NBC will host industry forum for minorities

Seniors, the disabled, blacks, Latinos and other minorities are being encouraged to attend NBC’s first industrywide diversity expo Saturday in Studio City.

Marc Hirschfeld, executive vice president of casting for NBC Entertainment, said that this is the first event in which broadcast networks are pooling their resources and staff together to offer workshops that focus on skills and identify potential talent.

“I wanted it to be an opportunity especially for actors, writers and directors of color to take advantage of all opportunities,” Hirschfeld said.

“That really meant inviting the other networks to participate.”

Diversity Outreach Expo 2005, an all-day forum, will offer a variety of workshops and panels on resume writing, acting, screenwriting and directing. Speakers include Kevin Reilly, president of NBC entertainment; Arthur Forney, director-producer of “Law & Order”; actor Orson Bean; and Ron Taylor, Fox’s vice president of diversity development.

Information and advice will be provided for seniors and people with disabilities working in entertainment, as well as racial and ethnic minorities from Southern California.

“We wanted to embrace diversity in the broadest sense of the word and give opportunities to portions of the entertainment community that were being overlooked and neglected,” Hirschfeld said.

Though he worried that few people would attend, NBC has already received 1,500 RSVPs.

Among the workshops and panels being offered: “Creating an Eye-Catching Resume,” “Second Stage: A Panel for Senior Actors in the Biz,” “Directing Your Way Into Hollywood” and “How to Interview Like a Star.” Representatives from more than 25 organizations and entertainment companies will be available to talk about resources.

The forum will be at the Sportsmen’s Lodge Event Center, 12833 Ventura Blvd. The doors open at 9 a.m.

The expo is no longer taking RSVPs, but those interested in attending can still show up.