AMANDA WINSTON - News

2026 is on Fire

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

-Hello friends! I've shifted this format to roughly quarterly updates with more frequent updates on my Instagram and Facebook pages - here is where you can get more details and behind the scenes info, while on socials you can get first notice/access about upcoming events, interviews, and projects.

Now on to the Q1-Q2 update.... a little behind because 2026 is ON FIRE! (in more ways than one...)

If you haven't seen it on my socials or heard yet, I have hit a huge personal milestone and made my network television debut with a co-star role in NBC's Chicago Fire ep. 14014 "Hit and Run"! The episode is out on Peacock, and you'll see me as a concerned neighbor near the beginning of the episode, filling in Lieutenant Severide (Taylor Kinney) on dangerous falling debris in the neighborhood. It's a small role but a huge win, and I'd like to share a little behind the scenes of what goes into this sort of booking when you're not already a Hollywood 'name' actor.

Through my agents at Gray Talent Group, I have been auditioning for the NBC One Chicago shows since 2021, generally for 5 line or less co-star roles, or the occasional bigger guest star role. In Chicago, landing a role of any size on one of these shows is a major goal for many working actors, and I know for some folks they've been auditioning to get their first role much longer than I have. Over the last year or so, I've been 'pinned' (which means the final group of maybe 3-5 options presented to producers) a handful of times, and have been eagerly crossing my fingers that I was close to booking one. When I finally got the news I'd booked the 'Neighbor' role in December last year, I nearly cried - absolutely overjoyed! We filmed roughly a week later just before the winter holiday filming hiatus (which these shows go on every year), and then I sat on the news silently until the actual episode aired on March 11th. My agents shared out the announcement I'd be on the episode the same day, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief, tuned in, and got to see myself share the screen on network TV with actors I've been watching and admiring for years.

So why stay silent? Probably the most important, NBC has pretty strict NDAs about what you can share. The other key reason I didn't even 'vague post' about it, was out of fear and a touch of imposter syndrome that my scene was going to get cut. For smaller co-star roles (5 lines or less), getting 'cut for time' from TV shows is incredibly common - and in fact I've seen it happen to several of my actor friends, who had to inform their loved ones in disappointment, cancelling watch parties and making public announcements that their big moment wasn't airing after all. Imposter syndrome is real. I've never done network TV before! What if my performance wasn't "good enough" to make the cut? Was I too boring, too big, or just not "TV material"? Thankfully the editors saw fit to keep my scene in the episode, and the outpouring of support from friends and family has been really wonderful.

The week the episode came out, I had a lot of exciting actor news & work tumble out all at once - table reads for upcoming projects, filming for my next Kissing Kastles feature, a new commercial coming out, and an industrial shoot (more on all those later). But the reality is that week was a busy 'pop' between weeks of quiet. And this particular milestone comes after nearly 5 years of auditioning for the same One Chicago shows, including a full change up of casting offices during that time. Booking Chicago Fire was super exciting - I am meteorically thrilled to finally say I've been on network TV and am officially SAG-Eligible. To the other working actors out there hustling for that next milestone, I just want to say I see you and the less visible and uncelebrated wins; and those wins matter just as much as the splashy ones. Keep going, and don't forget to actually live your life between auditions ;)

In other news, I've been keeping busy on the indie film front!

~Drum roll please~ VIC EFFECTS with Kissing Kastles Productions has officially landed distribution, with X4 Pictures!!! Getting physical and streaming distribution for a low budget indie is no small feat, and we are stoked the world can now watch our 'odyssey of sound and fury'. We've had some great recent reviews from Graeae Horror as well as Del Gibson with Horror Central (who also recently reviewed Evil Lurks). Grab a copy or check us out on streaming (link)!

Next up for Kissing Kastles Productions is the horror drama HUG THESE BONES, which is currently filming. As I mentioned in my last post, I play a supporting character Sasha in this one, who happens to be a professional slap fighter! I already got to film my "Battle Slap" scenes with stunt woman and actor extraordinaire Destiny Campos, along with some other faces Evil Lurks fans might recognize. I shoot my final scenes later this month, and then soon after the film will go into post-production. More to come as the film progresses!

