From Improv to Stand-up: The Business Of Comedy
July 12, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Videos
The SAG Foundation had a panel on the business of comedy a couple of weeks ago.
On the panelist was Oscar Nuñez (The Office), Bruce Smith (Omnipop Talent Group), David Goldman (Comedy Time Network), stand-up comic/casting director Lesley Wolff and casting associate/stand-up comic Chris Gehrt.
They talked about why improv training is important, the reality of open mic nights and the importance of writing.
Incidentally, I took a class from Lesley Wolff once and it was such a great experience. It was a 5-week course and where the final night, you did a 5 minute stand-up routine at the Improv. If you get a chance, I highly recommend it!
The Key to Booking A Role That You Might be Over Looking
May 20, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Columns
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.
CAZT’s suggestion for a Mother’s Day gift
May 7, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
You’ve heard of CAZT, right?
Its a place in Hollywood where you audition for various casting directors then later when you get home, you can log onto their website to view the audition and see comments from the casting director.
All for $10 a month!
I love it when people figure out more ways to take money from actors.
Anyway, I got this email from them this morning announcing that I can now share my auditions with my mom for Mother’s Day!
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Hey Lance, If your mother is like ours, she’s supported you in a million ways since you moved to LA. For Mother’s Day, show her what you’ve been up to out here. Announcing CAZT’s new sharing system: CAZT Members can show their auditions videos to anyone. To share your auditions with your mother (or anyone else): Enjoy! The CAZT Team |
“Hey Mom, I didn’t get you flowers for Mother’s Day but I did get you this – you can log onto this website and watch some auditions I did! How great is that?? By the way, can I borrow $10?”
A “Lost” Audition?
April 29, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Columns
This post was originally written for talktvworld.com. If you’re looking for a comprehensive website that covers all things television, check this site out!
Whenever my phone rings and I see that its my agent, I immediately go through two emotions, I’m happy (I’ve booked something or have an audition) or I think I’ve done something wrong. Oddly enough, I get the same feeling when my parents call me. Yes, I know I may need therapy.
In this case though, it was good news. I had an audition with a great casting director; April Webster Casting. This has got to be one of the biggest casting offices around. They cast Lost and nearly all of JJ Abrams projects. To do a good job at this audition would mean that I could get on their radar.
The audition was for the TNT show, Dark Blue. The part wasn’t huge but I still worked on it like it was. I wasn’t going to screw-up this opportunity. Even if I end up not being right for the part, I’m going in there to make them a fan of my work.
That next afternoon, I drove to Burbank; going over the scenes the whole time. I walked into the office, signed in and immediately saw a taped piece of paper with “LOST Auditions: Sign In Here” emblazoned on it.
Read more
Send Your Stuff: Film “Yeah, Yeah, Whatever”
March 3, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
Dorian Frankel is casting the film, Yeah, Yeah, Whatever.
Info: An old con artist just released from prison tries to struggle to life on the outside.
Dorian Frankel
1617 N. EL CENTRO AVE. #14
LOS ANGELES CA 90028
You can find out more about Dorian here
LA Actors: Send Your Stuff!
February 24, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
Get your headshots or postcards ready! 
Tracy Lilienfield Casting is casting the new pilot, Sh*t My Dad Says (CBS, 1/2)
Tracy Lilienfield Casting
5555 Melrose Ave.
Dreier Bldg.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Valko/Miller Casting is casting the pilot, Kindreds (NBC, 1 hour).
Valko/Miller Casting
3500 W. Olive Ave.
Suite 780
Burbank, CA 9150
Stordahl/Terry Casting is casting the pilot, Nomads (CW, 1 hour).
Stordahl /Terry Casting
121 West Lexington Drive
Suite 206
Glendale, CA 91203
And all labels are now updated (agents, casting directors & VO)!
The Casting Director labels are for what is currently casting (both New York & LA). Click here!
Do you need Casting Director and Agent Mailing Labels?
