Casting Director Workshops
I just got off the phone with a really talented actor that I was going to direct in a play. I had bad news. I'm striking the play off my project list. There's a reason theatre in L.A. is a dying art. Most theatre is put up as a means of demonstrating acting and directing talent, when unfortunately there is a paucity of both on display. Therefore, fewer and fewer people, particularly casting directors, are going to see live theatre. I'll be honest. My motivation for directing this play was only partly to have fun. I also wanted exposure as a director, but I don't really dream of directing theatre, so what the hell was I doing? I'm editing a DV short and prepping another to shoot in 2 weeks, so perhaps that should be my focus, you know?
Anyway, that brings me back to the point I'd like to make with this topic and that's exposure to industry professionals. Most of the time, casting directors are only going to see you in their office. Very rarely do they go out to theatre any more, maybe one play a month. The only place you'll find casting directors incredibly accessible is through the rather large and successful workshop phenomenon.
Several services in Los Angeles provide a center where actors can come and audition to enter the group, at which point they are eligible to take workshops with known casting directors. There is usually a fee, somewhere between $30 and $50. Some people consider this some kind of racket, but everyone wins. People do get work out of CD workshops, and therefore they've grown in popularity. It's a way for an actor, particularly an actor with no representation, to be seen by a casting director for a major prime time show or independent feature and to be seriously considered. I went to two workshops myself today, and I will describe my experience for you to give you a better look at the process.
Based on the reputation of the office from which the casting people were based, I chose these two workshops to attend. And, being scheduled on a Saturday, I found it much easier to fit into my busy schedule. I receive the Daily Variety, so I do have some advantage in deciding which casting people are busiest. There's a section on Thursdays that lists all current shows in production, and it lists the casting directors. Friday Variety lists the current movies in production, along with the casting directors. For instance, looking at Thursday's TV section, you can see that CFB and UDK are two of the busiest offices in Hollywood, increasing the chances that they may have the right role for you coming across their desk soon. Therefore, it would behoove you to meet them and do excellent work so they know you exist and they can call you in on a show.
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