Refinery Film's FASHION KILLERZ will be kicking off filming in May, with some recently announced casting updates! Make sure to follow the official Refinery Films Facebook page for the latest updates, behind the scenes peeks, and opportunities to get involved. We had an initial table read last month, with another coming up soon and I can already tell this is going to stand out among the indie slashers.

In the commercial world, the fine folks at Demo Duck having been seeing a lot of me over the last few months, shooting 3 additional concepts for Rippling (for a total of 5) in addition to a new spot for Ellucian Student just last week. I love working with this easy-going team of professionals who put out some really high quality work. Check out my Youtube playlist of the Rippling clips I've gathered so far!

And finally, I've been lucky enough to get some additional repeat work in 2026 from industrial (internal video) work for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as well as McGraw Hill. I'm always thrilled when a client wants to bring me back in for more!

Phew - if you've made it this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart! See you around for my next update, and remember please follow me on Instagram and Facebook for the most current news!

Cheers <3

A time for the Macabre

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Spooky season may be over, but for those of us who keep it ghoulish all year round, the shorter days are perfect for cozying up with the macabre.

The Chicago Horror Film Festival was a blast with the VIC EFFECTS team. We got to premiere our feature during the festival, and met a bunch of filmmakers and horror fans in the process. We even took home an award for Best Horror Actor for Katelin Stack's performance! Not long after this, we also learned we were semi-finalists in the Chicago Amarcord Arthouse Television and Film Awards. It's been super gratifying to see this little horror adventure find success on the festival circuit, and hoping to have some distribution news in the not-so-distant future.

Next up, was the premiere of ALIEN IN THE HEARTLAND at the historic Strand Theatre in Shelbyville, IN. We blasted off with a fantastic crowd, including a bunch of my family in the area. Aliens are back, baby! And you can now purchase the film on blu-ray, with festival and streaming news likely on the horizon.

Keeping with the macabre theme, I am excited to announce I'll be playing Sasha in Kissing Kastles Production next feature, HUG THESE BONES! This film is a haunting, emotional drama about family, forgiveness, and the darkness we carry when love and pain become inseparable. The film follows the lead character Malcolm, played be the indomitable Bill. D. Russell. He struggles to navigate how to heal himself and the family he broke apart (I play one of his daughters) while battling addiction and his own demons. His healing journey takes a turn when he starts working with a mysterious cuddle therapist, Rainey, who has her own torment to bear; and it's hungry. We plan to start filming Dec into January!

And now for something totally different - keep an eye out for commercials from Thomson Reuters and Rippling, and you may catch a glimpse or two of your truly! I have a few fleeting moments in Thomson Reuters as half of a husband/wife duo dealing with insurance. I'm the hero of a couple Rippling spots, which was a great deal of fun working in some quirky bits and moments.

That's all for now - go watch some spooky movies and don't let the winter glooms take you down!

It's SPOOKY Screening Season!

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:40:03 GMT

It's past Sept 15, which means according to my husband it is officially SPOOKY SEASON! And to be honest, I fully agree. Drink a pumpkin beverage, decorate with ghoulies, hit up a haunted house; and most importantly -- GO SEE SOME SCARY MOVIES! The Hollywood studios & indies always do well this time of year with scary films, but if you want to see emerging indie horror film (we're talking budgets in the thousands or less, not millions) laying the groundwork for your next favorite villain, surprising new approaches to cinema, and fresh talent - you have to hit up the horror film fests and local premieres.

