Classes/Coaching
“Mark Tillman is the reason I am working today. I was lucky enough to find him as a teacher when I first moved out to LA and he taught me how to act for TV and Film. His approach is honest and no other teacher in this town cares more for his students than Mark. With Mark there is no BS if you’re good he lets you know and if you were bad he lets you know. I owe him my career and that’s a fact.”
– Pej Vahdat, Actor The Old Man, Dynasty, Empire, Bones, Shameless
“Not only does he tailor his teaching style to each student’s individual needs, but he makes his classes exciting and fun, brimming with humor and creativity. Because of Mark, I signed with a great agent and booked two Lifetime movies, as well as interesting roles in a number of independent films. I am so grateful to have learned from him.”
– Nancy Petersen, Actor Saving My Baby and Evil Intent on Lifetime
“I have received so many emails from actors that have taken Mark’s three week intensive. He spends so much time with each group helping them improve their audition technique. We love Mark at The Network and are always impressed by how much he cares about our actors!”
– Melissa Bacelar, President, The Network Studio, Hollywood, CA.
“Whenever I am on set, and I start to feel overwhelmed, or that little seed of doubt creeping in, I always go back to Mark’s teaching, reminding me to lower my center. I drop it down into my guts, my core, and I live in my scene from there. His honesty and intentionality in how he molds his teaching style to your particular needs at that moment, is why I have not found a better teacher. He truly cares about your learning as a student, but more importantly, your growth as a complete person. ”
– Kacy Owens, Actor Winner Best Actress for Burner, Marina del Rey Film Festival 2025, Terminator: Dark Fate
“Mark gets to know each one of his students thoroughly and chooses material for them that both fits and challenges them. His feedback is always well thought out and genuine. Every student works every single class, but you also learn a lot from his feedback to other students as well. It is the highest compliment that I have continued with him for so many years and will continue. I cannot recommend him enough as a teacher and coach.”
– Kate Hart, Actor
“Under the Gladwell’s 10,000 Hours Rule, ‘Researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number for true expertise: 10,000 hours, ‘Mark Tillman-Briggle is a ‘true expert’ I trust him completely at spotting true talent and helping new professionals. He knows what it takes for an actor to land a job.”
– Mark Scroggs, LB Talent Agency
“Shooting for Valley of the Shadow starts next week, so I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for helping me to be in place I am today. I’m not sure how this move will turn out, but I’m excited to see the work over the past couple of years translate to the real thing. Thank you for helping me find my way into the acting world and for all the advice you have given. I couldn’t have asked for a better first instructor.”
– Logan Vance, Actor Starring in Valley of the Shadow
“Mark is a rare find among acting coaches. His has deep and nuanced knowledge about what makes a powerful performance, how to communicate and bring that about in others, and a true love for actors and their craft. I highly recommend him to actors who want to bring their creativity, passion and playfulness to their performances”
– Michele Tannen, Actor Adios Mi Amigo, Night of the Dead, and My Haunted House
“Mark possesses an amazing ability to help actors of any level tap into their motional lives and be more specific in their scene work. He utilized his own acting training along with a combination of practical applications, sensitivity, humor, and irreverence that resulted in a top notch two-day workshop for my students. I’ll definitely bring him back for future trainings!”
– Stephen Schwarzenberger, The Actor’s Avenue, Portland, OR.
Casting
“They say, ‘a director is only as good as his casting instincts…’ well it should read ‘a director is only as good as his casting director.’ Mr. Tillman is handily one of the best in the business — brilliant, tireless, with exquisite taste and exceptional skills getting the most out of actors.
THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN was my first feature film. Mark was extraordinarily generous with his experience and was in lockstep with me through the whole process. He has impeccable taste and just as importantly, it was very clear that the actors adore working with him. Finding Jill Larson for DEBORAH was like finding a needle in a thousand haystacks. She was brought back multiple times and vetted. Mark’s presence and often Mark’s adjustments were integral to the process. I owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. I probably wouldn’t have the career I do now if I hadn’t had Mark as a partner in making this make or break decision.”
– Adam Robitel, Director/Producer The Taking of Deborah Logan, Insidious–The Last Key, Escape Room
“I’ve never worked with a Casting Director that worked harder for a production and respected actors more. Mark has the ability to bring the Writer’s words together with the Director’s vision within the Producer’s budget. A miracle.”
– W.K. Border, Producer, Neo Motion Pictures The Prophecy, Dracula 2000
“Working with Mark Tillman is not just about casting; it’s unlocking the heartbeat of the story. On my films, Mark did not just bring in actors, he brought in exceptional talent. It is his gift to identify the actor who not just fits but elevates the role. His instincts are spot on, his dedication tireless, and his appreciation for actors makes him unique.
What sets Mark apart is not so much the names he brings in, but how he reads between the lines, and how he interprets the subtext, the tone, the world we’re creating together. He is a creative force, a true collaborator, and one of the most creative minds I’ve had the pleasure to work with in this business.
If you need a casting director who arrives with taste, persistence, and a sixth sense for performance, Mark’s your man. I wouldn’t make a movie without him.”
– Steven Helgoth, Writer/Director Shadow Watchers, Alien Vacation
Mark Tillman is the hardest working, most charismatic casting director I’ve ever been associated with. He breaks down a script like a director, thinks like a producer and his heart is with the actor.”
– Pamela K. Long; Producer MTV’s Undressed, Creator/Exec. Producer Second Noah, Exec. Producer Twice in a Lifetime
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Mark Tillman on several films, and each time, his instincts and insight have elevated the casting process in ways I didn’t expect. Mark doesn’t just fill roles—he uncovers the soul of a character through the actors he brings forward. His deep connection with talent and understanding of storytelling make him a standout in his field. For any actor, working with Mark means being truly seen—and given a real shot to shine. I will continue to audition actors that have been under Mark’s guidance.”
– Michael Kehoe, Director/Producer The Hatred, 99 Problems
“Mark is a wonderful casting director. His passion, enthusiasm, and joie de vivre is a joy to work with every day. His eye for talent and love for acting and actors is unsurpassed.”
– Michael Shoob, Writer/Director Road to Every Where, Bush’s Brain
“Mark Tillman is a total Pro – he finds me the hottest new talent or the perfect veteran actor for the role. There are no ‘small’ or ‘unimportant’ roles on any project that Mark works on. There’s no ‘quit’ in Mark. He delivers. Every role. And he makes me laugh.”
– Steven Brackley, Creator/Executive Producer The Last Patrol, Executive Producer Twice in a Lifetime
Mark Tillman Casting & Coaching 