Casting Actors Cast

New! Self-tape Evaluation

Mark from San Antonio writes:

"...I had the help of my acting coach to tape this, but I’d really love to get your critique of 
this. In my opinion I think it would actually be a good topic for the podcast regarding 
how best to tape an audition when it calls for lots of action in a scene beyond standard 
dialogue like this scene called for. "

Check out my critique of this audition!

 

Hey, Hey, Hey, How’s Your Resume?

Hey, Hey, Hey, How’s Your Resume?

Air Date:  September 1, 2022

I know, I know. I can’t’ help a corny rhyme or alliteration opportunity! The resumes I’ve seen most recently come under the category, I call, Lacking. It’s not that they are short on credits or that their content isn’t right. It is that the actors resume is not appealing. It doesn’t have enough personality or information to answer even the most basic questions that a Casting Director might have! C’mon people. It’s 2022. The Fall is almost here. New season, new opportunities, new outlook. How about a new resume? Find out if you can benefit from a re-vamped resume. Hey, Hey Hey, Jeff is talking resume…this is Casting Actors Cast-The podcast for Actors from a casting director.

 

 

So You Want To Be An Actor?

So, You want to be an Actor?

Air Date:  August 25, 2022

Occasionally, I receive an email or reply from the website form saying something like the following. “I want to be an actor because it is what I’ve always dreamed of.” Then, the writer of this letter adds, “but I do not know how to start and there are no opportunities where I’m from”.  When I get this kind of correspondence, my first reaction is sadness for the author. Somehow, they feel stuck or uninspired to find a way to act on their dreams (pun intended). This episode is for everyone who has a dream but finds it hard to embrace the reality that acting as a profession takes hard work, determination, creativity, and support from others. Having the dream is great. Turning the dream into positive motivational steps is the best way to make the dream a reality. So, you want to be an actor? Find out how on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

How Casting Watches Your Audition

How Casting Watches Your Audition

Air Date:  August 18, 2022

It happens all the time. An actor auditioning for a role (Zoom or in person) finished the scene and then looks to the casting director or director or the producer with an inquisitive look. That look is often hopeful or an expression of, “how was I?”. Sometimes the actor might even say, “…or something like that” in an effort to deflect the need for approval. It’s an uncomfortable moment for everyone. It got me to thinking about what actors think casting is thinking! I am going to tell you in this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

 

Plan, Prepare, Perform

Plan, prepare, perform

Air Date:  August 11, 2022

So, the dog days of summer are upon us. It’s had to get motivated much less excited about your acting career goals. I get it. Finding the best next career step is so much harder with temperatures hitting 100 degrees.  Getting through the day is a challenge let alone thinking about what you have lined up for the fall, right? OK. Listen up. Now is the best time to plan. Now is the best time to prepare. There is no time like the present to perform. Find out how to do all three on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Encore presentation: Resilience

Special Encore presentation of Resilience!

Your Top 5 Questions Answered

Jeffrey answers your top 5 questions about being an actor in the special Encore presentation!

Stage A Comeback

Stage a Comeback

Air Date:  July 21, 2022

So, here’s a quote I heard from comedienne, Issa Rae: “Stop making excuses, you are the only one stopping you” I love this because it is exactly what I want to address on today’s podio, podcast video. Are you ready? Are you setting yourself up for acting success? Have you been procrastinating making career choices for yourself? In that case, it might be time to Stage a Comeback! What I mean is, get back to your acting because the stage is on a comeback! This is Casting Actors Cast!

On Set Etiquette

On Set Etiquette

Air Date:  July 14, 2022

So, I just got back from 2 days on a film set. It was on location at a county fairground in South Jersey and was it really fun. While there, it hit me. I wonder if actors know the best way to make the most of their on-set experiences. Are there things you can do to while shooting a tv or film to make the booking successful and even fun? We’ll find out on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Ham on a Role

Ham on a Role

Air Date:  July 7, 2022

 

C’mon. Who doesn’t like a good pun? Ham on a R-O-L-E is the only way to talk about those times when you’ve been asked to play an outrageous character and you want to ham it up. Where does that name (ham) come from; I wonder? In any case, we’ll take a look at how to approach and play a personality that is over the top, outrageous and goofy on this episode of Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors from a casting director…

75K Downloads Celebration

75K Downloads Celebration

Air Date:  June 30, 2022

 

On today's episode of Casting Actors Cast, we're going to look back and find out the reasons why we now have 75,000 downloads of the podcast. Come on, it's a celebration. And you’re invited to listen to Casting Actors Cast.

