Casting director workshops- whats the score?
Question:
Is it really right to PAY to be seen by a CD? In the states, such practices are illegal and actors are considered desperate and needy.
Should one pay to be seen?
Blake - its your fault i'm a git!
I know. Ive told you so many times, you begin to believe it- or you are a git so i just tell you what everyone knows about you...
but Emma still loves you :P
Ok glad we got that straight.....
Simon's a git! Nice to know these things. As a fellow git nice to find another.
Well What's all this crap about casting director workshops and dyslexia then?
I'm off to start a money spinning Git workshop coming Simon? Blake you should come too if you created Simons Gittyness
"Oh and remember Eamon Holmes is a talentless fat Pikey" :-)
Right everyone suitably offended?
Splendid ;-)
God I hate Yanks! Just kidding Mickey.... only dyslexic ones! ;-)
Best to you Sir! ;-)
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oh man you guys do bang on! My family are all in the biz my aunts a cd here in uk she knows a lot of cds who give workshops and shes cool with that she agrees with me workshops keep you on your toes my step brother is a director house hold name my sister is first ad on massive film i grew up with first class actors who all were nice ppl i cant understand why you all seem to to be so sworked up about it my family have seen a few of you in castings they are shocked some of you are so bitchy cos dyslexic you really dont know how many ppl in biz are dyslexic i showed a lot of ppl these comments they all said ........ Them but i wish you could understand cds or directors who give workshops know there stuff and the biz is changing so it keeps us all on our toes sooo everyone gets work peace Out! Mickey churchill see you at a casting i believe in karma
Hi Blake, in response to your 'Is it really right to PAY to be seen by a CD? to be honest, what are we doing on here? and on spotlight? its just another otherwise closed door that could, could do you some good?? this industry has you, and me by the golden's on this im afraid!! all the best chum
There's a million things I'd like to say here,but I don't think it would achieve anything, so I am walking away from this. I wish you well sir.
Micky has PM'd me and I'm sure he won't mind me saying he's under a lot of Pressure at the mo and very fired up over different stuff - not to do with this.
He's jumped at things like we all do sometimes and got the wrong end of the stick so chill peeps!
We are all entitled to our opinions and none of this is personal! It doesn't matter who you are in this business you'll meet everyone on the way UP and DOWN!!
I tried to take the piss quite literally out of it all just to get things chilled and Micky now appreciates this! Sleep depravation ain't great for anyone!
Best to all and Micky! ;-)
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Well, i help run CD workshop courses (fuselondon). I started off as an actor attending the course, and got drafted in to support the running of them.
On my first workshop i went in there shaking like a leaf, barely able to speak, flushing bright red when i performed the material the casting director asked us to prepare...
And now? Now all castings i take totally in my stride. My audition technique across all genres and disciplines is absolutely bang on: i know how to behave and what to expect, and what the CD will expect (SO many actors have no idea). i've made some amazing contacts, and i believe i've got work as a direct result.
Best money i ever spent, in my opinion.
Lou-Lou
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Oh, and Blake (original poster) CD workshops are totally common place in the states, and they're considered de rigeur, so i'm not sure where you're getting your information about it being illegal...
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Annelie Powell has another one coming up on 27th October with Stuart Burt (back by popular demand). I attended his last one 3 weeks ago - it was FAB - he worked like a demon and I came away with a fab new monologue and some great ideas on how to improve my audition technique.
More info at www.powellcasting.com
Sorry Lou Lou but telling us you now help run CD workshops says a lot about your perspective.
As for the US, you are right they are big Business there. Real money spinners for those who run them! There are also a huge amount of actors once again using them. In fact there is no limit to what people will pay for in this profession ( Including jobs!) but does it get you work and will you learn more?
As a Producer and Director all CD's are different.
I now conduct all castings myself as it is far easier cheaper and I get exactly what I'm after.
I've yet to hear a cast iron positive argument for CD workshops.
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I'd also like to venture that we have some seriously successful actors who attend our classes, and the CDs said the reason why they're so successful is they are constantly bashing away at their careers, doing all sorts of workshops.
We've had four jobs generated out of the last two of our courses. I've been brought in for a casting that i'm waiting to hear back from... and countless castings for our actors as a direct result of meeting at our workshops.
I think it's worth it, i really do!
Just my opinion, obviously... :)
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You'll notice that I said, very specifically, that i started as an actor on the course, and actually, I only volunteered to help because i'd had such a positive experience.
I have seen it from both sides, and would have balked at the idea before, but i've properly had my head turned. :)
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Ooh, and (last time i promise) i do think that you won't understand how positive experience it can be until you do one. :)
I believe Blake is refering to The Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act of 2009, in effect in California. Some the ins and outs of the act can be found below:
http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2010/06/casting-workshops-legal-but-ca-labor-code-applies-to-all-talent-services.html
It has several stringent stipulations, including 'Casting directors cannot accept headshots and resumes from actors at a workshop (or seminar, class, etc.)...Advertisements promoting a workshop (or class, seminar, related event, etc.) can list a casting director's current and past credits, but cannot state that a casting director is "currently casting for" a project....[and] Advertisements, websites, and other promotional materials must be very clear that the program/workshop/event/class is for educational purposes only and is not an opportunity to get cast, audition, be pre-screened for possible future auditions, be considered for employment, or interview for a job or role'.
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I think that's absolutely right.
There is always the pay off that you might get brought in for a casting, but i think, for me personally, it's much more about education and sharpening up your audition technique. And many of the stipulations above apply.
One example of the things I have learnt is how to manage my response to the question 'so tell me a bit about yourself...' you'd be amazed at how many people don't know how to answer that question; they get nervous and fluff their way through it. And how do you think a producer or director (if not CD) is going to react to that? They will be far more interested in the actor who is composed, succinct and confident in their reply.
Just my thoughts...
Sorry Lou but this Question
'so tell me a bit about yourself...'
is used for many job interviews not just acting. It's a very basic way of learning several things. ;-)
From working from the both sides of camera one thing that speaks volumes is putting people at ease in a casting to get the best from them.
Surprisingly not many CD's have this talent even in workshopping!
But again it's just an opinion and experience from both sides!
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Of course! It's only one example, by the way, as I said, but (from my city-girl corporate experience) and how much training do you get in the corporate world for such things? A hell of a lot more than in the acting world.
And, it's really not the same situation as an interview. But you're a producer/director, right? So you maybe don't understand how intensely intimidating castings can be for actors. Or maybe you've had experience as an actor too, and maybe you never were intimidated. But many are.
You can read the thoughts and testemonials from some of our actors on our website. (along with the stats of those brought in for jobs and castings as a result of the course they took with us). They're all true and direct quotes.
Dear Lou,
I trained as an actor at East 15 in the early 90's I work both producing and directing ( MA at the NFTS 2007 -09 Lew Grade memorial scholar) as well as acting.
My auditions are conducted in an extremely relaxed and friendly atmosphere as I know full well how intimidating auditions can be. You can ask any of the actors who have attended my auditions.
I'm sorry but I see CD workshops as just another way of fleecing actors of money - a bit like life coaching!
I'm sure you are a lovely lady but from my point of view CD workshops are a waste of time. I met a high profile CD recently who was retraining as a director. For all her experience viewing actors she managed to show a total inability to direct or relate with actors.
In fact she exhibited several of he big direction no no's. So I ask myself does that enable CD's to run workshops?
But this is just my point of view. I will continue to not use CD's.
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