Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Film and Theatre Schools

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Expert: - 12/11/2006


Question
How important is the school attended to the casting people in film or theatre.  Is it a deal breaker for a part? If a person attends a state school ie. Florida State University as opposed to a private school i.e. Columbia University in Chicago?  The difference in tuition is huge; in your experience does that difference in tuition cost pay off? Or does it have more to with right time right place and the persons talent "it factor"?

Answer
Peggy,

Thanks for writing. In all honesty, where you went to college doesn't matter to a casting director. However, if you attended a college with a well-known acting program, it means something to a casting director.

As far as cost, I'm from the school of "you get what you pay for."

The bottom line in casting is, if you "look" the part to the director, and the director thinks you're right for the part, you'll get cast. Doesn't really matter how talented or not you are.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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