A lot of my columns focus on the things actors do that drive me crazy, but they’re not the only culprits in my life. So this week, I’d like to present you with my various qualms with casting directors.
First up is when an audition goes well. Casting will usually call to say there’s a pin in my client. This means my client is one of the top choices. Casting does this because they don’t want to risk losing the actor to another job while everyone is making up their minds. If my client were to book a second gig that conflicts with the first, casting would expect to be notified in case they want to make an offer.
Now here’s the thing: SAG-AFTRA doesn’t recognize pins or holds. You either have the offer or you don’t. But reps play ball because it makes life easier all around. And let’s face it: I want to know if my client is down to the wire.
So where’s the dick move? Well, casting often forgets to unpin the actors who didn’t get the part. They’re quick to call and put the pin in, but they’re a little forgetful about taking the pin out. So what usually happens is that, tired of waiting, I call them and ask, “Hey, is Larry still pinned for that part?” The response is, “No. We hired someone else two days ago. Did we forget to tell you?”
READ: Pulling Back the Curtain on the Casting Director-Agent-Manager Relationship
My second pet peeve is similar but much worse, and it involves series regular roles on pilots. Those parts are the holy grail of my business. We’re talking big money, so when a casting director informs me my client is on hold to possibly test, I go out and buy a bottle of Champagne. Some people call that a jinx; I call it planning ahead.
At this point, either my client moves forward or my client doesn’t. You know what I don’t expect to happen? I don’t expect to see an article online that announces the part was given to a star. I shouldn’t have to learn this in such an impersonal way, and neither should my client. It would be so much nicer if someone from the casting office gave me a heads up.
And on a lesser but still annoying note, No. 3 involves having an actor self-tape for a role. I prefer to get my clients in the room, but self-taping has become a form of prereading for busy casting directors—that’s just the way it is. I’m fine with that, but I expect the tape to be seen. And I know when casting hasn’t bothered to watch it.
My assistant is a super geek who lives to please me, and he sets up these self-tapes so we can track how many times the material has been viewed. I’m sure this is easy to understand for you young folks, but I’m the wrong side of 40, so it’s all magic to me, and boy, does it piss me off when I realize the single view on my client’s audition belongs to yours truly!
None of this is personal. Everyone’s busy and rushed. I totally get that. But all I’ll say is it’s this type of nonsense that has forced me to spend a fortune in anger management classes.
Want to tap into that “holy grail” and book a series regular role? Check out Backstage’s TV audition listings!