September 29, 2009 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
If you haven’t yet noticed, Casting Director and Agent mailing labels are now on sale!
These labels will always be the latest, most up-to-date address labels available.
The casting labels are shows and films that are currently in production (or about to be).
If you have any questions or comments about them, feel free to email me.
Mailing Labels
August 31, 2009 by Lance Carter
Filed under
Casting Director & Agent Labels
Don’t you hate updating labels? Tracking down casting directors or agents, making sure they’re address is up to date or even driving to the bookstore to buy the actual labels?
Well, look no more. Now you can get up-to-date and accurate labels right here!
Download these PDF/Word mailing labels directly to your computer to quickly and easily send your headshot and resume to agents or casting directors that are currently casting.
Stop wasting time:
- Updating labels
- Finding the casting directors currently casting
- Making sure addresses are correct
Up to date and accurate!
“Your list is Better than Breakdowns and Now Casting & it’s downloadable. Brilliant!”
James DuMont – Treme, Grey’s Anatomy
Your Shopping Cart
Los Angeles
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Casting Director Labels - Updated April 30th!
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Adobe Version
Word Version (Fully Editable!)|
Currently Casting Spreadsheet - Updated April 30th!
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Commercial Casting Directors - Updated April 30th!
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| Theatrical Agent Labels – Updated May 8th! Description: The latest theatrical agency labels.
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| Commercial Agent Labels – Updated May 8th! Description: The latest commercial agency labels.
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| Voice Over Agent Labels – Updated May 8th! Description: The latest Voice Over agent labels.
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New York
| Casting Director Labels - Updated April 30th! Description: Labels of shows & films that are currently casting. Includes labels and a spreadsheet (click herefor an example of the spreadsheet) listing all shows & films with the casting company, CD/CD associate and broadcast network.
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| Currently Casting Spreadsheet – Updated April 30th! Description: This spreadsheet is included in the Casting Director Labels download but now offered as a separate product! This is a list of film & TV projects that are currently casting in New York City. Click here for an example.
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| Agent Labels (Commercial & Theatrical) – Updated May 8th! Description: The latest agent labels.
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Important INFO for all Adobe PDF labels: You can easily print these on any Avery 8160 address labels (or for a cheaper option, generic label versions are also available at Staples or Office Depot).
Print them out on a regular sheet of paper first and make sure they line up correctly. If not, in the Adobe PDF file, go to File, Print. Look for Page Scaling and make sure it’s set to: None
Casting Director Neely Gurman gives her two-cents
August 11, 2009 by Lance Carter
Filed under Interviews
Neely Gurman is a great casting director (and person!) to get to know. If you’re in LA, I highly recommended you take one of her workshops. She has great insight into the business and she always tries to call in former workshoppers for any of her projects.
She casts both union and non-union projects and and just wrapped a music video and a short film about the holocaust.
Keep an eye out for her breakdowns on Actors Access!
Here’s the interview:
You’ve been working on your own now for a while, how do you like it?
Well, I love it.
How long have you been on your own?
Like 3 years.
How do you get your jobs?
A lot of hustling. You have to hustle, know a lot of people and do a lot of networking. It’s like living a nomadic lifestyle. Its almost like an actors life. Constant hustle and bustle.
You originally got your start at a talent agency then from there you moved to a casting internship at Universal Studios?
Yeah, I interned at Universal and then I worked my way up. I worked as an assistant, as an associate and then I kind of broke out on my own.
What’s your biggest do’s and dont’s?
Don’t come without a picture and resume.
Casting Director Danny Goldman is retiring
May 12, 2009 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
Dear Clients, Associates & Friends
After casting for over 25 years, I have decided to retire.My longtime associates, Mariko, Josh & Alan will continue to cast as two separate companies.
Mariko will cast as Mariko Ballentine Casting. Joshua & Alan will cast as Casting Brothers.
I am confident they will carry on the outstanding work that you’ve come to know,
and will continue to fulfill all your casting needs.
With Sincere Thanks,
Danny Goldman
