Pesky Q & A

Posted on 09. Apr, 2010 by sethcaskey.

Holy crap it’s been a long time since I’ve updated this blog. Lots of great things have been happening in the past couple of months, which unfortunately has redirected much of my time. (read: excuse) That aside, I would like to continue my thoughts on getting the most out of casting director workshops.

Let’s get started.

Regardless of the format that you choose, each CD workshop you attend will have some sort of question and answer time. This is where actors can ask questions, learn about current projects and any specifics about the CDs particular office.

At first glance, this would appear to be a fairly straightforward time of the eventing. Oh, but it’s not….If there’s one thing that I hear from CDs all the time is that they can smell desperation a mile away. Actors who come into an audition or a meeting needing or wanting approval is an immediate turn-off.

So here’s the thing. (And I’m going to be brutally honest here.)

• Don’t use this time to suck up.
• Don’t try and impress the CD.
• Don’t be a desperate actor.

Seriously folks. I cringe out of embarrassment when I hear some of the questions people ask.

My #1 recommendation to for getting the most out of a casting director workshop is: Beeeeee yourself!

Yes, there is some important information that you should walk out knowing (and for that I have put together a little form if you care to use it). But remember, CDs are there to get to know you as a person.

Fact:

1. A casting director is never going to hire you on the spot. Ever.
2. It is HIGHLY* unlikely that you are going to be offered an audition on the spot.
3. There is no job on the line. It’s not a interview. It’s simply an opportunity for a person (casting director) to meet and connect with another person (new actor). Period.
4. Take all of the pressure off of yourself of getting this person to like you and trying to impress them – and just have fun!

I know that sounds too simple to be true, but I promise you – less is more.

1. Be a nice, fun PERSON.
2. Do good work.
3. Ask intelligent and appropriate questions.
4. Trust that you are enough.

If this sounds harsh, I apologize. After having done literally hundreds of casting director workshops, it pains me to know a wonderfully talented actor who tries too hard to make a good impression and ends up achieving the opposite.

That’s it?

So that you know that I’m not just venting, but am attempting to provide something useful with this post – I have put together a little download for you. This is a mash-up of something a friend gave me a while back along with some great questions that you should ask a CD. Enjoy.

• Sample CD Workshop Q & A

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Are you ready to rock?

Posted on 16. Dec, 2009 by sethcaskey.

Ask yourself honestly, Am I ready to rock?

• There’s no wrong answer to this question!
• We are all at different levels in our careers. Know that everyone is growing at his/her own pace and be honest with yourself about where you are.
• Are you ready to work now?
  • If you have never seen Rachel McAdams taped audition for The Notebook - watch it now. She was ready to work.

Use workshops as a chance to shine

• Pick the best material to showcase your primary type
• Consider cold-reading training

Consider audition training

• Holly Powell Studios
• Margie Haber Studios (I have not personally studied with Margie, but have several friends who have and have great things to say about her audition class)

iPhone version of video

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Man, I was way off…

Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by sethcaskey.

I had an audition last Friday, and in my opinion – did not do a good job.

“A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing, always be closing.”

I had just been given a Glengary opportunity, and I did not feel like a closer.

I called my manager, to let her know the audition was over, and as best I could said, “It was great.”

“Ok, well I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from them.”

I love her attitude.  She’s so caring, optimistic and unflappable.

No less than an hour later my phone rings, and sure enough it’s her letting me know that they put a pin in me, and that we should know on Monday whether or not I had booked the part. WHAT?! Seriously?

My self-doubting mind immediately kicked in, and I replayed the audition over-and-over again. Each time, I felt like I could have done so much better.

Flash forward to Monday afternoon when my phone rings again and it’s Tina letting me know that I had in fact booked the job and will shoot the week after Thanksgiving. After calling my wife, and doing the Balki Bartokomous Dance of Joy, I stopped to think about what had just happened and came to the following conclusions:

• We’re our toughest critics. As actors, we are not qualified judges of our own work. It’s impossible for us to be objective.
• As much as we may think that we have it figured out – there really is no telling what “they” are looking for.
• When we stay present, and go with whatever moment presets itself – we open ourselves up to let something greater come out.

So with tomorrow being Thanksgiving there is so much to be thankful for. One is for the many relationships that I have built over the last two years working at The Actor’s Key. Those relationships are no doubt what got me in the door, and I can only imagine what helped me book the role.

The journey up until now has been exciting, frustrating, thrilling and exhausting. I have wanted to quit and throw in the towel many more times that I’d like to admit. But just like 2009 -I’m not dead yet.

Happy Thanksgiving, and next week I start a new video series on Casting Director Workshops and how to make the most of them as an actor.

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Making the Most of Your Pre-Read Speed Date

Posted on 16. Oct, 2009 by sethcaskey.

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Answering your questions: to memorize or not to memorize

Posted on 08. Jun, 2009 by sethcaskey.

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