Blog Blog Posts

Leah Daniels-Butler smiling in a blue shirt.
Jan 13, 2025

Casting Director Leah Daniels-Butler Talks Casting Apple TV+’s ‘Manhunt’ and Her Approach to Historical Dramas

Leah Daniels-Butler, a seasoned casting director renowned for her work on historical projects like The Butler and The United States vs. Billie Holiday—both directed by her brother, Lee Daniels—recently undertook the casting for the Apple TV+ mini-series Manhunt. The project is based on the real-life 12-day manhunt for… Read More

Happy interracial couple moving. Asian man pushing his Spanish girlfriend in a moving box.
Jan 6, 2025

3 Things You Need to Move to NYC or LA Without Financial Stress as an Actor

New York City and Los Angeles are the hot spots for actors to live, because of access to live auditions, being a local hire where things are being made and being surrounded by a large community of other artists. These… Read More

Jennifer Ricchiazzi standing in a hallway smiling.
Dec 30, 2024

Jennifer Ricchiazzi Discusses the Importance of Script Analysis, Casting ‘Reagan’

If you ever have a casting appointment with Jennifer Ricchiazzi, you might want to factor in a few extra minutes on either side. Not just because you might have to wait, but also because she very well could end up… Read More

Shakespeare actors performing a sword fight scene in a play.
Dec 16, 2024

5 Simple Tips for Nailing Your Shakespeare Auditions

It’s no wonder that many actors find Shakespeare intimidating. There is a cultural narrative (backed by a history of exclusion and imperialism) that Shakespeare is the province of the wealthy and elitist. This was not the way the text originated,… Read More

Smiling Asian woman in a leather jacket outside.
Dec 11, 2024

3 Tips to Get You Ready for Auditions

Success is being prepared to meet opportunities when they come. And they come suddenly and unexpectedly. Success means predicting opportunities and doing everything it takes to be prepared for that opportunity when you get it. Three things you know will… Read More

Two actors looking in the mirrors at their old and young reflections.
Dec 9, 2024

Age and Acting: How to Age Yourself Up or Down for a Role

Most times, especially in film, you will be cast as characters with an age range close to your own. That said, there are exceptions. For example, some actors look much younger or older than they actually are, and shows set… Read More

Dec 2, 2024

Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee Talk Casting ‘Palm Royale’ and Share Self Tape Tips

Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee share a deep-rooted collaboration with filmmaker Tate Taylor. They have cast several of his films, including Pretty Ugly People, The Help, The Girl on a Train, Ma and TV shows such as Filthy Rich. Their partnership with… Read More

Stylish young woman with a cup of coffee by a grate.
Nov 25, 2024

3 Different Types of TV Acting Roles for Actors Looking to Break Into Television

Whether you’ve been a film actor or working as a stage actor for a period of time or you’e on your first acting job, the hierarchy of TV acting can get a bit confusing. Unless you’re a series regular or… Read More

An actress on set reading over her lines while having a cup of coffee.
Nov 20, 2024

An Essential Guide to Navigating the Casting Process

If you’re an aspiring actor, you know that navigating the casting process can be tricky. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through the steps involved in casting calls, auditions and working with casting directors. We’ll also… Read More

Asian woman in a sun hat and denim jacket withdrawing money from an ATM.
Nov 18, 2024

3 Steps to Create Income That Allows You to Be a Full-Time Artist

Being a full-time artist has nothing to do with how much money you are making from your art. Being a full-time artist means that you are able to dedicate all of the time and resources that you desire to your… Read More

Casting Director Rhys Velasquez outside in a purple shirt.
Nov 11, 2024

Casting Director Rhys Velasquez on Their Core Principles of Conscious, Inclusive and Representative Casting

Rhys Velasquez is an award-winning casting director, advocate and—in their past life—musical theater performer. After graduating from Australia’s Ballarat Arts Academy in 2013, Velasquez was cast in several international and national theater tours, including Shrek the Musical, Once on This… Read More

Curb Your Enthusiasm casting director Allison Jones and associate Emily Buntyn.
Nov 4, 2024

Casting Director Allison Jones and Associate Emily Buntyn Reveal Larry David’s Wild Audition Process Behind ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

Take one look at Allison Jones’ filmography, and it’s clear that she is an absolute legend when it comes to comedy. If it were just the movies she’s done, that would be enough. The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Bridesmaids, Lady Bird, and… Read More

Casting Director Grace Kim smiling in a Disney casting office lobby.
Oct 30, 2024

How a Craigslist Ad Launched the Career of Disney Casting Director Grace C. Kim

Sometimes we find our career through a lifelong passion for something. Other times, we answer an online ad and find what we didn’t know we were looking for. Grace C. Kim falls into the latter category. Kim is like a… Read More

Actor recording a self tape in a professional studio.
Oct 28, 2024

A Beginner’s Guide to Self Tapes

In the past several years, self-taping has taken over the entertainment industry and is now the primary way to audition. And although in-person auditions have returned to the audition process in some capacity, even callbacks have shifted to virtual. That… Read More

Female actor holding several scripts auditioning for a casting director.
Oct 21, 2024

The Other Side of the Table: What Are Casting Professionals Really Thinking in the Audition Room?

We spend so much time as actors trying to figure out what casting professionals want. What kind of material will they find boring? Do they like me better with short or long hair? Do they prefer glasses or no glasses?… Read More