Casting Actors Cast

Defining Your Character

Air Date: 9/18/2023

         Defining your character Part 1 of 2

        

When we are blessed with playing a part in a film, tv, or stage production, you have probably done most of the work when it comes to how you are going to play the part. After all, if you auditioned, you worked on a lot of the qualities needed for the role. Maybe you were hired without an audition. Even better. Clearly someone else believes you are right for the role. If you really wanted to dig deep into the character, then it’s time to define your character. This is part one of Casting Actors Cast!

 

Memo for Demos

When putting a demo of your acting together, do you know how to decide what should be on it? Demo reels are often asked for by talent reps and casting directors, but sometimes talent doesn't really know what to include. This is the podcast that takes on the question and gives you a memo for demo's.

Coming to Terms

Television and Film credit rolls at the end of a project can sometimes lack real understanding of the actual job. Here are the most important "players" on the set and a job description to help you feel more confident and comfortable. A glossary of personal we use when Coming to Terms!

#275 Beats Me

#275 
Air Date: 9/7/2023
“Beats Me”
It’s kind of a slang phrase that I don’t really hear anymore. “It beats 
me” is usually a response to a question when you don’t have the 
answer. Like, “how did that candy bar I was saving suddenly 
disappear?”. “Beats Me”. For actors, this is not a great response 
when working on a script or audition. There is an expectation that you 
have the answer and not a “beats me” statement. Truth is, I’ not sure 
what the literal translation really means. For actors, there is another 
way to understand beats me. Rather than being beat, using a beat 
can be quite useful. Beats, on today’s episode of Casting Actors 
Cast!

#274 How to Remain Teachable

#274 How to Remain Teachable
Air Date: 8/31/2023
I can't believe I'm saying this, but. Here it goes. It's that time of year again. It's 
almost Fall. And that means going back to school. Back to auditioning. Back to the 
reality of what it is to be an actor. Part of your getting back, is to evaluate where 
you are and remain open to others that can keep you moving forward. On this 
episode of Casting Actors Cast, I'm going to give you some ideas on how you can 
remain teachable. 

Working With a Partner

#273 Working With a Partner

Air Date: 8/24/2023

Whether it’s a class, a chemistry read or on the set, working with a partner can sometimes be fraught with challenges (fraught! Who talks like that?). Being a team player and good sport may not always be the most useful approach for you or your partner, for that matter. I don’t mean to imply that you should be difficult to work with. Not at all. There are ways you can make amazing discoveries and rewarding outcomes with your acting and an acting partner while working together. Working with a partner, on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

 

#272-Making the Best Choice

#272 Making the Best Choice

Air Date: 8/17/2023

 

In a recent class I was teaching, an actor timidly raised their hand and asked, “How do I now if I am making the right acting choice in an audition for film or TV?” My response was probably a typical one, “Well, decide what is best for you”. I was completely dissatisfied with my answer. First, I was repeating something I heard from an acting teacher I had several years earlier. Second, how do you know what s best for you when you are unsure of what is best for you. Crazy. Today we’re going to explore how you can make the best choice for you!

#271 You Need New Pictures!

#271 You Need New Pictures!

Air Date: 8/10/2023

        

            I really love working with actors. It is a rare opportunity for me to share my professional feedback and advice to actors who are willing to listen. I ultimately think this interaction supplies information that improves the industry for everybody. One area that still remains a sticking point for me are headshots that don’t work. I am mystified by actors or acting students relying on amateur, poorly crafted, badly lit images that don’t even look like you! OK. I don’t necessarily mean you directly….optimum word being necessarily. C’m on. Join me as I give you important information about your headshots so you will not ever need to hear, “You need new pictures!”

#270-Back Into It!

#270 Back Into It
Air Date: 8/3/2023
 
 So, everything we undertake has its own set of challenges. We know this. 
Everything worth doing contains the “what if’s”. “What if It doesn’t 
happen?”, “What if I can’t find the time?”, What if it doesn’t work out?”. 
Actors are well versed in taking on alternative points of view when it comes 
to their acting or acting career. It is built into the DNA of being an actor. It 
can really affect our sensibilities for better or worse. Right now, we are 
paralyzed with the actors and writers strike. It prevents us from even 
thinking about the, “what if’s”. Well, to that I can only say, “Lets get back 
into it!” Let’s find ways to keep ourselves ready so when external issues 
finally resolve (and they will) we will be ready. Back into it is today’s subject 
on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Encore-Back To Business

An Encore presentation from 2020!

Encore- Lighten Up!

An Encore presentation from 2020!

