The Casting Handbook by Catliff Suzy;Granville Jennifer;

Author:Catliff, Suzy;Granville, Jennifer;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1244589
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

CHAPTER 8

THE SESSION PART 2

The chat

The read

How to bring the meeting to a close

Case study – the head of casting

THE SESSION PART 2

This chapter takes you through how to talk to the actor and get the best out of them.

When meeting actors for a casting session you need to be open, receptive and pleased to see them. You want them to see you at your best so that they can be at their best too.

Every actor goes in and tries to do a really great job.

Ruby Snape – actor

THE CHAT

Actors are at the best when they feel relaxed

Damien Goodwin – director

Making conversation

Start with general topics of conversation – such as their journey in to meet you, where they live or even the weather. Breaking the ice and being relaxed is a vital part of the process.

When you are preparing for the meeting and re-reading each actor’s CV, find a couple of questions to ask them about their previous work. If you have seen them onstage or in a film or television programme, this is an ideal starting point.

Do:

congratulate them on their latest performance – which you saw and enjoyed

ask them which recent job they have enjoyed most

ask them about a specific recent job listed on their CV and what they enjoyed about it

ask them what was their favourite role.

Do not:

admit you’ve never seen them in anything

admit you have seen them in something but hated it

ask them if they are working at the moment/have been working recently (everyone can be sensitive on this point) – be assured if they do have acting work at the moment, they will tell you about it

tell them you haven’t read their CV

comment that their photo doesn’t look anything like them, or that they look older than their photo. Saying that they look younger than their photo isn’t usually a major faux pas!

Talking about the project

Discuss your ideas, vision and thoughts about the production. The more passionate and committed you are to your project, the more likely the actor is to become excited by the whole idea as well.

Asking the actor to read

Now is the time to ask the actor to present what they have prepared or show a particular skill that you are auditioning for.

For example, an actor needs a wide range of skills for a musical theatre job. We talked to David Grindrod, casting director for many West End and touring musicals, about his audition process:

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