Movies, television, and music can definitely become addicting and some people take their obsession to a higher level and become what I like to call “crazy fans.”

For example, the nation is currently teeming with Twilight addicts who know everything about the series, have pictures of Robert Pattinson all over their rooms, and wish that they were vampires! The idea of the “crazy fan” may seem silly and over the top…

…but that said, crazy fans make great television and pay a big role in promoting entertainment.

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As September approaches, students always get bummed out since the summer allows more time and flexibility to pursue interests like acting or modeling.  However, going to school can actually be a great opportunity to get cast when you least expect it!

In the past I have done several castings at schools, which has given me the opportunity to meet large amounts of people in the MTV demographic at once.

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As September approaches the Back to School theme is all over the media. TV shows, magazines, and commercials are all focused on getting ready for the trends of the new school year. This is a great opportunity to seek involvement in castings.

Talk shows and news programs are always promoting back to school fashion. This means they’re looking to cast models of all ages for runway segments.

When I worked at MTV we did this every year for TRL. We always wanted new faces to showcase the hottest looks.

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As a Casting Director, I meet as many actors as possible to build my database. Since I see so many faces, it is very common for me to forget someone’s name, especially if I run into them outside of the studio…unless they really stand out.

During one open call, I met a young, new actor who did just that: He didn’t have a unique look, but his personality was so great that he stayed on my mind.

We ended up casting him for a contest on TRL where he did a great job on-air. He also expressed interest in learning how production works on the other side of the camera. Like many ambitious new actors, he said he would love to work at MTV.

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I know I am always writing about how important it is to do your research and work hard.  And I still believe that.  However, you CAN get lucky! A lot of the casting I have done has been random.  I have met people at stores and on the streets and through friends of friends that just happened to be exactly what I was looking for.

As a Casting Director, I am constantly trying to complete a vision that is given to me by producers.

Producers are very clear about what they want and they hire me to find that.  Since this is my job and my passion, I have that imagined talent drilled into my mind until I find an appropriate amount of solid options to present to them.  Some of my best discoveries have been people who never even thought about being on TV!

I love to use this one example from TRL last year.  Read the rest of this entry »

The summer may be coming to an end, but the casting calls are as hot as ever.  I recently worked on a casting call in Denver for a national Honda commercial.

We have been auditioning tons of new talent for this gig and some lucky people who came out for the Denver audition will get booked for this great opportunity. Most of them were first-timers and this was a great experience for them to meet casting directors.

They also had a chance to do an on-camera audition for a big client. So how did these first-timers hear about this opportunity?

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Over the past few years finding talent online has become ALL the rage in the casting world. Sites such as YouTube and MySpace have helped to launch artists like Soulja Boy, Sara Bareilles, and Colbie Caillat!

This phenomenon continues as every record label out there fights to sign the bands with the most online hits. When I was working at MTV I cast a segment called ‘On Your Radar’ for Total Request Live.

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InstantCast is happy to introduce the newest member of our team… Casting Director Courtney Maglione! Courtney has worked in the casting business for many years and knows what you need to become a star.

She was one of the top casting directors at MTV on TRL (check out the pic on the left of Courtney & Justin Timberlake at the TRL finale!), My Super Sweet 16, Room Raiders… and more!

She’s great with kids and has worked for Nickelodeon casting adorable young talents for ME:TV. As if this isn’t enough, she ALSO teaches youth acting classes at The Performing Option Acting School!

Courtney Maglione will be available for phone casting consultations and any questions you may have. Click here to reserve your phone time with Courtney now!

By: Isabelle, InstantCast Editor

This week I’m awarding the 5,000 Red Carpet Bonus Points to Gold member, Shaun Nac. Shaun has been an avid InstantCast member since his start over a year ago. He has attended many of our InstantCast LIVE! events and he has found a lot of work through InstantCast! Check out what he wrote to me just the other day:

“ I would like to thank InstantCast for helping me find success and get cast: Through InstantCast I got cast in a Panasonic Print Ad and a Kuma War Foreign Language Video Game Voiceover Project. I also won the Indiana Jones Contest and got to go to the Early Screening of Indiana Jones and then be on TRL (Total Request Live), MTV. It is because of InstantCast that I was able to find the casting and apply and then finally get Panasonic Print Ad and Kuma War Foreign Language Video Game Voiceover Project booked. I thank you for all that and much more to come.”

Click here to meet Shaun Nac on InstantCast today!

One moment in the spotlight can lead to a major career makeover!

A new face on the MTV show The City got discovered on TRL last summer. (It’s a spoiler alert, so I can’t tell you who it is!)

She was on air telling us how much she liked a new music video, and everyone noticed her outgoing and vivacious personality, and how she shined on camera!

Well, MTV knew she had star potential, so they contacted her about appearing on The City. That one short moment on TRL led to a regular spot on MTV’s hottest new reality show!

So don’t turn down any chance to get onscreen – no matter how small. Anything can happen when you meet the right people!

By Jenny Rawdin, MTV Casting Director

Between reality TV, web series, and celebrity gossip shows, you can be a hot host of almost anything these days!

Go for any audition, no matter how big or small the gigs. Study up and know your stuff, especially when it’s a speciality show that focuses on fashion, cooking, or another niche. Try to come off as the show’s biggest fan and prove that you’re the most knowledgeable and the most charismatic too!

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