McLeod Casting has become synonymous with Australia’s “Neighbours,” given its long-running position casting the star-making soap. As the legendary Melbourne casting agency continues to expand with a Queensland location, casting assistant Georgia Rickards shares what to expect from a McLeod audition, plus her thoughts on the future of Aussie casting.
McLeod Casting prides itself on discovering new talent. How can unrepresented actors best introduce themselves to you?
I just created an Instagram account that performers or other industry professionals can follow me on. It’s @georgiar.casting, if anyone wants to connect!
When you meet actors in person, how does a typical audition unfold?
Normally, we start by recording a little chat with the actor so we get to hear what they have been up to and get a sense of [them as a] performer. Then we’ll get into the scene, which we usually run a few times, adapting and giving direction as necessary. We always want to create a comfortable and relaxed environment to get the best out of the performer. And since we really enjoy this part of the job, we hope the auditionee has fun, too.
McLeod Casting has been behind “Neighbours” for over a decade now. Do you have any advice for future auditionees?
My advice would be similar for actors pursuing any role: Keep putting yourself out there and working hard. I can’t overstate the respect I hold for resilient performers, especially after the challenges of the last two years.
It’s easier said than done, but if you don’t get a role you have auditioned for, try your best not to take it personally. There are often so many factors going on behind the scenes that, sometimes, when things don’t work out, there’s nothing you could have changed. Have faith in your abilities, and train to upskill when possible. Thea [McLeod, vice president of the Casting Guild of Australia,] runs great casting workshops across Australia. They are an awesome way to improve your auditioning skills and connect directly with her.
What drew you to a career in casting?
I was always interested in film and television and wanted to get some experience. Thea was kind enough to allow me to intern when I was quite young. My goal was just to get some experience. I fell in love with casting instantly, so I worked hard and was lucky enough to be offered a job…. I get to have so much fun at work, so it’s been hard to pull me away from it ever since.
When you reflect on the standout auditions you’ve witnessed, can you spot any underlying similarities?
The best auditions are when the actor totally understands the role but is also able to add depth to the character by making it their own. I find auditions with that level of presence to be quite captivating.
On the flip side, are there any common mistakes you frequently see actors make?
It’s rare to see, because most actors are usually dedicated and respectful, but it’s disappointing when actors are highly unprepared for an audition. When an actor hasn’t made an effort to familiarise themselves with the scene or learn their lines, this reflects poorly on how much they care about getting the role.
Do you have a favourite performance that you’d recommend all actors absorb and study?
I would just say to pursue the mediums that make your heart sing. I think those are the areas that you will be able to sink your teeth into and excel in as a result.
Do you have any predictions about future trends you think we’ll see in casting?
I think COVID-19 has really forced all industries to embrace technology to navigate the impact of lockdowns. This has definitely been the case for Melbourne casting professionals who have been seeing actors by self-tape. I think it’s great that casting can still operate and move forward during these times of adversity. I think in the long term, self-tests will be a lot more common than in the pre-COVID days. Nevertheless, there’s something really special about being in the audition room, getting to connect with actors and workshop together…. That’s something I have really missed.
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