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Award-winning London-based casting director Amy Hubbard, best known for her work on “The Hobbit,” “The Lord of the Rings,” the Showtime series “Homeland,” and the History Channel’s miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys” considers herself to be part of a casting dynasty…. Read More

Can you remember the first time you were inspired to pursue a career in acting? Were you watching TV, a feature film in a velvet dark theater, or maybe it was a play? There is that exquisite moment in any… Read More

The Kids Are All Right star Annette Bening shared a personal story with a group of theater students about her difficulty with listening early on in her training. An acting instructor had critiqued her performance with a scene partner, telling Bening,… Read More

An aspiring actor might consider working as a background actor, also known as an extra, to gain valuable on-set experience, meet new people and to receive a paycheck. But what should one expect while doing background work?   Looking for… Read More

Casting directors love to build their databases and get to know actors. However, they do have preferences as to how performers contact them. Here are some valuable insights from three casting directors as they share how to most effectively reach… Read More

“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.” —Denzel Washington While working toward a goal, it can be helpful to hear inspirational advice from others who’ve gone before us. Words of wisdom from the… Read More

There is a saying: “The most valuable lessons aren’t taught. They’re experienced.” In a “Film Courage” series of interviews, several working actors recount lessons they learned from audition experiences at pivotal points in their lives. The performers include Chad Lindberg… Read More

Cate Blanchett is set to be honored at the 47th Chaplin Award Gala later this month at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. She will be celebrated for her work as an internationally acclaimed actor, producer, artistic director, and humanitarian.  The… Read More

Casting veteran Paul Weber has two decades’ worth of experience in the industry. The Los Angeles-based casting director started as an actor, touring with the California Shakespeare Festival before being mentored by casting director Michael Shurtleff, a major force in… Read More

When new to acting, it can take some time before you understand the many industry terms that are thrown around. As much as possible, it’s helpful to learn the audition terminology before jumping in the game. Pretty soon, you’ll feel… Read More

Paul Weber is a Los Angeles-based casting director who has cast over 75 features and shows over the past 20 years in the industry. He’s worked with many networks and studios, and most prominently, served as executive in-house head of… Read More

Casting director Mike Lush recently shared valuable tips for talent aspiring to be cast in reality television shows. As a top casting director in the genre, Lush is always on the lookout for shining and remarkable personalities to be featured… Read More

Life experience is an invaluable resource for actors, as it informs and enriches their performances. And among those life experiences are the jobs that performers hold outside of acting. Here are seven actors and the ways they earned a living… Read More

Internationally renowned acting and voice coach Mel Churcher has coached Daniel Craig, Angelina Jolie, Kiera Knightly, Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Turturro, Jon Voight as well as countless students attending drama schools. She also runs workshops and has authored two… Read More

What if you were asked to play yourself on the silver screen or stage? Would that sound like a blast right from the start or would you be a bit skeptical, needing to investigate the project with caution? Here are… Read More