Ever notice how a film gives credit to the complete production crew and cast?  Well, it’s time you get acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of  some of the people mentioned. This will help you as an actor. You want to understand & identify everyone you work with on-set, whether it be a big feature film or a small student film/tv show. So here are some definitions to help you: Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking to get discovered for your talents, it is definitely worth it to make a YouTube clip/video. You may be the next Justin Bieber! Throughout my years as a Casting Director, I have searched YouTube to find unique and interesting indvivudals for my castings.  As I have mentioned in previous blogs, you will most likely be asked to make videos for reality show submissions.  But if you have a video on YouTube this provides easy access for the Casting Director to see a sample of how you look on camera. Read the rest of this entry »

The term “Spring Fling” is very popular when it comes to events this time of year: There are often festivals and outings where vendors unite to advertise their businesses.  This weekend I bought a booth at a “Spring Fling” in Denver to promote my acting classes for children and teens that starts this May and to promote my Zumba classes.  Not only did I have the chance to talk to so many people about my business, I also networked with other vendors such as photographers and dance studio owners with whom I can cross-promote: YOU can go to these events and promote YOURSELF!

If you don’t have a business to promote, it is still a good idea to attend events like this….and promote yourself as an actor/model! It’s fun to check out the all the booths to learn about businesses and resources in you city or hometown.

By: Casting Director Courtney Maglione

Public speaking is some people’s greatest fear: It can be really intimidating to get up in front of an audience for a presentation, or a performance, even if you know your lines inside and out. Some people lose confidence when they feel other people will be judging them.  But if you have passion for what you’re doing, you just go for it.  Look at American Idol for example.  Some of the contestants have never performed in front of a room of 100 people. And now they have a live audience, celebrity judges, and millions of viewers of watching. Read the rest of this entry »

Hear our top three tips & tricks to help you land the part of your dreams:
1. Stay Focused – Energy is contagious, which can be a good and bad thing before a big audition.  If you are socializing in a room full of nervous actors, then you will most likely become nervous yourself.  Find a comfortable way to avoid conversation regarding the audition. It is important to stay focused and professional on the audition at hand. This is not a time to be a social butterfly.  Auditions are part of the job. Read the rest of this entry »

Being able to take direction during auditions is a skill that could make or break your chance of getting the gig.  The idea of taking direction seems so easy, but this can be a major roadblock for actors: you’d be surprised how something so simple can really be quite challenging. In most auditions I give actors a few opportunities to perform and I provide them with notes in between each take.  I might tell them to show more emotion, cheat towards the camera, perform their lines in a different tone etc.  If they do the second take without inserting the notes I gave them, a few negative thoughts come to mind. Read the rest of this entry »

Just because the leaves are falling doesn’t mean your motivation has to! Don’t let the change of season affect your motivation to pursue your dreams of success. Everyone gets a little sad when the summer comes to an end. But rather than looking at this time of year as an end, treat autumn as a beginning to jumpstart your way into new opportunities. The great thing about fall is that people are working and things are happening!

Read the rest of this entry »

Be courageous when it comes to your career and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Email your casting contacts to tell them what you’re up to and send a second email to people who didn’t respond. While sending cold emails is perfectly fine, popping in and or dropping by offices is not recommended. The person should know you are coming to see them. It will seem rude and uncalled for if you just drop by.

Read the rest of this entry »

Being on a reality dating show can be a good career move for some people, but if you are a serious actor, it is probably best to steer clear of these. The people who get the most exposure out of their reality dating show experience are the ones who are not seen in the most positive light by the public.  They are often the ones who are known for being obnoxious, crazy, and unintelligent.  And if you stand out enough for being that outrageous, you could end up with your own series like New York, who was originally cast in VH1′s Flavor of Love.  But that is pretty much what she will always be remembered for and it will be difficult for to ever remove herself from being typecast. Read the rest of this entry »

Andy Warhol once stated “In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”  If you have access to a computer, or a smart phone, fame is easily attainable.  Casting directors no longer have the time to approach strangers on the street, so it is up to you to market yourself the best way possible. Social media sites–Twitter, Facebook, YouTube– provide a platform for anyone to market his/her talent in an instant. The casting directors want to see what makes you special. Millions of people share the same dream but only one person will book a role. Get creative separate yourself from the crowd. Click here to check out this creative approach to a shooting a reel. Read the rest of this entry »

A few years ago I used to teach acting classes in NYC for ages 4-7. This is one of the most difficult age groups to train and a lot of Casting Directors try to steer clear of coaching the young kids. There are usually a few criers and a few hyper-active kids in each group. And if you have ever been a teacher, you know that it could just take one kid to put a damper on the experience for everyone else. When there are one or more kids who are having issues or lack discipline, they end up getting more attention than the well behaved kids who are following direction. However, there was one girl in my classes who was just phenomenal. Read the rest of this entry »