The Casting Director is commonly viewed from a
skewed perspective. He/She most definitely wants to see the new face, even
though the seasoned talent was greeted by name and with warm body
language. The CD also wants you to succeed every time you’re in front of
the camera. And although the CD doesn’t necessarily pick who the client
books, he or she can have influence and the final say on whether your audition
ever makes it to the client’s desk. If it isn’t evident, the relationship
you develop with a CD is pivotal to your success.
Talent tend to chit chat in the casting
office. Not surprisingly, they talk to other talent about what they have
in common – the industry. What is surprising, however, is the lack of
filter practiced when industry ears are all around. Talent frequently
report things they have heard other talent do or say at auditions. Casting
assistants always share with the CD what the talent mentioned in the waiting
room. It gets around to agents, coaches, other CDs, producers,
photographers, crew members . . . and the seemingly harmless statement that
“Friday was a long day on set with ‘such-and-such’ director” becomes the talent
having condemned the artistic direction of the one individual who could book
them over and over again in the future. Another example is the talent
talking on set about the casting that brought them to the booking they are working
on. Misinformation (or accurate portrayals) get back to the CD and that
talent will find themselves not welcome back in the casting office.
True, there will be times you wish things turned
out differently than they did. And true, you can probably find the weak link
that caused the frustration. But calling it out or putting in your two
cents where it wasn’t requested is only going to burn bridges and create hard
feelings. Keep your critique to yourself, or if necessary, express it
only to your agent, who can help you better cope with the situation in the
future.
You’ll never get a second chance to make a first
impression. From where I sit, I frequently get to see talent make
tremendous first impressions that follow them for years to come. Some of
these first impressions are positive and some negative, but once made, the
talent has set the stage for their opportunities henceforth. Sounds
scary, but only the lazy or thoughtless talent should fear making a bad first
impression. With the right guidance from your agent and preparation done
on your part, you are guaranteed a positive first encounter every time.
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