Hello! My name is Jessica Sloan. I’m a native Austinite who grew up in Southwest Austin and graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Broadcasting and a minor in Theatre. After nearly two decades working in casting and talent representation, I founded First Take to help actors better understand the business side of their careers.

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My career began after college on a small independent film, which led me to the Austin Film Society. From there, I gained experience at Detour Film Productions and Troublemaker Studios before discovering what would become the focus of my career: working with actors.

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That path led me to both casting and talent representation. I worked with Beth Sepko Casting before eventually becoming a full-time talent agent at Collier Talent Agency. I spent nearly seventeen years working with actors and helping them understand the industry. Along the way, I realized the part of the job I loved most wasn't simply finding opportunities. It was helping actors understand how the business worked so they could make informed decisions about their careers. First Take grew out of that realization.

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Today, I stay actively involved in the Texas film community through speaking and teaching at universities, acting studios, and industry organizations. In 2024, I graduated from the Hispanic Austin Leadership Program through the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I also serve as Community Partnerships Chair on the Board of Directors for Women in Film & Television Austin, where I help build connections throughout the Central Texas film community.

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I believe actors deserve more than occasional advice. They deserve reliable information and resources they can return to throughout their careers. That belief is at the center of the work I do through First Take.

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Whether you're just getting started or looking to take the next step, my goal is simple: help you better understand the business so you can make informed decisions about your career.