Recently, after posting a casting call on IMDB for the upcoming production of Karma, I began speaking with some other producers and casting directors about the issues of finding actors and actresses who fit the mental image the writer had for the character. We began discussing some of the things we come up against in the process, so I decided to take a moment to offer up some advice based on what I'm hearing. Hopefully, this will improve life for both the acting talent and the production staff.

 

• Read the Character Description
  
  One of the things I'm hearing is a tendency for actors to just submit for everything open. I've encountered this myself even on the current project. After posting the call for Emma, with a character description of "Featured Female, 1 to 2 years of age at time of filming" I was very surprised that the youngest submission I've received so far was an 8 year old girl. For the part of the middle school bully aged 12 to 14, I received a submission from a man in his 20's who has dreadlocks and a full beard and mustache.
  
  The bottom line is, if you just submit for every open role on a production, you come off as desperate. What's more, you cannot possibly be right for all of the roles unless the descriptions are all very similar. Many of the producers and casting directors I've spoken with have even indicated they compile a list of actors who do this. They feel that it shows a significant lack of attention to detail, as well a willingness to waste someone's time. They have neither the time nor inclination to jeopardize a production on someone who displays this tendency, even if they eventually submit for a part they are right for. So, all future submissions from that actor immediately get scrapped.
  
  Now, I don't personally care for this practice. I mention it mainly to let you know it is done by some. While I do have a few actors that I refuse to even consider working with again, I ascribe to the theory of "Be nice to people on your way up. You'll be seeing them again on your way back down!"

 

• Confidence vs Arrogance
  
  A recent conversation with another producer related the story of a relatively unknown woman who submitted for the lead role. She was nothing close to the character description. This producer took the time to write to her and say that, while he didn't feel she was right for that particular role, he'd be happy to have her select another role to read for. What he received in return was an email that stated she'd be interested, but would need to see a full script to determine which other characters had the most relevance to the story and how much screen time they would have. Then she would select a role that was of interest to her.
  
  There are a lot of really great actors out there, at all levels. There are some really poor actors out there, at all levels. So, no matter what the production budget is, you're in competition with a LOT of people. Increase your value by being easy to work with. Understand that, while you may be massively talented, not having to tell people you are shows more confidence than anything you could tell them about yourself. While we all know that actors have to look out for their own interests and careers, it's probably not going to benefit you to let them know up front that you're more interested in what the project can do for you.
  
  I won't say that giving an actor their choice never happens. I just received an inquiry from a well-known actress for one of the roles in Karma. It was a smaller role, and I really enjoy her work, so I suggested she read the script and choose between that role and another somewhat more substantial role, and I would be happy to have her on the project in either one. But, this is not a normal situation, and should NEVER be requested by an actor, unless they bring significant clout to the project. Even then, there's a right way and a wrong way to present it.
  
  
  
• Demonstrating Your Talent
  
  We receive a lot of submissions that include demo reels. The problem is that very often, people include theatrical trailers for movies where they had a feature or extra role, and the trailer doesn't even show them! We can't judge the caliber of your performance as "2nd man from the left" or "Unnamed Bar Patron" when the trailer doesn't even show you. We can see on your resume that you landed a role in major film, and that's great. But your demo reel has to actually "demonstrate" your ability, or it doesn't help us.
  
  For those who don't have a professional demo reel, that's not a deal breaker. But, take the time to show that you take yourself as seriously as you'd like us to. Yes, it can be filmed on your IPhone, but take a minute to do a couple of things. The first one would be: FOR PETE'S SAKE, IRON THE SHEET! Many people use a colored sheet for a backing curtain. This is fine, but it shouldn't look like you pulled it right out of the laundry and hung it behind you! You can't expect someone to invest money in you as an actor when you can't invest a little effort in presenting yourself.
  
  The next thing would be to use an actual microphone. You're in the entertainment field, I guarantee you know someone in a band, somewhere. Ask them for help. Offer to give them production credit. Offer to buy them dinner! (I was a musician for many years, you'd be surprised what we'll do for a free pizza!) The point is, it can be distracting trying to get an idea of someone's speaking voice when you can't hear through the ambient room hiss or the traffic passing by.
  
  Do an actual scene, but make it yours. If you're going to do a famous monologue, don't just parrot your favorite actor's performance. And don't just read the lines. Do something to make your delivery unique and engaging. If you're going to involve another actor, don't just have your cousin reading the response lines off camera. It makes your performance uneven and we can often see you getting rattled by their lack of quality. Take the time to find someone you can work with, maybe even splitting the cost of the project and both using it. Check in your area, I guarantee someone is starting up a production company who would be willing to help you out on a budget.
  
  Show us that, even if you can't afford a professionally produced demo reel, you take enough pride in your presentation to do everything you can to make it enjoyable to watch. It tells us you care about your free project, which means you'll care even more about the projects we're paying you for.
  
  
  
• Be Current and Relevant
  
  If your most recent head shot doesn't reflect your current appearance, it doesn't help us. Conversely, if you have nothing in your portfolio except shots of you in makeup that make you unrecognizable, it doesn't matter how current it is, we still can't get an idea of whether we can use you. I know, many people think "If they're interested, they can contact me and I'll GLADLY send them a newer one." The reality is, we often don't bother. We're reviewing anywhere from two to a hundred other actors for the same role. We don't have time to beg people to show us more. We move on to the next person.
  
  If you don't have current head shots, my question is: "Why not? Aren't you worth it?" For starters, anything you pay for them is deductible as a business expense. There are great consumer level cameras out there. There are a million aspiring photographers who do quality work. HOWEVER, don't let them get so caught up in using you as a model that they forget what they are there for. The photo should be minimally retouched, but lit well so it doesn't look like a mugshot. That comes much later in your celebrity life.
  
  Don't have your portfolio full of nothing but freak roles, unless that's what you're looking to do. If that's what you're after, there's nothing wrong with that. But don't submit for the lead role in a drama or thriller, and then give a demo reel with you making strange faces doing farcical southern accents.
  
  
  
• Be a Person
  
  My final tip, and one of the most important (in my opinion) is to be genuine. We all know people from all walks of life that are unbearably phony. The moment they speak, you know they are trying to convince you that they are more than they seem. This industry, in particular, operates on perception. But when it comes right down to it, nobody wants to work with someone they aren't sure they can rely on.
  
  I had an actress on a previous production tell me during the audition for a corporate informational film that she wasn't sure about even applying for the role, because she and her husband were trying to have a baby. She was concerned that by the time the shoot came around, she might be showing. I told her how much I appreciated her candor, and how valuable it was in making the decision. I wound up having to cast another actress in the role because of this. But, because of her willingness to jeopardize her own chances rather than the production, I knew she was someone I would be eager to work with in the future, and did so on two other productions. As a matter of fact, I called her first to check her interest without ever posting the call for the role.
  
  The point is, a lot of people can land a role. Not everyone gets called back to work on future projects. Make it easy on yourself and those you work with, and be the kind of professional that people are anxious to work with and refer.

 

 

I hope this advice gives you some insight to the process, and maybe even an advantage the next time you submit for a casting call. The industry is exactly what we allow it to be, no more no less.

 

Best of luck to everyone,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phil Bourassa
Red Swan Films