TYPECASTING – The process by which a film, TV, or stage actor is strongly identified with a specific character, or roles with the same traits. Sometimes an actor has been so strongly identified with a role that it is impossible to find work playing other characters. For years, William Shatner was always “Captain Kirk,” but his highly-acclaimed performance in Boston Legal has by now undone most of the Kirk typecast.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

CALL TIME – The time you have to report to the location you were assigned. This applies to any type of production set you step on to. You must always be on time. Be sure to figure out the exact directions the night before, there could be traffic or any unforeseen problems you should always take account for, you should be early and always know exactly where you are going and exactly where to report to.

By Jenny Rawdin, MTV Casting Director

PERIOD PIECE – A work (film, stage production, television show, etc…) set in a particular and specific era. This informal term covers all countries, all periods and all genres. It may be as long and general as the medieval era or as limited as one decade. Some popular period films made recently include Martin Scorcese’s Gangs of New York or Ridley Scott’s Gladiator starring Russell Crowe.

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

SCREEN TEST – A method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film and/or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a camera to see if they are suitable. Different types of actors will have different types of screen tests – for example, a lead for a musical could be requested to sing, dance, and act!

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

CHARACTER ACTOR – Someone who predominantly plays a particular type of role rather than leading ones. Character actor roles can range from bit parts to secondary leads, but they often play supporting roles, such as characters who do not undergo a major change in the course of the plot. Character actors such as John Turturro and Steve Buscemi have built their careers around small, yet distinctive roles.

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

BLIND AUDITION – An audition for an actor where there is no script for them to read from and they have to improvise lines. This allows a casting director to get a sense of the actor’s ability to improvise and his or her natural personality. Blind auditions happen at all levels of acting– for example, Eva Green’s first audition for the James Bond film Casino Royale was a blind audition!

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

SEAT FILLER – A person who takes up spare seats when the person allocated the seat is elsewhere. An example of this is the Academy Awards. When an audience member wins an award, a seat filler takes their place as they accept the award and deliver a speech. Seat fillers are primarily employed so that when TV cameras show audience shots there are not empty seats.

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

OVERACTING – The exaggeration of gestures and speech when acting, which may be unintentional, particularly in the case of a bad actor, or be required for the role. For the latter, it is commonly used in comical situations or to stress the evil characteristics of a villain (think Mike Myers as Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies). Overacting is sometimes known as “chewing the scenery.”

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

ACTING AGE – An age, or range of ages, that an actor lists on his or her résumé. It is not a claim to the actors’ actual age, but a suggestion as to what ages the actor considers themselves capable of credibly portraying, and it is very common for actors in their 20s and 30s to portray teens. For example, Stacey Dash played 17-year-old Dionne in Clueless at 28 and continued in the TV series until she was 32!

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

REACTION SHOT – A shot which cuts away from the main scene in order to show the reaction of a character to it. A reaction shot usually implies the display of some sort of emotion on the face of the actor being shown, and is usually a close-up shot. Reaction shots are critical in comedy, since the reaction of an actor to a dramatic incident provides a cue to the audience about how to respond themselves!

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer

DIALECT COACH – Someone who assists an actor in assuming a certain regional accent in order to perform convincingly. Dialect coaches are skilled in diction and linguistics, and don’t have to have the accent that they are teaching. Renée Zellweger most famously used a dialect coach for her role in Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Brad Pitt did as well when he played Irishman Mickey in Snatch!

By Alisha, InstantCast staff writer