Casting Director Renee Godbout tells you how to impress a casting director in any situation

You never know when the opportunity will suddenly arise to meet a casting director. Maybe you’re out running errands and you get a call about a seminar or there’s a surprise guest casting director at one of your acting classes. And of course, there’s always the chance of a last-minute audition and you might not have time to run home first. These situations happen all the time. As actors, you have to be prepared at a moment’s notice to drop what you are doing and take advantage of an opportunity. Here are a few simple tips so you never show up unprepared!

1. ALWAYS HAVE A HEADSHOT AND RESUME AVAILABLE.

Make sure both are up to date as well. There’s nothing more tacky then a handwritten credit at the bottom of your resume. Have resumes as a separate sheet that you can just staple to the back of your headshot. It’s much easier to just staple a new resume on after you’ve added a credit. Headshots are more expensive to reprint but new ones are absolutely necessary whenever you make a drastic change to your appearance. For those with cars, just keep a bunch of envelopes in your trunk and they take up no space in travel bags for those who commute by public transportation.

2. KEEP A BUSINESS CARD WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.

There is no excuse not to have a few business cards stuffed in your wallet. Business cards should include a small photo of your headshot and the best number you can be reached at. You could be out to dinner and meet up with a friend who knows the casting director that just walked in the door. Some small polite conversation and slip of your business card might just be a shot in the door.

3. HAVE A CHANGE OF CLOTHES READY.

For those with cars, a nice change of clothes for auditions will fit perfectly in your trunk with all your headshots. For those that have to make a quick stop at home, always keep an outfit in mind for every occasion. You might not have time to sift through your entire closet so having a few choices in mind is always recommended.

4. BE ABLE TO FRESHEN UP QUICKLY.

For ladies, keep a small hairbrush and a few of your favorite make-up items in your purse. A quick freshen up will help, especially if you’re just coming from the gym. It’s like getting ready for a date and always looking your best. For both men and women, a travel-size tube of deodorant and some breath mints are an easy to way to make sure you're at your most presentable.

5. KEEP YOUR PHONE AND DAY-PLANNER HANDY.

It doesn’t matter how prepared you are if you never answer the call. Casting directors have many headshots in front of them. There’s no reason to wait for you to call back when they can just fill the slot with someone else. If you’re called about an audition tomorrow at 4pm, you need to know right at that moment if you’re available. Calling back to change your appointment takes up a casting director’s valuable time, so always have your schedule handy.

Making a good first impression is important so always be prepared. You never know if this will be your only shot and you don’t want your number scribbled on the back of an envelope to be your lasting impression!

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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