How to Annoy a CD and Lose the Job

For actors, the Casting Director (or CD) is one of the most important people out there. The CD is the person who can get you the job, and who can lose you the job.

So if you really ARE NOT interested in getting acting work, here’s how to annoy a casting director:

The Cover Email #

Dear Casting Director/Boss,

Please… be professional. Use their name at least!

Look no further for your star actor – I am here!

Arrogance. The CD will be gritting their teeth at this.

“Albert is the best actor Ive seen in ages; his rendtion of Hamlet in the Bath was a delight to behold.” – from the West Bodington Free Press, Febuary 1989.

Self-promotion; another thing CDs dislike. And those spelling mistakes? It won't lose you the job, but it really doesn't help, does it.

I know your casting for a young woman for a new film (I read about this somewhere but I can’t really remember where I read it, sorry!) but I thought I’d send you my details in case you needed a overweihgt middle-aged man in any of the roles.

Applying for a role that doesn’t exist will simply annoy the CD. They are busy people. Imagine you are going shopping for a pair of flip-flops and someone tries to sell you a chainsaw — exactly!

Unfortunately I don’t got my new headshots ready, but if you search for Albert Dumbactor on Google you’re sure to find some pictures of me.

CDs don't have time to waste! Don't send them off to search for your material! Either give it to them there and then (links/attachments) or don't bother at all.

To give you an idea of my uniqueu acting style, I’ve attached my showreel to this email.

This actor has attached their showreel to the email and it’s huge! If you attach a 50MB video file to your email, the CD will remember you for all the wrong reasons!

It’s in something called CRP format so to view it you’ll need a special video player which you can download from Google. Just do a search for it.

No. Keep it simple. That means you send via YouTube or Vimeo UNLESS they ask for something else.

When that’s installed you’ll need to open it with a password (I don’t want just anyone seeing it – please remember this and don’t share it without my explycit written consent).

Never, never, password protect your material. Keep it unlisted, sure, but don't make the CDs life difficult.

I’ll send you the password by text message; send me your number for this.

Don't ask the CD for their personal details. End of.

But I’m an actor, so let’s talk about me! Well, I started my career as an actor in…

You might think you are interesting, but the CD just wants the bare facts. Remember, you need to intrigue them, not bore them to death.

Attachments #

Here are a few tips:

only send professional headshots
keep the filesize small
only attach 2 headshots (unless told otherwise)

This isn't rocket science, but you'd be surprised at the number of actors who send amateur, huge, and totally rubbish headshots and expect to be treated as professionals.

And Then #

If you don't hear anything, never contact the CD directly. If they want you, they'll get in touch. If they don't, then your calling them up on their personal line will just be a bit creepy and stalky and won't go down well.

You're Called for a Face-to-Face Audition! #

Awesome!

Now, don't mess it up.

Simple:

learn your lines
turn up on time
be nice to everyone

Finally #

If there's one word that sums up everything here, it's professionalism. Be professional. It really is as simple as that.