Encore_ Your Top 5 Questions Answered

Jeffrey Answers your top 5 questions about being an actor!

Encore: Get Curious With PAW

The secret to a successful acting career is...wait for it...being curious! Not just your everyday curiosity but a deep dive into three facets of professional life. Jeffrey spells out the acronym P.A.W for you to consider. Are you curious now? Great. You'll love this episode. Check out the YouTube channel Casting actors cast and www.castingactorscast.com

Please consider a review so that we can continue to spread the word about this growing podcast! 

#269 Representation Regrets

#269-Representation regrets
Air Date: 6/29/2023

I hear this quite frequently, “I like my agent, but they are not sending me 
out much” or “My agent doesn’t see me the way I see me” or “I’m afraid of 
pissing my manager off because they aren’t pushing me enough and I’m 
pissed about it!”. Does this sound familiar? Maybe you are looking for any 
representation or new representation. Today, I will weigh-in and offer my 
best advice on this episode called, representation regrets. I’m Jeffrey 
Dreisbach and this is Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors from a 
casting director!
Common questions: uncommon answers:

#268 Act As If

#268-Act As If
Air Date: 6/22/2023

Repeat after me, “I have NO Problems…I have situations”. When we can 
reframe any issue that we face, we are shifting our negative perceptions 
into something less caustic. Problems now become just situations. When it 
comes to our acting talent or acting career, we might need to consider re-
framing how we feel so we can embrace our progress and not beat ourselves up. I 
have a three-word phrase that helps me see another less harmful view of myself. 
It’s so powerful, in fact, that this simple phrase can alleviate a whole host of 
“situations”! Tune into this episode of Casting Actors Cast and find out how you 
can turn acting and career problems into manageable situations.

Self-Tape Power Tips

#267 Self-Tape Power Tips

Air Date: 6/15/2023

         Are you sick of doing self-tape auditions with nothing or little to show for it? Do you stress over how your submissions are being perceived by others. Do you think there might be something missing from your videos that put you in the “no” category? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you’ve come to the right place! Using today’s power tips for self-tape will quite possibly have you singing, “We’re in the Money” and not, “Stormy Weather”!

Give Time, Time

Give Time, Time
Air Date: 6/8/2023
 Have you ever noticed how fast the time goes when you are focused on 
something important? Or how slow it feels when you are bored out of your mind? 
Isn’t that weird? We know that time is a construct and is constant but why does it 
shift when we’re in a different headspace? The same can be said about our 
acting careers. When things are popping up, we seem to manage quite well. 
When things are slow, not going our way, we seem to focus on how slow our 
progress is. Giving time, time is one way we can be career minded and not 
focused on how slow it sems to be moving. Giving time, time on this episode of 
Casting Actors Cast.

Casting Actors Cast LIVE!

Recorded May 25 2023 with a first ever LIVE studio audience at Pearl Studios in New York City, Jeffrey Dreisbach shares some insider information and tips for actors. He'll answer some audience questions as well! Come join the fun with this unique forum for the podcast.

 

Live promotion EventAnnouncement

This week we take a 1 episode break so we can prepare for the live recording of the podcast! Today you can check out a past episode or tune-in next week for the live event presentation!

Thanks!

The Actor ”On-Hold” #263

The Actor “On Hold”

Air Date: 5/18/2023

Do you know what “on Hold” means? Well, it can mean many things for actors. It can mean you are being requested and agree to stay available for a booking, for one. It can also mean waiting for another decision to be made. I have a few other uses “on hold” can be used. Today’s episode will be about the other meanings that apply to actors. I won’t keep you on hold any longer. This is Casting Actors Cast. The podcast and video for actors.

The Organized Actor #262

The Organized Actor

Air Date: 5/11/2023

        

Creating an organized workflow is often difficult for actors, I think. The reason has something to do with being an artist and believing that business structure is impeding your creative self. I have a different point of view. It is only when you address your lack of being a well-organized actor will you be able to turn into your artistry and imagination into your best work. The organized Actor on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Create Your Content

Create Your Content

Air Date: 5/3/2023

        

A growing number of actors are finding that creating their own content is a front footed approach to advancing their career. It can be a one person play or on-camera YouTube short film. It really is a matter of good writing for the right venue and the energy, desire, and skill to see it through. Let’s check out ways many actors are finding success in creating their own content. On this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Keep It Conversational

Keep it Conversational!

Air Date: 4/27/2023

        

Can I tell you something? It may be difficult to hear but when I watch a Zoom audition or Self -tape submission or even a live callback audition, I can tell in seconds if the actor is going to make an impact. Even though the actor may have excellent training or tons of experience, there are certain indicators that can take me away from watching you make truthful moments. Keep it conversational is the subject of today’s podcast and I know that if you stick with me, you will dramatically enhance your audition responses. This is Casting Actors Cast!

