Top 11 Reputable Casting Websites

One of the things that can get me incensed as a career coach is when casting websites pop up promising to give actors access to stardom. Some sites make it sounds like an actor’s big break is just around the corner, and all they need to do is pay a fee and they’re in! But most actors know that success comes with good training, strong relationship building, and the ability & wherewithal to seize an opportunity when it presents itself (also known as tenacity.) The trouble is, even the smartest actor has heard at least one rags-to-riches story, and the allure of a quick win sometimes overshadows common sense.

So, to combat the many unscrupulous characters baiting actors with empty promises, below you’ll find are 11 of my favorite reputable websites where casting notices can be found.

Actors Access
Backstage
Actors Equity Casting Call
Playbill
SAG Indie
Now Casting
Casting Networks/LACasting.com
Casting Networks/NYCasting.com
NYCastings.com
Mandy.com
Craigslist

Any of the others not listed here typically have the same notices that are on the above sites. If you are in LA or NY, I would caution you if paying to use any website other than these listed- it probably wouldn’t be worth the money. Of course, there are exceptions and I am sure a new website will come along and blow away the competition. But as of now, the above sites are the most reputable for those in the major markets.

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Four Tips to Master the Telephone

Four Tips to Master the Telephone

by Dallas Travers, CEC

The telephone is one of the most powerful marketing resources you have at your disposal.  Think about Jeremy Piven’s character, Ari Gold on HBO’s Entrourage.  As Hollywood’s most powerful agent, Gold lives and breathes by the telephone.  He understands that the phone is the quickest way to really make things happen for his clients.

Regardless of what stage you are in your acting career, you must embrace the power of the telephone in your own marketing.  You don’t have to be an acerbic bulldog like Ari Gold, but you can step out of your comfort zone and reach out on the phone.

Whether you’re calling producers, casting directors, agents, or even friends, the phone can sometimes be an intimidating monster.  Let’s admit it, scary phone calls are never easy, but they are necessary if you want to elevate your career.  So, now I’d like to offer up four quick tips for conquering the telephone.

Be Clear

It’s essential that you know precisely WHY you are calling before you pick up the phone.  You must convey your request in a clear way.  Doing so allows whomever you’re calling to more easily help you because now they’ll actually know what the heck you really want.

Be sure to ask the real question.  The real question cuts right to the chase.  It may feel a little bold, but it’ll more than likely get you the answers you’re seeking.  The real question may be: “Can we set up a meeting?”  “Would you like to represent me?” or “How can I cultivate a relationship with you?”

If you’re calling to set up a meeting with a producer, ask for it.  You might say something like this:

Hi, I’m Joe smith.  I’m an actor committed to expanding my feature film career.  I’m calling to set up a 10 minute meeting with (insert producer’s name) to find out what you’re currently working on and how we might collaborate.

If you’re calling a casting office, simply request an audition.  You may say something like this:

Hi, this is Jane Johnson.  I think I’m perfect for the role of (insert role here).  What can I do to get an audition?

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A Night Out For A Good Cause

The other night, I finally went to my first real LA Event. It only took 6 years of living out here.

I was invited to a get together for I AM PWD, honoring Breaking Bad‘s RJ Mitte. I AM PWD is a tri-union (SAG/AFTRA/EQUITY) program that helps to promote performers with disabilities. It’s a really great cause that you should definitely check out.

Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad were there, so was Yvette Nicole Brown from Community, Daryl Chill Mitchell, a handful of other actors and industry people, Sugar from ‘Survivor‘ and me. In fact, I think the check-in sheet was listed just like that – with my name being last. As it should be, mind you.

When I walked in, my first thought was, ‘Why am I here?’ I had visions of me standing in the corner with a drink in my hand staring at Bryan Cranston like a mental patient all night but thankfully, that didn’t happen (and if it did, I wouldn’t be writing this column. I would have been escorted out of the building).

But as it turns out, I actually had a really good time. The crowd was small, and everyone was really nice. I talked with most everyone – most notably Yvette Nicole Brown and Daryl Chill Mitchell (Daryl’s acting advice to me: Never go to audition. Always go to work!).

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Thoughts on the Tony Awards

The Tony Awards were last night and while I liked the show overall, I did have problem with it.

By problem, I mean fear.

All the movie stars getting the awards.

