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 »

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

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

It’s not too late to get yourself noticed on TV, news or Internet in the most amazing Halloween Costume. Do Internet research and watch TV: almost every single TV talk show has a Halloween show. Once you’ve got your costume organized you should attend different Halloween parties, gatherings, parades and NETWORK!

You should try to attend different events thrown by radio stations and or local TV stations. Maybe you will get interviewed and you can add these little events to your reel and or resume. Attending events like these are fun and exciting; they also mold you and teach you how to get your foot into the door. Remember to always act professional even though your outfit may be “out there!” Just remember to start your night early and plan ahead…the more creative the better chance you will get to get noticed!

Happy Halloween!

By: Casting Director Jenny Rawdin

It’s never easy to go through things alone…especially in this business where there are many ups and downs.  But sometimes those ups and downs can be exciting if you have the right person to experience things with.  There are a lot of people out their trying to find acting gigs, and although it is competitive, it helps to have a friend who has the same goals as you.  Having a partner can help you find new casting calls, keep you motivated, read lines with, work out with you, and give you sound advice. 

A good friend in the same industry can help you see the light during the struggles that come with just starting out.  It’s always nice to have a go to person that can probably relate to what you are going through…they may even end up inspiring you.  So instead of looking at others in your industry as a threat, team up and make the most out of the relationship.

By: Casting Director Courtney Maglione

The life of a performer can definitely be a roller coaster. You can go from working several gigs at once to none at all. This unpredictable spin makes life challenging and can affect you physically as well as emotionally.

Say you aren’t working– you might wake up everyday at noon and go to the gym, cook meals, run errands, meet up with friends. Then all of a sudden, you have a new gig that involves 12 hour days and a bad commute.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just about everyone feels most comfortable in their home city, where they have developed close relationships with friends and coworkers. It’s refreshing to go to your favorite coffee stop, see your local hairdresser, jog by your favorite park, and so on.

However, in this business, you may not always have the comfort of being in your hometown. But there are also amazing opportunities where you go on location!

And I know it sounds great, but I can tell you from personal experience that a long term adjustment is not always easy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Appearances ARE everything in this industry…and that goes for your on-paper appearance too! Let’s face it…chances are your first impression on a casting director will be on paper/via email…not in person. That’s why it’s extra important to have a sleek, gramatically correct resume and cover letter: one typo and you may be thrown into the wastebin! Click here to let me write your resume and cover letter today. I’m here to help you…let’s get going.

Just last week I wrote Melissa Perez’ resume and cover letter and resume. She was so impressed with our services that she’s now getting headshots through InstantCast. Click here to get your resume made right now.

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor

Friends are there for you in your personal life (well the good ones are, anyway) so why not in your professional life too! You should ask your friends to lend you a helpful eye or hand when you are sending a cover letters, thank you notes, or a new resume to Casting Directors. It’s always good to be given constructive criticism. InstantCast has a resume & cover letter service to help you too. Click here to find out more. Also, when you are starting to put your reel and or any footage of you in action together, ask a friend to take a look at it before it goes out to anyone in the industry.

Have a little screening party for them and make them feel special! It is very probable that you missed something because you’re so immersed in it. So your friends’ eyes will also let you know if your reel and/or video is eye-catching ! Read the rest of this entry »

People often think that after they walk out of an amazing interview or audition…they’re done. Then they just enter the waiting game, hoping to hear the good news. Well, if you want to get an edge on your competition, you need to continue to make yourself stand out…especially after the interview! A great way to do this is a simple thank you note. As a busy Casting Director who always meets lots of people, it’s definitely a nice gesture that keeps certain actors fresh in my mind.

If you feel it is an immediate casting, shoot an email to whoever auditioned you right when you get home, but be sure to keep it short and sweet. People don’t like to read long emails…especially in this fast-paced industry, so be sure to keep it to 3-5 sentences. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever heard the expression ‘if you scratch my back I will scratch yours’? If you have free “stuff” from a movie premiere, or memorabilia from the show you recently attended,  give it to someone else who might appreciate it more then you! What goes around comes around: when you give to friends you never know who they’ll help put you in contact with! This action is also known as Pay it Forward. You shouldn’t do this just get a response or something back…you should do something like this for yourself and to make other people happy. In this industry, good acts of faith go a long way. Read the rest of this entry »