a 501(c)3 nonprofit
est. 2015 Los Angeles, CA
EIN#47-4785295
3809 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
For students interested in deepening their artistic skills and exploring professional pathways in the creative arts, Spec Labs offers a range of opportunities to support their growth. These experiences include both collaborative group settings and individualized one-on-one sessions, allowing students to engage in meaningful artistic work that aligns with their personal goals and interests.
CAREER PREP
In this 10-week program, you’ll receive personalized coaching from entertainment mentors Chloe Estelle or Lillian Carrier as you develop meaningful career goals and take concrete steps toward achieving them. It’s ideal for artists looking to build their portfolio, expand their professional presence, and pursue work in the entertainment industry.
Online and in-person options are available. Dates are flexible; we’ll schedule sessions around your availability. We recommend weekly 1-hour sessions for 10 weeks to start, with the option to renew afterward.
$1000​​​​​
Lillian Carrier is an autistic actor known for the recurring role of Drea in "Everything's Gonna Be Okay", has a few Guest Star Credits, and most recently Stars in the movie "Horsegirls" that premiered at Tribeca. She founded the non profit Ourtism that lasted for 8 years where she was in charge of the social programs. She has also worked as an autism sensitivity coordinator on professional sets and with musicians recording albums. She's lived the experience and would love to share her knowledge and skills with those trying to make the leap turning art into a career.
Chloe Estelle studied film at Woodbury University and Sarah Lawrence. She was an autism sensitivity coordinator on "Everything's Gonna Be Okay", "As We See It", and "Horsegirls." Chloe founded a nonprofit called OurTism that lasted for 8 years, she was known for being an autism coach. Chloe is autistic herself, bringing her lived experience and expertise to her Career Coaching. Currently she is an autistic mentor for Neuro Affirm Academy, A contributor to the book Autism, Family, and You, and a Career Coach for Spectrum Laboratory.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
For advanced students looking to build professional skills in a specific medium, or developing a specific project, our Mentorship Program offers one-on-one guidance with an industry professional. Examples of previous mentorships include audition training, original film production, and song or album production. Scheduling and pricing are tailored to your goals and chosen mentor. Mentors are available across all departments—filmmaking, acting, music, and voice acting. Please inquire for details.​​​​​
CREATE YOUR ACTING DEMO REEL
This offering is for actors seeking on-camera roles who already have an agent/manager or are actively pursuing representation. An acting demo reel includes on-camera work from TV, commercials, films, and similar projects (no theatre footage). If you have some existing material and want to create new content, this program is for you. You’ll be paired with a Spec Labs industry professional who will help craft your reel. If you have limited prior footage, we can write and film a brand-new scene for you. Your reel serves as your calling card and is essential for submitting to auditions and potential clients.
$1,500
Online and in-person options available.
CREATE YOUR VOICEOVER
DEMO REEL
This is a one on one process designed to shine a light on an actor's voiceover gifts! Actors are directed in the studio by Cathy McAuley and her team of engineers to produce a reel that will meets the industry standard. These reels (Commercial, Promo and Animation) will serve as the voice actor's calling card and is meant to be submitted continuously for prospective clients and auditions.
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Commercial Reel​
​All Commercial Copy will be created just for you, after following you filling out your personal questionnaire and a one on one conversation with Cathy McAuley. Your Commercial Session includes professional direction, a professional engineer and professionally designed sound effects, music and then we are ready to produce your professionally mastered Commercial Reel!
$1500
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Promo Reel
​All Promo Copy will be created just for you, after following you filling out your personal questionnaire and a one on one conversation with Cathy McAuley. Your Promo Session includes professional direction, a professional engineer and professionally designed sound effects, music and then we are ready to produce your professionally mastered Promo Reel!
$1500
Animation Reel
​All Animation Copy will be created just for you, after following you filling out your personal questionnaire and a one on one conversation with Cathy McAuley. Your Animation Session includes professional direction, a professional engineer and professionally designed sound effects, music and then we are ready to produce your professionally mastered Animation Reel!
$1500
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@ Spec Lab Studios
3809 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
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ðŸŽâœ¨ THE ARTIST'S HEADSHOT WORKSHOP ✨ðŸŽâ€‹â€‹
​This hands-on course created by Cathy McAuley is designed to help artists craft stunning, professional headshots that reflect their unique identity and meet industry standards. You'll explore wardrobe, lighting, makeup, and posing techniques, while learning how to define your type and communicate it effectively. The course also covers what agents and casting directors really look for in a headshot. In the final two sessions, you'll participate in a professional shoot with acclaimed photographer Tim Schaeffer. You'll leave not only with polished headshots, but with the confidence and insight to use them professionally.
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2026 Schedule
Winter Session
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Saturdays:
*4 different times offered
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10am - 12pm
12 - 2pm
2:30 - 4:30pm
4:30 - 6:30pm
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January 24th - March 14th
Spring Session
exact dates are TBD
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Fall Session
exact dates are TBD
$1100/semester
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@ Spec Lab Studios
3809 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
VOICEOVER MASTER PROGRAM
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Prerequisite: for this class you must have completed Advanced Voiceover, Pre-Master and recorded your Demo Reel.
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This class is all about actively seeking work as a day-to-day voiceover actor. One of the hardest things to become is a self-motivated artist and to keep on doing the do! This class will help you create realistic goals with concrete ways to help you achieve them. Every week you will pursue work on professional acting platforms – bring the audition scripts to class and get coached by VO extraordinaire Cathy McAuley! By the time you have gone through this apprenticeship you will have a daily schedule to maintain at home keeping you active and creating the consistency in your professional life that is needed to be successful. This is an ongoing class for all of those who have completed what it takes to be in this program. It will be the constant lighthouse that will always help guide you back on your path to your voiceover dreams! “There’s No Place Like Your Voiceover Home!”
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ADVANCED MUSIC PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Building on the skills and experiences developed in our Music Production and Songwriting class, this course is designed for artists who want to take a deeper, more hands-on approach to creating and shaping their music. Participants will explore essential engineering techniques, learn to use a digital audio workstation, and work directly in the studio to develop and refine their recording projects. This class offers a supportive, social, and creative environment where students can collaborate, experiment, and grow at their own pace. While there is no live performance component, the focus remains on advancing ongoing music projects, strengthening technical abilities, and empowering each artist to express their ideas through recording, editing, and production.
2026 Schedule
​​​​​Mondays
12:30 - 3:30pm
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Spring Session: May 4th - June 22nd
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$1200​
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@ Spec Lab Studios
3809 W Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505