Casting directors are vital when it comes to bringing projects to life. They collaborate with producers and directors and network with studio executives to put together the best ensemble possible. CDs also hold the key to actors’ success as the gatekeepers who can make or break their careers.
If you want a CD to become your personal cheerleader, you might want to study more than just your lines; you should get to know them so that you know what to expect when you walk into the audition room. Personality is key, but preparation is essential. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top casting directors across various sectors of the industry.
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For actors in the earliest stage of their career, background work might be the best place to start; the experience will allow you to get a feel for what it’s like to work on a TV or film set. Playing small roles enables you to build up your credits so you can move up to the big leagues. Here are a few CDs that can help you on your journey.
Grant Wilfley: With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Wilfley and his team specialize in casting background talent for popular TV shows, including “Pretty Little Liars,” “And Just Like That…,” “Billions,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and “Succession.” The company has also cast extras for the films of legendary directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Darren Aronofsky.
“Doing background work is a great way to start and to see what happens on a set—[and for actors] to see their peers actually working on their craft and get comfortable and familiar with how a production team works,” Wilfley told us. “Some people make a living out of it; it’s a great way to make money.
“I always tell people starting out who are nonunion actors that it’s a great way to learn about the business and be on a set, but also to be close to the principal actors who you admire,” he added. “You witness their craft and career and actually see them work. You can’t learn that in drama class. You learn a lot in drama class, but to actually see it happen in person is a different thing. Always approach it as an observation and a good learning experience.”
Todd Feldman: Feldman is the CEO and lead CD of the New York City–based Roman Candle Casting, which he founded in 2009. According to the company’s website, his team aims to “personalize the casting experience for each director’s needs” and is always on the hunt for local actors who can bring the city’s “aesthetic and authenticity to the big screen.” From hit shows like “The Other Two,” “The Americans,” and “The Flight Attendant” to popular films like “Ocean’s 8” and “Bros,” Feldman and company always have plenty of irons in the fire.
Ilene Starger: With approximately 30 years of experience under her belt, this former vice president of casting for Walt Disney and Touchstone Pictures knows what she’s talking about. Starger has cast film and stage projects, including movies like “School of Rock,” “A Simple Plan,” and “The First Wives Club” and theatrical productions like “Venus in Fur,” “Custody,” and “The Libertine.” She’s worked with lots of actors at various experience levels, and she knows the benefits a day-player role can offer both a project and a person.
“If an actor feels a part is beneath them or that there isn’t any value in doing it, I would urge them to consider it carefully,” she said. “There are many positives to be gained: the chance to work, to forge new working relationships or enrich ones that already exist, to squeeze the juice out of a phrase or a few lines, and to breathe life into a character. So, really, why not do it? Take a leap, have a very good time, and perhaps you may create a moment which stays fixed in viewers’ memories for much longer than you’d imagine.”
If you’re ready to try your hand at background work, check out this roundup of projects that are casting now.
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A-listers from Anne Hathaway to Aaron Paul spent their early careers racking up credits in the TV ad space. Commercials give fledgling actors the chance to prove their prowess on a smaller scale. Here’s who should be on your radar in this arena.
Arlene Schuster-Goss: Alongside her partner, Justin Radley, ASG Casting’s Schuster-Goss has been finding actors for commercials for years. “You’re constantly a student of the world, constantly learning from everything that’s around you,” she told us. “In this industry in particular, it’s very fast-paced. You’re being asked, as an actor, to represent people from different walks of life.
“If you read as a certain type on a quick read, which is what commercials are, that’s what you’re going to book,” she continued. “If you’re from the middle of the country but you read citylike, you’d better know what it means to be cast as a person who would be in the city, or vice versa. You really need to study those characters and understand the background of where they come from.”
Danielle Eskinazi: If you’re located in Los Angeles, you’ll want to keep Eskinazi on your radar; the CD has worked with some of the biggest global agencies for commercial work. (She’s also very active on Twitter.)
