People (including myself!) initially get attracted to the entertainment industry because it seems so glamorous. I remember when I was in college and trying to do everything I could to get in the door at MTV. I was having mentors review my resume, networking as much as possible, and constantly on the internet researching different contacts to reach out to: The hard work paid off and I landed my first internship at the MTV Studios! However, it was in the video library. No celebrity sightings, no opportunities to be on set, and I was lucky if I even got to be on the phone with a producer. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s no lie that there’s A LOT of competition in this business!  But whatever route you take in this business…be sure to do it with intention.  If you end up being one of the fortunate people to get national exposure or even local exposure…make the most out of your time in the limelight.  When I was casting for MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 we found a lot of kids who were doing just that.  Take Teyana Taylor for example.  She was already in works with Pharell to develop her career as an up and coming hip hop artist.  She applied for Sweet 16 before anyone really knew who she was.  She had the personality fit for the show and also some unique ideas that made her episode one of the highest rated on the network! 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 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

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 »