Now, before you get all mad, hear me out. I saw Fences and thought Denzel Washington was phenomal. I thought Viola Davis was good as well, just not as good as Denzel. I did not see A View From A Bridge with Scarlett Johanson or A Little Night Music with Catherine Zeta-Jones. I’m sure they were all fantastic.

But were the voters star-struck?

Since the Tony’s are now voted on by Producers and not critics or press, I’m thinking that the almighty dollar is winning the vote.

Will Broadway soon (if it’s not already) get to be like TV. Shows won’t be mounted unless they have a star name attached? The good up-and-coming actors will be relegated to supporting players – if that?

Look how many TV shows Christian Slater has tried to headline. They’ve all been flops.

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Three Tips To Finding An Agent

Three Agent Tips

by Dallas Travers, CEC

One of the most common complaints I hear from actors involves finding the right representation. Snagging a solid agent or manager can be tricky, time consuming, and expensive. A lot of actors experience the old catch-22: “I need an agent to get work and I need work to land an agent”. What’s an actor to do?

Whether you feel like you don’t have enough time or money to grab the attention of an agent, or you question whether or not you’re ready for representation, you can begin planting seeds with prospective agents easily and inexpensively. All you need to do is commit to these small steps.

Apply a Laser Beam Focus

I’m a big believer in “doing less more often”, so narrow your agent list to a manageable target group of about 10 agencies. Ask for recommendations from fellow actors and any industry connections, such as casting directors, producers, acting coaches, etc. Do you have a peer with representation whose career you admire? Research their agency. The Hollywood Creative Directory, available as a reference book in many libraries, and IMDB Pro are good resources to help locate names and contact information for anyone in the industry. Don’t forget to plug in to online forums such as the Hollywood Happy Hour Yahoo Group. You will be amazed by how easily you can access up to date information about any agent you may be researching.

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A Motivating Kick in the Pants

Just a few words of wisdom (stolen from a well known marketing campaign) … Just Do It. Put away the excuses. Put away the what-ifs. Put away the “when the weather is nicer and I have more energy.” The time is now. There will never be the perfect time, or the easy time, or the time when all of the pieces will line up exactly the way we want them to. So…

Just Do It.

So, I thought I would help address some of the common excuses we actors tell ourselves so I can help break that cycle:

Hosting 101: There is Such a Thing as Being Overly Prepared

Hosting 101: There is Such a Thing as Being Overly Prepared

By Alison Massie

Two years ago I got the opportunity to interview Perez Hilton. I was ecstatic to say the least. I’m a die hard fan and it’s the one blog I always visit daily. It was arranged a few weeks in advance so I started to prepare…and prepare. I played tons of scenarios over and over in my head, wrote questions, rewrote them, and obsessed about every detail.

And sure enough, nothing went as planned. I was running late because of traffic and scrambled to get my gear and get out of the car as I could see Perez closing in on the end of the red carpet. There were no outlets outside and I couldn’t use my lights. I was frantic. Before I knew it, I was thrown over the ropes and heard someone tell Perez there was one last interview. No no no. I somehow wasn’t ready. This is not what I had envisioned.

Overall, things went fine. Perez was charming and fun – everything I had hoped he’d be. But I was so stuck in my own head that I barely heard him. I kept trying to remember the order of my questions and was sure I was forgetting some. Afterward, I couldn’t even remember what I said. I simply wasn’t listening.

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Beware Unsolicited Offers of Stardom

This week, I have decided to tackle a very hot topic, which has spurned lots of debate by industry insiders and actors alike: Unsolicited Offers of Fame and Requests for Partnership.

To give you some background on this topic, I am going to start by sharing an email I recently received from a “manager.” (Note: All grammar and spelling has been included, as originally written.)

I was looking on IMDB and noticed you do not have a Talent Manager.  As you may  know we are doing Talent Management..  A manager is different from an agent but in a way better as I have more fields to get you work.  I feel I could be a great assett to you to help you not only get your more acting roles but we are doing something no other Management firm does.  We are also going to provide free to our clients our Publicity Services.  We are a NON-EXCLUSIVE company so if at anytime you want to end services with us that is ok.  I really hope you will give me a chance to further your career and make you more money.  If you are interested please let me know and I’ll send you my information packate. – Mike

File this one away into the “If it seems too good to be true, it is” mailbox. Of course, there are warning signs all over the above email that tell the actor that they should stay far away. So, how does an actor gauge the validity of these types of emails, which become numerous as the actor gets more and more well known?

