Expert: Phil Nemy - 6/9/2005

Question
Dear Mr. Nemy,

This letter is in regards to professional advice I have to ask you. I am an actor who recently submitted my headshot and resume to a casting director about a week ago, before I had agency representation. Recently I found out that a sag franchised agency was interested in representing me and quite naturally I told them about my submission to a particular casting director. They tried doing a follow up phone call but could not get a hold of this individual casting director due to outdated information, my guess is casting directors move around a lot. I apologize for the whole life story there I just wanted to give enough detail. My question is basically, what would be your advice? What is the best method that you can suggest for an actor to grab a casting director's attention and be called in for an audition? I know this question is the most common question among actors and that there is no sure answer but any advice would help. Also, the casting director I submitted myself to was Joseph Middleton. I thought this might help since you might have worked with this individual. Thank you for your time in reading this letter.

Answer
T.J.,

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I was out of town working with Special Olympics.

If your agent is any good, they should be able to track down the casting director. First, they can contact the Casting Director's Guild of America to find out if the CD is a member. They can also check the CSA's website to see a listing of members and find their contact information.

Second, they can contact the company producing the film for accurate contact info on the CD.

If your agent is doing this, then they aren't very good agents. They SHOULD have good working relationships with as many CD's a possible.

The best way for a CD to become familiar with your work is for them to see you in action. Meaning, be part of a showcase or appear in a play and then advertise in mailers to every CD whose address you can find. Tell them you're appearing, give them the dates, invite them to a show. If they can't make it, they will often send an assistant or someone else to see your work.

It is YOUR responsibility to stay in touch with them. After you've sent the mailer, follow up with a phone call to see if they can come. And in the conversation, see if you can get a general interview with them. They don't need to be casting anything in order for them to meet with you.

It also doesn't hurt to drop them a note or a short email to congratulate them on something you've seen that they recently cast that you liked.

STAY IN CONTACT with them! That is incredibly important.

Hope this helps.

Phil