The best part Casting

[ussinners]

I'm starting the casting process, and I have to say it's the best. I advertise for a 22 year old pixie and get headshots of 40 year olds, or rather over weight actors. The best are the photos of someone sitting on their couch with a beer in their hand.

I am not a professional, and I hate the ways of auditioning or even going on a job interview. But, when I do, I try to put my best foot forward. WTF are some of these people thinking? That we're blind or stupid. Or maybe there's a part for a fat beer guzzling ole timer. Because when I think Tinkerbell, that's what comes to mind.

The part that bothers me is when these waiter and waitresses come in and have no talent. They're not even good enough to land a bit part in a church production, but they're still young enough to get a proper education and earn a decent living. Unfortunately, you can't say "You suck get a real job".

Oh and once again I've overextended myself. Actors that can be rock-stars, a rare breed. I might end up having to overdub actors singing.

 

[2001 Productions]

Nice thing about people who send in those kinds of headshots is it's easy to weed them out. If they don't care enough to make an effort to present themselves in the best possible light then it's a safe bet they won't make much of an effort to make the best possible movie.

 

[themattcastro]

Nice thing about people who send in those kinds of headshots is it's easy to weed them out. If they don't care enough to make an effort to present themselves in the best possible light then it's a safe be they won't make much of an effort to make the best possible movie.

Agreed. But the worst part of all is watching the people who obviously can't act and giving them their 15 minutes. At that point, it's really sad.

 

[H.Z.]

Do you have any colleges nearby? if so, i'd try hitting up some of their musical plays and talent scouting. You could even ask high-school drama teachers if they could pass out audition flyers to any strong singer/actresses over 18.

 

[aceofspades70]

holy crapola, don't even get me started on casting. you can announce a casting call for a young babe in her 20's, and the next thing you know, every 40 year old son of a bitch is sending an email saying, "If you need a 40 year old dude, let me know, I'm available".

Right, you and the other 200 numb-nuts that plagued my inbox.

People freekin kill me with that crap.

Try announcing that unless they fit the EXACT role, DO NOT RESPOND.

 

[ussinners]

If you've never used them nycastings.com is a great place to post for actors. I found all the Us Sinners actors through there. While you get some people who have no right answering any ads, for the most part these are people who really have the desire and skill to be actors.

THEMATTCASTRO: I do feel bad for many of these people when I watch them audition. They want it so badly and will never achieve the goal because the talent is not there. The most incredible thing, I had a really talented actor sitting in on auditions once, and this simply terrible actress came in. They read together and when she left, he turned to me and said how good she was. My jaw dropped. I then had him watch the tape and he agreed she sucked. The next actress blew us both away, then turned down the part because she thought the script went too far.

 

[aceofspades70]

"They read together and when she left, he turned to me and said how good she was. My jaw dropped."

I had a lady (complete psycho who didn't even listen to our direction at an audition) tell me once after thanking her to come in. "Well, I'll hold my breath".

I simply ripped her headshot in half and tossed in into the garbage.

Ok, I'm done sharing stories, lol.

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

I make it a point to look at my notes while they are reading live. I don't look at them. I only look at the footage. I don't want the impression of how they did live to influenece how it looks on camera.

 

[citychik]

. . . and get headshots of 40 year olds . . . maybe there's a part for a fat beer guzzling ole timer.

Excuse me? Did you call mere 40-year olds "ole timers?"

ahem...

I seem to get the opposite problem. I've got a casting notice out now that clearly states my lead is a woman "late 20's to mid-30's" and most of the actors who've submitted look way younger than that. Why does a 16-year old think that if she puts a ton of makeup on, she'll get cast as 30?

 

[Gonzo_Entertainment]

Excuse me? Did you call mere 40-year olds "ole timers?"

ahem...

I seem to get the opposite problem. I've got a casting notice out now that clearly states my lead is a woman "late 20's to mid-30's" and most of the actors who've submitted look way younger than that. Why does a 16-year old think that if she puts a ton of makeup on, she'll get cast as 30?

Usually get lots of "model" type girls as welll. Rail thin, big booobs, blonde hair, who have very limited acting experience.

 

[2001 Productions]

Excuse me? Did you call mere 40-year olds "ole timers?"

I got yer back, citychik.

For the movie I'm working on right now, I was casting a role written for a mid-twenties female, when in walks this 40 year-old to read for it. I thought, okay, here we go.

Long story short, she blew every other actor out of the water. I cast her on the spot, and the role was given an additional layer of interest I hadn't anticipated due to the character's age.

Moral of the story: keep an open mind. You never know.