Reality of Doing

Who are you talking to?

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by sethcaskey.

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Are you meeting the CD, Associate or Assistant

Making the most of your workshop experience involves doing some research before you go in to the room.

As defined by CSA (Casting Society of America): CASTING DIRECTOR – The producer’s representative responsible for choosing performers for consideration by the producer or director.

So, does it really matter who you are meeting?

• Each office is different, and responsibilities will vary (we’ll talk about how to find out this info next week)
• Meeting more than one person in an office is a great way for actors to create some name recognition. Then no matter who answers the phone when your representation calls to pitch, chances are that the person on the other end already knows your work
• Assistants & Associates want to find new talent to bring to the CD (it makes them look good)
• In some offices, the Associate is the point person for the smaller co-star roles
• Assistants and Associates are the CDs of tomorrow

What are they working on RIGHT NOW?

Most casting professionals work freelance. Research what projects they are currently casting

• Casting About
• IMDBPro
• Showfax
• Breakdowns (I’m going to leave this one alone)

Do your due diligence.

CD workshop businesses are first and foremost businesses. They are around to make their owners money. The more appealing a workshop sounds, the more likely an actor will sign up. While some workshops are more reputable and ethical than others, the responsibility falls to the actor to do some research before spending his/her money with a particular company.

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Do your homework

Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by sethcaskey.

Where to go?

Following is a partial list of places where you can take casting director workshops. There are dozens of workshop locations in Los Angeles. Each has their own unique format and membership requirements.

• The Actor’s Key (in the interest of full-disclosure – I work here)
• AIA Studios
• Act Now!
• Actor’s Co-Op Group
• One on One Productions
• Talent To Go
• SAG Foundation Casting Access Project (free to SAG members! Frequency restrictions do apply, so check out their site for more info. I work here too.)

Talk with your friends about where they go

• Check with people in class, on set or online
• Showfax discussion board
• Hollywood Happy Hour

Find out about fees

• Prices can range from $35 – 50+ per workshop
• See if there is a discount for purchasing multiple workshops at once
• Ask about any membership fees

Ask about an audit

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