I am so exited to share that VIC EFFECTS is getting its Chicago debut at the massive and renowned Chicago Horror Film Festival, taking place at the historic Logan Theatre in Chicago from Sept 26-28th! We are screening on Saturday, Sept 27th in Block 5 on Screen 2, approximately 8pm CT. Tickets for all dates including weekend VIP passes are on sale now! I'll be there for the full weekend, and you'll definitely catch other members of the cast/crew. I am so stoked that our film finally gets its premiere in my home city for the last 14+ years, Chicago! #ChicagoStrong

AND - breaking news as today, ALIEN IN THE HEARTLAND is officially landing in the heartland for its premiere on October 3rd at the (also historic) Strand Theatre in Shelbyville, IN! Aliens are back baby, and boy are they causing problems. Grab your tickets to this one night only event at StrandShelby.org and join the cast for the red carpet around 7pm, for a 7:30pm screening.

What spooky season films are YOU looking forward to?

A Premiere of Sound & Fury!

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT

They day finally came, and we premiered Vic Effects for the very first time on the big screen! We had a killer audience who kept us long after our Q&A time, grabbed posters/hats/merch of call kinds, and I hope left the theater thrilled by the wild ride that this movie has become. I'm really proud of how this film came out, and I'm so excited it to share with wider audiences down the road. For now we're working the festival circuit, looking into distribution, and getting ready to fulfill backer orders for their copies. Check out photos from the red carpet, the premiere and Q&A, and audience reactions below!

Summer Updates

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 20:06:10 GMT

Chicago summer marches on, sometimes unbearably hot, but always with something going on. And there is plenty happening here!

Commercial
One step closer to Grey's Anatomy dreams... while wearing Gray's Anatomy branded scrubs while playing a surgeon for a regional Stryker commercial ;) She's a foot doctor that knows how to use a bone saw! Stryker sells specialized medical equipment, and I had a great day on set 'playing doctor' with my scene partner, who was a good sport with all the foot fondling that was required to get the necessary shots.

Industrial
I shot and recorded my new scenes and VO the National Restaurant Association and their ongoing work to update and digitize the ServSafe program. In past sessions, I've always worked solo, so it was a delight to run into some fellow actors at the Motion Source studios this time around!

Film
Vic Effects promotion is in full swing as we get closer to the official premiere and enter festival season - and we rang in the season with a win right off the jump at the Dunwich Horror Fest, with Best Feature! This is the first of several festivals we've submitted to and hoping to get selected for more we can attend in person. In the meantime, if you're anywhere near St. Charles, IL or willing to make the trip, we are so excited for the official premiere coming up on August 13th at 7pm! Tickets are on sale now at tinyurl.com/vic-effects. Most of the cast and crew will be there and we can't wait to see this odyssey of sound and fury the way it's meant to be seen - on the big screen! You can also check out a recent interview the we did with Reaper's Underground under the Interviews tab on the homepage or on youtube.

Grinners 2: Fashion Killerz officially broke the $15k fundraising mark on IndieGogo! It's a massive accomplishment, and every bit helps so if you're looking to snag a unique perk the campaign remains In Demand on IndieGoGo! We are set to start filming in May of 2026 and it's gonna get gnarly ;)

Meanwhile, Alien in the Heartland has debuted its first trailer (now listed under theTrailer tab on the homepage) and the full original motion picture soundtrack, now available on Spotify! The film is still in post-production and no premiere or festival news yet, but I would expect an announcement sometime this fall.

Finally, I had a blast attending the Chicago premiere of This is Our City. This movie is stupidly funny, and if you have the chance to see it I can't recommend it enough if you want a movie that will make you cackle start to finish. I'm so glad this Vegas-based team decided to do a Chicago premiere (featuring a handful of excellent Chicago talent, in addition to my blink and you'll miss it role). Look out for a potential NYC premiere!

Gemini Season is here!

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Happy Gemini Season! Here's the latest from your resident Gemini, big news in the FILM section below!

Reels
You can now view my updated commercial reel and updated VO reel on my website!

Commercial
Last month, I the pleasure of shooting with Rate Companies for a social campaign as well as videos for their app. Look for your friendly red-headed loan officer on social media or in the Rate app soon! If you're a Chicagoan, yes, this is the same Rate that sponsors the White Sox stadium ;)

Voiceover
I'm happy to share that I'll be collaborating with the National Restaurant Association again on some voiceover and video work for their internal materials. One of my first gigs after post-lockdown was with these fine folks, and they were truly so easy to work with and I'm glad to be back working with them once again. You'll also hear some of my more recent industrial/corporate VO work on my new VO reel linked above.

