CASTING

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CASTING Chapter Nine

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CASTING. Chapter Nine. SUCCESS. Most director’s agree that success depends on making good casting choices…. Failure. … the wrong actors can devastate the production. Casting is an art. Professional directors usually leave casting to professional casting directors - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of CASTING

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CASTINGChapter Nine

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SUCCESSMost director’s agree that success depends on making good casting choices…

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Failure…the wrong actors can devastate the production.

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Casting is an art• Professional directors usually leave casting to

professional casting directors

• The initial screening process allows the director of avoid the “cattle call”

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Professional Head Shots

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Pitfalls of the audition• A difficult way to assess potential

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Experience helps

“Experienced directors need fifteen seconds with an actor to know whether they are right or not.”

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EssenceWhat the director is seeking…Directors envision physicality, but essence trumps physicality. Keeping an open mind can lead to astonishing and surprising choices.

SO…keep an open mind!

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Identify your needs

• Age range• Physical requirements• Dialect skills required• Physical skills required• Personality and

“essence”• Special requirements• For musicals: vocal range

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Creating Casting Sheets

Develop a system for analyzing each candidate as they audition

Make sure your system is organized so you can review your notes

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CHECKLISTName of PlayWriter and directorCompany nameLocation of production and rehearsalsLocation, date, time of auditionsMaterials required for auditionsRoles and descriptionsHow to submit the auditionUnion or non-union; paid or not paidType: open call? interview? agent submission?Special requirements: nudity, smoking, etc.

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ExampleRed Apple Theatre Company announces auditions for all roles in M. Wainstein’s production, opening May 11, 2013 at the Red Apple Theatre. 104 East 42nd, New York City. Roles available: Prior Walter (20s to early 30s)emaciated, emotionally vulnerable; Louis, his partner, late 20s, Mormon from Salt Lake City; etc.

Auditions at the Ansonia Hotel, 72nd and Broadway, Suite 1509; Thursday February 7. Submissions accepted by email only; no open calls; by appointment only. All roles paid, rehearsals and performances. Show runs May 11 for an open-ended run; performances Wednesday through Sundays. Emails to [email protected].

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Advertise your notice• ONLINE• IN PRINT• Local outlets

oHotlineso Facebooko Local newspaperoCallboards

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Types of Calls• Equity Principal and Chorus Auditions (At AEA)• Agent Submissions (Large production companies)• Non-equity open calls (Cattle calls)• Large Unified Auditions (SETC, Straw Hat, etc.)• Non-equity auditions by appointment

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Planning The Audition• Arrange for the rehearsal room• Obtain chairs, tables, music stands as needed• Determine time and length of audition• Create an appointment grid• Hire or arrange a Hall Monitor• Hire or arrange for a Reader• Create a sign-in procedure• Hire a good accompanist, if needed• Prepare sides• Provide casting information in a single-sheet handout• Create an Audition form to note conflicts

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AEA Audition RoomChicago

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Audition Formats• Monologues

• Cold Readingso Can actors take directiono What can be accomplished with

preparation

• Observeo Pay attentiono Honor the processo Give the actor the respect they deserve

• Make necessary noteso Put notes directly on the resume/headshot

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Warning Signs• Bad or indifferent attitude• Resists direction and unable to take direction• Ill-preparedness• Sloppily dressed• Talks about other offers• Sloppy resume• Rude to hall monitor• Overly patronizing• Late or full of excuses

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Callbacks

•Go over notes•Decide who to callback•Organize the callbacks

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Casting Musicals• The Vocal Audition• The Dance Audition• The Callback

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Final Thoughts• Don’t rush the process• Don’t waste time either• Imagine groupings…think of the ensemble• Chemistry is important• Trust your gut