful
June 17, 2019

Unbelievable acting and intense scenes adorn this short film which looks at a taboo and often not-discussed topic. Very moving


Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars      Tense and Surprising Drama with Great Performances
July 23, 2019

Very compelling and tense Drama. Cara Shaffer's performance is outstanding!


chris Fierst
5.0 out of 5 stars      Waking Venus
June 16, 2019

An incredible, gut-wrenching
film that keeps you pulled to the screen. Taught story, well crafted. Brave subject. Bravo


Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars      Venus Struggles and Wakes up!!
June 16, 2019

The Story, Direction, Acting and Design elements are all superb in this darkly intense, and visually stunning short! Not realizing from the film's title that the short takes you deep into the world of Psychiatric treatment brought on by Eating Disorders (of which I happen to have a lot of personal experience myself), the mental illness' depiction in WAKING VENUS realistically portrays the hurt and suffering felt by those caught in this frightening world. CARA SHAFFER in the title role (along with all of the cast members) is simultaneously moving and likeable by wisely avoiding the maudlin and self-pitying traps that befall many actors and directors delving into this potentially depressing genre.

In it's brief 19 minutes, WAKING VENUS tackles several currently relevant issues of social justice.
Thankfully however, director James Brown-Orleans prevents an overly virtuous and preachy tone by focusing the film's story telling thru graphically suspenseful turns, flashbacks, and the truthful fact that the choice is really ours to create and rewrite the future of our own happy life-story.


Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars      Good
June 27, 2019


bskls
5.0 out of 5 stars      Powerful
June 17, 2019

Very powerful film. It reAly opens your eyes and helps you better understand what it's like for someone struggling with disorders. A piece that everyone should see!


ronbrown
5.0 out of 5 stars     Unique and captivating performance
June 16, 2019

The passion oozed from the eyes and gestures of the actress. It was so real that I could feel her pain. Hard to believe it is acting / theatre / film.

M. Deaner
5.0 out of 5 stars      Great cast!
June 16, 2019

What a fantastic short film! It really brought the struggles of the disease to life. You could feel the pain. Cara was amazing. Highly recommend!


Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars      A MUST SEE SHORT FILM!
June 6, 2019

An incredible short film! Beautifully written and directed! A MUST SEE!!

Daniel Brockert
5.0 out of 5 stars   Raw and Emotional
August 28, 2019

Cara Shaffer and cast deliver raw truthful emotion. The pain and humor alike feel very real and relatable.