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Name: Amanda
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Casting Director
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What attracted you to the Entertainment Industry, and what was your first job or big break in the business?
I have been interested in the Entertainment Industry ever since I can remember. I was an actress (surprise, surprise) from the ages of 8 to 21, but as I got older, I realized that I would be better at recognizing talent than being the talent.
My first job out of college was an internship in casting the feature film, "Demolition Man" for Warner Bros. I fell in love with the creative process of casting and decided to pursue this craft as my career. I love and respect the skills of actors and I get great pleasure knowing that I might be able to help someone's dream come true.
What is the biggest challenge you faced trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I have faced in this industry is trying to keep a steady job. In casting feature films, most positions are on a freelance basis and last only about three months. It has also been very challenging to rise to a higher position. In most professions one can work hard and usually get promoted, but that doesn't apply in casting. In order to make progress, it is important to stay patient, keep up relationships and contacts, and never give up.
What advice can you give those trying to break into the "industry?"
It must be in your blood! You can't imagine a life without it; otherwise, it isn't worth all of the challenges you will face. It is important to remember the three "P's": PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, and PERSPECTIVE.
Please describe your job for those who might not know what a Casting Director is.
Primarily, the job of a Casting Director is to screen actors for all speaking roles, and to bring a selected group back to the director (those whom we feel are the most talented and right for the part). It is important a Casting Director work closely with the Director to make sure both have the same creative views on how each character should come to life. Ultimately, the Director will make the decision.
A typical day consists of making lists of ideas, auditioning actors, speaking with agents and managers, looking at pictures and resumes, and negotiating deals. I believe it takes a "people person," an organized person, and a creative person to be a successful Casting Director.
Can you share any tricks of the trade that help you work faster/cheaper/better?
Be organized, efficient, disciplined and passionate.
Please illustrate the way the performance of your position can help or hurt a movie. Name a movie that you've seen (or worked on) that we could view and understand the difference between a good job and a bad job.
As a Casting Director, it is extremely important to stay connected to the characters. Not every actress will have the right chemistry with a leading actor that might have already been cast. Or a young man might not fit into the look of the family in the story. It's like painting a picture and picking the right colors for the canvas. Decisions should be based on talent, the right look, professionalism, trusting your gut, and a little bit of luck.
Are you a writer, and if so, how many screenplays have you written?
No.
What's the best lesson you've learned in regards to working in Hollywood?
The best lesson I have learned while working in Hollywood is accepting and knowing how to pay my dues, figuring out how not to be taken advantage of, knowing my place and position, and being secure in my abilities and expertise. I have learned to rely on myself and always give my work a 100% commitment.
P.S. Try not to work for free, however, I'm still working on that one!
What advice would you give to writers on how to craft a script that addresses practical production issues?
From a Casting Director's point of view, the more specific the writer is in painting the picture of each character, the better. By having a clear understanding of exactly what the writer is trying to create, we can help them find the right actors to tell their story.
What advice would you give a director on how to make production easier?
It always makes my job as a Casting Director easier and more enjoyable when a director is decisive about his or her decisions, and when they keep an open mind in the creative process of casting.
List your top 5 favorite films
- All About Eve
- Rear Window
- Shakespeare in Love
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Good Will Hunting (of course)
**Please feel free to add other comments here
GOOD LUCK!!!
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