 

Resume Revamp

Resume Revamp

Air Date: 4/20/2023

 

Your acting resume is like your business card. It serves to make a first-Impression tell people the type of work you do and, most importantly, gives them the information needed to hire you to do that work! Your acting resume should be a constant work in progress; something you update regularly throughout your career and training. It’s time tor revamp your resume on Casting Actors Cast!

 

Zoom Auditions; Here to Stay?

ZOOM Auditions; Here to Stay?

Air Date: 4/13/2023

OK, so just because I thought Zoom was a designer drug from France three years ago doesn’t make me naïve. I just never used the platform before Covid. Then, suddenly, I was holding meetings and Zoom auditions all the time. Within the blink of an eye, I became an expert on how to audition on Zoom. Agents were asking me to teach their clients. Actors were like, “Can you please let me know if this looks good?”. Schools were trying to get me to teach Zoom acting on Zoom! But now, Covid restrictions are easing up and I just did my first “live” EPA for Contemporary American Theatre Festival (CATF). Now the question is, “Are Zoom auditions now a thing of the past?” Let’s look at the pros and cons of acting on the Zoom platform and answer the question, “Are Zoom auditions here to stay?”

Audition Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Audition mistakes and how to correct them!

Air Date 4/6/2023

 

You get nervous before your audition. There is a “fight or flight” response that makes you want to go home and get under the covers. You know the material; you’ve worked on it. And yet, without warning, your hands get sweaty, you have to pee, it’s hard to breathe. Does this sound familiar? Guess what? You are not alone. The mistake is thinking that your nervousness is a mistake! It is not. It is simply part of the process that many actors find hard to control. It is this lack of control that feels so uncomfortable and prevents you from doing your best work. After thousands of auditions both in person and on video, I can tell you that there are common issues I’ve experienced with actors that can sometimes cost them the callback or even worse, the job. Even though the title of this blog is “Common audition mistakes and how to correct them” I prefer to not characterize the following as “mistakes” but rather issues that can move you away from consideration for the role you are auditioning for. See if any of these might apply to you. I will also provide real solutions that can help.

Investment Strategy...Classes!

The importance of classes as an investment strategy

Air Date: 3/30/2023

As the “CEO” of your own company, making the right investments is a good business strategy. After all, you’ve probably spent time, money, and energy into your development as an actor already. Growing your “acting business” is the logical next step. This is where I see newbie actors making less than perfect decisions for themselves. The thinking goes something like this, “I’ve already had an acting class, had new pictures taken and now I am ready to be professional”.  While it may seem reasonable to think this way, there is a vital component that is missing. That is, accounting for ongoing education in your plans. You see, I believe the actor must always improve their skills with classes, workshops, seminars, and any other method of “talent investment”. Incorporating ongoing education into your business plan is critically important. Let’s look at some ways this strategy can help you with your career goals.

Business or Pleasure?

Business or Pleasure?

Air Date:  March 23, 2023

Whenever you cross the border, a security person behind the counter often asks, “Business or pleasure?”. Isn’t that strange. Like it is one or the other, not both at the same time. Think of it. If you answered, “Both”, then you just might be in for further scrutiny. Are you an actor for business or pleasure? Can it be both? Being a creative person, it is often a challenge to your business abilities while the fun part is less important if you can’t pay the rent. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the answers we give when asked, business or pleasure? Welcome to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors.

Marketing Mistakes Actors Make

Marketing Mistakes Actors Make

Air Date:  March 16, 2023

I’ve heard this statement from actors many times; “I have tried doing (whatever) and it doesn’t seem to work. Or “whenever I try to (whatever it is) something goes wrong”. Many times actors make mistake after mistake because of their limited perspective of the situation. After all, not one teaches this stuff in acting school. We’ll look at the myths and mistakes actors make and how to avoid them on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Spring in Your Step!

Air Date:  March 9, 2023

Spring In Your Step

 

I love the following catch phrases, “Make your mark, Jump at the chance, you do you, It’s aint over till it’s over, It’s just a matter of time…”. I’m not sure why I am enamored of these simple statements apart from their positive messages they inspire. Sometimes this shorthand version of coping with our feelings is a quick method of moving forward. Here’s one, “ Put a Spring in your step!” Well, soon it’s going to be Spring. New starts, fresh eyes and ways to grow into this new season. Put a Spring in Your Step on this episode of Casting actors Cast!