Film
So many fun projects are cooking in indie film-land this summer!

This is Our City with Pretty Pretty Powerbomb Productions just had a super successful premiere in Las Vegas, and I'm excited to say we're getting a CHICAGO premiere as well in June! I have a small quick role in this one and I can't wait to see this hilarious ensemble cast on the big screen.

Speaking of premieres....Vic Effects with Kissing Kastles will have it's Chicago-land (St. Charles) premiere on August 13th! Tickets are on sale now for this 'horror odyssey of sound and fury'. This film was an absolute labor of love from Kissing Kastles founder and Vic Effects writer/director Chris Shern and his small dedicated team - it was an absolute honor to get to work so closely with Chris and everyone involved to bring this wild ride to life. There will be at least one more chance to see Vic Effects on the big screen in the Fall in Chicago - stayed tuned for an official announcement. And now, you can watch the official trailer!

If you love aliens, then you'll be excited for one; you'll see me soon as sci-fi writer Amanda Stone in Alien in the Heartland, the next feature from Eric Pascarelli and Pascarelli Pictures. This Indiana-set War of the Worlds meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers sci-fi thriller has some great surprises in store. The official poster has been revealed - trailer followed by any festival/premiere announcements to come soon!

And last but certainly not least.... I am beyond excited to announce that I'll be playing Stella in Grinners 2: Fashion Killerz from Refinery Films! When I heard that the Grinners short was getting a feature length sequel, I knew I had to submit right away. Jarod Hussey and his team at Refinery Films are dedicated to scrappy indie horror and sci-fi films built on teamwork, grit, and practical effects with unforgettable characters built in the heart of the midwest. Lady Possum is out there, and she wants you to take the vow.... join the blood-soaked mayhem by grabbing an exclusive perk and contributing to the Grinners 2: Fashion Killerz funding campaign on IndieGoGo!

#GingersTakingOver

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Sharing some fun new commercial content!

I recently did a commercial for Hard Mountain Dew Code Red, which is exceedingly silly but a whole lot of fun.

Full length version here

And here's a creative recut highlighting yours truly 😉

I also recently had the pleasure of working with filmmakers (director, writer) Jack Lawrence and (DP) Austin Vinas on a spec commercial for Petco, starring my new feline best friends, Strawberry and Malibu.

For those who aren't familiar, a spec commercial is like a sample or "fake" commercial for a brand for the purposes of showing off a filmmaker's aesthetic, skills, and creative vision.

Check it out!

Midwinter stirrings

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 06:00:00 GMT

After a busy summer and existential autumn, it's been a snoozy winter, sprinkled with a few moments of excitement as 2025 unfolds. Here's what I've been up to since my last update!

Theatre

Performing in No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre with the Chicago Parks Department this last fall was an absolute dream. The experience of playing Inez with this group of people really exceeded any expectations I had, with wonderful audiences, and a supportive and insanely talented cast. What a gift to honor text as rich as this.

I briefly reunited with Dracula: The Count's Kin director, Eric Pascarelli doing voiceover work for his client Arcutis for an internal announcement video. Always happy to work my fellow CHS alum, with or without the vampires!

Commercial

My first national commercial is on the air! Be on the lookout for Single Care commercials, and you may spot me making sure you always check the Single Care price at the pharmacy. You can see my updated Commercial Reel on my homepage which includes a clip from the commercial.

Print

I shot some print work with Justen Funeral Homes last fall, which may start appearing in their print materials, website, and social media sometime in the near future. The team was lovely to work with and I was impressed by the many beautiful and meaningful ways Justen Funeral Homes offers to memorialize loved ones.

