scOtt summitt | Dayton937

Miami Valley actor scOtt summitt represents the Gem City on national television when he co-stars on the primetime TV crime show CHICAGO PD, airing at 10pm, Wednesday, September 28 on NBC.

“It’s so exciting to have an opportunity like this,” summitt says. “The cast and crew were so professional, just an incredible team. It’s truly an honor to work on a TV show of this calibre.”

The Dayton native plays a character named “Eric Sadler” who becomes involved in high stakes action that sets up the episode’s plot line. “He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time,” summitt explains. “But he helps launch an exciting story line on the show with a bang!”

Devin Bundrent, one of summitt’s agents who represents him in the region at Cincinnati- based Heyman Talent Agency, celebrates his client’s casting on the popular crime show.

“We are overjoyed when one of our clients books any role,” Bundrent says, “but a role on a primetime network television show is especially sweet when it’s someone like scOtt who feels like family.”

Over the years, the hardworking actor has appeared in standout co-star and guest star roles on Comedy Central, UPTV Network, feature films and web series. With his role on CHICAGO PD, summitt can now add primetime TV on his acting resume.

“I couldn’t be happier to tune in and watch scOtt on Chicago PD!”

Bundrent says. “He has worked diligently and made the most of every opportunity — and there have been many — we have thrown at him!”

summitt continues to practice his craft as a professional actor and build his career role by role, but he always comes back to his hometown roots in the Gem City.

scOtt took the time to answer some questions for us:

What made you return to Dayton from LA? “I’d lived there for nearly 4 years, and I’d gotten to a point where I was burned out from the hustle. LA is definitely a different world, and if you’re working to make it in the industry, it can really do a whammy on your self confidence. So many creative folks get lost out there or we lose them to drugs, alcohol, or suicide. Just so sad. I just wanted to get back to where I came from and get centered & grounded again, regroup and get a dose of reality.”

Photo credit: Taren Frazier Photograph

Is getting great roles while living in Dayton hard? “I think the electronic age we live in now has definitely leveled the playing field, geographically speaking. I was an early adopter of self-tape auditions. I’ve been able to audition from my bedroom and get cast in projects shooting all over the region. Actors from all over the world are auditioning for roles, so in that sense, being tech-savvy is a good skill that every actor should master.

But keep in mind, most of the leads are already cast in LA and NY, even when a big film may be shooting in Ohio, for example, the producers may cast supporting roles and day players locally, so there are lots of opportunities to audition for big projects in our region.

And there are sooo many independent filmmakers in our region, making great indie shorts and features where you can audition to play great roles in interesting stories. Film and content is always being created, so there are a lot of opportunities to get yourself in front of the camera as an actor.”

Share some advice for folks wanting to become be tv actors? “First, be clear on WHY you want to be an actor. If it’s something you just want to do for fun, there are lots of community theatre & student film opportunities open to you. But if you aim to work professionally, being clear on why you want to pursue an acting career is the first big step. You have to really love what you do and be prepared to take classes, train and learn your craft.

When I was starting out in Dayton, I had to create my own opportunities. It was a great place to live cheaply and start creating. I did community theatre, small film projects, took every opportunity to act and grow my talents. Now, up and coming filmmakers and creatives have wonderful resources and organizations like Film Dayton to help folks to learn and connect with one another to foster film collaborations.

Advice for beginning actors? Read plays and scripts. Do stage plays. Make your own short films with your iPhone and put them on YouTube.

Network, network, network! Collaborate and support your fellow filmmakers. Build a team of creatives who can help you in your own projects.

Remember, it’s a journey, so be patient, be professional and be persistent in working toward your goals.”

scOtt summitt plays characters who are smart, funny and a little quirky. An accomplished film, TV, stage & voiceover actor, scOtt appears in standout co-star and guest star roles on NBC, UPTV Network, Comedy Central, feature films & web series. On- camera, on-microphone, or on-stage, scOtt’s dedication and commitment to his craft, coupled with his focus and lively energy, always leave you wondering what’s next from the guy who’s offbeat, smart, and full of heart. scOtt is a proud member of SAG- AFTRA.

*Editorial Note: That’s not a typo…his name is actually spelled that way (all lower case with a capital O).

scOtt summitt

Miami Valley native scOtt summitt represents the Gem City on the silver screen this holiday when he appears in the upcoming feature film BELIEVE, opening across the nation this December.

“I play a character named Charlie,” summitt says. “He’s a salt of the earth, no nonsense kind of fellow. A simple man with a big heart. He’s the right hand man to the lead character in his journey towards finding his hope again.”

The film was shot in Bristol and Grundy, Virginia earlier this year and completed post- production in Los Angeles in time for its December holiday release.

While the film has a holiday theme to it, summitt says the movie has an inspiring story that resonates with a lot of people and families.

“I really like the message of the film,” summitt explains. “The story’s about finding one’s hope during troubling times. It also touches on subjects like unemployment and homelessness, which provides a very timely and realistic backdrop for the story.”

Ryan O’Quinn, the star and one of the executive producers of the faith-based film, and writer- director Billy Dickson watched multiple casting auditions before seeing summitt’s audition submission for their project.

“We saw actors from New Orleans to New York and everywhere in between,” O’Quinn says. “In my opinion, one of the standouts was scOtt summitt.”

summitt’s casting came quickly via a self tape audition submitted through his talent agency.

“It was wild because it happened so fast,” summitt says. “My agent sent me the casting info on a Sunday night, I taped & submitted my scenes on Monday morning, and got the call that same evening. All within 24 hours! Later that week, I was in Bristol, Virginia for a month long shoot on the film.”

“His ability to authentically play the everyman character was a perfect compliment to my character and his genuine delivery in the film is truly a standout performance,” O’Quinn says of his co-star. “I enjoyed every minute on set with scOtt and look forward to any opportunity to work with him again.”

summitt, who grew up in the northern suburb of Vandalia, credits Dayton for giving him his unofficial start in the motion picture business.

“I’ve always loved movies since I was young, and you can say I cut my teeth on making movies growing up in Dayton,” summitt says.

“I used to shoot little films with the neighborhood kids on my Dad’s Super 8 camera,” summitt remembers. “Fantasy, spy films, silly stuff mostly. Nothing that would win any Oscars, but it certainly helped me to learn the process of film-making from the ground up.” believe_poster

The Christmas-themed film is written, produced and directed by Billy Dickson and stars Ryan O’Quinn (DAD DUDES, ALIAS, THAT THING YOU DO), Shawnee Smith (ANGER MANAGEMENT, BECKER), Danielle Nicolet (CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE), Isaac Ryan Brown (BLACKISH, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER), Kevin Sizemore (FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, WOODLAWN), and David DeLuise (WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE).

BELIEVE opens in theaters nationwide
on Friday, December 2nd.

About scOtt summitt:

scOtt summitt* is a professional actor and a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Raised in Dayton, he has worked in theatre, film, television, regional commercials, web series, and improv comedy in LA and the Midwest. Upcoming projects include roles in the feature film BELIEVE, the upcoming mockumentary film BOY BAND, and the upcoming Comedy Central series DETROITERS in 2017.

Additional acting credits can be found on his IMDb page: www.imdb.me/scOttsummitt For information about scOtt, visit his acting website at www.scOttsummitt.com.

Local Actor To Appear on Chicago PD TV Show

Miami Valley Actor Appears in Christmas Themed Film BELIEVE- Opening Nationwide Today.