Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #castinglovesyou
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Alright. Controversial opinion:
I don't like unsolicited self-tapes.
It's happening more and more. Reps/Actors/Coaches get the materials and just pass it along to some of their other clients/friends/talent to tape.
But here's the thing...
I don't like unsolicited self-tapes.
It's happening more and more. Reps/Actors/Coaches get the materials and just pass it along to some of their other clients/friends/talent to tape.
But here's the thing...
Casting teams have a very specific process we go through to select people to audition. It employs a number of factors depending on the role, the character arc, our other cast members, production logistics, budget, etc. Not all of that stuff is listed in the breakdown.
You might have sent in an unsolicited tape, but ultimately cannot be considered for the role because of one of the aforementioned factors that *we* know, but the public doesn't.
That's not a great use of your time or energy unless you're simply looking for a self-tape exercise.
That's not a great use of your time or energy unless you're simply looking for a self-tape exercise.
Actors, this has happened MANY times in my career:
Over the course of the audition process, we (Casting) and prods have fallen in love with an actor, and for one reason or another, (out of a million possible,) did not cast them in that role.
Over the course of the audition process, we (Casting) and prods have fallen in love with an actor, and for one reason or another, (out of a million possible,) did not cast them in that role.
Almost ALWAYS, those creatives work their butts off to get that actor in the show or on the project in some capacity. Some have even written roles *specifically for that actor.
Because that actor SHOWED UP in every sense of the word.
Because that actor SHOWED UP in every sense of the word.
They gave an amazing read. They took notes and redirects. They were professional and open minded. They were game. They held onto a good attitude and sense of play, even when the process was arduous. They showed themselves as a great actor AND the kind of person you'd want on set.
Actors, for your reel, you don't need to show us a clip of every type of character or genre you can play. You need to show us strong work and let us use our imaginations to envision where we can put someone with your vibe and chops.
Casting folk have REALLY good imaginations.
Casting folk have REALLY good imaginations.
We can get a sense of your range and abilities from your resume as much as your reel. Show us good, strong work (even w/ minimal footage,) and we'll be more apt to try you for a range of characters bc you're a STRONG ACTOR, not because you have 18 different clips on your profile.
Say goodbye to the old stuff if it's no longer a good reflection of your abilities. Don't keep it solely because it shows you playing in a specific genre. If the acting isn't strong enough, there's a chance that clip can work against you.
Actors, this is your periodic reminder that the only "rules" you truly need to follow in your career are: be professional and be kind.
There are no other unwavering practices that are as important as these two. Everything else is either subjective, or ever-changing.
There are no other unwavering practices that are as important as these two. Everything else is either subjective, or ever-changing.
There are plenty of suggestions, tips, opinions and advice (as evidenced by this accountant.) They are shared through experience, wisdom and a desire to help. Those things will change and evolve as you grow, so they're not always one-size-fits-all.
Tips, etc. should be considered, and applied as needed.
But your two absolutely consistent "rules" to be taken seriously and move forward as a professional actor are simply be professional (show up on time, work your craft, communicate, et al,) and be kind.
#CastingLovesYou
But your two absolutely consistent "rules" to be taken seriously and move forward as a professional actor are simply be professional (show up on time, work your craft, communicate, et al,) and be kind.
#CastingLovesYou
About 15ish years ago, there was a young actor. They were (are) stunning and unique and at the time, bc they'd had a few nice roles in some big-ish things, they were deemed "the next big star."
It didn't happen that way. They've worked steadily since then, but...
It didn't happen that way. They've worked steadily since then, but...
not in a break-out capacity. They even came close on a few big things I worked on, but it never fully clicked. We loved seeing them though. They were always incredibly professional, prepared and directable. And they worked HARD. They trained, they took their job seriously, but...
you could always tell they carried the weight of those expectations with them. You could see it on their face at times, or in their disappointment if they felt they hadn't done well with an adjustment.
Couldn't blame them for feeling it. It's a lot.
Well...
Couldn't blame them for feeling it. It's a lot.
Well...
A real benefit of self-taping is that you get to choose your best take(s) to send to Casting. The downside, of course, is that you can do as many takes as you want.
