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Commercial Model and Actor Must-Read: “Confessions of a Casting Director”
Jen Rudin’s Confessions of a Casting Director
My 10-year-old son got an agent in New York at age 8 and we were thrown into the high-pressure, unpredictable audition process in sink-or-swim fashion. We’ve had to learn everything by trial and error. If I’d read casting director Jen Rudin‘s book then, I could have saved my son from a lot of heartache and humiliation.
Inside the Casting Process
The casting process is almost always entirely mysterious and this book works magic: taking the reader behind the scenes of the casting process and into the head of a casting director. It’s an easy and engaging read, covers every question a stage parent/actor might have, and is written by an expert who has been on both sides of the casting table. My son and I loved the “Epic Success” and “Epic Fail” audition sidebars, in which actors shared their audition experiences. All the direct quotes from other experts in the field were illuminating as well.
Jen Rudin’s Mock Audition Boot Camp
Thanks, Jen, for giving actors and stage parents such a useful tool and fun book to read (I read it in one day—could not put it down). I also highly recommend Jen’s acting workshops, which my son has attended. Instruction from the people who actually cast actors in major movies and Broadway shows—it doesn’t get better than that.
Buy “Confessions of a Casting Director”
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Any tips on how young adults age 25+ can go about getting a manager or agent in NY? I find that with most auditions and seminars it’s a cattle call…and it’s a constant fight to remind CDs of who you are…
Hi SanJai,
Here is some great advice for you from actor, teacher, and acting coach Jenny Mercein:
Getting an agent is extremely challenging at any age. Although it can be frustrating to pay money to meet with industry professionals, pay-to-pay places such as One on One and Actors Connection are a legitimate way to obtain representation. In fact, that’s how I got my agent! It may not always seem like it, but the majority of agents and managers who agree to give these classes and workshops are genuinely interested in finding new talent. That being said, be selective in terms of who you target. If you have any personal connection to an agent or manager, however tangential, try to sign up for a session with that person. A mutual friend or a friend who is a client will be good fodder for small talk. And talent reps are not just casting you for a specific role, they are looking to form a long-term relationship. If you have a friend who can follow up on your behalf and attest that you are an honest, reliable person is just as important as picking a great audition piece. The best referal for an agent or manager is a casting director. The first question agents or managers will ask you is “What casting directors know your work?” I would strongly advise you to take workshops with casting directors. If you can afford it, take a multiple week class so you can form a relationship and the casting director can really get to know your abilities. Again, be selective in terms of whose class you invest in. Pick 5 television shows or movies that you feel you could be cast in, look up who was the casting director, and see if that person or someone from his/her office offers classes anywhere in NYC. Don’t expect that the casting director will offer to refer you to an agent, but when you meet with an agent (through a referal or a paid session), you will have a few casting directors to mention know your work. This is incredibly important to agents and managers. And when you meet any industry professional, ask them how they prefer to keep in touch. Some will give their email or phone number, others still prefer postcards. In either case, keep in touch. Almost 5 years spanned between my first meeting with Abrams Artists Agency to signing with them, but my patience, persistance, and periodic postcards paid off! Eventually, I signed with their commerical department. They’ve been loyal and amazing agents for almost ten years now.
Good luck SanJai and thanks Jenny!