1) Does the manager know the difference between managers and agents? (Do you?)

Agents and managers are very different from one another, primarily because it is illegal for managers to procure work for their clients. Agents are required to be on file with their state as a “licensed employment agent” and managers are not given this clearance. Thus, a manager’s job takes on a different form. Directly from the Talent Manager’s Association website: “A manager, by nature, does not seek employment for a client, but rather council, market and network on their behalf making it easier for the agent to secure employment. A client, manager and agent should function as a team.”

You can see by the email above that the manager is not accurately conveying his role. This should be a very big “red flag” to you.

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The New Law To Help “Protect” Actors?

This is a guest post by Jamie Fishback.

I just got an email from a well-respected, highly used, Casting Director (CD) workshop explaining a new law that has come into play since January 2010.  In essence the law (The Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act of 2009 / Assembly Bill No. 1319) , Chapter 4.5 of the Labor Laws, is designed to protect actors from getting screwed by companies that want to charge actors for “training.”  The training companies now have to get bonded, other companies can’t get kick backs for referrals (i.e. you have to use “our” headshot photographer), and there are rules / regulations on charging for training.  A lot of this is to stop companies from saying, “if you pay us [X] in dollars, we’ll be able to guarantee you work.”  Of course, as all of should know, there is NEVER any guarantee of work in any business (that is to say, unless you join a Union, they’re governed to find you work… and NO SAG / AFTRA / etc. are not unions).

I get this, I get that we need to be protected, but to what degree.  According to the new law, CDs who attend these bonded workshops can no longer take your headshots with them, because this is considered an “audition.”  What the hell?!  A workshop is NOT an audition, I am not paying money to AUDITION for the CD.  I’m paying money to get in front of them and for them to take my headshot and put it in a special stack in their office that they go to when they are casting.  I am paying to be a select few that they use when it comes to casting.  It is also beneficial for the CD because it saves them time when it comes to casting.  They see people who are good before casting, and have type-cast them already, so when they bring them in they know what they’re getting.

So, they’re solution, as an actor we are allowed to “follow up” with the CD after the workshop.  Let’s take a look at this really quickly.

The average CD receives hundreds, if not thousands, of headshots A DAY!!!  And, normally, the actual CD isn’t even looking at those headshots, it’s their assistants, who were NOT at the workshops.  They have no idea who I am.  You say, why not put REFERRED TO on their.   I would argue that there is still hundreds of “referrals” that their assistants go through regularly.  And, I know some who just throw mailed headshots away.  They don’t even look at them because they don’t have enough time in the day.   And, yet again, everyone thinks that actors are made of money.  I know it’s only a few bucks to mail your headshots, but that’s more money that an actor has to spend.

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The Key to Booking A Role That You Might be Over Looking

Producers:  The Key to Booking You Might be Over Looking

by Dallas Travers, CEC

Several months ago, I surveyed 300 actors to discover their biggest questions about the business of acting.  Admittedly, I was not too surprised that 93% of the respondents asked, “How do I get more auditions?”  This seems like the most reasonable place to start when you’re building a career.

Surprisingly though, not one actor responded with the question, “How can I book more jobs?”  Frankly, this shocked me.  Wouldn’t you rather replace auditions with offers?  How often do you think an actor such as Will Smith or Sandra Bullock audition?

Rather than focus solely on snagging auditions, I want you to focus on building relationships.  That way, you can replace auditions with offers.

Producers are the key.

Building relationships with producers is often overlooked but highly effective way to market yourself as an actor.  Unlike casting directors, producers are not inundated with calls, headshots, postcards, and requests from actors.  Yet, they’re the people who are ultimately in charge of hiring you.  A producer’s job is to take meetings and make phone calls.  So, I find they are so much more receptive to an actor’s marketing than a casting director.

I’ve met many casting directors who feel frustrated by the fact that at the end of a long casting process, the actor who gets the job is someone who has a relationship with the producer.

Now, this may sound very unfair, but I think it’s really great news because all you have to do is build producer relationships and get on their short list.   You can do that by applying a lot of the same strategies that are effective with casting directors.  Here are four steps to help you get on a producer’s radar.

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