See What Mariah Carey Looks Like in a Swimsuit [US]
Box office preview: ‘A Christmas Carol’ set to bring some cheer to the box office [EW]
Australian Officials Target Britney Spears’s Lip-Synching [People]
Lady Gaga Plans To Battle Her ‘Monsters’ During Monster Ball Tour [MTV]
Sarah Jessica Parker Adores Her ‘Sex in the city’ Buddy, Dirty Diapers [PopEater]

By: Desirea LaSalle, Instantcast Staff Writer

I’ve been casting a show for HGTV now for the past few months.  People who get opportunities like these usually aren’t accustomed to being on TV:  often reality TV talents don’t realize how much time it takes to make a show that ultimately only lasts 22 minutes on air!  A lot of work goes into making a show and non-actors are usually totally unaware of all of the work it takes to even select people for reality shows! Casting is not about just picking the prettiest faces in the bunch that apply.  The main things I look for when casting for reality TV are a good personality and a great story.

I also take into consideration how reliable the person seems.  Due to the time commitment, I wouldn’t want to risk casting someone who isn’t reliable. This is a fast paced business and if you want it, you need to make the big commitments or you might not be cut out for it! Read the rest of this entry »

In this tight economy, we all need to find ways to make some extra cash. Here is a fun way: Be an extra! The CW’s popular TV drama One Tree Hill is holding an open casting call for people ages 18 and up. Click here to apply on InstantCast right now! Next Wednesday, they’re shooting a large concert scene. One Tree Hill extra Elaine Brown says “I’m actually a realtor, but as you know things are slow right now, so we can use any little bit of help that we can get. So I fill in the blank spaces when I come over here and work.”

Another extra Mary Evelyn Szuchan says, “I enjoy this. I’m retired and I don’t really have a lot to do. I enjoy doing this because it gets me out and make new friends and I love it.” Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re in New York City right now, you’re probably hearing the echoing cheers of hundreds of Yankees fans. The ticker tape parade in honor of the Yankees kicks off at 11:00am at Battery Place and will proceed up the “Canyon of Heroes” to City Hall. There Mayor Bloomberg will present them with a Key to the City!

So what are you waiting for? Get downtown and be a part of the action! You could be interviewed by a multitude of media outlets and just get into the excitement of it all. And rumor has it that famous Yankee girlfriends Kate Hudson, Minka Kelly, and Gossip Girl actress Joanna Garcia will all be joining the parade!

Read the rest of this entry »

Patience and understanding is a big part of this industry that is often overlooked.  As a Casting Director, I run into this because I’ve seen teenagers and adults become impatient working with children during classes and on set.  I’ve taught acting classes where the kids range from ages 3-18.  In some cases, we do not break up age groups and the younger kids read lines with the older kids.  I often hear complaints from the teenagers about the behavior of the younger kids in class.

Remember, part of being successful in this industry is honing in on your ability to acclimate yourself to all types of people and situations: Not everyone you work with will be at your level. It is important to stay focused and help out your acting partner rather than feeling “above” your comrade. If you are not in classes with children, rehearse with relatives or friends’ kids to prepare yourself for working with young actors. The more experience and understanding you have with this, the better you will look when you’re cast in this type of situation!

By: Casting Director Courtney Maglione

Kate Hudson Helps Alex Rodriguez Celebrate Yankees’ World Series Winomg [US]
Janet Jackson To Discuss Michael’s Death On ABC Special [MTV]
Taylor Swift on ‘SNL’: Let the Kanye yukks begin [EW]
Angie’s Back and Rugged in ‘Salt’ [PopEater]
The Fit 5: Tips to Feel (and Look) Like a Star! [People]

By: Desirea LaSalle, InstantCast Staff Writer

Allright angsty American teens…this one’s for you! The hit BBC teen drama Skins is now coming to the USA! MTV is casting for charismatic and edgy teens for this new series. MTV’s casting agents are looking for 15-18 year old non-actors of all types and ethnicities. Click here to apply now. The UK series jumpstarted the career of Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel. The racy UK mega-hit, currently in its fourth season, depicts teens as they cope with real-life issues including homosexuality, pregnancy, anorexia, drugs, fractured families, and all the rest. Casting agent Kim Madalinski says “We need real people with real life experiences and the courage to show it.”

Though the the US version will be ultimately set in Baltimore (ahem!), casting calls—specifically aimed at those without acting experience—have been announced only for NYC and Toronto so far. Click here to get all the audition information on InstantCast right now!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

1. Update your InstantCast profile. Add new photos, upload new videos, and edit your profile information. We want to know what you’re up to!
2. Stand out from the competition with professional headshots from photographers we recommend.
3. Find support within the InstantCast community. Get advice from casting director Jenny and Courtney by clicking here and book a time to speak to them on the phone.
4. Let me to help you make a sleek, professional resume and cover letter readily available to email to casting directors and agencies nationwide. Click here to get going now.
5. Stay active on InstantCast. The more things you do, the more exposure you get, the more casting directors will see your name and notice you!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

Kim Kardashian Takes a Punch to the Face [People]
Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin Hosting the Oscars [US]
Stars of Football and Food Get the Boot on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ [PopEater]
Russell Brand Opens Up About Monogamy And Katy Perry [MTV]
Jon Gosselin Walks Out on Interview with Glassman [NBC]

By: Desirea LaSalle, InstantCast Staff Writer

We’re halfway through the week and this week’s fantasy casting contests are now in full swing! Check out your competition by clicking here and see who’s in the lead. Right now the top three contestants & contests are:
- June Define is leading Who’s the Next Female Star to Act in a Female-Cast Sports Film like “A League of Their Own”?
- Destiny Wilkins is leading Who Should Get Cast in the “Fields of Dream” Sequel?
- Averi Harris is leading Who Should Sing with the Cast of “Glee” at the World Series?

Click here for a full listing of all 15 contests and join in the fun right now!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

Apply to today’s top ten casting calls before it’s too late:
1. Get cast in a Doritos Superbowl commercial!
2. Find fame in the new HBO show Treme!
3. Win $1 mullion dollars on NBC’s new game show Perfect 10!
4. Be in Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2 with Shia LaBeouf!
5. Get featured in The Killers’ new music video “Guadalupe!”
6. Land a lead role in the new Coen Brothers film!
7. Play basketball in the new Mira Sorvino film Sweetwater!
8. Earn up to $1 million dollars on the new season of Survivor!
9. Star in your own photo shoot with Adam Lambert!
10. Find your soulmate on ABC’s Dating in the Dark!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor