Stalking the Casting Director

You are asking for it, dear actor. You want the role. Any role. THE role—the LEAD role, the SUPPORTING role, the STARRING role. The FEATURED role. Please… ANY role! You just want to act. So you stalk the Casting Director! We know this. Casting directors know that you want to be cast. But what mistakes are you making in stalking us - I mean, in your self-promotion.

The most common solicitation that I get from actors is:

“if anything comes up that I might be a fit for, think of me for the role.”

I’m going to flip this on you. Dear actor, if there’s anything that I’m casting that you are a perfect fit for, please submit your materials and let me know you are exactly what I’m searching for.

Here’s a few examples of the kinds of messages that I receive:

“I've been unemployed for x years. Do you think you can invest in me to help me get gainful employment during this tough time? I specialize in ___. Anything else would be appreciated. Thank you kindly.”

Here's another:

“Thank you for connecting Ma’am. Im from ___ and an aspiring actor.”

and this one:

“Check my resume. Maybe you want to use me in your Movie or Show ? Thanks"

I refer to these as stalking mistakes. It doesn't exactly elicit confidence. How would you respond to these kinds of requests? 

I personally hate to be rude, and not answer people. I'm not built that way. I will try to answer every message. But I don't know what to do with these non-starters. I recognize in these crazy times of social distancing, we are limited to computer talk and chat groups. So it may be a bit awkward to start a conversation with just your fingertips that is meaningful or that would have an impact.

How to Stalk a Casting Director the Right Way!

I challenge you to rise to the occasion. I have reached out to people to make connections with them, simply by asking what I can do to help them have an amazing day. This isn’t very clever, but it’s just different and sincere enough that I usually get a response.

When it’s someone that I’d like to make a real impression on, I'd do a little research first. What are they currently working on; what have they posted or commented on recently; what connections or interests might we have in common? These are good conversation starters. Keep it on topic. You're an actor, so talk about the craft. No need to talk about the weather.

For actors, it’s always appealing when you look busy and are booking a lot and winning awards. On the contrast, it doesn’t look so good when you appear desperate, out of work, and needy. Can you look like you're in demand even when you are in between projects!

According to this article:

“When candidates are feeling desperate, negative, or cynical, the employer can smell it a mile away,” says Ford Myers, author of Get the Job You Want Even When No One’s Hiring. “Desperation is a total turnoff. Instead of opening more doors for the job seeker, these behaviors close doors to new opportunities.” - Monster

Getting an acting job, is still “getting a job”. Many of the rules of hiring etiquette also apply to self-promotion as an actor. Be polite. Be professional. Be “in demand”. When I’m looking for an “up-and-comer” (which is my comfort zone by the way) I’m looking for someone who is a hustler, that I truly believe is on the move and will make it — with or without my help. You know that phrase: FOMO - Fear of Missing Out? Well that applies to casting as well. I don’t want to be that casting director that didn’t bring someone in for an audition who then later went on to become successful and famous.

How do casting directors gauge that potential? What are the things that we look for? Is it just someone's talent, or is there something more to it? Yes. There is.

• Be in my face — but don’t be too much in my face about wanting a role. I need to see that you are also creating opportunities for yourself.
• Let me know what work you are currently doing — but if I miss your show, ask me again, NEXT month. Politely. I've had some actors send me a monthly newsletter, and I love these. I get to watch them grow, and they stay in the forefront of my mind.
• When you want me to think of you — send me your newest reel or clip or headshots, so it’s easy for me to see it quickly — but don’t expect me to spend lengths of time chasing files that I have to download that will clutter up my hard-drive, when I’m not casting anything that fits your type right now, and haven't asked you for it. You're a performer, so invite me to see a performance that you are proud of.

I hope you find these tips useful. Who knows? If you ask me a relevant question, I might just remember you when the perfect role does come around. I have a few actors in my memory banks that have successfully done this.

In the meantime, let me know how I can help you have an amazing day!

All the best!

Leslie