Film

Indie horror feature Vic Effects is continuing through post-production and hit the incredible milestone of breaking $7k on our IndieGoGo support campaign! We're an "in-demand" campaign, so you can still contribute and claim awesome perks such as posters, DVD/Blu-rays, and even producer credits. Kissing Kastles productions is building the Vic Effects universe, and this is just the beginning of a new horror odyssey. I believe so much in what Kissing Kastles is doing, I've signed on as an Associate Producer as well!
Dracula: The Count's Kin is getting an LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Blvd, as part of the Golden State Film Festival! We're showing on February 18th, Theatre 4 Block NNN (subject to change). Check out the full schedule and to buy tickets. Stop by if you're in LA, or you can always stream the film on Tubi & Prime Video.
I picked up a fun quick role on Joseph Galizia's upcoming feature with Pretty Pretty Powerbomb Productions, This is Our City. Check me out as a 'Viral Social Media User' in this crime drama meets mockumentary comedy, featuring talent from Las Vegas, LA, Nashville, and Chicago. I met the writer/director Joey years ago in Chicago when we both got involved in a film project out of Tennessee. While that film never fully came to fruition, we've stayed in contact over the years and found a great opportunity to finally collaborate. Joey is always up to some unhinged hilarious stuff (I will never forget his one-man Nic Cage fringe fest show *chef's kiss*), so I guarantee this will be a fun ride.
I'll be flexing my 'newscaster' voice once more in my next role, but this time on camera! I've been cast as a Newscaster in the upcoming cosmic horror feature from Refinery Films, Riverlight. I first learned about Refinery Films from the DP of Tin Roof, Derek Huey. He worked on Refinery Films much anticipated upcoming short Grinners (starring horror icon Joe Bob Briggs!). When I heard they were auditioning for their next project, I jumped at the chance. Check for me reporting the news about the mysterious happenings in the Mississippi Valley in Riverlight - filming fall of 2025.

Hoping to have more news soon, in the meantime - stay safe, stay weird, stay creative!

A Mess of Summer Updates!

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 20:46:07 GMT

Happy Summer, team! It's my favorite season and I've been enjoying the hell out of it and I hope you are too. I have a whole bucket of updates for you, so let's dive in.
Promotion

If you haven't noticed the updated website banner... I have new headshots! Ya girl got bangs, and she's keeping them ;). Headshot photographer Tyler Core is an absolute JOY to work with - totally gets how to put actors at ease and get those great personality shots. Khaki Pixley did a bang up job with my hair and make-up. In love with the cut & color (by hair genius Robert Gardner), and these new shots. Check a few out below!
Back in April I sat down with Travis Bruce of Horror Realm to talk about my recent horror projects, the upcoming Vic Effects. Check out the interview on Youtube, and in my updated "Interviews" tab under Clips on the Homepage.
In addition to the new "Interviews" tab mentioned above (where you can also find my interview with Al Lucard), I've updated the home page with additional short films and trailers - check them out!

Film

Dracula: The Count's Kin had it's red carpet premiere near my hometown, in Indianapolis! It was a fabulous occasion with the majority of cast and crew present, along with a sold out audience of family, friends, and fans. I was lucky enough to have a large group of loved ones along to see the film up on the big screen at Living Room Theaters Indy. Next up is the festival circuit, and potentially streaming platforms in the fall.
Tin Roof ALSO had it's premiere this summer - at the Skyline Drive-in in Shelbyville, IN. Sadly, I wasn't able to join that premiere in person, but I am so proud of the team of artists and horror lovers that came together to bring this love-letter to 80's slashers to life. Tin Roof is now available to purchase on DVD and Blu-ray!
Vic Effects with Kissing Kastles Productions is well into post-production. Don't forget to check out our teaser trailer and watch the Kissing Kastles Instagram page for all the latest updates, including podcast/youtube interviews with Chris Shern (director/KKP founder), behind the scenes peeks, and more.
The 6 episode Creative Juices the 7th D&D PSA spin-off web-series I directed has completed filming! The official name is (drumroll please....) "Kimothy and the Value of Healing"! We're in the final edit of all episodes, and you can check out the official announcement trailer on youtube and below.

Dracula: The Count's Kin - premiere at Living Room Indy Theaters. Photo by Todd Somerville

Members of the Tin Roof cast and crew at the Skyline Drive In premiere.

