Time for another update!
On Friday, Sept 22nd, we hosted a meet-and-greet with an acting coach at our casting studios. She studied with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse and Uta Hagen at HB Studio, then worked for about 16 years a casting director in New York and LA. It was great fun to socialize with actors that I usually only get to see in casting sessions.
Last week, we started prepping and casting a SAG Modified feature, a plasma TV spot and another Lottery commercial, while also taking care of bookings on the MOW. In all, we booked about half of the MOW roles locally (all the day players, of course, plus one of the co-stars). We just got word this week about the co-star role, so that was exciting for the actress who landed it. They were holding off until they’d cast the actor who was to play her husband, to make sure it was a good match. Once we got word that he was confirmed, we knew she was in. She’ll work eight days and get a nice screen credit. Kudos!!
This past weekend was busy with the screening of a film that shot here, a theatre company fundraiser and the going away party of a local comedian. Tonight, I’m taking a talent agent out for a late birthday celebration. In fact, I should get going, since our reservations are for 7:45! I’ll have to finish catching up later.
Ciao!
Hi Lana,
Sorry to comment but I saw no email address. I was basically wondering if you can help me out. I’m a 21-year-old student and new theatrical agent, studying Combined Studies (a mix of drama, journalism and media practise.)
I either want to become a journalist or casting director later in life. I know that there isn’t a direct ‘route’ into your job, but could you please offer any tips? I enjoy advising actors and putting people forward for roles, and have just been appointed casting director of my Uni’s TV station. Can you suggest anything else I could do to get my foot in the door to this possible occupation?
If you could help, I would be eternally grateful!
Danielle
Danielle,
The only way I know to get in is to work for another casting director, first as an intern, then as an assistant, and work your way up over several years.
Hope this helps,
Lana
Thank you! I did kind of picture that was the best way in. I hope you don’t mind if I link to this blog? I find it really interesting; nice to see the blog at the other end of the industry!
Might I recommend my article, “How To Become a Casting Director,” posted at WildOgre.com?
Click here.
As for me, I just started looking for films that were crewing up and sent a (meager) resumé and great cover letter. Got my first feature film casting gig in 2003 for $100 (I call it a part of my “copy, credit, meals” stage, similar to actors’ first years) and I’ve just wrapped casting on my 16th film.
So, while the most linear way in is certainly interning, assisting, and moving on up, it’s not the *only* way, if you have great relationships and a lot of chutzpah.
(Lana–hope it’s okay that I shared that link here. Thought it might help.)
-Bon.
Hey, Bonnie! I think we’ve corresponded before on other boards!
Thanks for your post. Glad things are going well for you!
Lana