Breathing Matters

Breathing Matters

Air Date:  June 23, 2022

 

One of the easiest ways actors can feel in control is to concentrate on breathing. When was the last time you thought about your breath? OK not your breath but your breathing! That's the subject of today's podcast. Breathing matters. On this episode of casting, actors cast.

 

Catch A Catchphrase

I don't know about you, but I love when I hear myself saying catch phrases. You know, those little statements or sayings that can get you through the day. For example, here's one. You can start your day over at any time. That has actually helped me a lot of late because when stuff happens, sometimes I need a fresh start. Let's take a look at some additional guidepost statements that can help you with both your acting and your acting career. On this episode of Casting Actors Cast.

 

Does Your Headshot Still Matter?

Given the current environment and the new technology actors are required to know like Zoom and self-tape, you might be wondering if the need for a headshot still matters. After all, we can see what you look like in a slate or in a Zoom meeting, why do you need to go through the trouble and expense for new headshots? What can they possibly be used for? Listen up people, I have the answer to that question plus some really valuable tips on ways you can use your headshot as the best marketing tool in your tool kit! Answers to that and the mailbag on this episode of Casting Actors Cast! The podcast and video for actors…from a casting director!

It’s Never About You

It’s Never About You!

Air Date:  June 2, 2022

 

Did the title of this episode shock you? Are you thinking that this is just another guy needing to vent? There are multiple ways to approach a statement like this. Suffice it to say that hearing the phrase, “It’s Never About You” is actually helpful. There is something useful when we can shift our attention to what is happening beyond our control. There are many times when actors appreciate the focus and attention they command. Equally important are those times when knowing you are not the center of it all can actually be a relief. Let’s talk about it. On this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Questions And Answers

Questions and answers

Air Date:  May 26, 2022

 

The success of this podcast is due to the comments, feedback and letters from listeners. There have been a flurry of actors reaching out to either comment or ask a question or even share their successes! Ok. It may seem like an ego massage, but let’s face it, we could all use some positive strokes. This episode of Casting Actors Cast is all about communication to and for each other. Questions and answers. Coming right up!

What Happens to Your Submissions?

What Happens to Your Submission?

Air Date:  May 19, 2022

 

It’s a typical comment that actors have. After all, actors take the time and work hard on their self-submit videos when they submit for a project only to never hear or receive any feedback whatsoever. It’s as if their audition goes into the data universe never to be heard from again. What happens to your submission? I will break it down for you in an effort to remove unhealthy speculation about your audition efforts going forward. Happening on this episode of Casting Actors Cast.

The Fix for YOUR Auditions

The Fix for Your Auditions

Air Date:  May 12, 2022

 

I can't tell you how many times I find myself yelling at my computer screen while watching self-submit videos. Your self-tapes have so many issues in them that it sometimes is impossible for me to give you a fair evaluation about your acting. So today, we're going to call the episode, “The fix for Your Auditions”. Hopefully after this episode, you're going to get not only excellent results, but you're going to say to yourself, wow, the fix is in.

Networking Conundrum

Networking Conundrum

Air Date:  May 5, 2022

 

Possibly one of the most common questions out there is, “How do I stay in touch with an agent/manager/casting director without turning them off?” or, putting it another way, “I don’t want to be obnoxious and am afraid I will turn the agent/casting director off, how do I network the right way?”

To be sure, every actor wants to be though of in great terms with industry folks. But sometimes it’s really hard to figure out the best way to do it. We will answer this question and offer up some helpful insights into those pesky networking conundrums! On this episode of Casting Actors Cast, The podcast for actors from a casting director.

Dealing with Competition

Dealing with Competition

Air Date:  April 28, 2022

 

Competition. It can feel awful. Working very hard to do the best work you can, say, with an audition scene, and suddenly this queasy feeling takes over. Your inner voice is saying, “I bet someone else will do this better”. Or “there are probably so many other talented people up for this, I am sure I won’t get it!” In that split second moment, you’ve become sad, defeated, or worse. What’s crazy is that you have not even auditioned yet! You’ve allowed imagined competition to ruin your process. Although you think this is real, intellectually, you know it is nothing but self-sabotage. The only competition you need to deal with is with yourself. That’s why you need this podcast. This is really going to help. This is Casting Actors Cast!

College Showcases-The Truth

College Showcases-The Truth

Air Date:  April 21, 2022

Our Casting office receives hundreds of invitations to college showcases every spring. It seems that every university that has a theatre curriculum decides to give their students the opportunity to perform for New York, LA, Chicago agents, managers, and casting directors. These use to be live on stage which, because of covid, went virtual. Well, it looks like the live versions of an actor’s coming out party, are coming back. The question is, are they really useful? Can they make a difference in an actor’s career? Let’s have a truthful conversation about the college showcase, on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

 

What’s Happening With Regional Theatres?

