Casting Director Renee Godbout tells you how to act like a true professional.
By Renee Godbout
DON'T call a casting director unless you are told to.
You might think a quick phone call is fine but a casting director’s phone rings all day long. They are practically attached to it and don’t have time to take another dozen or so calls about something that doesn’t pertain to their job. And with the amount of calls they are making and receiving, the chances they even remember you are slim. A better idea is to email them with a headshot or recent photo attached so they can take a look at your resume on their own time schedule.
DON'T be overly persistent.
Being overly persistent may be a good idea when you’re going after a girl you like but not when forming contacts with casting directors. One email every few weeks as a reminder that you exist is not a bad idea. More than one a week makes you a permanent part of their trash mailbox. Even worse is calling on a consistent basis. Reminders are good but email stalking is just plain annoying.
DO send thank-you notes.
Thank-you notes did not go out of style once your mom stopped making you write them. After being sent on a great audition or introduced to an influential individual a short but sweet thank-you with a headshot business card enclosed is always a nice touch. It shows off your professional side, as well as reminding the casting director in a subtle way that you exist.
DO always call casting directors back in a timely manner.
It’s your job now to have your cell phone with you at all times and check your messages on a regular basis. If you make them wait too long, then they’ll move on to the next person. They have no reason to wait on you when they have a full filing cabinet of other actors.
DO always act professionally.
Remember that casting directors are not your close friends. A casual greeting and a quick question about how their weekend was is perfectly fine, but they don’t have time for a play-by-play of your last date. Remember, it’s all about making am impression without taking up too much of their time.
It’s simple really: Just be yourself and know how to make a good impression. Casting directors can be more open to help you when you approach them in the right manner.
Renee Godbout - Freelance Casting Director. Renee Godbout recently worked on the first season of The CW's popular teen show Gossip Girl at Grant Wilfey Casting. Some past projects include 2 seasons of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the pilot for Dirty Sexy Money, and the upcoming Jonathan Demme-directed Dancing with Shiva.
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