“It’s difficult to separate yourself from the trials of everyday life when you walk into an audition,” Eskinazi wrote. “But remember this: That moment, that audition, is a new start. Give yourself permission to step away from your personal problems and focus on the task at hand, which is to have a successful audition. Take control of your emotions for that moment, and do something that will move your life in a positive direction.”
Stuart Stone: As the head of Stuart Stone Casting, this CD has found actors for commercials for tons of major brands, including Progressive, Doritos, Nike, and Pepsi. He’s even written a book on the subject.
“In commercials, a lot of it is just expression and personality if there is no dialogue,” Stone explained. “You break the fourth wall; a lot of times, you’re talking right to the camera. You have to be able to create that space. What I teach in my workshops all the time is how to be in the moment. A lot of people just aren’t prepared to be in the moment in commercials, and then they don’t know how to use the camera.”
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Streamers have become their own entity, luring viewers into subscribing with highly bingeable shows. Here are some big-name casting directors in that world.
John Papsidera: This CD has long been part of the industry. Most recently, he teamed with Sophie Holland to cast the Golden Globe–nominated Netflix series “Wednesday,” starring Jenna Ortega. Papsidera and Holland put together a winning ensemble that helped the show succeed in an otherwise saturated market.
“We really respect actors, and we want them to be able to feel like when they walk into the building—and then, specifically, into the audition room—they have freedom to do the best work they can,” Papsidera said. “I think you do that by making it a safe space and by being helpful and collaborative and present. It’s a big thing for me to feel like we show up for actors. That’s the least that they can expect, and we try to get the best out of them by having someone participate in that.”
Here’s how to get cast on the next season of “Wednesday.”
Bernard Telsey: The owner of the Telsey Office has cast streaming hits like Apple TV+’s “Schmigadoon!” and “Little America,” Netflix’s “House of Cards,” and Hulu’s Emmy-nominated “Only Murders in the Building” alongside his partner, Tiffany Little Canfield.
When auditioning for Telsey, actors “can expect, hopefully, to be seen and hopefully be chosen. An actor’s job is to audition and hope to get a job,” he told us. “One thing I would want every actor to know is if they don’t get that specific job they might be coming into the room for, there are so many other things about that experience that will be carried over.
“Always remember: You’re not being rejected; you just didn’t get that job,” he continued. “In our office, we have this box. We come out of a session, and those audition sheets get circulated so everyone can see who might have done something that might be right for the thing that they’re casting. Thus, your audition for one role might land you another!”
Here’s information on how to audition for Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV+.
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In spite of the popularity of streaming services, network and cable television continue to draw plenty of viewers in. Here are the big names to know.
Meredith Tucker: Tucker cast hit cable dramas including “Ray Donovan,” “Veep,” and “Boardwalk Empire.” Recently, she earned an Emmy for her work on “The White Lotus” and put together the ensemble of HBO’s “White House Plumbers.”
She recommends gaining experience any way you can. “We’ve had interns who have ultimately wanted to be actors, but it’s kind of great to see how the whole process works,” she told us.
The CD also believes that auditioning is never a waste of time, as she keeps people in mind for roles down the road. “I’ve had instances where someone will come in for me and will be completely and utterly wrong [for the part], but at least they’re interesting,” Tucker said.
When she was working on HBO’s “Entourage,” for example, Rhys Coiro tried out for a role that simply didn’t mesh with his personality. However, when the CD “needed an insane, narcissistic director,” she knew exactly who to turn to, and Coiro went on to play Billy Walsh.
“I always think it’s great if you can meet the person, even if they’re not right,” she said. Even failed auditions can become golden opportunities.
Keep an eye on our guide to getting cast on “The White Lotus” for info on future seasons.
Victoria Thomas: Does this name look familiar? That’s probably because you’ve recently seen this industry veteran in the opening credits of HBO’s hugely popular “The Last of Us.” Thomas put together an impeccable cast for the apocalyptic series, fronted by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as two reluctant heroes on a mission to save humanity from a zombie plague.
Working with Hollywood bigwigs like Quentin Tarantino has fine-tuned Thomas’ approach to the casting process, and she wants to make the experience as painless as possible for actors who enter her room.