What’s Happening With Regional Theatres

Air Date:  April 14, 2022

 

Because of Covid, regional theatres have had to re-tool and reinvent their business model. Statistics tell us that a 30% drop in revenue (or more) is not uncommon. Some theatres have had to close their doors altogether while others resorted to “online” readings and performances to maintain their relationships to their subscribers. It is not all bad news, however. Non-profit theatres are making a comeback. Slowly but surely, new projects are in the works for these theatres. How will this affect you? What are the ways you can take advantage of this shift? What’s Happening with Regional Theatres? You’ll find out on this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

MFA-Meditations for Actors; A Review

MFA -MEDITATIONS FOR ACTORS-App review

Air Date:  April 7, 2022

 

There are a ton of products and services meant to support actors. Classes, websites even podcasts. Each one has its place, but because there are so many choices and each one costing you time, how do you decide what’s best for you? Its enough to make you crazy. This episode sets out to save you, not only time, but restore your sanity and keep you actor ready. It’s an app called MFA, Meditations for Actors and we’re going to find out if it is right for you. On this episode of Casting Actors Cast!

Stop Performing Start Conversing

Air Date: 3/31/2022

Stop Performing Start Conversing!

 

After watching countless auditions on zoom and on self-tape, I've come to the realization that most actors are giving a performance. What I mean is, many times, I want to say to the actor, “it is not a performance, it’s a conversation. Just talk”. I guess the question you might have now is, just how do you do that? In this episode of casting actors cast, I will breakdown the process so you can stop performing and start conversing with your acting.

 

Best Business Advice For Your Acting Career!

Air Date: 3/24/2022

Best Business Advice for Your Acting Career!

Actors are always handed advice from other people who have nothing to do with being an actor. You have probably heard everything from how to be rich and famous to how to prepare rice and beans when times are tough. Take it from me, you have heard advice that can amount to an actual hill of beans! There are, however, some useful tips that might help. Advice that I have heard that makes sense which made the actor’s journey easier to navigate. Check out this episode of Casting Actors Cast and get the best advice for your acting business career.

Preparation To Performance

Air Date: 3/17/2022

Preparation to Performance

Most of the time, we can strike the right balance between being prepared which then leads to a strong performance. Then, there are those times when we don't feel prepared, and that usually affects our performance in a “not so good” way. That is an awful feeling.  It's no easy feat to embrace how we approach the work, and then, how we should perform it. Sound confusing?  In this episode, let's look at the ways we can prepare ourselves for the audition which then becomes an accomplished performance. Preparation to performance on this episode of Casting Actors Cast.

Top 3 Self-Tape Mistakes

Air Date: 3/17/2022

Top 3 Self-tape mistakes made by Actors

Did you know that there are three universally common mistakes made by actors when they submit their auditions on Self-tape? Based on hundreds and hundreds of auditions, Jeffrey can spot the issues in a matter of seconds. Are you one of the culprits? Can you make your auditions better using these simple fixes? Don’t miss this critically important “Podio” that can help you take your work to the next level. It’s called, Casting Actors Cast, the podcast and video for actors.

Actor Training = Investment Dividends

Air Date: 3/3/2022

Actor Training=Investment Dividends

It goes without saying that investing in your acting by taking acting classes is a smart strategy. It keeps you sharp and committed to your goals in a rewarding way. There is a assumption about classes that need to be addressed. When you sign up for an acting, scene study or camera class, you might want to consider the implications. You could lose credibility and diminish your opportunities in a significant way. Let’s explore the investment dividends and potential losses when you invest in your acting training, in this episode of Casting Actors Cast.

Talent Pool Questions-Deep Dive Answers

Air Date: 3/10/2022

Talent Pool Questions, Deep Dive Answers

It’s always fun to hear smart questions and comments from actors. It really represents a genuine interest in knowing more or sharing a common experience. Many times, answers to actor questions seem to make sense, while others can leave the questioner more confused or with multiple follow ups, which can be frustrating. In this episode of Casting Actors Cast, will take a deep dive with some email from the talent pool and let’s just hope we come up for air! C’mon…that was good!

10 Ways to Make Money Acting!

Air Date: 2/24/2022

10 Ways to Make Money Acting!

Using your training and professional background as an actor for gigs other than on screen or stage might be something you’ve never thought about. After all, you are an actor and actors need to act! I get it. But what about those times when you might not have a ton of auditions or roles lined up for the near term? Keeping yourself sharp and “Actor Ready” is vitally important during those leaner times. What kind of side hustles make the most sense for you? I’ve got 10 ways to make money using your acting background in this episode of Casting Actors Cast!