Thread by @ericasbreamcast

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...

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.

Plus, Casting has a limited amount of time to look at auditions.

(I know y'all already have feelings about how much of your tapes Casting watches... that's a thread for another day... so why would adding unsolicited tapes, on top of our own requests be helpful?)

Y'all wouldn't go and crash a live audition, right? Just because you CAN do a tape that wasn't officially requested, doesn't mean you necessarily SHOULD.

I would much rather reps pitch the talent and get a clear "yes, have them tape" or a "no, they're not right because..."

I know sometimes CDs spurn pitches, or simply don't have the ability to respond to them all, so I get that this is a passionate / creative workaround, especially in busy season.

And certainly, I have looked at plenty of unsolicited tapes and have even hired someone from one...

But I would've said yes to that person taping if they had been submitted or pitched. (Neither happened. The reps just sent me their tape, out of the blue. I liked their look in the attached headshot and opened the tape.)

I'd so much rather have open communication so that...

everyone feels confident in the process. Reps can have clear guidance as to what we're looking for, actors can feel solid knowing that their efforts are being met with enthusiasm on our end, and Casting doesn't feel bombarded with extra work that cannot ultimately be considered.

Those are my two cents.

I know not everyone will agree on this. Some CDs may totally welcome them. Some reps may feel they're the only way to get Casting's attention. Some actors may have booked jobs from them.

It's a nuanced and def not one-size-fits-all topic.

But in my experience, unsolicited tapes are more often busy work for everyone involved, (actors, reps, Casting,) than they are actual contenders for that role.

Do with this information what you will.

#CastingLovesYou

And just to be clear: this is not an attack on reps or coaches or actors who do this. Anyone who sends unsolicited materials for actors to tape is certainly not doing it out of malice.

But the act can sometimes negate not only our Casting process, but our actual craft.