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3 Key Essentials For A Casting Callback:

As a casting assistant to one of the top casting directors in South Florida for seven years, it's fair to say that my insight and experience are vast. Having done casting for the likes of major motion pictures, commercials, television, print and radio has provided me a platform of credibility and experience which I can now share with you the readers. Here are a few key essentials that will guarantee you a call back with the casting director from my assessment.

Behind the scenes of casting is a bit tedious. There is a lot of work that goes into casting the right actors for the roles. It starts with receiving the script from the production office. Once the casting office receive the script, it is read then broken down for the character's description. Next the breakdown is sorted and distributed to a list of talent agents who then bombard our email with hundreds of pictures, resumes and reels. Upon collecting submissions of agents whose talents are suited for the role, call times are given by the casting director for reads.

Congratulations you've made it past the tedious selections, unknowingly! Selected from hundreds, if not thousands of submissions. What a "raise the roof moment" right there! Now that you've made your way in the door, it's up to you to maximize the opportunity and to seize every moment by applying some basic yet very essentials points when going into a casting.

One key essential I've noticed that will make an actor stand out for sure is dressing the part. If the role reads for a cheerleader, nurse, police officer, hooker etc. dressing the part to fit the characters description will earn the actor brownie points. It shows that the actor thought out every detail and has taken the role very seriously. Most importantly, it helps bring the character to life. I once advised an actor who was scheduled for a call back casting for the hit series "Burn Notice to dress for the role, as it had been one of the discussions behind the scenes. Lo and behold she did exactly that and booked the role. The producer and the writer were stoked to see a visual representation of the story coming to life.

Another key essential is learning how to take direction when you are being redirected by the casting director, producer or writer are secrets to winning the directors approval. Paying attention and focusing to the words that are coming out of the director’s mouth are also critical elements in the selection process. If you do not understand the direction, it's okay to ask questions to get clarification. One of the Biggest mistakes I’ve seen in my role as a Casting Director, is when an actor gets discouraged when re-directed. It is quite important to note that contrary to popular belief, redirection is a good sign, it means the Director sees something there and want to pull out more from the actor. It's disappointing when talent is redirected with specific instructions only to disregard the direction and to do the same read the same way. It's imperative to not only listen, but to hear the key words in the redirection. If a moment is needed, take it to regroup your creative thought process and come back strong.

Confidence is quintessential to a successful outcome. It is important for an actor to stay true to themselves and what they believe about the character by any means necessary. I've seen Actors fall short in a casting trying too hard to impress the casting director. What most talent don't realize is in all actuality, the casting director is as much invested in filling the role as they are in being casted for the role.

One of the most notable casting experience worth relishing that I can recall, was when a young lady came in to audition for the comedy movie "Sex Drive." she was not the visual representation of what the casting director had in mind for that specific role. It was quite evident that the production team had other expectations. The production teams bias was made clear since having placed several girls whom they were convinced fit the profile of the role on tape.

When this young lady entered the room, the casting director and I looked at each other with a fixed gaze, partly due to the fact that this individual was the opposite of what the casting director and I envisioned for the role.

Nevertheless, we continued the process, asked her to stand on the x centered in the room, turn left, turn right; provide name, height, agent, and role auditioning for etc. Following the casting director’s initiation of the reading, the actor instantly projected life to the character and dialogue conveying her certainty about the character. She totally twisted the initial vision of what we had in mind for the character. The intrepidity she possessed convinced the casting director, writer, and producer to look at the role from another perspective. Long story short, she got the role! These chains of events prove that confidence is an asset that can turn the heart of any director. So, with that, I say, be confident in your artistry and stay true to your vision no matter what!

Disclosure: views expressed are my own and do not reflect or endorse any casting agency. With that being said, please don't get offended this is all my opinion, ain't nothing that I'm saying is law. (in my India Arie voice) lol...

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