Commercial Actors Should Never Break Simple Callback Rules
The commercial industry is a little bit hard right now. Generally, everything for commercial actors (and agents, and casting directors, producers… etc. etc.) is just a notch more difficult than it was, let’s say, pre-COVID. I’m all for a collective… Read More
Acting Up: Adria Arjona Keeps Everyone Guessing With Her Stellar Performance in Richard Linklater’s ‘Hit Man’
The Snapshot In the Sundance smash Hit Man, Adria Arjona is Madison, a beautiful young woman in a bad marriage who may or may not want her estranged husband killed. She approaches a man she thinks is a professional killer,… Read More
The Importance of Acting Training and Education
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you no longer need actor training. Even if you have some natural talent and a decent resume, it is important to keep in mind that refining your skills helps push your… Read More
Acting as a Form of Empathy: How Actors Step into the Shoes of Others
Empathy is a remarkable human quality that enables us to comprehend and share the emotions of others, forging a deep connection and providing us with a profound insight into diverse perspectives. While many people possess this innate ability, actors possess… Read More
Emergency Preparation Tips for Last-Minute Auditions
Impromptu auditions often arise without warning. Whether you’ve been prompted by a sudden casting call, the need to step into a role on short notice or an unforeseen chance to display your skills, the capacity to prepare swiftly and efficiently… Read More
John Papsidera on Establishing ‘Yellowstone’s Dutton Family and Casting Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’
When John Papsidera was hired to be the casting director for Yellowstone, he had no idea he’d eventually be a key player in helping to populate a western universe, which would come to include the spinoffs 1883 and 1923. The… Read More
How A Librarian’s Favor Led to ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ Casting Director Emily Brockmann’s Career
Emily Brockmann is one of those rare birds who knew exactly what she wanted to do at a very early age. Few people know what career they want to pursue as a teenager, and even fewer decide so firmly on… Read More
Essential Advice for Actors to Navigate Burnout
Burnout is a common challenge among actors, stemming from the intense demands and emotional nature of auditions and roles. Being aware of burnout is necessary for maintaining both mental health and career longevity in the entertainment industry. Here are a… Read More
Julie Schubert talks Casting Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge,’ the Importance of Her Work on the Holocaust Documentary ‘Resistance: They Fought Back’
Julie Schubert was, by her own admission, not a good actor. She is, however, a very good casting director. Just take a look at her impressive list of credits and they’ll do the talking for her: the six Netflix Marvel… Read More
Casting Director Natalie Jane Harvie Discusses How Street Casting Led to Her CGA-Winning Telstra Ad ‘This is Footy Country’
It could be said that 2023 was the year of Natalie Jane Harvie, as she led the charge of Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) Award nominations. Nominated for four of the prestigious industry awards (twice in both the Best Casting… Read More
Casting Director Victoria Thomas Talks “The Morning Show” and Its New Character
Victoria Thomas has her fingerprints on numerous memorable films, casting Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Django Unchained, Jaymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall, and his upcoming The Book of Clarence. She’s also prolific on the small… Read More
The Actor’s Closet: Items to Have On Hand for Self Tapes
When it comes to dressing for self tapes, you don’t need to be in costume. That said, it can be handy to have certain clothing items on hand for auditions. Keeping a small portion of your closet devoted to auditioning… Read More
Fight Director Benedetto Robinson Gets into the Nitty Gritty of Fight Choreography, What it Means to Be an Actor Combatant
I got to sit down and talk with actor, combatant and fight director Benedetto Robinson. During his varied career, he has worked as an action performer from Ohio to New Hampshire, and North Carolina to Georgia. He wrote and starred… Read More
‘Black Cake’ Casting Director Rose Wicksteed Discusses the Teachings of Casting Legend Nina Gold
Rose Wicksteed is like most casting directors in that she took a roundabout way into her career. Her route is especially interesting, but we’ll let her tell you that. After several years learning from a legend in the field, she… Read More
The Ultimate Guide To Getting Started as a Voice Actor
If you’ve wanted to get into voice acting, this is the year to start. It’s one of the coolest things to be able to hear yourself on Saturday morning cartoons, in your favorite video games or in a commercial. Getting… Read More
Casting Director-Turned ‘May December’ Screenwriter Samy Burch Discusses How the Screenplay Changed Her Life
Casting director-turned-screenwriter Samy Burch grew up in Los Angeles and was no stranger to the film industry. Her mother was a casting director and young Samy practically called casting offices her second home, often balancing schoolwork amidst the hum of… Read More