But here's a little secret: your performance is (usually) not going to get better after your 4th or 5th take.
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But here's a little secret: your performance is (usually) not going to get better after your 4th or 5th take.
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Remember how many takes you got during live auditions? One. Maybe two. VERY occasionally three. Almost never more than that, right?
Want to know why? Casting Directors know that after three takes, you start to get in your head.
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Want to know why? Casting Directors know that after three takes, you start to get in your head.
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We can see you spiral and we know those internal voices are saying, "what am I missing? I'm blowing it! Why can't I get this?! I bet they think I'm terrible..." etc.
So we give you up to three takes because we know you're prepared, and that you can nail it in that time.
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So we give you up to three takes because we know you're prepared, and that you can nail it in that time.
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Actors, here's a hot tip for your Tuesday: if you see a prototype in a breakdown description, that is for your REPS, not for you.
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We use prototypes all the time when we're discussing the concept of a character. Writers often write with a voice or specific person/type in mind. Occasionally, we'll include those names in the breakdown to help your reps have clarity as to the type and tone we're going for.
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If you see a "so-and-so type" or "prototype is so-and-so", try to erase that name/voice from your brain.
For reps submitting, "A Joan Allen type" is more succinct than "Female, 50s, tough."
But for the actor, it can easily lead to an impression, even if you don't mean to.
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For reps submitting, "A Joan Allen type" is more succinct than "Female, 50s, tough."
But for the actor, it can easily lead to an impression, even if you don't mean to.
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Actors, some friendly reminders as you reflect upon your career in 2021:
1. Pins are wins (seriously.)
2. If Casting continues to request you, you are doing something right… even if you haven’t booked yet.
3. We’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. Give yourself grace.
1. Pins are wins (seriously.)
2. If Casting continues to request you, you are doing something right… even if you haven’t booked yet.
3. We’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. Give yourself grace.
4. You are a professional actor, even if you didn’t work on a set this year.
5. Self-taping and Virtual auditions are hard and weird… but they will get easier with time and practice.
6. You’re not “too old” to succeed as an actor (and tell anyone who says so to fuck right off)
5. Self-taping and Virtual auditions are hard and weird… but they will get easier with time and practice.
6. You’re not “too old” to succeed as an actor (and tell anyone who says so to fuck right off)
7. Next year might be better or it might feel the same. As long as you continue working your craft, you will be moving in the right direction.
8. Count ALLLLL the little successes: callbacks, new reps, every audition… they ALL matter.
Cheers to y’all!
#CastingLovesYou
8. Count ALLLLL the little successes: callbacks, new reps, every audition… they ALL matter.
Cheers to y’all!
#CastingLovesYou
Story time:
We read an actor for the series lead of a pilot. He was perfect for the role but the network wasn’t convinced. We read/taped him 2x, but they still weren’t seeing it. In an act of passion, the prods wrote a brand new scene for him, one they felt would seal the deal.
We read an actor for the series lead of a pilot. He was perfect for the role but the network wasn’t convinced. We read/taped him 2x, but they still weren’t seeing it. In an act of passion, the prods wrote a brand new scene for him, one they felt would seal the deal.
His agent didn’t want him to read again. They felt like the writing was on the wall and didn’t want to put him through it. We pleaded, the producers wrote a love letter for the agent to pass on to the actor… the actor said yes to reading again. One caveat…
we were in a time crunch. He had to learn the new scene immediately and come in tomorrow, on a Sunday morning, to tape it.
Hi, I'm hearing from a lot of actors who are feeling left behind as they see more of their friends back on set.
So I'm here to remind you that...
So I'm here to remind you that...
1. You can't compare your journey to anyone else's - you are apples and oranges.
2. People only share the good stuff on social media - you have no idea what their bad days are really like (or how frequent.)
2. People only share the good stuff on social media - you have no idea what their bad days are really like (or how frequent.)
3. Only one person can get the job at the end of the day - what is for you will not go by you. (Thank you, Brian Cox, for that perfect quote.)
4. We are *still* in the middle of a pandemic and things are still getting up and running - it's hard, but practice patience.
4. We are *still* in the middle of a pandemic and things are still getting up and running - it's hard, but practice patience.
