Best Way To Get To Know A Casting Director Is....

...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

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