“I like people who are prepared. If you’re not and you need another minute, that’s fine,” she said. “You can go out and take another couple of minutes; I understand. Sometimes, you come in and your mouth doesn’t work, and you just need to take a break and go outside. But it’s hopefully a relaxed atmosphere where [actors] can do their best audition and feel good going out the door.”
For more advice, consult our guide to getting cast on “The Last of Us.”
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Landing a leading role in a movie is a milestone for any actor; but the path to the big screen isn’t exactly a straight line. Here are some CDs who can help you get your foot in the door.
Carmen Cuba: The Emmy-winning head of Carmen Cuba Casting has made her mark on TV with shows like “Stranger Things,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “The Chi”; but she’s also cast high-profile films including “Nope,” “The Matrix Resurrections,” and “Contagion.” When it comes to her process, Cuba wants actors to know that they’re in the audition room for a reason.
“When our paths cross, it is with the shared objective of success on both our parts of getting the role cast,” she told us. “That is all [actors] need to know, really: that I’m definitely taking the time to be in the room with them, because I think they have a shot at either the thing they are auditioning for or for something in the future that they don’t know about.
“I also watch tons of documentaries, and I realize that when I’m doing that, I’m actively studying human behavior and what people who aren’t actors look and feel like in real situations. This influences me a lot in many aspects of how I do my job,” she continued.
Stay tuned for updates on Cuba’s latest projects by following her on Twitter.
Kristy Carlson: As the DC Extended Universe begins its next chapter under the guidance of filmmaker James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Suicide Squad”), actors will want to keep Carlson in mind. She’s been at the forefront of some of the franchise’s biggest hits, including “Wonder Woman,” “Justice League,” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
Check out our guide to joining the DCU.
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These CDs are the best of the best; collectively, they have decades of experience. Here are the big names to keep on your radar:
Sarah Finn: The head of Sarah Finn Casting has put together the ensembles of every film and TV show in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, from “Iron Man” to “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” She also cast multiple “Star Wars” TV series, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” and the Oscars-sweeping “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Finn told us that when actors are in the room with her, they “can expect to have a good experience. I understand and have an amazing amount of compassion for what actors go through and how hard they work—what it means to them every time they come in for an audition. We want to honor that and let people know that when you’re doing your best work, you never know where that’s going to land you.
“In the Marvel world, there were many actors who auditioned for one part in a Marvel film or another project and got cast years later in something else,” she continued. “When you do good work and show up every day, we take note. We remember that, and hopefully it turns into something down the line.”
Here’s everything else you need to know about getting cast in an MCU project.
Avy Kaufman: Avy Kaufman Casting is a force to be reckoned with, having put together the ensembles of award-winning TV shows and films including “Succession,” “Tár,” “Dopesick,” “Mare of Easttown,” and “King Richard,” to name just a few.
Kaufman has some surprising advice for actors looking to get their foot in the door. “Internships [in casting] are a great opportunity to walk into an office and keep your ears open and your mouth closed and pay attention and see if you’re right for it,” she told us.
“I think another great opportunity is for actors to become readers, to walk into a room and see what the process is like and get to see who gets a job—and why they get the job,” she continued. “A lot of people don’t get a job they think they’re completely right for. Sometimes when you’re in that element, you can see that there are a thousand different voices.”
Kerry Barden: From comedies like “Book Club” and “Pitch Perfect” to award-winning dramas such as “The Help” and “Spotlight,” Barden and his partner, Paul Schnee of Barden/Schnee Casting have cast a huge array of projects spanning television and film.
Barden’s top tip for auditioning actors is to listen and be open to taking direction. “Be able to incorporate whatever notes you’re getting, process them, and then change whatever you did in the first take,” he advised. “Actors get in their heads; we all know that. If they’ve got an idea of what they want to do and they do it [but] don’t listen and hear what’s given to them to transform the character, sometimes they’ll do the exact same thing.
“Just take those moments after your first take, and relax back into the discovery of the character; that’s an important transition for [your] second take,” he added. “I think the most important thing for an actor is to be able to listen and then incorporate what they’re experiencing, what they’re hearing, and what they’re being given.”
Here’s what you should know about auditioning for a movie.