...by becoming a casting director's intern!!  If you're a performer reading this, you already know that it is essential that you get to know as many people as possible in the entertainment business.  Casting directors are very important to get to know- as they obviously have a say in who is brought in to read for a role.  Now, there are lots of workshops where a casting director (well, it's usually a casting associate or an assistant) offer to see your work (audition) if you pay them for a workshop.  I think that is ridiculous.  Actors should NEVER have to pay for auditions with casting directors, especially since the casting director is most likely making a TON of money off of struggling actors in these workshops in the first place!  I'll get into that in another blog post.  My point for this post however, is that you can meet some great casting directors and never PAY for a workshop/audition with them.  You can offer to INTERN with them!  

When I first moved up to Hollywood from Orange County, I really had no idea where to begin when it came to getting to know casting directors!  I didn't even fully understand the casting process at all as I had only been on a few auditions at that time.  I then remembered that one of my acting coaches and mentors, Carolyne Barry, wrote about interning at a casting office in her awesome book for actors, "Hit The Ground Running."  In her book, she explains that being an intern for a casting director can not only help you as a performer to understand how casting works, but you also have the opportunity to show a casting director your personality and your work ethic.  

I will again name some names here, as I did in my last post regarding casting directors emailing actors.  (Please check that out if you haven't yet!)  I believe it is important to acknowledge some of the men and women who have been really great to me so far throughout my career in LA.  So here we go!  I had the amazing opportunity to intern with two of Hollywood's top casting directors:  Howard Meltzer and Carol Goldwasser.  In the months that I interned with these kind and professional people, I learned SO much about the casting process, and it was great!!  One of the best lessons that I learned is that casting directors really WANT you (the actor) to do a great job!!  No need to be nervous when going to an audition.  They're cheering for you and are on your side!  

Do some research on casting directors, and get out there and intern for some!!  If you begin working as an intern for a casting director who is not very kind to you, has a 'chip' on their shoulder, or is unprofessional, intern for a different person.  As is true in any business, there are certain people who you should not spend your time or energy working for.  Find the GOOD ones!  There are some amazing casting directors (such as Howard and Carol) from whom you will learn so much, and hopefully, have a great experience!  PLUS, you never know, they could bring you in for an audition!  I was called in by Howard and Carol to read for a role- and it was so awesome!  

Whatever you want to do in life, your success is in YOUR hands.  So go for it, and don't give up!! x

Recently, I've been asked what some of my "pet peeves" are.  (If you don't know what a "pet peeve" is, it is something that bothers a person a lot!)  Well, one of my "pet peeves" is when a casting director does not reply to an email that I send him or her.  This is simply because, well, it is rude and very unprofessional of someone to not reply to a message!  In LA, certain casting directors, agents, managers, etc seem to believe that they are 'too important' or 'too busy' to reply to an actor's email.  When I first started my adventure here in Hollywood and the entertainment biz, I accepted this fallacy that all casting directors must be EXTREMELY busy doing more important things than interacting with an unknown actor, therefore I would not expect to hear back from him or her.  However, the reality is that it is a casting director's JOB to interact with actors, and even help discover new talent!  Same goes for agents and managers.  So, why no responses!?  Well, in my opinion there is no excuse!  Reason that I say this is because there ARE people in the biz that take the time and effort to reply to me when I message him or her.  In the past couple of years, I have had the amazing privilege of meeting many of the most professional and kind casting directors and agents in the business!  Let me give you an example- and yep, I'm namin' names!!  

Mark Teschner is the head casting director of one of  America's hit soap opera's, "General Hospital".  Mark is probably one of the busiest casting directors in LA, as soaps air almost every single day of the year!  I can imagine that Mark receives HUNDREDS of emails all the time!  Yet, although Mark is very busy, he always manages to find the time to write me a kind reply when I email him, no matter how busy he is.  Mark loves what he does and loves working with actors, plus  he is very professional!  It is people like Mark Teschner who make Hollywood a more friendly place to live.  Sharing kindness and professionalism goes a very long way in the entertainment biz!  So, thanks for being so awesome, Mark!!  

Now, I'll be writing more about additional casting directors, agents, and everyone in between who have made a positive impact on my life here in this blog.  ---If you're a casting director or agent reading this and I DON'T mention your name, well, there's a reason for that!  Be respectful, and do not ignore people.  No one is "too busy" to acknowledge another person.  Remember that you can always make a change for the good- even if that means taking only 15 seconds out of your week to respond to an actor's email, and acknowledge him or her with a few kind words.  ;)

In Hollywood, there are millions of people who look exactly like me.  I am often told that I resemble lots of working actors, some of whom are very famous.  I always take that as a compliment, and I never mind being compared to anybody!  However, I also smile and say that I'm just ME and there is only one of ME.  I truly believe that the only way to "make it" in Hollywood is to JUST BE YOU.  I know that sounds pretty simple, and it obviously takes a lot of work to get to a point where you're able to consistently book work as an actor.  However because the entertainment industry in Hollywood probably one of the hardest industries to break into in the whole world, it is imperative to give yourself every chance to shine and be discovered.  I feel that the only way to do this is to not try and conform into what you think people (or an audience) want.  Just be YOU!  There's only one of you and you're unique.  So, embrace your individuality and shine.  By the way- this principle can be applied to any business - not just Hollywood!  ;)