Voiceover

Earlier this month I added two new commercial clients to my VO roster: Bosch Appliances and CarMax! Both were great to work with. The Bosch ad in particular I got to have a lot of fun doing my version of a Batman voice, so if it goes to air trust that I'll be sharing it far and wide!
The new series, Greatest Prison Escapes with Billy Hayes has all episodes now streaming in the UK, coming to US audiences in the future. Limited episodes available on Youtube - you can hear my VO as the newscaster at the top of episode 1! I also can be heard as the newscaster VO in episodes 103, 106, and 108.

Commercial

Back in March, I shot a regional spot for VIBE Credit Union. This ad campaign will be localized to the Detroit area. I had a great time dancing around on set giving my best renditions of "That's My Vibe!" Below is a great photo of the talent and production team from the shoot - if I can find any official ads from the campaign I'll definitely share!
My ABC Plumbing commercials continue to pop up in the Chicago-land area, and I caught a social media ad featuring everyone's favorite red-headed plumber below.

Talent and production team on the set of the Vibe Credit Union shoot with MIchael Walters Advertising

ABC social media ad featuring "Amanda the Plumber"!

Theatre

I am beyond thrilled to announce I have been cast as in a play this fall! I will be playing Inez in No Exit, by Jean-Paul Sartre. This classic of dramatic literature has been a bucket-list play, and Inez a bucket-list role, since I first encountered the work in high school. It is such a rich, fascinating piece and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it. This production is under the direction of Eileen Tull, who has been making waves in Chicago with The Fat Theatre project, her solo performance projects, directing and teaching work, and beyond. I met her at a staged reading for Red Theater and knew she was someone to watch. No Exit is part of the Chicago Parks Department programming and tickets are free to the public - seating is limited so it is highly recommended you reserve a seat in advance. Performances are Thurs-Sundays, Sept 5-15th. I will post how to reserve a seat and any official announcements as soon as I can!

Phew - more to share than I realized! Despite how busy things seem, I'm ready to add some new projects to the roster. Auditioning like mad and if you're a filmmaker or casting director with a juicy role in your indie flick (horror or otherwise) - you know where to find me ;)

In Like a Lion

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:13:11 GMT

March coming in like a lion! 🦁

The Latest:
Ended Feb with some VO work for the upcoming season of Greatest Prison Escapes, hosted by Midnight Express author Billy Hayes. You'll hear my voice as the newscaster on episodes 101, 103, 106, and 108.

My local commercial spots with ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling and Electric are getting regular play in Chicagoland. Currently I only have low-quality clips I recorded from the TV on my phone, but I'm hoping to have cleaner clips to share soon! If you see a female plumber with a red pony-tail; that's me!

Filmed my scenes as Detective Gwen Scott for the vampire feature Dracula: the Counts Kin with Pascarelli Productions at the historic Charles Davis Mansion is Shelbyville, Indiana. It was so fun to reunite with writer and director Eric Pascarelli. I've known Eric since middle school when we performed in school musical production together, "Little Miss Christie". I'd like to think we've both come a long way :)

The short Lost in Love, in which I played a lead, got a bunch of awards from 4theatre film festival, including Best Director, Best Short Comedy, Best Short Romance, Best Original Score, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. I'm so glad our little rom-com is getting some recognition!

We've been continuing to film the DND PHB PSAs: TNG spinoff web-series (name TBD). We're about halfway through the 6 episodes, and I have learned so much along the way about directing for camera. I think folks will enjoy our nerdy heartfelt miniseries.

jAnd I just got word I've booked another commercial shooting next week! This one will be local to the Detroit area, and I'll share more when I'm allowed to. 🤫

And don't forget Vic Effects with Kissing Kastles Productions is still roaring ahead - at least 1 more film date for me. Director and KKP founder Chris Shern has been promoting Vic Effects as well as Evil Lurks on the podcast circuit to get the word out. Check out his latest podcast interview here (also available on Spotify and iTunes)